Episode 36

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Published on:

7th Jul 2026

Surrender Works Better Than Hard Work | Here's Why

Justin Michael returns to And Then I Did This for a powerful second conversation about reinvention, surrender, and the courage to let go of the identity you've spent years building.

After climbing the corporate ladder in SaaS sales — working at Salesforce, LinkedIn, and 13 startups — Justin was offered his dream role as a Chief Revenue Officer at 40.

But when the deal came with strings attached, he walked away and bet everything on writing. Six years, 11 books, and 250 teams trained later, Justin's newest work, Rewriting the Law of Attraction, is turning heads — earning praise from Mark Victor Hansen (co-author of Chicken Soup for the Soul) and Bob Burg (The Go-Giver).

In this episode, Justin and host LuRae Lumpkin explore why the classic Law of Attraction often falls short, the three deeper laws that actually drive transformation — love, assumption, and becoming — and why true change starts not with what you think or do, but with who you're being.

Whether you're standing at a crossroads, burned out from chasing someone else's definition of success, or quietly wondering "what if," this conversation is your permission slip to let go, trust your gut, and discover what's waiting on the other side.

Chapters:

  • (00:00:00) - The Identity Trap: When Success Becomes the Source of Anxiety
  • (00:00:28) - Welcome to And Then I Did This
  • (00:01:00) - Justin's Journey: From Software Sales to Best-Selling Author
  • (00:03:30) - Walking Away from $400K and Betting on the Book
  • (00:04:45) - Meeting Jack Canfield, Rhonda Byrne, and the Spiritual Awakening
  • (00:06:00) - Surrender as the Answer: Faith, Letting Go, and the Hows of the Universe
  • (00:08:00) - Pronoia: What If Something Better Is Waiting?
  • (00:09:15) - Creating Your Future from the Future, Not Your Resume
  • (00:11:30) - Not All Who Wander Are Lost: Finding the Path in the Detour
  • (00:12:00) - The Baby Elephant on the Chain: Breaking Childhood Beliefs
  • (00:14:00) - The Three Laws: Love, Assumption, and Becoming
  • (00:17:00) - You Have a Book in You: Advice for Aspiring Authors
  • (00:19:00) - Final Words: Trust Your Gut and Take the Leap

Links and Resources:

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About the Podcast

and then I did this
The unique journeys of individuals who've had the courage to break free and live life on their own terms.
"And Then I Did This" brings you the unique journeys of individuals who've had the courage to break free and live life on their own terms.

Each episode takes you behind the scenes of an ordinary person's extraordinary transformation. You'll hear from those who've walked away from the beaten path to pursue work and a life that nourishes their soul. Their stories prove that you truly can be free to live your best and most authentic life.

Get ready to be inspired as we explore the challenges, triumphs, and lessons learned from those who dared to create the life of their dreams. Whether it's leaving the corporate grind to start a small business, embarking on a midlife career change, or simply redesigning your daily routine to prioritize your passions - the guests on "And Then I Did This" show you that it's possible to break free and live life on your own terms.

Join us each week and prepare to be motivated, encouraged, and empowered to take the first steps toward more freedom in your life.

If you're feeling inspired and ready to explore your own path to freedom, check out YouCanBeFree.life where you'll find resources and support to help you break free and live life on your own terms.

About your host

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LuRae Lumpkin