FRLN88: Fit Relationships, Wealthy Friends, Rich Community
Some people chase success alone…
But they burn out, stall out, or get stuck in destructive patterns.
Not Jillian Johnsrud (this week's Fit Rich Life Podcast Guest).
She’s built a life of freedom, joy, and financial independence by prioritizing one thing most people overlook: relationships.
In this issue, we talk about:
How the right coach fast-tracks your fitness
Why wealth flows through your relationships
How relationships can pull you out of a rut and back into life
Let’s dive in…
FIT — Who You Surround Yourself With Shapes You
Jillian reminded me of something I’ve lived myself: the fastest path to change is finding someone who already has what you want.
When I finally hired a coach who had the physique I wanted — abs, muscle, the whole package — that’s when my own transformation clicked.
Because here’s the truth:
The people around you set your standard.
Your coach, your training partners, your friends at the gym — they either normalize mediocrity or raise the bar.
My Take: When I was left to my own devices, I spun my wheels for years. But the moment I invested in a coach, my progress exploded.
Ten years later, I’m still lean, strong, and fit — because I never forgot what my coach taught me and I made sure that my friend group includes people who embody a fit lifestyle.
If you’re struggling, don’t white-knuckle it alone. Find a mentor, friend group, or community that already lives at the level you aspire to.
RICH — Wealth Is a Team Sport
Money doesn’t just come from hard work. It flows through relationships.
Every big leap in my career and finances came from the people I knew and trusted.
The mentors who opened doors.
The colleagues who made introductions.
The friends who pushed me to play bigger.
My Take: When I finally left the Hollywood nightclub scene — where relationships were shallow and transactional — and reconnected at Stanford, my entire financial trajectory changed.
Fast forward to today: I’ve gone from being $80,000 in debt and 6 years behind on taxes… to becoming a multi-millionaire.
Not because I was smarter or luckier, but because I built real, authentic relationships with people who were already living the kind of life I wanted.
LIFE — Connection Pulls You Out of the Rut
Last year, I was in a rut. I’d lost some fire.
What pulled me back wasn’t grinding harder. It was reconnecting with my community. This included:
A new gym (with an incredible community).
Joining the local pickleball club (who play 6 days a week).
Reconnecting with old friends and making new ones who bring energy, positivity, and laughter into my life.
My Take: When I was stuck in drugs, alcohol, and debt, I had to completely reboot my life. Relationships were the catalyst then, and they’re still the catalyst now.
Your happiness is highly correlated with the happiness of the people closest to you.
So if you want to raise your game — fitness, money, or joy — look at your inner circle.
ACTION — Build Your Fit Rich Life
Pick one step this week:
Fitness: Find a coach or friend who already has the results you want.
Money: Audit your network — are your relationships opening doors or closing them?
Life: Deepen one or two relationships that truly matter.
And if you want the full conversation with Jillian — including how you can use mini-retirements to advance your career and design a life you love — listen to this week’s Fit Rich Life Podcast.
🎧 Spotify | 🍎 Apple | ▶️ YouTube | 🌐 Web
To your health, wealth, and happiness,
— Justin David Carl
P.S. I will be at FinCon in Portland next week. Drop me an email if you're going. I would love to connect with any Fit Rich Life Newsletter Readers while I am there!