Reimagining Wealth

I was recently invited to be part of something bigger than myself.

I've shared bits and pieces about it online, but I wanted to go deeper and write about it. To share what led to this moment, what I'm stepping into, and where I believe things are headed for ClearMind Capital and for financial planning as a whole.

Because something is shifting, and I think it's a bit overdue.

Why I Started ClearMind Capital

Before I dive into what led up to this moment, let me say this:

There are so many great financial planners out there doing honest, meaningful work. This post isn't a critique of the industry or other advisors, it's a reflection of my own experience. The misalignment I felt in traditional models that didn't quite fit the vision I had.

I became a financial planner because I wanted to guide people...to walk alongside them during life's biggest decisions. But once I stepped into the "real world" of wealth management, I was handed scripts. Told to sell first, eat what I kill, and taught that success was measured by how much I produced, not how deeply I served. The award ceremonies, recognition, and celebrations were all centered on metrics like how much premium you sold or how much money you brought in...not how well you actually served people. It's no surprise trust feels fractured in this industry. In my view, the incentives and recognition are often completely misaligned with what really matters.

It didn't match who I was. It didn't match what I believed this profession could be.

I'm not exactly sure where this desire inside me comes from. At the end of the day, we're all shaped by thousands of experiences...but I do know this: I didn't always feel this way. At first, I thought I just wanted to make money, because I believed that would solve all my problems. It didn't. And I'm grateful it didn't.

That realization led me to take the leap and create ClearMind Capital.

A place that puts people before performance metrics.

That's built on trust and intentionality.

That helps clients feel more aligned...not just more wealthy.

And it's not just for clients. I've seen so many young advisors enter the field full of heart & energy...only to get burned out, misaligned, or pushed down paths that didn't feel true. I want to help create a new path for both clients and advisors.

The Start of Something New

For a while, I thought maybe I was alone in that thinking. Until recently.

I was invited to join 11 other successful individuals as a founding member of something called the Integrative Wealth Advisor™ program. A new kind of certification and a new kind of movement...which we will be creating together over the next 7 months, that started with a retreat earlier this month.

It's not about learning clever sales tactics or memorizing financial jargon. It's about learning to lead from within.

The first day of our retreat? We didn't even talk about the program.

Instead, we meditated. We visualized. We opened up. We let go of ego, titles, and our past. We all had a story, and we truly listened to each other.

We shared fears. Real ones...about not being good enough, being judged, all of the head trash our brains tell ourselves.

And it hit me: I think we all carry this. These were incredibly accomplished people, and yet, the same fears showed up. It almost felt universal. Maybe it's a leftover survival instinct...a fear of being kicked out of the tribe. But it reminded me of something deeper:

We're not here to compete with each other.

We're here to support each other.

That's abundance.

Not how much you make, but how much you give, without keeping score.

Only after building that level of trust and vulnerability did we begin to brainstorm what the IWA program could become. And let me tell you, those conversations were powerful. Because they came from a place of truth. Vulnerability. Openness. Not caring about being judged.

We're doing this because the old way wasn't working for us.

And we believe something better is not just possible...it's needed.

Functional Health Planning vs Functional Wealth Planning

In many ways, this work reminded us of what’s happening in healthcare...the rise of functional medicine. Traditional models still matter (and absolutely have their place), but people are waking up to something more holistic. More personal. More preventative. We drew inspiration from Darshan Shah and the functional health movement to explore how we too can revolutionize an industry.

That hits home for me, too.

I've lived with Crohn's disease since I was young. And for a long time, I kept that part of my life quiet...mostly out of insecurity. Crohn's isn't fun. It has no "cure" (at least what I was told). It wears you down physically and mentally. But it also taught me to approach my health differently, to ask better questions, to go beneath the surface and focus on systems, not just symptoms. There’s also so much ancient wisdom that’s been lost in the modern age. I had no idea some people have actually healed from Crohn’s, not through prescriptions or quick fixes, but through deeper, holistic approaches that address the root cause, which has been around for centuries...

And the same is true for money.

Money affects every part of our lives...our stress, our relationships, our identity. But instead of treating it like a math problem to solve, we need to approach it with care, patience, curiosity, and compassion.

Because behind every spreadsheet is a story.

You Don't Have to Go Through It Alone

I've faced my fair share of struggles...physically, financially, mentally. And for a long time, I tried to white-knuckle my way through it alone.

But I've learned we're not meant to live that way.

And maybe part of my purpose, and CMC's purpose, is to create a space where others don't have to either.

Whether you're facing a hard decision, navigating money stress, or just feeling stuck...there's power in being seen. And my role isn't just to build a financial plan, it's to share what I've learned, offer resources, spark ideas, and help create a team around you. A team that helps uncover what truly matters, what's missing, and where you want to go.

The ClearMind Vision

I don't know exactly where this path will lead. But I do have a pen-to-napkin vision, and why not share it?

I see ClearMind Capital evolving into something bigger than a financial firm. Someday I want to create a space (not an office) where people can come not just for meetings, but for reflection & community.

A place tucked away from the noise, surrounded by nature, that feels restorative, peaceful, and intentional.

Picture this:

• Quiet thinking rooms

• Journals and intentional prompts

• Group conversations and guided support

• A tea & coffee bar and a natural food cafe

• Trails to walk and places to sit in stillness

• Spa

• Specialists on site - mental and physical therapists, nutritionists, financial specialists, etc.

A place to come when life gets heavy, or even when you just need to breathe. I know...it's a big vision.

Beyond that, I envision creating The ClearMind Foundation...a way to give back.

To fund reflective retreats

To support kids growing up in a confusing world

To offer paid resources to start the momentum

That's an even bigger vision, and it will most likely evolve along the journey.

For some, it may take time to seek this out. Others might simply want high-level financial guidance and feedback, and that's okay too. At the very least, this is part of the future experience, available as you see fit.

I don't claim to have all the answers. I never will.

But I can ask better questions, offer deeper resources, and connect you with people who can walk alongside you. That's where the value lies.

There's still so much to figure out, but it starts with an intention. And this is mine.

Final Thoughts

We're living in a time of rapid technological change. AI, automation, and digital everything are becoming the new norm.

But that's exactly why I believe human connection is becoming more valuable.

People don't just want faster answers (although how lucky are we to live in a time where that's possible). They want to feel understood.

Spaces like ClearMind Capital. Conversations that matter. Friendships that deepen over time. That's the future I'm committed to building.

And this retreat, this community, reminded me that I am not building it alone.

This path may not be for everyone.

And that's okay.

But for those who feel it in their gut, who believe there has to be a better way to approach life, money, and meaning, I believe we're just getting started. And this community will keep growing.

"We're not here to compete with one another. We're here to complete one another." - Bill McCartney

As we enter the unknown and the uncertainty of reimagining wealth, I'll continue to share the journey, the successes, and the failures. And if you're reading this, just know: your presence is part of what's being built. Thanks for being part of it.

With gratitude,

Nick

It’s easy to feel stuck with money. It's harder to have clarity and a plan you trust. If that feels like something you've been missing, let's talk about it.

Schedule Discovery Meeting

Nick George CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®

Founder | CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Practitioner

ClearMind Capital

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