The Fulfillment Gap: When the Climb Costs More than It Gives
What if the very thing you’ve been working so hard for—the climb, the title, the success—ends up costing more than it gives? In this special solo episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles uncovers the Fulfillment Gap, the hidden divide between external achievement and internal meaning.
Drawing on powerful research, real-life stories, and his own experiences in the Navy and corporate world, John reveals why burnout isn’t simply about long hours, but about misalignment—when the work you do no longer reflects who you are. This episode is a call to pause, reflect, and realign before the climb leaves you hollow at the summit.
Explore More Inside The Ignited Life Substack
If today’s episode sparked something in you, you’ll love The Ignited Life—our Substack created to fuel your growth between episodes.
Each edition delivers:
Fresh insights on intentional living, resilience, and emotional mastery
Practical tools like the L.E.N.S. method and micro-habits to ignite change
Behind-the-scenes reflections from Passion Struck episodes
Guest wisdom distilled into real-life applications
Curated resources, quotes, and frameworks to help you live like you matter
Join thousands of high-performers, purpose-seekers, and change-makers who are shifting from autopilot to alignment—one intentional insight at a time.
Because living ignited isn’t a one-time spark—it’s a way of being.
In case you didn’t already know, John R. Miles (@John_R_Miles) takes your comments and questions for Momentum Friday right here every week! If you want him to answer your question, register your feedback, or tell your story on one of our upcoming weekly Momentum Friday episodes, drop us a line at [email protected]. Now, let’s dive in!
“The Fulfillment Gap is the space between the work you do and the meaning you hope it will bring. And it’s costing us our health, our relationships, and even our sense of self.”
In this episode of Passion Struck, I reveal why work is not separate from wellness—it is wellness, or unwellness, in disguise. We spend more than 80,000 hours of our lives at work, and whether those hours align with our values determines if they fuel us or slowly deplete us. Through stories like Julie B. Rose’s “dream job turned nightmare,” my own contrast between Navy service and corporate life, and insights from leading research, I unpack how misalignment quietly corrodes our health, identity, and resilience.
This isn’t just about the hours we put in—it’s about the meaning we draw out. And the cost of ignoring that truth is staggering: higher stress, broken relationships, and a quiet sense that life is slipping away. But when we realign our work with what matters, even the hardest days can become sustaining.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Why mattering matters more than perks or titles, and how invisibility at work erodes confidence and health.
The physiological toll of misaligned work, including stress responses that mimic trauma and long-term illness.
The story of Julie B. Rose, and how losing her “dream job” opened the door to rediscovery and purpose.
The 4-step framework—Audit, Align, Adjust, Advance—for closing the Fulfillment Gap without burning everything down.
The myths about meaningful work that keep us stuck, including why it’s not a luxury and not just about passion.
How small, intentional shifts can compound into big change, reshaping the way we experience our work and our lives.
Why is this a Must-Listen?
Because too many of us are silently paying the price of misalignment. We think the answer to feeling drained is more self-care, more hacks, or more hustle—but none of that works if our work itself is eroding us. In this conversation, I don’t just talk about why the Fulfillment Gap exists—I give you practical tools to close it. If you’ve ever felt stuck, invisible, or exhausted by a climb that no longer feels worth it, this episode will help you reclaim your energy, your purpose, and the meaning behind the hours you give away each day.
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR FEATURED RESOURCES
Sponsors
Babbel is the new way to learn a foreign language. The comprehensive learning system combines effective education methods with state-of-the-art technology! Right now, get SIXTY percent off your Babbel subscription—but only for our listeners- at Babbel dot com slash PASSION.
Stop hair loss before it’s gone for good. Hims has everything you need to regrow hair. Start your free online visit today at “Hims dot com slash PASSIONSTRUCK.”
Quince brings luxury products like Mongolian Cashmere, Italian Leather, Turkish Cotton and Washable Silk to everyone at radically low prices.Go to “Quince dot com slash PASSION” for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.
STARTER PACKS
Are you new to the show? These Starter Packs are collections of our most popular episodes grouped by topic, and we now have them on Spotify.
You can also browse starter packs for existing listeners to find old favorites. Every week, John interviews everyday heroes from all walks of life. Learn how to subscribe to the show and never miss a new episode or topic.
Like this? Please subscribe and join me on my new YouTube platform for peak performance, life coaching, and personal mastery.
A Framework for Closing the Fulfillment Gap
The Fulfillment Gap isn’t something you solve by walking away from your job overnight. It’s about creating a path back to alignment—step by step, choice by choice. That’s why I created a simple but powerful four-step framework: Audit, Align, Adjust, Advance.
Audit – What’s the true cost of your work? We can’t change what we won’t name. By auditing the energy you gain and the energy you lose each day, you expose the hidden exchanges that quietly drain your health. This simple exercise—listing your Energy Gains and Energy Drains—forces you to see whether your work is worth the toll it’s taking.
Align – Identify your core values. Once you’ve taken inventory, the next step is alignment. What do you value most right now—integrity, growth, creativity, family, contribution? Write them down, then hold them against your daily work. Fulfillment begins when what you do reflects who you are. Misalignment is where burnout takes root.
Adjust – Make micro-shifts that matter. Too often we believe meaning requires a dramatic reinvention. In reality, it often starts with micro-shifts. Reframe daily tasks through the lens of your purpose. Protect your energy by setting boundaries. Say “no” to what drains you so you can say “yes” to what sustains you. These small adjustments, compounded over time, reshape your work life in profound ways.
Advance – Take the next bold step. Finally, momentum. What’s one courageous move you can take that points you toward long-term alignment? Maybe it’s exploring a side project, enrolling in a class, or redefining success on your own terms. Each bold step, no matter how small, closes the gap between the work you do and the life you want to live.
This framework isn’t about tearing your life down and starting over. It’s about progress. When you Audit, Align, Adjust, and Advance, you reclaim not just your work—but your wellness, your energy, and your sense of worth.
RESOURCES FROM THE SHOW “The Fulfillment Gap: When the Climb Costs More than It Gives”
Please note that some of the links on this page (books, movies, music, etc.) lead to affiliate programs for which The Passion Struck podcast receives compensation. It’s just one of the ways we keep the lights on around here. Thank you so much for being so supportive!
American Psychological Association (APA) – Resources on resilience and coping: apa.org
Psychology Today – Articles on mental health, resilience, and personal growth: psychologytoday.com
Sign up for our newsletter to receive regular updates on new episodes, guest interviews, and exclusive content designed to help you become the best version of yourself.
Follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) to join our passionate community and stay connected with like-minded individuals seeking personal growth and inspiration.
Share this episode with your friends, family, and colleagues who could benefit from learning how to break free from the savior complex. Spread the power of personal growth and helping others by first empowering from within.
Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform, such as Apple Podcasts or Spotify, to let us know how this episode resonated with you and to help others
About John R. Miles
John R. Miles is a transformative leader, blending military precision with entrepreneurial flair to ignite purpose and intentional living in millions. A former U.S. Navy officer and Fortune 50 executive, John transitioned from the C-suite to become an international bestselling author and host of the globally acclaimed Passion Struck® podcast, which has ranked as the #1 alternative health podcast in over 25 countries.
John writes about the science of behavior change, personal mastery, and purpose-driven leadership, drawing from his extensive research in neuroscience and psychology, plus over 700 interviews with trailblazing experts. His book, Passion Struck: Twelve Powerful Principles to Unlock Your Purpose and Ignite Your Most Intentional Life, has earned accolades, including Best Business Book at the 2024 International Business Awards.
With a mission to inspire others to live with passion and intention, John’s quirky blend of deep insight and approachable wisdom makes him a sought-after voice in leadership and personal development.
Passion Struck’s mission is to unlock the power of intentionality for the benefit of us all. To create a world where we live better, be better, and impact the world through our unique and powerful content.
Scroll to Top
Download the 5 Simple Steps to Find Your Passion
Welcome to passionstruck.com! In order to provide a more relevant experience for you, we use cookies to enable some website functionality. Cookies help us see which articles most interest you; allow you to easily share articles on social media; permit us to deliver content, jobs and ads tailored to your interests and locations; and provide many other site benefits.Ok
