# Being Almost Successful Is the Most Dangerous Place You Can Be | S2S Ep. 530

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-secret-to-success-with-cj-karl-jemal-eric-thomas-436527/being-almost-successful-is-the-most-dangerous-place-you-can-be-s2s-ep-530
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-secret-to-success-with-cj-karl-jemal-eric-thomas-436527/being-almost-successful-is-the-most-dangerous-place-you-can-be-s2s-ep-530.md
Podcast: [The Secret To Success with CJ, Karl, Jemal & Eric Thomas](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-secret-to-success-with-cj-karl-jemal-eric-thomas-436527)
Published: 2026-02-26T23:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://episode.flightcast.com/01KHXTY8QAVVHTSMT7PS2DE90G.mp3
Audio file: https://episode.flightcast.com/01KHXTY8QAVVHTSMT7PS2DE90G.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-secret-to-success-with-cj-karl-jemal-eric-thomas-436527/episodes/being-almost-successful-is-the-most-dangerous-place-you-can-be-s2s-ep-530
Duration seconds: 2553

## Resource

Being close isn't the same as being there — and ET knows exactly what that feels like. In this episode, CJ and ET get raw about the "almost zone": why being talented, dedicated, and almost at the top might actually be harder than starting from zero. ET shares the real story of having the greatest motivational speech in the world and still not being able to get booked — and what finally changed everything. They break down why getting to the top and staying at the top are two completely different skill sets, the whispers of self-doubt that are quietly killing people's dreams, and why proximity to the right people matters more than talent ever will. 🔑 IN THIS EPISODE: Why the "almost zone" is more frustrating than starting from nothing The formula ET used to go from unknown to #1 motivational speaker in the world Getting to the top vs. staying at the top — why most people fail at both The whispers of self-doubt nobody talks about (and how to silence them) Why you can't build your dream with imaginary people — use your family The 1% Event: April 16–18 in Chicago | etonepercent.com Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: There's a Formula to Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be 00:00:57 Welcome and Team Introductions: The Varsity Game Is Back 00:01:56 The Crown Jewel: Doing It Together for 20 Years 00:05:07 Why ET Came Back Outside: The 10% Who Are Almost There 00:07:02 The Almost Zone: Why the Red Zone Is Harder Than Being Homeless 00:10:40 It's Not More Talent, It's Proximity: The New York Times Bestseller Formula 00:16:15 Nobody Cares: The Most Important Thing You'll Ever Write Down 00:22:32 Becoming Before Attracting: Why You Met ET at the Right Time 00:23:48 The 1% Conference Lineup: Wall Street Trapper, Inky Johnson, Earn Your Leisure and More 00:32:09 How Wall Street Tr…

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