The episode is less about business growth and more about personal resilience and the powerful difference between working on your business versus in it; and ultimately, working on yourself.

From Bicycle Messengers to Boutique Practice

Bob’s career spans decades, starting when résumés were shuttled by bicycle messengers and a portable fax machine cost $4,500. He built a large, successful staffing firm. However, as the conversation reveals, he deliberately chose to downsize a few years ago.

He found that running a large operation meant working on the business. Downsizing allowed him to return to the craft, the hands-on work of interviewing and placement, and find fulfillment, proving that the work is more fulfilling.

The Catastrophic Gift of Life

Bob’s most compelling story is about the massive health crisis he faced over 20 years ago that put him on life support, reshaping his outlook on life, work, and gratitude.

He discusses how his decades-long practices in silent meditation and Bikram (hot) yoga became his lifeline. When he woke up on a respirator, he used the machine’s rhythm to perform Ujjayi breathing meditation. As his sister-in-law wisely noted, he “trained his entire life for these illnesses.” Now, at 75, he embodies reinvention and acceptance, trading marathons for chair yoga, and viewing every physical challenge as a teaching moment.

The Core Takeaway: Find Your DNA

Life comes with no warranties or guarantees. Bob’s advice on career and contentment is simple yet revolutionary: find what is in your DNA and what you love to do, and the money will follow. His perspective on career fulfillment, the necessity of personal practice, and the struggle to stay in the present moment is a powerful reminder that awareness is the practice, and coming back to stillness is the key to clarity.

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“If a person does what they love, the money follows because they rise to the top of what they’re doing.”

— Robert Larson, CPC

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Listen to the Full Conversation

Don’t miss Bob’s incredible story of resilience and his profound advice on living an aware and grateful life.

Click HERE to listen to the episode.

Books, Websites, and Resources Mentioned

We always highlight the resources mentioned by our guests so you can follow their lead.

• Substack: You can follow Bob Larson’s active daily blog and get a peek into his daily practice of gratitude and awareness

• A Book for Letting Go: Let Them by Mel Robbins

• The Business Essential: The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber

• Career Assessments: The Kuder Career Assessment and Campbell Interest and Skill Survey

Until next time, friends,

Chris

Possessions are not Happiness…..when I was in my mid 20’s on the Friday of Labor Day weekend I left work early and headed for the tennis courts to get a set in before dinner …. on my return from the courts there was a lot of commotion around my street…. fire trucks and police cars were everywhere … as I got closer I realized that my house was on fire ……well, bottom line within the next hour the only possessions I had were the sneakers on my feet and my newly strung tennis racket …. I was totally wiped out ….. well, my friends after the shock had passed, I realized I was safe, and my health was intact ….I realized all my stuff was replaceable … this was a learning experience that change my life forever ….. no future purchase would be permanent fixtures or make me happy …..life is about experiences and your choice on how to react to circumstances…. I am so blessed to have suffered this materialistic lost at a young age… as it has reminded me for decades what is important…. enjoy this day my friends ….and may you stay forever materialistic FREE!