Are you secretly afraid you’ll never find your “thing”? Wondering how to actually build a career and life that feels meaningful and bold, but unsure where to start?
In this episode, Matt Stewart and guest host Sean Phelps welcome visionary entrepreneur John Erik Metcalf, CEO and Co-Founder of Upgraded, to share his battle-tested strategies for real-world success, fulfillment, and impact. From Texas roots and risk-taking in college, to pioneering coworking in Austin and launching global startups in Shanghai, John Erik reveals the real secrets to standing out, embracing uncertainty, and aligning ambition with authentic values.
Don’t miss this exclusive episode if you want clarity, courage, and a proven roadmap to rise above the ordinary. Tune in now to avoid a career filled with regret and get the actionable insights to move forward with conviction, purpose, and lasting impact.
Timestamped Highlights
- [00:00] – Why rewriting your goals daily gives you a thrilling edge in opportunity-hunting
- [03:03] – The victory mindset: Paying it forward and why treating people right is the proven path to excellence
- [06:29] – Surprising lessons from bouncing between majors-how risk can accelerate your growth
- [10:11] – “Just do it”-The uncommon power of taking big swings, emailing visionaries, and building your destiny fast
- [13:24] – From autodidact to entrepreneur: How knocking on doors turned fear into opportunity
- [17:43] – The inside story: Launching Austin’s first coworking space and a lucrative tech consulting business
- [23:38] – How living abroad and keeping your values top-of-mind led to revolutionary career moves
- [27:43] – Proven secrets from the World Economic Forum and why top leaders aren’t as different as you think
- [29:04] – Building Upgraded: Apple partnerships, circular economy breakthroughs, and the next big thing in device management
About The Guest
John Erik Metcalf is the CEO and Co-Founder of Upgraded, a Y Combinator-backed startup revolutionizing the circular economy through trade-in and recycling programs for consumer tech. With a trailblazing history, John Erik launched Austin’s first coworking space, drove innovation in global startup ecosystems, and contributed to the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers. Known for marrying visionary leadership with hands-on execution, he has helped launch and scale ventures across the US, Mexico City, Stockholm, and Hong Kong.
🔗 LinkedIn | Website | Instagram | X
Mentioned Resources
- 1. Y Combinator
- 2. CollegeWorks Painting
- 3. World Economic Forum
- 4. Global Shapers Program
- 5. Apple Sweden
- 6. Klarna
- 7. Best Buy
- 8. Affirm
- 9. MacBook Upgrade Program
- 10. Citizen Space (coworking)
- 11. South by Southwest (SXSW)
- 12. Demand Analytics (startup)
- 13. Arbor Ventures
Important Links
- 1. Grow, do great work, and lead the way: National Services Group (NSG)
- 2. Join our Student Professional Program: Internship Application
- 3. Connect with Matt on LinkedIn
- 4. Watch full interviews on YouTube
The Edge of Excellence is an original podcast hosted by Matthew Stewart. Brought to you by College Works. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.