200 Episodes Later: What I’ve Learned About Success, Momentum, and Freedom
By Ryan Lee

I’ll be honest…

I almost didn’t celebrate this milestone.

I’m not one to make a big deal about myself. Compliments make me awkward. Celebrations feel weird. I usually just move on to the next thing.

But this time, I had to pause.

Last week, we hit something worth recognizing:
👉 Episode 200 of the Lighting for Profits podcast.

According to Google, only 3% of podcasts make it this far. And now that I’m here… I get it.

When I launched this show four years ago, I almost didn’t follow through. I didn’t want to be another guy who did 10 episodes and vanished. Another “good idea” that fizzled out.

So I made a decision:
If I was going to do this—I’d really do it.
Every week. Consistently. On purpose.

Why?
Because I believed lighting pros deserved more than sales pitches and fluff. They needed real insight. Honest conversations. A place to grow, learn, and build serious momentum.

So I envisioned a space where we could share what works, what doesn’t, and how to help each other win.

And thanks to you—we’ve done exactly that.

Now, after 200 episodes, I’ve asked myself:
What did I learn?

I could fill a book, but two things stood out again and again:

1. Success is intentional.

None of the lighting professionals I’ve interviewed stumbled into success.
They made decisions. Took risks. Showed up even when it was uncomfortable.

They weren’t waiting for momentum—they created it.

If you want to change your business or your life, you have to be clear about what you want and go after it with purpose. That’s the difference-maker.

2. Success isn’t a destination—it’s a journey.

I used to believe, “Once I hit $1M, I’ll feel successful.”
Or, “Once I sell my company, then I’ll be happy.”

Spoiler: It never works that way.

Happiness doesn’t come from hitting goals—it comes from growth.
From becoming better.
From building something that matters.

That’s the real win.

So as we celebrate this 200th episode, I want to say something simple:

Thank you.

Thanks for listening, watching, sharing, applying, and growing.
Thanks for being part of this journey.

And most importantly…

👉 Keep showing up.
👉 Stay intentional.
👉 Enjoy the process.

We’re just getting started.

Let’s keep building—together.

Keep Moving Forward,
Ryan Lee

P.S.
If you take just one thing away from all of this, let it be this:
Go to work because you want to, not because you have to.
That’s the definition of freedom.
And it’s worth building.

# Lighting for Profits podcast, business success, entrepreneurial mindset, podcasting milestones, growth journey, lighting professionals, Ryan Lee, intentional living, podcast consistency, success lessons #