Rise Above Chaos: Eric Rheam’s 3-Part Formula for High-Performance Success

“We all want to matter. But no one becomes significant without the help of others.”
— Eric Rheam

Why Most Entrepreneurs Struggle with Clarity

75% of entrepreneurs report feeling overwhelmed weekly. Between scaling, managing teams, creating content, and pursuing purpose, mental burnout is a silent killer. Yet amid this noise, high-performance professionals like Eric Rheam cut through the chaos with powerful clarity.

In this episode of The Elite Performance Podcast, host Nathan Newberry sits down with Eric Rheam—West Point grad, international speaker, and author of Rise Above Chaos—to explore how professionals can simplify their path to significance.

If you’ve ever felt like you're drowning in to-do lists, lacking purpose, or stuck in grind mode, Rheam's journey and frameworks offer a blueprint for aligned success.

Eric Rheam: From Soldier to Speaker

From West Point to Bosnia

Eric’s path began in the U.S. Military, where he graduated from West Point and served as a Military Police Officer. In 1996, he helped separate warring factions in Bosnia—an experience that ignited his obsession with human behavior, leadership, and transformation.

The Corporate Burnout Moment

After the military, Eric entered the utility industry. But by 2005, he hit rock bottom. His marriage was strained, he was suspended from work, and life felt purposeless. This low point sparked a reinvention that would shape his calling: helping others overcome chaos to live with peace and purpose.

The “Beast Mode” Philosophy

Eric describes our inner drive as the beast. It’s the part of us built for impact—but most professionals never fully unleash it.

The High-Performance Framework

Eric’s signature three-part framework for high performance is simple yet transformative:

1. Self-Awareness – Know your unique talents and lean into them unapologetically.
   
2. Consistency – Show up daily to sharpen your gifts through practice.
   
3. Community – Surround yourself with people who elevate your strengths.
   
   

“You don’t get to significance alone. No one ever has.” — Eric Rheam

Implementation: From Book Writing to Speaking on Stages

Writing as Transformation

Despite a high school teacher telling him he wasn’t a good writer, Eric reignited his passion for writing during a work suspension. He now writes daily in 1-hour increments, and has published 6 books with a 7th on the way.

Tactic: Set a consistent daily writing block—even 60 minutes. Write without editing. Clarity comes in revision.

Speaking Without Cold Calls

Eric built a 50-gigs-per-year speaking business without cold outreach. His secret?

• Start with your network: Only pitch people who know your name.
  
• Deliver massively: Overdeliver, whether paid or free.
  
• Ask for intros: After every event, ask the planner for 2 referrals.
  
• Always follow up: Book exit interviews and request testimonials.
  
  

“I backed into my system by accident—but once I saw it worked, I just doubled down.” — Eric Rheam

Actionable Takeaways

1. Audit Your Day: Identify what only you can do—and delegate or eliminate the rest.
   
2. Pre-Decide Your Boundaries: Make decisions before temptations or distractions arise.
   
3. Simplify Pricing: Use day-based pricing for speaking, not event-based. Value your time, not your output.
   
4. Batch Writing Time: Commit to 1 hour per day for writing or thought development.
   
5. Track Speaking ROI: Ask every client for a testimonial and 2 new referrals.
   
6. Book an Annual Retreat: Take a solo week annually to reflect, reset, and pre-decide your next year’s direction.
   
   

Results: What Success Actually Looks Like

• 20,000+ people reached through speaking annually.
  
• 6 books published with one best-seller (Rise Above Chaos).
  
• Speaking fees scaled using a strategic bracket system.
  
• Marriage of 25 years and thriving family life, even while traveling frequently.
  
  

“Only three people on this planet call me dad. That’s what matters most.” — Eric Rheam

Expert Insight: The Power of Saying No

Eric attributes much of his peace and clarity to his ability to say no—not reactively, but proactively.

The Pre-Decision Strategy

During a yearly solo retreat, Eric defines his focus areas and makes pre-decisions about what he will and will not pursue.

This allows him to:

• Say no with confidence.
  
• Avoid shiny object syndrome.
  
• Stay aligned with what truly matters.
  
  

Quotes Worth Repeating

Eric Rheam on Impact

“You don’t want to get to the end of your life and feel like it meant nothing. We all want our life to matter.”

On Systems and Simplification

“I don't mow my lawn. I don’t answer my own emails. I only do what only I can do.”

On Business Growth

“I use a bracket strategy. If bookings come too easy, that’s the market telling me I can raise my price.”

Listen and Connect

🎧 The Nathan Newverry Show— available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube

📅 Book a Strategy Call to rise above your own chaos: https://calendly.com/high-performance-accelerator/business-growth

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About the Author

Nathan Newberry helps elite business owners implement AI in sales, marketing, systems, and models to build rapidly successful brands. He specializes in helping founders implement Sell By Chat strategy to buy back their time and double their revenue within 6 months using his Elite Sales Model.