Quit The Quota

In this episode of Quit the Quota, Darryl Miedico and Marya Ryan sit down with Mike Sjogren to unpack what it really takes to break out of the traditional career path and build a life on your own terms.Mike shares the defining moment that changed everything—when a personal crisis forced him to confront the reality of trading time for money and not being there for his family when it mattered most. That experience became the catalyst for a relentless pursuit of financial freedom and a complete shift in how he approached work, income, and life.What followed was not instant success, but years of rejection, uncertainty, and pushing through the hardest phases of entrepreneurship. From cold calling and door knocking to finally landing his first deal, Mike walks through the real journey most people never see—the struggle before momentum.This conversation goes deeper than tactics. It dives into identity, environment, and the psychology of change—why most people stay stuck, how your beliefs shape your results, and what it actually takes to move from “wanting” something to making it a non-negotiable.Mike also breaks down his CASPER framework for building and scaling a business, along with the importance of clarity, surrounding yourself with the right people, and creating leverage to accelerate growth.If you’ve ever felt like you’re capable of more but keep hesitating to take the leap, this episode will challenge your thinking, your excuses, and your standards.Tune in now to learn what it really takes to build freedom—and why most people never do.Timestamps (Key Moments)04:01 – Introducing Mike Sjogren and his background06:45 – Doing everything “right” and still feeling stuck07:28 – The life-changing moment with his son10:42 – The breaking point: leaving family to return to a job11:04 – The decision to never trade time for money again12:40 – Discovering short-term rentals and taking a risk13:11 – First property cash flowing $1,500/month14:56 – The lowest moment: ready to quit15:28 – First breakthrough deal after 9 months18:22 – Why strategy comes after mindset19:33 – The “psychology of change” framework20:19 – The valley of despair (where most people quit)22:53 – Why most people never go all-in25:37 – Identity shift: from CPA to entrepreneur27:05 – Your income is capped by your self-image31:32 – Balancing support vs people holding you back32:57 – The importance of getting in the right rooms37:28 – The CASPER framework for building a business39:56 – Why being busy isn’t the same as being productive42:19 – Changing beliefs around money and time45:33 – Two ways to change your identity47:02 – Visualization and repetition of thought49:38 – “You don’t have 10 minutes?” (excuse breakdown)50:18 – Living differently for 2 years to change your life51:42 – Productivity vs comfort zones52:48 – Using your kids as leverage to take action54:47 – Fear never goes away—you just manage it better56:25 – What fear actually is (perspective shift)58:24 – The biggest fear: regret later in life01:01:36 – Make a decision and take action01:02:43 – Getting clear on what you actually want01:03:16 – The 3 stages of financial freedom01:04:30 – The real path: business income → passive income01:05:27 – Where to connect with MikeConnect with the Host and GuestDarryl MiedicoEmail: [email protected]: www.quitthequota.comInstagram: @quitthequotaFacebook: Quit the QuotaMarya Ryan Email: [email protected]: www.quitthequota.comInstagram:@quitthequotaFacebook: Quit the QuotaMike SjogrenInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mike.sjogren/Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/short-term-rental-secrets-podcast/id1517624469Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1291636050995868/?ref=profile_plus_visit_group#QuitTheQuota #RedefineSuccess #WorkOnYourTerms #EscapeThe9to5 #CareerFreedom #EntrepreneurMindset #BuildYourOwnBusiness #FinancialFreedom #TimeFreedomLifestyle

In this episode of Quit the Quota, Darryl Miedico and Marya Ryan break down the four biggest fears that stop people from taking the leap into entrepreneurship and building a life on their own terms.What starts as a conversation around the fear of failure quickly unfolds into something deeper—how fear shows up in ways most people don’t even recognize. From analysis paralysis to seeking validation, they unpack how these hidden patterns keep high performers stuck in roles that no longer align with who they want to become.The episode dives into four core fears: failure, criticism, poverty, and lack of self-confidence—and how they are all connected. Through personal stories and real-life examples, they explain how these fears influence decision-making, delay action, and ultimately keep people from pursuing what they truly want.More importantly, they break down how to start overcoming these fears in practical ways—by changing your environment, reconditioning your mindset, and taking small but intentional actions that build confidence over time.If you’ve been thinking about making a move but keep hesitating, this episode will help you understand why—and what to do about it.Tune in now to identify what’s really holding you back and start moving through it.Highlights of the Episode:05:47 – The topic: why people don’t take the leap08:42 – Fear #1: Fear of failure (and what it actually means)11:20 – Reframing failure as learning (Edison example)12:14 – Why your current situation might be the bigger risk13:26 – Complacency vs growth: why people stay stuck16:07 – Fear #2: Fear of criticism (and seeking validation)18:33 – Getting rejected early and using it as feedback20:34 – Why you shouldn’t take advice from people who don’t understand your vision23:19 – The importance of environment and mastermind groups28:40 – Fear #3: Fear of poverty and losing your lifestyle32:17 – “Money is energy” and shifting your money mindset34:36 – The $300 lesson that turned into six figures39:42 – How to recondition your relationship with money (giving, tipping, etc.)44:21 – The true test of mindset: how you respond to others49:09 – Fear #4: Lack of self-confidence (the root of everything)50:40 – Why comfort in corporate roles limits growth52:17 – How belief systems (paradigms) shape your decisions54:48 – The solution: acknowledge fear and take action anyway56:28 – What happens when you ignore fear vs face it01:00:00 – How to overcome criticism: get around the right people01:02:01 – Final message: take the leap and figure it outConnect with:Darryl MiedicoEmail: [email protected]: www.quitthequota.comInstagram: @quitthequotaFacebook: Quit the QuotaMarya Ryan Email: [email protected]: www.quitthequota.comInstagram:@quitthequotaFacebook: Quit the Quota#QuitTheQuota #RedefineSuccess #WorkOnYourTerms #EscapeThe9to5 #CareerFreedom #FearOfFailure #OvercomeFear #MindsetShift #SelfConfidence #EntrepreneurMindset #CorporateBurnout #StuckInTheRatRace #TakeTheLeap #PersonalGrowth #BuildYourOwnPath

In this episode of Quit the Quota, Daryl Medeco and Maria Ryan sit down with Mark Vaudreuil to break down what it really takes to transition from corporate sales into building a high-income business.Mark shares his journey from leading sales teams and hitting quotas inside corporate environments to realizing he was building wealth for others—not himself. After experiencing leadership changes, layoffs, and the instability of W-2 life, he made the decision to go all-in on his own business.What followed was a massive shift—from generating roughly $120,000 per year on the side to scaling to $3 million in just three months, and eventually reaching $10 million in revenue.This conversation dives into the real drivers behind that transformation: mindset, urgency, removing the safety net, and finally applying your value to your own vehicle instead of someone else’s. Mark also breaks down the reality of entrepreneurship—the wins, the setbacks, and the psychological battle that comes with building something on your own.If you’ve ever felt like you’re capable of more but stuck building someone else’s vision, this episode will challenge how you think about risk, security, and what you’re truly worth.Tune in now to learn how to turn your skills into your own engine for growth.Highlights:01:33 – Introduction to the episode and guest04:47 – Why entrepreneurship creates real freedom (time + control)05:08 – Introducing Mark Vaudreuil and his background08:07 – Early career: building sales teams and leadership roles12:14 – Getting laid off despite strong performance (wake-up moment)15:41 – Corporate instability: leadership changes and re-interviewing for your job18:57 – “Never again”: the decision to take control of income21:03 – The exact moment he committed to building a business23:42 – Realization: you’re making other people rich26:13 – The breaking point: refusing to “sell your soul” again29:44 – Going all-in: removing the safety net and focusing 100%33:53 – The breakthrough: scaling from $120K → $3M → $10M36:21 – The real driver: mindset + belief + environment41:30 – Setbacks: accounts shut down, credit pulled, real risk44:06 – Entrepreneurship truth: “you’re fighting either way”45:14 – Building mindset: daily habits, environment, and inputs49:18 – Why mindset without action doesn’t work50:04 – Entrepreneurship is a psychological battle56:02 – Turning success into coaching, offers, and leverage58:06 – The real key: provide value daily01:00:07 – Final advice: take action and learn from feedbackConnect with the Host and GuestDarryl MiedicoEmail: [email protected]: www.quitthequota.comInstagram: @quitthequotaFacebook: Quit the QuotaMarya Ryan Email: [email protected]: www.quitthequota.comInstagram:@quitthequotaFacebook: Quit the QuotaMark VaudreuilWebsite: www.markvaudreuil.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markvaudreuil/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.vaudreuil.98/Skool.com#OnlineBusiness #DigitalProducts #SideHustleToFullTime #QuitTheQuota #RedefineSuccess #WorkOnYourTerms #CareerFreedom #BuildYourOwnBusiness #EntrepreneurMindset #WealthBuilding

In this episode of Quit the Quota, Darryl Miedico and Marya Ryan unpack the reality many professionals avoid—what happens when the version of success you were chasing no longer aligns with the life you want.After experiencing layoffs, corporate pressure, and the constant grind of sales quotas, they break down the illusion of job security and why so many high performers feel stuck despite doing everything “right.” They share their personal journeys from W-2 roles into building businesses, and the mindset shifts required to move from fear and comfort into ownership and control.This conversation dives into the trade-offs between income and time, the hidden cost of staying in roles that don’t align, and the importance of environment, accountability, and taking action. From working holidays and missing life moments to building a schedule around what actually matters, this episode challenges the traditional definition of success.If you’ve ever felt like you’re winning on paper but losing in real life, this episode will force you to rethink what you’re really working toward.Tune in now to start defining success on your terms.Timestamps (Key Moments) 02:36 – Why this podcast exists 03:03 – Getting laid off and losing “security” 04:58 – The cycle of layoffs and fear of leaving corporate 06:08 – The false sense of job security 08:49 – Fear vs growth: making the decision to step out 10:19 – The reality of sales quotas and burnout 11:52 – Shifting from money to time freedom 13:28 – Owning your time and being present for what matters 17:17 – Work-life balance vs work-life integration 21:45 – Why most people never take action (environment + accountability) 26:05 – The long-term vision: changing lives through this podcastConnect with us:Darryl MiedicoEmail: [email protected]: www.quitthequota.comInstagram: @quitthequotaFacebook: Quit the QuotaMarya Ryan Email: [email protected]: www.quitthequota.comInstagram:@quitthequotaFacebook: Quit the Quota#QuitTheQuota #RedefineSuccess #WorkOnYourTerms #EscapeThe9to5 #CareerFreedom#SalesProfessionals #HighPerformers #CorporateLife #W2Life #SalesCareer #EntrepreneurMindset #BuildYourOwnPath #FinancialFreedom #TimeFreedomLifestyle #MindsetShift