Normal 40: The Podcast

Written by: Lon Stroschein
  • Summary

  • I left the rat race while at the top. I was making the most I had ever made, and I was offered a promotion. But I was tired of the travel. The work no longer inspired me. I was sick of answering emails all night and while on vacation. It was what I chased, but I felt trapped - like it was impossible to leave - because I was the provider. I went to bed most nights with a pit in my gut, hoping that one day I would wake up and take back my life - before my kids had grown and moved out.

    So, I resigned. No plans. No resume. No guarantees. Just me - and it has been fantastic!

    When I left, thousands of people wanted to know how I did it, how I knew it was my time. How I knew I had enough. How I worked this out with my family.

    It wasn't until I left that I realized what I felt was normal. I realized it happens to most high-achievers. And I realized I wasn't alone, but that nobody was leading these leaders. That's when I created Normal 40 - a movement chartered to help people regain control over their lives - a place where you don't have to do this alone.

    This podcast tells the stories of those who have done it, those who are doing it, and those who hope to someday have the balls to start. This podcast is your story, and you're not alone.

    My mission is to inspire a thousand people to write their second-half story -- and live it.

    My metrics will be a thousand notes of thanks from people who have made "The Trade" and will never look back with regret.

    That’s what’s in me. That's my mission. That's why I'm here.

    This is the shit nobody talks about. This is the Normal 40.

    Lets Ramble!
    Copyright Lon Stroschein
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Episodes
  • #58 The Road Back Home: How to Reinvent a Failing Business (and Yourself) with Stephanie Stuckey
    Feb 28 2025
    What if you had the chance to reclaim your family’s legacy, resurrect a once-iconic brand, and bet everything on a dream?

    Stephanie Stuckey, CEO of Stuckey’s Corporation, joins Lon Stroschein to discuss her unexpected journey from law and public service to buying back an iconic brand her grandfather start in 1937.


    “You never know when opportunity will knock—but when it does, you have to be willing to bet on yourself, even if no one else will.” – Stephanie Stuckey

    Taking back a brand and a company is one thing, but what it will demand from you is another.

    Lon and Stephanie dive into the emotions behind taking the leap when opportunity knocks. She reflects on the moment she got the call that Stuckey’s was for sale, the gut-wrenching decision to invest her savings and the reality of stepping into a role she never planned for.

    Her story is a lesson in resilience, reinvention, and embracing the unknown.

    Key Takeaways
    • Bet on yourself, even when no one else will. Stephanie took a risk when her family and banks said no—because she believed in what Stuckey’s could be.
    • You don’t need to have it all figured out. She didn’t know how to read a balance sheet or run a company, but she learned along the way.
    • Brand value is more than numbers. The emotional connection people had to Stuckey’s was its biggest asset—something you can’t put on a balance sheet.
    • It’s never too late to reinvent yourself. Stephanie was in her 50s when she made this leap—proof that midlife is a time for bold moves, not settling.

    What's next?
    Support Stephanie’s mission by purchasing Stuckey’s products! Find them at Hobby Lobby, Rural King, Food Lion, and other retailers—or order directly at Stuckeys.com.

    Feeling stuck in your own success? Join The Insider at Normal40.com for coaching, insights, and a community of high performers redefining their future. This is your sign—it’s time to take the leap.

    Find it all right here: https://linktr.ee/lon.stroschein
    Stephany Stuckey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniestuckey/
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • #57: The Judgement: A Doctor's Courage to Take Back His Life. A Ramble with Dr. Adam Goodcoff
    Feb 7 2025
    You did everything right. You put in the years, made the sacrifices, and built a career most people admire. But now, there's a feeling you can't shake—one that whispers there's something more for you. But there you sit...waiting.

    Judgment starts at the moment you even consider doing something new or more. From colleagues, from society, from that inner voice that says, you should just be grateful for what you already have.

    The self-judgement that leads to the guilt of having so much and then the shame of feeling so little.

    This is your podcast.

    In this episode, Lon Stroschein sits with Dr. Adam Goodcoff, an ER physician turned social media influencer and entrepreneur. Dr. Goodcoff shares his unique path from traditional medicine to becoming the founder of Medfluencers, a platform revolutionizing how healthcare professionals engage with social media and the digital space.

    He reflects on the critical moments that defined his life, including overcoming fear, defying expectations, and creating a career that combines his passions for medicine, education, and innovation.

    In a candid conversation with Lon, Dr. Goodcoff discusses the challenges of juggling a grueling medical residency with building a social media presence that now reaches millions.

    Together, they tackle the universal struggle of breaking free from societal expectations, the fear of looking irresponsible, and the courage it takes to act on your instincts.

    Key Takeaways
    • Act on Your Instincts. If you wait until you're "ready," you may never begin. Start small and adjust as you go.
    • The Power of Saying Yes: Even when the timing seems off, leaning into opportunities can lead to unexpected growth.
    • Redefining Success: Success doesn't have to follow the rules. Dr. Goodcoff's journey shows that traditional career paths can be redesigned to fit your passions and goals.
    • Educate, Don't Sell: As a leader in healthcare social media, Adam highlights the importance of using platforms to educate rather than promote—helping others without compromising integrity.
    • Overcome the Guilt of Change: Transitioning to a new chapter might feel irresponsible, but sometimes the riskiest move is staying where you are.
    What's Next:
    Are you ready to take your next step? Subscribe to Lon's free Rambler newsletter for weekly insights on finding clarity, freedom, and legacy.

    Find it all right here: https://linktr.ee/lon.stroschein

    Dr. Adam Goodcoff: https://www.instagram.com/seethemedlife/
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • #56 The Diagnosis: A Four-Year-Old's Cancer, and a Parent's Courage with Kevin Hoover.
    Jan 24 2025
    What happens when life throws you one curveball after another? How do you rise, rebuild, and find your true purpose?

    In this episode, Lon Stroschein sits with Kevin Hoover, an elite performer whose life has been shaped by pivotal moments of triumph and heartbreak. From humble beginnings in Mooresville, North Carolina, to a whirlwind career in hospitality, coaching, and real estate, Kevin shares his story with vulnerability and wisdom.

    But the real turning point came when his 4-year-old son was diagnosed with cancer—a moment that redefined everything he thought he knew about success and purpose.

    You expect powerful insights about life’s unexpected turns, the strength of family, and how faith and resilience can help you rewrite your story. Whether you’re seeking inspiration or clarity in your journey, Kevin’s story will move you to take stock and action. It will show you there is life after cancer.

    Key Takeaways
    1. Transformation doesn’t need to be radical; it can start by identifying the “ingredients” of your ideal life.
    2. Faith can be a powerful anchor, offering clarity and strength during life’s most challenging moments.
    3. Prioritizing family and relationships over external achievements creates a foundation for true fulfillment.
    4. Traveling and stepping out of routine can be deeply healing, offering fresh perspectives and stronger connections.
    5. Adversity can become a turning point, pushing us to realign with what truly matters.
    6. Inspiring others often begins with sharing your authentic story and lessons learned along the way.

    What's Next
    Ready to step into what’s next for you? Start with 'The Trade'—a guide to making the big moves that lead to clarity, freedom, and legacy, or join the Normal 40 Insider Mastermind, where high performers like you can get tailored advice and strategies to navigate your next chapter. It is, and I promise, the most affordable mastermind you'll find.

    Find it all right here: https://linktr.ee/lon.stroschein

    Kevin Hoover: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nextcrest/
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    1 hr and 51 mins

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