Fully Invested | Chad Willardson
The Jon Gordon Podcast
Jon Gordon
4.8 • 1.2K Ratings
🗓️ 17 October 2025
⏱️ 36 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
On this episode of The Jon Gordon Podcast, I sit down with Chad Willardson, entrepreneur, wealth advisor, and author of Fully Invested, for a heartfelt and lively conversation about what it truly means to win big at work and at home - without sacrificing one for the other.
Chad shares the journey behind his “fully invested” philosophy: from the pivotal moment he chose family over chasing the Wall Street grind, to building successful businesses while making his marriage and five kids a top priority. Together, we unpack why “work-life balance” is a myth, and how true fulfillment comes from integrating your values into every part of your life, not compartmentalizing them.
Key themes include learning to say no to good opportunities so you can say yes to great ones, cultivating championship teams in business and family, and establishing rituals and communication that keep loved ones connected even as life and careers evolve. Chad’s candid stories and practical strategies illuminate how being present, whether at home or work, not only deepens relationships but powers greater professional success.
Whether you’re longing for more meaning at home while building your career, or questioning if you really have to choose between family and ambition, this episode is a powerful reminder that your richest life is possible when you invest fully in what truly matters.
About Chad,
Chad Willardson, CFF®, CRPC®, AWMA®, is the President and Founder of Pacific Capital, a family office services firm dedicated to helping high-net-worth entrepreneurs achieve lifestyle and financial freedom. Chad is also the Founder of ELEVATED, an exclusive coaching program for growth-focused entrepreneurs.
As an elected City Treasurer managing $650 million for taxpayers, Chad brings unparalleled expertise in wealth management, cash flow strategies, and business growth.
Beyond his professional achievements, Chad is deeply invested in his family and previously hosted The Smart Money Parenting Show, ranked the #2 podcast on Apple for Parenting, Kids & Family, where he shares actionable advice on raising money-smart kids and balancing success at work and home.
With over 20 years of experience in wealth management,
Chad continues to inspire entrepreneurs to win in business and at home.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Welcome to the John Gordon podcast, where we share John's interviews with guests, as well as key strategies and lessons from his keynotes, coaching, and more. |
| 0:09.0 | We want to encourage you to check out John Gordoncertified.com if you're interested in growing as a leader, coach, speaker, or trainer. |
| 0:15.6 | When you get certified, you'll be able to teach, coach, and train others on John's most impactful mindset, leadership, and teamwork principles. For more information, visit john Gordoncertified.com. That's J-O-N-Gordoncertified.com. Now let's jump in to today's episode. Hey, this is John Gordon with the John Gordon podcast. And today my guest is Chad Wilson. |
| 0:37.5 | Chad, how you doing? |
| 0:38.9 | I'm doing great. |
| 0:39.6 | Thanks for having me on, John. |
| 0:40.6 | Appreciate it. |
| 0:41.5 | Chad, let's get right to it. |
| 0:42.9 | You say work-life balance is a total lie. |
| 0:47.2 | Why is that? |
| 0:48.0 | It is a lie. |
| 0:49.8 | It's promoted everywhere. |
| 0:51.2 | And to me, it tries to convey this concept that work and life have to compete. |
| 0:59.3 | And like they're enemies and their opposites. And you've got to somehow balance these compartments of life. |
| 1:04.7 | And it's just not true. I believe that your work, your life, your faith, your family, your health, all that is actually integrated. |
| 1:10.9 | So I don't think there's balance. I think you've got to have alignment, you've got to have |
| 1:14.2 | integrity, but the whole the whole trap of balance to me is a lie. |
| 1:19.5 | You wrote a book called Fully Invested. What does it mean to be fully invested? |
| 1:26.1 | Fully invested to me means that you're not trying to go 50-50. |
| 1:30.3 | You're not trying to have a little bit of work over here and then take off that hat, |
| 1:34.3 | put a different hat on and have like, you know, like for you, you don't want to be a different |
| 1:38.3 | person backstage. |
... |
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