What would make someone leave a high-paying Big Four accounting career, take a 50% pay cut, and join a four-person startup with no systems in place? And how do you grow that business into a globally recognized health and wellness brand?

In this episode of the Going Beyond the Deal Podcast, host J. Michael Fischer Jr. sits down with Chase Ramey, CFO of Organifi, a purpose-driven supplement company known for its high-quality, efficacious products. Chase shares how burnout early in his career pushed him to reevaluate his path, leading him to Organifi, where he rebuilt his health, career, and personal life while helping scale the company from a tiny office in San Diego to a brand trusted worldwide.

Chase reflects on the lessons learned from Deloitte, why personality and people skills matter more than technical complexity, and the challenges of balancing a visionary founder’s big ideas with the financial realities of a bootstrapped business. He also discusses building a life connected to nature, working alongside his wife, and putting priorities in the right order so that career supports life, not the other way around.

Thinking about leaving corporate life for something more meaningful? Learn how Chase made the leap and why it paid off. If you've enjoyed this episode of the Going Beyond the Deal podcast, be sure to leave a review and subscribe today!

Enjoy!

Key takeaways:

• Why burnout can be the catalyst for finding purpose and alignment
• How Chase went from Deloitte to Organifi and why he took a massive pay cut
• The importance of learning to manage risk and cash flow
• Why novelty and routine together create long-term fulfillment
• How Organifi has scaled without outside capital while staying true to its mission
• Why lifestyle choices matter more than supplements and how to use them to fill the gaps
• How to prioritize relationships and health while building a successful career
• The power of listening to your intuition and acting on small nudges
• And much more…

Guest Bio:

Chase Ramey is the CFO of Organifi, a leading health and wellness company dedicated to creating high-quality, efficacious supplements. With a background in accounting at Deloitte, Chase combines financial expertise with operational strategy to help scale Organifi without outside capital.

Resources:

Connect with Michael on LinkedIn

DBD Investment Bank

Connect with Chase on LinkedIn

Follow Chase on Instagram

Organifi

TheMedicin

Disclaimer:



The views, information, or opinions expressed during this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Going Beyond the Deal podcast or its affiliates. The content provided is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. We make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness,...

What happens when you achieve everything you thought would bring happiness — and still feel empty?

In this episode of the Going Beyond the Deal Podcast, J. Michael Fischer Jr. sits down with Reggie Ford, a TEDx speaker, bestselling author of Perseverance Through Severe Dysfunction, and founder of the Vulnerability Muscle framework. Reggie shares his extraordinary journey from growing up in poverty and chaos to building a successful career in finance, only to realize that money alone couldn’t solve the deepest challenges.

Through raw honesty and powerful insights, Reggie opens up about grief, shame, and the breaking point that led him to redefine his life. He explains how vulnerability became his greatest strength, why storytelling matters, and how he helps others build resilience, self-awareness, and purpose. This conversation is about much more than success; it’s about learning to love yourself, heal from pain, and create impact by being authentic.

If you've enjoyed this episode of the Going Beyond the Deal podcast, be sure to leave a review and subscribe today!

Enjoy!

Key takeaways:

• Why money only solves money problems, and what really drives fulfillment
• The importance of checking in with yourself and others to prevent burnout
• How compartmentalizing emotions can help you survive — and why it eventually breaks down
• Why sharing your story can transform shame into connection
• How vulnerability builds stronger relationships and makes you a better leader
• The pervasive belief that “we are not enough”, and how to reframe it
• Practical strategies for gratitude, self-talk, and living with more love and purpose
• And much more…

Guest Bio:

Reggie Ford is a TEDx speaker, bestselling author, entrepreneur, and mental health advocate. His bestselling book, Perseverance Through Severe Dysfunction, is a powerful memoir about trauma, healing, and the journey from pain to peace. As the founder of the Vulnerability Muscle framework, Reggie helps corporate leaders and organizations build emotionally intelligent cultures rooted in trust, resilience, and psychological safety. He is also the host of the Vulnerability Muscle podcast, where leaders and changemakers open up about what it means to lead with heart.

Resources:

Connect with Michael on LinkedIn

DBD Investment Bank

ReggiedFord.com

Connect with Reggie on LinkedIn

Follow Reggie on Instagram

Follow Reggie on Facebook

Follow Reggie on X

Vulnerability Muscle with Reggie D. Ford Podcast

Reggie’s Book: Perseverance Through Severe Dysfunction: Breaking the Curse of...

What does it take to walk away from a secure, successful career in commercial banking to pursue something entirely new?

In this episode of Going Beyond the Deal podcast, J. Michael Fischer Jr. speaks with Blake Balsamo, Executive Director, Americas at i2i Logic. Blake shares how he transitioned from being one of New Jersey’s most well-known commercial bankers to helping transform the way bankers and clients interact through data-driven insights.

From the challenges of leaving behind stability to embrace uncertainty, to his vision for the future of commercial banking in an AI-driven world, Blake offers an insightful look at risk-taking, reinvention, and why being “comfortable with being uncomfortable” is the key to growth.

Hear why Blake believes generative AI will reshape the future of banking and how to prepare for it today. If you've enjoyed this episode of Going Beyond the Deal podcast, be sure to leave a review and subscribe today!

Enjoy!

Key takeaways:

• Why Blake chose to leave a successful career in commercial banking to join i2i Logic
• The role of mentors and trusted advisors in making career-defining decisions
• Why every banker should start in risk management
• The frustrations clients face with repetitive banking pitches, and how to break that cycle
• How i2i Logic helps bankers create deeper, more meaningful conversations with clients
• The impact of generative AI on the future of banking and client relationships
• Why mentors, habits, and hobbies are essential to avoiding burnout and staying effective
• And much more…

Guest Bio:

Blake Balsamo is the Executive Director, Americas at i2i Logic, a fintech company transforming how bankers engage clients through data and insights. A former top commercial banker in New Jersey, Blake built his career at institutions like Citibank, Goldman Sachs, and JPMorgan Chase before taking the leap into fintech.

Resources:

Connect with Blake on LinkedIn

i2i Logic

Connect with Michael on LinkedIn

DBD Investment Bank

Book Mentioned:

The Let Them Theory: A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of People Can't Stop Talking About

Disclaimer:

The views, information, or opinions expressed during this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Going Beyond the Deal podcast or its affiliates. The content provided is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to...