Kevin Dahlstrom once paid cash for a $211,000 Porsche. He was in his 30s, living in Texas, holding down high-powered corporate marketing jobs, such as with Mr. Cooper, a mortgage services company, and Elevate, a credit solutions firm.
He says the Porsche created more stress than joy and started his practice of minimalism — letting go of material things. In his 40s he chucked it all, moved his family to Colorado, and focused on “a more meaningful and balanced life.”
He and I recently spoke. He shared his evolution — from money-seeking to happiness, purpose, rock climbing, and more. Our entire audio is embedded below. The transcript is edited for length and clarity.
Eric Bandholz: Give us your overview.
Kevin Dahlstrom: I live in Boulder, Colorado, with my wife and two teenage daughters. I’m 53, and my motto is, “I learned everything the hard way, so you don’t have to.” My career has involved starting four companies and working at the C-level in larger companies, typically as a chief marketing officer. At the peak of my career in my mid-40s, I walked away from the corporate world, moved to Boulder, and rebooted my life. I focused on finding happiness through activities like rock climbing and creating a more meaningful and balanced life.
When I was younger, I bought into society’s definition of success — money and status. I climbed the corporate ladder but realized I wasn’t happy. I wasn’t deliberate in shaping my life around what mattered to me. In my mid-40s, I redefined success on my own terms and built my life around that vision. Today, I have control over my time, balancing my passion for work and rock climbing while being a dedicated husband and father.
Bandholz: Could you have achieved this life without the money-and-status stage?
Dahlstrom: There are seasons in life. There’s a season for grinding and one for reaping the rewards. I’m in the latter now. What’s essential is grinding with purpose. I made the mistake of pursuing goals that didn’t matter much to me. I can tell you from experience that once you hit a certain level of wealth, adding more doesn’t improve your life — it can even worsen it.
It’s all about setting boundaries. I started early in my 30s when I realized I was on a hamster wheel, running faster but getting nowhere. Boundaries ensured I remained present for my family and maintained my health. Many think you grind for years, then suddenly retire. I see it as a sliding scale where you gradually gain control over your time and choices. Even though I rebooted in my 40s, this process had been underway for years.
Bandholz: Were there events that triggered your reassessment?
Dahlstrom: I have an exercise called the “ideal end state.” You list what your perfect life looks like — not achievements, but how you want to spend your time and who you want to be with. Most people find that what they want costs less than they thought. I did this exercise, and it led to my reboot.
A pivotal moment was when I bought a Porsche 911, a childhood dream. I paid $211,000 in cash, but it brought me more stress than joy. I realized I wasn’t that kid anymore, and the Porsche didn’t define me. That experience started my practice of minimalism, helping me let go of material things that didn’t align with who I had become.
Bandholz: You’re into rock climbing. Is your family involved?
Dahlstrom: One of my daughters used to climb but lost interest. My wife is into tennis; it’s healthy for everyone to have their own thing. I believe in the concept of “three lives”: your life as a family, your life as a couple, and your individual life. All three need to be maintained.
Many young parents give up one or two of those lives, which creates a toxic environment. Early in my marriage, climbing caused conflict, but we’ve come to appreciate the importance of maintaining separate interests for a sustainable relationship.
We’ve been married 27 years, and anyone who says it’s easy is lying. A healthy marriage, like any long-term relationship, is hard work. The best advice I ever got was, “A great marriage is a choice you make every day.” It’s about mindset — believing in your partner.
Weekly check-ins are crucial. My wife and I sit down for 30 minutes without distractions and discuss how things are going. This intentional time keeps the relationship strong, even in tough times. As soon-to-be empty nesters, we’re excited for the next phase of life and the freedom it brings.
Bandholz: You’ve said you’re focused on the long term. How does that play into your success?
Dahlstrom: I’m only interested in long games. Short games don’t appeal to me. Long games involve ups, downs, suffering, and discipline. I thrive in that. My ability to endure, to power through tough times, is my secret weapon. Long games are about mastery — you might not see immediate results, but over time, the benefits compound. That’s how I’ve approached climbing and business. Stick with something long enough, and you’ll eventually see success.
Bandholz: You’ve talked about manifesting the life you want. What is that?
Dahlstrom: Manifesting is about setting your mind on something and letting that intention guide your actions. Your behavior follows your thoughts. It’s not just about setting goals — it’s about aligning your energy and actions to create the life you want.
Bandholz: Where can people connect with you?
Dahlstrom: They can sign up for my newsletter. I’m on X and LinkedIn.
