Choosing bravery: manufacturing the pain to change

In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Mat Lewczenko — entrepreneur, coach, and author of The Entrepreneur's Regret — to unpack what it feels like to be winning on paper while quietly losing at home. Mat shares his story of growing up as a Polish political refugee, building success through grit and discipline, and eventually finding himself at the top of his professional game… but emotionally empty, disconnected, and on the verge of self-sabotage.

We talk about the silent epidemic facing high-performing entrepreneurs — entrepreneurial drift — and what it takes to reclaim your nights, weekends, relationships, and sanity. This episode is a wake-up call for any man chasing more while feeling less.

[0:00] The concept of "Rock Top" — succeeding outwardly while unraveling inwardly

[1:41] Mat's family escaping Poland as political refugees before martial law

[3:02] Growing up in an immigrant household built on pride, discipline, and ownership

[10:10] Early lessons on earning what you want and respecting what you own

[17:47] The tension between giving kids a better life without raising them soft

[24:58] Mat's pivot from theater professor to real estate entrepreneur

[30:29] The breaking point — winning at work while losing at home

[31:31] The porch conversation where his wife said, "You don't get to do this"

[35:29] Realizing he couldn't even name his core values

[36:33] The North Star Values process and regaining alignment

[40:52] The three pillars — Leadership, Love, and Life

[41:30] Why being "all in" where you are eliminates guilt and fragmentation

[45:28] The danger of climbing the wrong mountain

[47:06] Why you must go back through the clouds to choose a new summit

[54:28] Small hinges swing big doors — 15 intentional minutes a day

[58:32] Presence over presents — how to win back connection at home

1. Rock Top is real — you can be crushing it professionally while quietly collapsing personally.
2. Clarity of core values simplifies decision-making and eliminates internal friction.
3. Entrepreneurial drift happens gradually, then suddenly — awareness must come before crisis.
4. Being fully present where you are removes guilt and fragmentation.
5. Small, consistent intentional actions create massive relational change.

• The Dad Edge Business Boardroom: https://thedadedge.com/mastermind
• Mat Lewczenko on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mat-lewczenko/
• Mat Lewczenko on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mat.lewczenko/?hl=en
• Mat's Podcast (Buzzsprout): https://www.buzzsprout.com/1956169/episodes
• Mat Lewczenko — Additional Resource: https://ifgrxppecbxjqjkoyvl7.app.clientclub.net/courses/offers/82985e7c-be3c-41c2-b004-8e703e688431?fbclid=IwRlRTSAP-xitleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEe9kqpb3eiIFwdvocjWzIhjjxamujPzRooAIcu6RVT7W6_R-3B3c7XJyb5y5Q_aem_pxafoSiJqIhIG7u_vMzVeQ
• Mat's Book – https://a.co/d/02QOVPcr
• Episode Show Notes & Resources: https://thedadedge.com/1440

If you're climbing fast but feeling empty at the top, this episode is your invitation to reassess the mountain you're on. You don't have to lose your family to win in business. If this conversation hit home, please rate, review, follow, and share the podcast. Let's build success that we don't regret.

From my heart to yours — go out and live legendary.