“Energy is a very real thing. I mean, if somebody walks into a room, you can feel them, you can feel the presence they have around them.
When I talk to someone that I click with, there's never really like a break in the conversation. Like the chat can go on for a really long time, pretty effortlessly and seamlessly.
And there're other times where, if you're in a silent moment, you feel a little uncomfortable. I feel like people that you click with, if you're silent for a minute, it doesn't feel awkward. It just feels fine.”
From this episode, you'll know:
👉 Why control over time, not just money, is the new definition of success.
👉 How to build meaningful connections without traditional networking.
👉 How to define your business around your lifestyle, not the other way around.
Choose the best platform to listen to this episode:
Connect with Brian and Yurii here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/briandgallagher/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/
🌱 From corporate chains to time freedom: The human story behind Simple Man Guide
“Success for me now is being able to control my time.”
What if success wasn’t about climbing the corporate ladder, but about reclaiming your calendar?
In my latest Humans of Business episode, I spoke with Brian Gallagher—the mind behind the Simple Man Guide, creator of The Solo Business Blueprint, and co-founder of Throwback, a team-based fitness concept.
But beyond the resume, Brian is someone who has deeply reflected on what it means to live a meaningful life. And it shows.
This wasn’t a conversation about growth hacks or revenue milestones—it was about being human. About knowing when to let go, how to connect, and what it really means to design a life around who you are.
✨ The two types of wake-ups
“I remember waking up in my NYC apartment, whispering to myself: ‘16 hours and you’re right back here.’ That’s when I knew something had to change.”
Brian paints a vivid contrast between life in the corporate world and life on his terms. The first kind of wake-up? Dread. The kind that starts with checking the clock and ends with counting the hours until you're back in bed.
The second? Excitement. Clarity. The quiet thrill of knowing what you want to build and having the freedom to work on it, day by day.
That contrast—between existing and living—became the compass for everything Brian built after.
👥 On clicking with people (and when you just… don’t)
“When you click with someone, even silence doesn’t feel awkward.”
We talked about connection and how, especially in solo business life, it becomes more than a buzzword. It’s your filter. Whether meeting people at a café, on a padel court, or online, Brian emphasizes the value of human energy.
That "click" isn't just social chemistry—it's a strategic guidepost. If someone drains your energy in conversation, will working with them really bring results?
“If there’s a gap in the conversation and it doesn’t feel weird—that’s how you know.”
🧠 Self-awareness as a business strategy
“I didn’t leave corporate to work harder. I left to live fuller.”
One of the most refreshing truths in our conversation was this: even when you love what you do, burnout can sneak up on you.
Brian admits there are parts of solo business he doesn’t love—DMs, sales outreach, calendar planning.
But the difference now? He chooses them. He spaces them. He recovers. And most importantly, he listens to his energy.
This kind of self-awareness is a skillset, not a side note. It’s the foundation for sustainable success.
⏳ The value of time (and what it’s worth to you)
“I used to think I had to accumulate money. Now I think about how I want to spend my time.”
In our twenties, time feels infinite. In our forties, Brian says, we realize it’s not. His story is one of redefining success—not as status or income—but as autonomy.
What would it look like if you could spend a month with your parents every year? Or take a 10 a.m. run just because the sun is out? For Brian, these freedoms are worth far more than a title or a corner office.
🧭 Building a business that feels like you
“Younger me would be proud of the chances I took.”
We ended our chat on a personal note: what it means to feel like you’re enough. Brian was honest—he sometimes compares himself to old colleagues who climbed the traditional ladder. But then he remembers the freedom he’s created, the people he’s helped, and the life he’s intentionally shaped.
That’s what business should feel like. Not a grind to prove yourself, but a vessel for becoming more of who you already are.
✍️ Key takeaways
You don’t need to hate your job to feel unfulfilled—sometimes misalignment is quieter.
Clicking with people is about ease, not effort. Follow that energy.
You can love your business and still need boundaries. Burnout doesn’t discriminate.
Choose time over status. You’ll never regret a walk with someone you love.
Freedom isn’t just quitting your job—it’s designing your life.
“There’s no easy way out—but there is a better way in.”
If this conversation hit home, make sure to follow Brian on LinkedIn or check out his work at simplemanguide.com.
And if you’re in the midst of your own business shift, remember: every business starts with a human.
That human is you 💛
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