Welcome to Elevate with Elsner. Join us for inspiring conversations with individuals who have transformed their lives and are making a difference through the work that they do. And now, What's up everyone. It's Blake Elsner and you're listening to another solo drop of elevate with Elsner. This one's been burning a hole in my chest and today I'm going to rip it wide open. See, recently I've had people that I love, people that I've supported, even people I've done deals with come out of the shadows and say things like, are you okay? You've changed. Or honestly, my favorite one is, you've lost your mind, man. I smile, I laugh, because I know deep down, nah, I didn't lose my mind. I found my voice. And if you're uncomfortable with it, buckle up. Because this episode isn't for the comfortable. It's for the ones in the trenches of transformation. So let's get real. Yeah, I've changed. You're damn right, I've changed. The old version of me, he was a people pleaser. Always checking the temperature in the room, never checking the temperature of his own soul. Always loyal to everyone and everything except himself. But something snapped or maybe it clicked. I realized that playing small doesn't serve my family. My kids don't need a muted version of me. My wife doesn't need a maybe someday husband. And I sure as hell don't need to keep sacrificing my purpose to make insecure people feel safe. So I started showing up online raw and real. I started telling the truth, my truth, started posting more, speaking louder, sharing my wins, sharing my losses, getting extremely vulnerable. And you know what happened? Crickets from some, mockery from others, a few even pulled away. Maybe what some would say, more than a few. I had deals disappear. I had friends go ghost. But let me tell you what else happened. I became free. I didn't go off the rails. I got on track. And for the first time in my life, I started owning who I was meant to be, not who others wanted me to be. I found power and inner wealth. I found clarity through discomfort. I realized that I wasn't crazy. I was just finally in the right rooms. I'd been living in a quiet survival mode for so long. And now I'm in what I'd like to say creator mode. The version of me has boundaries. He says no, he doesn't chase, doesn't beg, doesn't water himself down to fit into somebody else's mold. I stopped waiting for permission to go all in. And you know what? The people who really know me, the ones who felt that shift, they're not confused. They're out there clapping. They see the man I'm becoming and they're saying, finally, Let's talk about resistance. Most people stay stuck in their lives, not because they're lazy, but because they're scared of what growth sounds like. Growth is noisy. It brings attention. It invites judgment. It makes people whisper. But hear this, the whispers, they're watching from the sidelines while you're on the field. I used to take it personally. When someone unfollowed me, when a friend got quiet, or someone just simply made a comment behind my back. But now I realize growth triggers people still living in their comfort zones. And that's okay, that's their journey. But I refuse to shrink to make others comfortable. I've got way too much to build. Too much to give and way too many people counting on me. So if you're listening right now and you feel like you're being misunderstood, good. That means you're changing. You are growing up. That means you're becoming someone they can't deny, they can't define anymore. And that's exactly where the magic starts to show up. So let me say this loud for the ones in the back. Playing small comes with a cost. I spent years working nights, missing family time, grinding weekends, waking up on Monday wondering what the hell I was doing it for. I don't regret the hustle, but I regret the damn silence, the self-doubt, the fear that kept me invisible. But now I work with some strong fire. I serve clients differently. I lead my family differently. I show up not just as a realtor, but as a father, as a builder, a voice, and a damn storm when I need to be. I'm not chasing likes, I'm chasing legacy. And if that shakes a few tables, so effing be it. So if you're feeling that pull, that stretch, that discomfort, let me give you some truth to walk with today. You don't have to explain your evolution to anyone. You don't need a round of applause. You need clarity, you need conviction, and you need the courage to keep going even when the noise gets loud. You're not crazy. You're waking the F up. And the minute you stop waiting to be understood is the minute you become unstoppable. They thought I lost my mind, but I found my voice. And now that I've got it, I'm not shutting up. This hits home, share it, take it in, and realize you're more than what you think you are. Tag someone building through the noise, subscribe to this, share it, and let's help others elevate. Because above all, do not, do not shrink into somebody else's mold. Elevate into your own. This is Blake Elsner and you've been listening to Elevate with Elsner. Until next time, keep building louder. One Thanks so much for tuning into this episode. We sure do appreciate it. If you haven't done so already, make sure you're subscribed to the show wherever you consume podcasts. This way you'll get updates as new episodes become available. And if you feel so inclined, please leave us a review and tell your