The Founder was the Bottleneck | Sam Goodner, Unlocking Moves Ep. 67

The Moment Sam Goodner Realized HE Was the BottleneckJoin us this week on Unlocking Moves, the show that dives into the pivotal moments in a leader’s journey that unlock their true potential. Many leaders love to tell their “glory” stories, but host Kurt Wilkin believes we learn more from the “gory” ones. On this episode, Kurt sits down with Sam Goodner, entrepreneur, author of Like Clockwork, and former CEO of Catapult Systems, for a conversation about growth, control, and the hardest realization a founder can face.Sam’s journey didn’t start in Texas. He grew up in Switzerland, served in the Swiss Army, and made the leap to Texas A&M, a move that completely changed his life. That path eventually led him to co-found Catapult Systems and grow it into a successful business. But as the company grew, so did the pressure, and the cracks started to show.Eventually, Sam had a realization that many founders conveniently ignore: he was the bottleneck. The same drive and control that helped build the company were now holding it back. That moment forced him to rethink everything, from leadership style to decision-making, and what it truly takes to scale a business beyond yourself.After exiting the company, Sam made another bold move. He and his family stepped away from everything and traveled around the world for 13 months. That time created space to reflect, reset, and redefine success. It also led to writing Like Clockwork and stepping into a new role helping other leaders build businesses that run without them.Kurt and Sam dig into what it truly means to let go, why most founders struggle to transition from operator to leader, and how building systems is the only way to create true freedom. They also discuss his current coaching work, and why so many leaders stay stuck longer than they should.If you’re building a company, leading a team, or feeling like everything still depends on you, this episode is a reminder that the biggest unlocking move might be getting out of your own way.About Sam GoodnerSam Goodner is an entrepreneur, author of Like Clockwork, and former CEO of Catapult Systems, a company he helped grow and successfully exit. Originally from Switzerland, he served in the Swiss Army before moving to the U.S. to attend Texas A&M. Today, he works as an executive coach, helping leaders build businesses that scale beyond themselves.About Kurt WilkinKurt is a connector of dots, ideas, and people. For over 30 years, he has advised high-growth companies, starting his career with Ernst & Young and today serving as Founder of BusinessEarth and Managing Partner of Bee Cave Capital. He’s a serial entrepreneur with multiple successful exits and has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and CEOs build their companies.Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unlocking-movesSpotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/unlockingmoves