THRIVEONLIFE Podcast: Helping people live better lives with tips on health, wealth, and happiness.

Hosted by CJ Finley

Entrepreneurship Education Health FitnessInterviews guestsExplicit

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Episodes

357

Latest episode

Apr 2026

Language

About the show

The THRIVEONLIFE Podcast aims to help mission based people, brands, and businesses THRIVE on life, love, health, and everything in between. Tune in every THRIVE THURSDAY as CJ Finley, speaks with guests who wish to help other people THRIVE in the areas of health and fitness, business and entrepreneurship, and mindset and mental health. This show will provide answers to questions like: *How do I get more physically, mentally, and spiritually fit? *How business and entrepreneurship can make me a better human being? *How do I start on my entrepreneurial journey? *How do I make more money? *How can I build communities? *How can I produce social media content? *How can I start, scale, and sell a business? *How can I start an online business? *How can I improve my relationship with myself? *What books can I read to improve my life? *Who can I surround myself with to improve my life?

Listen to episodes

60 recent

April 2, 2026Episode 35942 min

EP357: How Entrepreneurship Almost Killed Our Marriage - Part I

***Listen to EP355 CJ's POV and EP356 Erin's POV before this episode*** Erin & Cj discuss how emotional maturity, shared self-discovery, and a week together in Houston revealed new sides of each other and deepened compatibility. The conversation explores how marriage is a lifelong commitment that requires working through discomfort rather than quitting at early conflict, including early bickering after moving in together. They dive into the hardest strain on their relationship: CJ leaving a stable engineering career for entrepreneurship, the uncertainty and pivots that raised concerns about stability, and how bringing Erin into his journey and community rebuilt trust. They close by connecting these lessons to parenting and the realities of day-to-day family life. 00:00 Intro 01:09 From Friends To Romance 03:36 The Houston Texas Turning Point 05:02 Dealing with Loss And The Maturity That Comes From It 07:03 Discovering Purpose And Defining Meaning 09:00 CJ's Perspective Shift 12:07 What If No History 14:25 Their "Houston Week" Highlights 18:48 Butterfly Effect In Dating 19:48 Marriage Is A Choice 21:37 Early Living Together Conflicts 22:29 Entrepreneurship Uncertainty Stress 25:59 Perspective Through Hard Times 27:14 Learning To Ask For Help 29:37 Why Quit The Safe Job 33:45 Bringing Your Partner Along 38:50 Discomfort Reveals Strengths 40:03 Parenting Reality Check Connect with Erin Instagram TikTok Connect with CJ Finley: CJ's Instagram CJ's YouTube CJ's Twitter cjfinley.com ThriveOnLife Podcast Instagram USE CJ'S PRODUCT DISCOUNT CODES HERE

March 26, 2026Episode 35831 min

EP356: From Friendship to Forever - Erin's Point of View

In this solo episode, Erin reflects on her marriage to CJ, whom she has known since age 10, and how their relationship unfolded unexpectedly from a deep friendship into partnership and parenthood. She recounts CJ driving from Nashville to Houston after a July 2015 visit revealed romantic potential, her initial hesitation to risk their friendship, and how she came to see his care, support during her father’s death, and his entrepreneurial drive. Erin describes encouraging CJ’s early fitness Instagram start, the tension and uncertainty caused by CJ’s shifting ventures and dislike of traditional jobs, and how trust and mutual support have sustained them. Now raising two young children in Austin without nearby family, they make intentional sacrifices, communicate around time constraints, integrate fitness into family life, and emphasize love, principles, alignment, and cherishing small moments. Key Moments 00:38 Childhood Friends to Marriage 02:04 The Austin Weekend Spark 04:10 Why I Said No To Dating Him Before 06:51 Dreaming and Building Together 08:57 Houston Move and Career Leap 12:21 Living With Hyperfocus 16:23 Parenthood Without having a Village of Support 21:06 What We Want Our Kids to Learn From Us 25:59 Thriving in Marriage Lessons 28:14 Letting Life Unfold Without Expectations Connect with Erin Instagram TikTok Connect with CJ Finley: CJ's Instagram CJ's YouTube CJ's Twitter cjfinley.com ThriveOnLife Podcast Instagram USE CJ'S PRODUCT DISCOUNT CODES HERE

March 19, 2026Episode 35734 min

E355: Marriage Lessons - CJ's Point of View

In this episode, CJ opens up about the real, unfiltered journey of marriage. Sharing candid insights into the challenges and triumphs he and his wife, Erin, have experienced over more than a decade together. From navigating the early stages of long-distance love to learning how to communicate through conflict, CJ reveals how their differing opinions, stubbornness, and occasional bickering became catalysts for growth rather than division. He dives deep into how they established roles, balanced their careers and parenting, and leaned on mutual respect and communication to strengthen their bond. KEY TOPICS - The dynamics of conflict and fighting in marriage - Long-distance relationship challenges and commitment - Personal growth as a foundation for attracting the right partner - Balancing careers, entrepreneurship, and family life - Communication and transparency as keys to relationship success - Division of roles and responsibilities in a partnership - Appreciation for simple, everyday moments in love - Managing risk, stability, and ambitions within a marriage Timestamps 01:19 Marriage And Fighting 02:30 Early Conflict Lessons 05:02 Stress And Emotions 08:29 How We Met 10:45 The 12 Hour Drive 13:00 Becoming Undeniable 17:53 Success And Support 23:59 Cost Of The Dream 28:54 Love In The Little Moments USE CJ'S PRODUCT DISCOUNT CODES HERE Connect with Erin Instagram TikTok Connect with CJ Finley: CJ's Instagram CJ's YouTube CJ's Twitter cjfinley.com ThriveOnLife Podcast Instagram

March 12, 2026Episode 35629 min

E354: How Fatherhood and Ultra Running has Reignited My Drive

WATCH THIS EPISODE ON VIDEO After a year-long hiatus to focus on family, his new role as COO of J&S Accounting Solutions, and growing the brand and mission at Men In The Arena, CJ Finley is back. In this episode, CJ discusses his journey towards becoming a focused leader and the mental shift required to balance high-level business with fatherhood. He also breaks down the lessons learned from training for and completing a 62 mile ultra marathon—and why true growth requires embracing discomfort and doing less, better. Key Topics: The "You can do anything, but not everything" mindset. Transitioning into life as a Dad of two, joining a new business, and learning to endure greater discomfort. How a 62 mile ultra marathon changes your perspective on grit in everyday life. Reducing resistance to life's necessary tasks. Connect with CJ Finley: CJ's Instagram CJ's YouTube CJ's Twitter cjfinley.com ThriveOnLife Podcast Instagram

November 20, 2024Episode 35416 min

E353: Life Lessons from Running 5 miles A Day For Over 110 days.

Have you ever thought about running 5 miles a day for a month? What about 3 months? CJ never thought he would either. Watch his Youtube video on why he started this challenge here But now it has been 110+ days of running 5 miles per day and he is reflecting on the initial challenges, the unexpected benefits, and the deep self-reflection that came with committing to this challenge. From battling distractions and social media influences to reconnecting with his personal goals, CJ unpacks how this experience has reshaped his views on productivity, goal setting, and personal growth. Tune in to hear how a simple commitment to run led to profound insights on living intentionally and aligning actions with long-term aspirations. Watch his Youtube video on why he started this challenge here How he felt after 5 miles a day for one month... Key Topics: [00:01:45] Motivations and goals for starting the daily five-mile run [00:05:30] Insights on self-discovery and the impact of disconnecting from social media [00:10:20] Evaluating life and career alignment post-challenge [00:14:50] Plans for the future and how the challenge shaped these aspirations USE CJ'S PRODUCT DISCOUNT CODES HERE Connect with CJ Finley: CJ's Instagram CJ's YouTube CJ's Twitter cjfinley.com ThriveOnLife Podcast Instagram thriveonlife.com

September 26, 2024Episode 35323 min

E352: Want to be a better father? Follow these 5 Facets Of Fatherhood.

In this solo episode, CJ dives deep into his personal framework for fatherhood, anchored by five key areas: Family, Finance, Fitness, Fun, and Faith. He shares how these "5 F's" guide him as a dad and help him lead by example in all aspects of life. From setting financial goals for his child to fostering deep family connections and making health a priority, CJ opens up about the joys and challenges of fatherhood. Whether you're a new dad or experienced, this episode offers practical insights into balancing life and family while creating lasting memories. Key Topics [00:01:15] – The "Facets of Fatherhood" framework, explaining how Family, Finance, Fitness, Fun, and Faith combine to guide his journey as a father. [00:05:45] – CJ discusses the struggle of balancing his career with fatherhood and making his son the priority. [00:09:45] – Insight into how to use family dinners and clear boundaries to instill important family values into your child from an early age. [00:12:35] – Teaching financial literacy at a young age by starting a child's bank account and teaching lessons about saving and spending. [00:16:45] – The importance of fun and play, encouraging dads to reconnect with their inner child to bond with their kids. USE CJ'S PRODUCT DISCOUNT CODES HERE Connect with CJ Finley: CJ's Instagram CJ's YouTube CJ's Twitter cjfinley.com ThriveOnLife Podcast Instagram thriveonlife.com

September 23, 2024Episode 35218 min

E351: Why Complaining Won’t Solve Your Problems — But This Will

In this solo episode, CJ discusses the importance of taking action when faced with life’s challenges, emphasizing the need to either build the solution you seek or physical move toward it. Drawing from personal experiences, he touches on feelings of loneliness in fatherhood, the power of community, and how connecting with like-minded individuals can help overcome struggles. CJ shares how building a group of fathers has helped him combat isolation, and how moving to Austin facilitated his entrepreneurial growth. The episode serves as a motivational call to embrace discomfort, take control, and either create or move to the environment that supports your goals. Key Topics - [00:02:15] - Reflect on how growing up in a small town led to feelings of anxiety and depression and the discovery that he needed to either build or move toward a solution. [00:05:50] - The emotional challenges of fatherhood, including loneliness and self-doubt, and how it’s shaped his thinking on creating solutions. [00:09:15] - Insight into the power of community, as CJ explains how starting a group chat for fathers has positively impacted his life and the lives of others. [00:14:45] - Scaling solutions beyond oneself, so that communities can thrive without constant input from the creator. [00:16:50] - CJ discusses the decision to move to Austin to be around people who shared his entrepreneurial vision, illustrating how environment impacts personal and professional growth USE CJ'S PRODUCT DISCOUNT CODES HERE Connect with CJ Finley: CJ's Instagram CJ's YouTube CJ's Twitter cjfinley.com ThriveOnLife Podcast Instagram thriveonlife.com

September 19, 2024Episode 35115 min

EP350: I Feel Stuck - How Building Momentum is My Way Out.

In this solo episode, CJ explores the idea of building and maintaining momentum in life and business. He opens up about his personal struggles with analysis paralysis, perfectionism, and self-doubt, sharing practical ways he has learned to overcome these obstacles. CJ talks about his commitment to running five miles every day, his renewed approach to podcasting, and the importance of accountability in sustaining progress. By focusing on small, consistent steps and maintaining a balance between personal goals and community impact, CJ provides an inspiring blueprint for anyone looking to build momentum in their own lives. Key Topics - [03:12] – Fitness and discipline: How running five miles a day has helped CJ stay focused and build momentum. [06:28] – Podcasting shift: Why shorter, more frequent episodes are key to regaining consistency. [09:47] – Perfectionism and the struggle to stay motivated after previous successes. [12:25] – The role of accountability: How being noticed by others creates a ripple effect for continued progress. USE CJ'S PRODUCT DISCOUNT CODES HERE Connect with CJ Finley: CJ's Instagram CJ's YouTube CJ's Twitter cjfinley.com ThriveOnLife Podcast Instagram thriveonlife.com

August 21, 2024Episode 35014 min

E349: I used to be scared to go to the gym...

In this solo episode, CJ delves into the transformative power of fitness training, tracing his evolution from a reserved teenager to a robust adult. He opens up about his early fears of gym culture, his eventual overcoming his own insecurities, and the supportive community that fostered his growth. By sharing these personal experiences, CJ illustrates how consistent physical training has enhanced his mental resilience and overall well-being, encouraging listeners to take incremental steps towards their own fitness goals. Key Topics 01:15 - Discussing CJ's athletic background and the role of health tracking devices. 02:45 - Early challenges and overcoming fear of gym intimidation. 04:30 - The transformative first experiences at the gym and building initial fitness habits. 06:10 - How gym training bolstered CJ’s confidence and improved his soccer skills. 07:50 - Fitness as a stabilizing force during life transitions post-college. 09:20 - Expanding fitness regimen to include nutrition, recovery, and overall wellness. 10:35 - Philosophy of incremental progress and stacking small wins in fitness and life. 12:00 - Reasons for maintaining a rigorous fitness routine and future fitness challenges. 13:40 - Closing thoughts on adapting fitness to personal lifestyles and proactive health management. USE CJ'S PRODUCT DISCOUNT CODES HERE Connect with CJ Finley: CJ's Instagram CJ's YouTube CJ's Twitter cjfinley.com ThriveOnLife Podcast Instagram thriveonlife.com

August 13, 2024Episode 34916 min

E348: How I plan to rebuild this podcast...

In this solo episode, CJ explores the balance between creating content for personal fulfillment and creating content that resonates with an audience. CJ reflects on his journey with the podcast, initially focusing on connecting with guests and sharpening podcasting skills, but eventually realizing the importance of creating content that aligns with his own vision and style. Tune in to learn about the evolution of content creation and the significance of connecting with your audience while staying true to your creative voice. Key Topics [00:01:25] Creating for yourself vs. others. [00:06:11] Embracing creativity and exploration. [00:11:40] Creating a series of episodes to be more valuable. [00:15:15] How winning takes on different forms. [00:16:18] Constantly raising the bar is a must. USE CJ'S PRODUCT DISCOUNT CODES HERE Connect with CJ Finley: CJ's Instagram CJ's YouTube CJ's Twitter cjfinley.com ThriveOnLife Podcast Instagram thriveonlife.com