Alan Lazaros

Boston, USA Alan Lazaros, CEO of the globally recognized Next Level University podcast, has navigated a life shaped by profound adversity. Losing his father at just two years old and surviving a near-fatal car accident at 26, Alan’s journey from corporate America to podcasting success is a testament to resilience and personal responsibility. From an early age, Alan was acutely aware of life’s fragility. Losing his father at such a young age and later enduring the departure of a stepfather at 14, Alan’s understanding of mortality wasn’t just intellectual—it was deeply experiential. “Life has always had a profound sense of adversity for me,” Alan shared. “There was no candy-coated childhood, but rather a deep understanding that suffering is part of life. Despite this, I learned that you can create meaning from adversity.” This perspective was further solidified at age 26 when Alan narrowly survived a car accident—eerily similar to the one that took his father’s life. This second chance prompted Alan to reassess his life’s direction. “It was the wake-up call I needed,” he explained. “I realized I had to go all in on creating a legacy—something meaningful that would outlive me.” Leaving a successful corporate career to start Next Level University was a significant leap for Alan. Reflecting on this transition, he emphasized the immense challenges of entrepreneurship. “The common path—high school, college, corporate job—offers certainty and stability,” Alan said. “But entrepreneurship is a different beast. It requires an insane amount of grit, self-belief, and resilience. It’s far more difficult than most people imagine.” Alan and his business partner, Kevin, chose the path of burning the boats—committing fully to their venture without a safety net. “We worked six days a week for seven years without taking a vacation,” Alan shared. “It’s a level of dedication that’s not for everyone, and I often recommend a hybrid model for those considering entrepreneurship—balancing a stable job while building a business on the side.” One of the defining aspects of Alan’s approach to life and business is his relationship with failure. “The key question is whether you’re ignited or demoralized by failure,” Alan explained. “For me, failure is motivating. It drives me to push harder. But if failure demoralizes you, entrepreneurship might not be the right path.” Alan credits much of his success to the balance between his own optimism and Kevin’s realism. “Kevin is the productive paranoid, always anticipating potential challenges, while I’m the optimistic visionary,” he said. “This balance has been crucial in navigating the ups and downs of building a business.” Today, Next Level University has over 1,750 episodes and listeners in more than 170 countries. But what resonates most with their audience? Alan believes it’s the focus on holistic self-improvement—striving for excellence in health, wealth, and love. “We realized that our audience, predominantly women in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, are seeking fulfillment in all areas of life,” Alan noted. “It’s not just about success in one area; it’s about being holistically successful.” The driving force behind the podcast is the belief that fulfilled people don’t harm others. “Self-belief and self-worth lead to fulfillment,” Alan said. “And fulfilled people contribute positively to the world. That’s the mission at the heart of what we do.” Alan Lazaros’ story is a powerful reminder that even in the face of adversity, we have the ability to shape our own lives and leave a meaningful impact on the world. #AlanLazaros #NextLevelUniversity #Entrepreneurship #PersonalResponsibility #SelfImprovement #Leadership #PodcastingSuccess #HolisticSuccess #BusinessInspiration #LegacyBuilding #PodMatch