What does it take to build the fastest-growing running media brand before turning 21? In this episode of Fulfillment Project, host Andy Leonard sits down with Dominic Schlueter—founder of The Running Effect—to uncover the mindset, habits, and spiritual reflections that fueled Dom’s meteoric rise from a high school podcast dreamer to a thriving media entrepreneur.
They explore:
* How to discover your passion by starting before you're ready
* What success really looks like in your 20s (hint: it's not just money)
* The dark side of ambition—stress, burnout, and the art of slowing down
* How God’s favor may follow faithfulness
* Building something meaningful without losing your soul
With a blend of raw honesty, practical wisdom, and spiritual insight, this episode is a must-listen for dreamers, doers, and anyone chasing fulfillment in a hyper-distracted world.
🔔 Listen now to learn how to balance excellence with rest, grind with gratitude, and faith with ambition.
🔥 Top 20 Quotes from the Episode
"You don’t find passion—you create it by starting when you suck and sticking with it."
"If you’re not passionate about something, figure it out like it’s a 911 emergency."
"No one is thinking about you. Don’t let fear of what others think hold you back from action."
"The journey is the reward. Not the check, not the medal, not the praise."
"The greatest strength is often also your greatest weakness."
"You’re living in answered prayers—don’t forget that."
"God doesn’t play favorites, but He does give favor to those who steward their gifts well."
"Hit publish. What do you lose?"
"Motivation rarely comes before the action—it comes after."
"Do something hard every day. A strong body trains a strong mind."
"An easy life fashions a mind that can only handle ease."
"The grass isn’t greener on the other side. It’s greener where you water it."
"Being 20 and living like you're 25 comes with pressure most people don’t see."
"The Running Effect started because I wanted to talk to people better than me."
"Don’t be afraid to suck at something new."
"To whom much is given, much is expected."
"I’d rather puke from stress than coast through mediocrity."
"You get to do this. You don’t have to."
"You’re writing the book of your life through your actions every single day."
Chapters
00:00 – Intro
01:15 – Meet Dom: From Alter Server to Media CEO
02:56 – Don't Wait: Hit Publish Today
04:55 – The Truth About Passion (and How to Create It)
06:24 – Motivation Follows Movement
07:21 – 20 at 20: Lessons from a Young Veteran
09:03 – The Trap of Always Wanting Next
10:29 – Real Talk: Pressure, Stress, and Puking from Burnout
13:24 – Is 9-to-5 Underrated? Dom Thinks So.
14:51 – Rituals to Stay Grounded (and Sane)
16:53 – Do Not Disturb = Mental Clarity
18:27 – Fear of Judgment & Shorts That Don’t Match
20:30 – Journaling, Memory, and the First Podcast Entry
23:52 – Building a Media Empire by Asking Questions
26:08 – Seasons, Chapters, and Staying Present
28:16 – Eternity is in the Present Moment
30:10 – Extraordinary Moments Are Often Ordinary Ones
33:29 – The Journey Is the Reward
35:21 – Answered Prayers and the Danger of Forgetting
37:51 – Can You Be the Best and Still Be Balanced?
41:06 – What If You're Already Where You’re Supposed to Be?
42:32 – Why This Podcast Exists: For My Sons—and You
43:51 – Moral Responsibility: Excellence Is a Spiritual Duty
47:30 – What You Do With Your Raw Materials Matters
