Ep.54 From Rock Bottom to Clear Vision: Ashton McGee on Faith, Business, and Redemption

1/ Meet Ashton McGee: He was 27, exhausted, drinking every day, popping pills, life spiraling. Instead of running from the darkness, he SURRENDERED. His story isn’t just about business — it’s about surviving, thriving, and radical honesty.2/ “Alcoholism was the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” Not your average CEO wisdom, but for Ashton McGee, addiction unlocked the spiritual principles that turned his life — and company — around.3/ At rock bottom, Ashton McGee did the unthinkable: told the counselor in detox, “Wherever you tell me to go, I’ll go.” Next stop: Minneapolis, MN. Not for skiing, but for recovery. Talk about blind faith.4/ In Minneapolis, lost and alone, he fell in with a “sober gang.” AA meetings, cheap meals, hustling for jobs — building community was LIFE OR DEATH. Those bonds? Many still sober, still close, still changing lives today.5/ Recovery became his playbook for business. Applying AA’s 12 steps to entrepreneurship was radical—and it worked. “Spiritual principles applied to business solutions just doesn’t make sense to most people.”6/ When Ashton McGee started at Delta throwing luggage for $8.50/hr, he promised himself: “No cherry picking, no shortcuts. Just show up and be the best.” Spoiler: that humility led to a breakout mortgage gig, then #1 in his branch, then launching his own roofing company.7/ “You can go do anything you want in life, but you can’t drink or drug. And you have to put your recovery #1.” When money started rolling in, he doubled down on mentoring, AA meetings, and helping others.8/ Building Ashton McGee Restoration Group wasn’t easy. From $0 to $36M revenue in less than a decade — all with a team of “wild egos” (fellow recovering addicts!), trust, and honesty. You want to know their secret sauce? STORYTELLING. Vulnerability was the ultimate sales tool.9/ Bonus structure? “Ridiculous.” Generosity wasn’t just marketing fluff, it was the company’s DNA. Ashton McGee learned: “Don’t kill the spirit of the giver. The more I give, the more keeps coming.”10/ Biggest clarity: Every bet-the-farm gamble had one thread — Surrender first, results second. “I know you didn’t bring me this far not to bring me further.” Radical faith, radical results.11/ Legacy? It’s not about saving everyone. It’s about changing the trajectory for ONE starfish at a time. “If I can just save a couple, those can make a significant ripple.”12/ Are you struggling, doubting, or hustling non-stop? Ashton McGee wants you to know: YOU ARE ENOUGH. Trust the process. Do unto others. Be radically honest. And never, ever forget where you came from.