Wake Upward: Bryce Nobles on Mastering Growth, Direction, and Breaking Limits

By Noah Cisneros
Host of the Why Not Podcast

In this episode of the Why Not Podcast, I had the privilege of sitting down with someone I’ve admired for years: Bryce Nobles. Known for his strategic prowess in the FinTech space and his candid book Wake Upward, Bryce has a unique lens on personal growth, direction, and embracing limits—not as barriers, but as beacons.

Bryce is not just a high-performing fintech marketer. He’s a boundary-breaker, a thought leader, and someone deeply committed to helping others spiral upward in their personal and professional lives.

The Hero’s Journey and the Spiral Upward

Bryce describes personal growth as an “upward spiral.” Each setback, instead of being a stop sign, is a launching pad to a higher level of understanding and performance.

“Every time I got over my head, crashed, and came back—those weren’t failures, they were the underdog moments that shaped me.” — Bryce Nobles

Bryce’s approach isn’t about avoiding failure. It’s about pursuing big opportunities even if you’re out of your depth. It’s in the stumble that the growth happens.

Growth Isn’t Just Speed—It’s Direction

One of the standout insights from our conversation was Bryce’s reframing of growth:

“Acceleration isn’t just about speed. It’s about changing direction.”

Bryce encouraged listeners to be intentional with their direction, even if it means taking a hit to speed. Burnout often results not from working too hard, but from sprinting in the wrong direction. Bryce’s antidote? Self-awareness.

Quick Tip from Bryce:

Before taking a new role or diving into a project, ask:

What doors will this open?
What doors will this close?
Does this align with my personal values?

The 7-Point Career Framework: From Ride-Along to Reinvention

Straight from Wake Upward, Bryce shares a framework that offers both clarity and ambition for professionals navigating their careers:

Bryce’s 7 Points to Career Mastery:

Ride Along – Learn by observing.
Provide Value – Start contributing in meaningful ways.
Gain Trust – Build reliability and “clutch factor.”
Take Ownership – Be the driver, not just a passenger.
Nail It – Excel at the tasks under your control.
Scale It – Build systems and teams to remove yourself.
Lead It or Leave It – Elevate or move on with purpose.

“Their success is your success. Sometimes leadership is about knowing when to pass the baton.”

Finding Your Limit and Respecting It

We often hear motivational gurus preach about being “limitless.” Bryce offers a counterpoint that’s not only realistic—but empowering.

“Let’s go find our limit—and celebrate it when we do. That’s how we learn where to stop next time.”

This isn’t about doing less. It’s about doing more of what matters—inside your values. Bryce’s metaphor of a sports field paints the picture beautifully: goals exist within boundary lines. Step outside of your values, and you’re out of bounds.

How to Find Your Limit (and Thrive Within It):

Track your energy: When do you feel depleted vs. fulfilled?
Talk to your “trail mentors”: People just ahead of you on the journey.
Schedule reflection: Every 45 days, ask “What needs to change?”
Plan intentional exertion: Sprint, but make sure there’s a finish line.

Innovation and Reinvention Every 45 Days

Bryce is no stranger to startups—Qualtrics, MX, and now LoanPro. He thrives in high-growth chaos and has a golden rule:

“Every 45 days, your job should evolve. Rewrite your job description. Reinvent yourself.”

Innovation doesn’t have to be grandiose. It starts with data and curiosity. At LoanPro, Bryce dives into CRM insights and customer behavior first—then lets creativity shape the narrative.

Trust: Character vs. Competency

A powerful insight from Bryce came when we explored what really earns trust:

Character is reliability. The clutch factor. Showing up.
Competency is skill and technical ability.

Both matter, but it’s the blend that makes someone indispensable.

“I used to pride myself in being a specialized generalist—someone who can be thrown into any situation and figure it out.”

For those early in their careers, Bryce recommends starting by reducing your time to complete core tasks. Use the extra time to take on “side quests”—the projects that stretch you and eventually become your next role.

Final Wisdom: Challenge Your Assumptions

If Bryce could leave us with one piece of advice, it’s this:

“Challenge your assumptions. What beliefs are shaping your life—and are they still serving you?”

He encourages professionals to pressure-test their values, goals, and even routines regularly. Only by doing this can you ensure your direction still aligns with who you’re becoming.

So, What Does Happiness Mean to Bryce?

“Happiness is living by the values you intentionally set. If you do that—no matter the outcome—you will feel satisfied.”

In a world of hustle culture and comparison traps, Bryce reminds us that fulfillment comes not from being the best, but from being true to what we value.

Final Thoughts

Bryce Nobles is a rare blend of strategic clarity and grounded wisdom. Whether you’re a junior marketer, a startup founder, or someone reevaluating their path, his journey offers a roadmap not just to success—but to sustainable, values-driven growth.

If you haven’t yet, grab a copy of Wake Upward and get ready to rethink how you grow: https://www.amazon.com/Wake-Upward-Trajectory-Authentic-Potential/dp/B0DR5Z8C5J