From Burnout to Billions: John Thompson III on Resilience & Redefining Success

For Good

What happens when chasing success costs you your health? Business leader and executive coach John Thompson III joins Joseph “JoJo” Simmons on the For Good Podcast to share how burnout at 25 reshaped his life, why being passed over for promotion became a turning point, and how his ACES framework helps people stack their deck for success. John Thompson III spent over 20 years leading teams at GE and United Technologies, generating more than $1 billion in sales — but his biggest lessons came from failure and burnout. At just 25, the pressure of career and school landed him in a psychiatric ward, forcing him to redefine what success really means. Today, John is an executive coach, financial advisor, and author of Stack Your Deck: How to Be an Ace in Business and Life. He joins Joseph “JoJo” Simmons on the For Good Podcast to talk about his ACES framework (Attitude, Connection, Empowerment, Strength), what being passed over for promotion taught him about resilience, and why leadership is really about creating other leaders. They dive into:

• The truth about burnout and how to build a balanced life
• Why your attitude shapes everything — and how to shift it
• The lessons his grandmother’s poker games taught him about resilience
• Redefining success beyond titles, money, or promotions
• Why quitting alcohol gave him the clarity to create at a higher level

This episode is a powerful reminder that success isn’t about the cards you’re dealt — it’s about how you play your hand. 🔌 Subscribe to the For Good Podcast on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.