Failing Forward Isn’t Failing More, It’s Recovering Faster with Jacob Brown

Send me your feedback on this episode!What if failure isn’t the problem — but how leaders respond to failure is?In this episode of Aspire for More with Erin, Erin sits down with Jacob Brown, former professional football player turned keynote speaker and author, to unpack what it really means to fail forward — and why fear-based leadership is quietly burning out capable leaders across industries.This conversation goes far beyond motivation. It’s about identity, recovery, and leadership capacity.Jacob shares his personal journey through professional sports, addiction, homelessness, and rebuilding his life — and how those experiences shaped his Fail Forward philosophy and his powerful concept of Avocado Leadership: leading from your core, not from fear.Together, Erin and Jacob explore why:Protection keeps leaders stuckFailure is information, not a verdictRecovery speed matters more than perfectionLeadership requires softness, strength, and grounded boundariesIf you’re a leader who cares deeply, feels the weight of responsibility, and knows you’re capable of more — this episode will meet you right where you are.In This Episode, You’ll Learn:Why failing forward isn’t failing more — it’s recovering fasterHow fear-based leadership turns leaders into bottlenecksThe hidden cost of over-functioning and self-protectionWhy shame only has power in silenceHow to separate your worth from outcomesWhat Avocado Leadership really means:Soft enough to connectStrong enough to hold the lineGrounded enough to stay true to your coreHow speaking goals out loud creates momentum and opportunityWhy growth doesn’t come from pressure — it comes from capacityMemorable Moments & Quotes:“Failure is information, not a verdict.”“Protection is what keeps leaders stuck.”“Shame only has power in silence.”“Failing forward isn’t failing more. It’s recovering faster.”“Growth doesn’t come from pressure. It comes from capacity.”Why This Conversation Matters:Too many leaders are exhausted — not because they don’t care, but because they care too much in fear-based systems.This episode isn’t about hype or hustle. It’s about learning how to:Trust yourself againLead without carrying everything aloneBuild leadership capacity that actually sustains resultsThis is the work Erin does every day with leaders through coaching, mentoring, and speaking — helping them stop protecting themselves long enough to grow.Follow and learn about Jacob Brown hereFollow Erin for more conversations on leadership, growth, and building capacity without burnout. Learn more about the 100% Leader here New ED's Playbook to Creating and IMpactful Community CultrueConnect with me on LinkedInFollow me on Facebook where I educate, equip and empower family members how to proactively care for their elderly loved ones.Follow me on Instagram where I educate, equip and empower family members how to proactively care for their elderly loved ones.Join my email list where I will lift you up, and send tactile advice weekly to support you to grow your experience in your senior living career.