Living Vision with Aaron Velky

The Dehydration Crisis Destroying Your Immune System

If you are dehydrated, you are inflamed. Inflammation is where sickness, acidity, and long-term health problems thrive. In this episode, we break down why most people are not actually sick. They are chronically dehydrated and do not even realize it. Water is the most overlooked pillar of health. We talk about why most tap water, bottled water, fridge filters, and popular alkaline water fail to properly hydrate the body. Not because water does not matter, but because the wrong kind of water does. Mikaal Schmitz, founder of Sacred Alkaline Water, joins the show to explain how hydration impacts inflammation, energy, mental clarity, sleep, and longevity. You will learn: * Why dehydration fuels inflammation * The difference between clean water and living mineral water * Why bottled alkaline water is often misleading * How minerals and hydrogen affect absorption and energy * Why many people drink plenty of water yet remain dehydrated * How whole-home water quality affects both health and property Mikaal shares his personal journey, years of research, and why water has been ignored in the wellness conversation for too long. If you are serious about your health, your family, and long-term longevity, this episode will change how you think about every glass of water you drink. Water is not optional. It is foundational. If this episode helped you, leave a review and share it with someone who takes their health seriously.

Why You FAIL Every January and How To Actually WIN

January is lying to you. Every year, driven people wreck their momentum before the year even starts. They rush into goals. They overcommit. They confuse anxiety with ambition. Then they burn out by February. In this episode, we break down why January is not for goal setting and why the New Year New You mindset quietly sabotages long term success. Using a personal story from the Marine Corps Marathon, I explain how even disciplined, prepared people fail when they start too fast and why January should be used for recalibration, not acceleration. In this conversation, you will learn: * Why most New Year’s resolutions fail * Why January feels productive but creates long term drag * The real purpose January should serve in your year * How to aim before you fire so effort stops being wasted * Why small consistent shifts beat dramatic reinvention * How momentum actually works and why elite performers start slower * Why systems matter more than motivation * Why vision and goals are not the same thing This episode is for entrepreneurs, leaders, and high performers who are tired of repeating the same cycle every January and want a smarter, calmer way to win the year. If January feels chaotic, this episode will change how you approach the rest of the year. If you want the goal tracking dashboard mentioned in this episode, message me on Instagram or LinkedIn and I will send it to you free. If you are interested in our March leadership retreat in Cabo and want help building clearer vision, stronger systems, and real momentum, visit living.vision/cabo to apply.

Why High Performers Are MORE Likely To Become Addicted

High performers don’t struggle with addiction despite their success, many struggle because of it. In this raw, eye-opening conversation, Aaron Velky sits down with addiction and self-leadership expert Craig Perra to unpack why entrepreneurs, executives, creatives, and elite performers are disproportionately vulnerable to addiction, self-sabotage, and destructive coping patterns. This episode isn’t just about drugs or alcohol. It’s about work addiction, porn, fitness extremes, hustle culture, dopamine habits, emotional suppression, and the hidden cost of ambition. You’ll learn: - Why ambition and addiction are deeply correlated - How high performers use success to avoid pain - The real reason discipline alone doesn’t fix bad habits - Why “just stopping” addictive behaviors rarely works - How self-leadership (not willpower) creates lasting change - Why the opposite of addiction isn’t sobriety, it’s connection Craig shares his own journey from executive burnout, addiction, and rock bottom to building a globally recognized framework that helps high performers reclaim control without losing their edge. If you’re successful on the outside but feel conflicted, reactive, or out of alignment on the inside, this conversation will hit home. This episode is for entrepreneurs who want growth without self-destruction. Learn more about Craig’s work: https://mindfulhabitmastery.com

Why 2026 Should Be the Year You Quit More, Not Start More

Most people think growth comes from setting more goals. They're wrong. In this episode, we break down a radical but necessary shift for entrepreneurs heading into 2026: it's not about what you plan to do, it's about what you're finally ready to walk away from. You’ll learn: * Why saying "yes" is silently draining your future * How to build your personal “No List” before the new year * The hidden costs of low-leverage opportunities * How visionary leaders delegate without guilt * Why subtraction is the key to scaling Whether you’re a founder, executive, or ambitious professional, this conversation will help you pause, reflect, and redesign your growth strategy for next year. 👉 Want the End-of-Year Reflection Tool? DM "EOY" or "Reflection" to Aaron on Instagram 👉 Interested in the March Cabo retreat? Reach out for early details Stop adding. Start subtracting. Your next level starts with saying no.

What Most CEOs Get DEAD WRONG About Scaling

If you're a visionary CEO who feels stuck in the day-to-day, overwhelmed by your team, or unsure how to scale, this episode will hit home. Aaron Velky sits down with Erica Seagrave, a seasoned Fractional COO and systems expert, to unpack the biggest mistakes founders make when trying to grow. From accountability to vision alignment to building real operational support, this conversation is packed with tactical insight. What You'll Learn: ✔️ Why most visionaries accidentally become bottlenecks ✔️ How to turn "fluffy" vision into a tactical roadmap ✔️ The 6-step structure Erica uses with scaling CEOs ✔️ How to build systems that don’t kill creativity ✔️ When to hire a COO, and what they really do ✔️ How to develop leaders inside your team About Erica Seagrave Erica is the founder of Seagrave Consultants and a go-to fractional COO for growing businesses. She helps founders get out of the weeds, build better systems, and step fully into their CEO role. Learn more at: https://seagraveconsultants.com