Success Story

Marcus Johnson

Former Investment Banker

Marriage saved, medication stopped, father present again

Business side: Negotiated exit, built an advisory practice, published a book

VP at a bulge-bracket investment bank at 32, on the Managing Director track. 80–100 hour weeks, Xanax to sleep, Adderall to wake up, marriage on the brink.

Finance New York, USA Golden Handcuffs 6-month Reset Program + integration (2023–2024)

Exceptional result Verified

"I traded golden handcuffs for a life I actually want to live in. The money followed when I prioritised my nervous system."

Life Recovered

Life First. Numbers Second.

These are the outcomes the Reset Program is built to deliver for every committed client.

Medication

Off Xanax & Adderall

Cleared with his GP; no longer medicated to sleep or to function

Marriage

Saved and rebuilt

Renewed vows at 18-month mark

Father presence

12 consecutive weekends

Attended every weekend family event for a full quarter

Stress reduction

10/10 → 4/10

Self-reported; confirmed by GP-tracked biomarkers

The Transformation

From surviving to thriving—in numbers

Before

Work Hours80–100 hours/week

Income Model$450k/year (bonus-dependent)

Family TimeMarriage failing

Stress Level10/10 — medication to sleep

After

Work Hours30–35 hours/week

Income ModelDiversified income across advisory & book

Family TimeRenewed marriage, present father

Stress Level4/10 with tools, no medication

The Full Story

The Backstory

VP at 32. Managing Director track. Seven figures by 40 — that was the plan. But I was taking Xanax to sleep and Adderall to wake up. My wife threatened divorce. My kids called the nanny 'mama'. I was winning at a game I never chose to play.

The Breaking Point

My 6-year-old drew a family picture at school. I wasn't in it. When the teacher asked where daddy was, she said 'Daddy lives at work.' That drawing is still on my wall. It reminds me why I made the change.

The Transformation

James helped me realise I'd built my identity around being indispensable. The Freedom Reset showed me how to be valuable without being available 24/7. I came off sleep medication, rebuilt my relationship with my wife, and — eventually — wrote a book on deal-making psychology and built an advisory practice.

Life Now

Last month, I coached my son's little league team. We took a family trip to Italy. My wife says she's married to a different person — the person she originally fell in love with.

The Journey

Month by month transformation

Month 1 (Jul 2023)

Rock Bottom

Health crisis, marriage ultimatum, joined Freedom Reset

Month 2

Off Sleep Medication

First unmedicated full night of sleep in 3 years

Month 3

The Unplugging

First vacation in 8 years; began writing outside of work

Month 5

Strategic Exit

Negotiated a structured departure from the bank

Month 8

Advisory Launch

First advisory clients from professional network

Month 12 (Jun 2024)

Present Father

Coached son’s little league, attended every weekend event for 12 straight weeks

The Business Side

Commercial outcomes — secondary to the life recovery above

Why this is flagged exceptional: Marcus negotiated a 2-year severance and launched a book inside the first 6 months — both outcomes well above typical. The health, marriage and family-presence outcomes are representative of committed program completers. Learn what these flags mean.

−65%

Work reduction

From 90 to 30–35 hours/week

1 book

Published book

Completed during the first 6 months (category bestseller — exceptional)

3 streams

Income diversification

Advisory + book + speaking (vs single bonus-dependent salary)

Ready to write your own success story?

The R.E.S.E.T. Guarantee

Show up, apply the tools, and complete the RESET plan — if you don’t feel significantly more clear, calm, and confident in 6 months, I’ll coach you privately until you do.

Read the full guarantee