Rise Above the Noise: Transformational Leadership Lessons to Elevate Your Life & Career
Most of us grow up believing success follows a straight line — choose a major, get the job, climb the ladder, live the dream. But what if that path detours… and keeps detouring?
That’s the story of Peter Ashton, former Division I quarterback turned pro athlete, personal trainer, venture capitalist — and now, financial disruptor. In this week’s episode of Be The Giraffe, host Chris Jarvis sits down with Peter to uncover how a life filled with pivots, disappointments, burnout, curiosity, and courage ultimately led him to build a company that could change the way everyday people build wealth.
The Dream That Almost Was
Peter spent his entire youth chasing the NFL — and he got close. Division I football at Oregon State and North Texas, arena football in Philadelphia, the grind, the tryouts, the hope… and then the sudden halt.
“You spend your whole life doing it… and it’s like it didn’t even happen.”
Athletes rarely talk about the emotional crash that happens when the cheering stops. Peter lived it — and it forced him to figure out who he was without the jersey.
From the Field to the Gym
Like many retiring athletes, he went back to what he knew: fitness. Peter became a high-end personal trainer, working with CEOs and elite professionals. But soon he realized:
His income was capped by hours in the day
Burnout was inevitable
He wanted more than comfort and survival
He experimented — even built a meal-prep business delivering thousands of meals a week with the help of his own family… only to discover he was breaking even.
Painful? Yep.
Priceless? Also yep.
Game-Changing Curiosity
Instead of just counting reps, Peter started asking questions:
👉 “How did you make your money?”
👉 “What did it take to build your success?”
He listened. He connected clients to each other. And then the magic happened — one introduction led to a successful investment.
“You mean people make money by connecting other people?”
That curiosity unlocked a brand new lane.
Raising Capital — With Zero Finance Background
Within months, Peter shifted into real estate fundraising, securing over a million dollars in his first 90 days. That momentum led to the next leap — starting a venture capital firm backed by someone who had just sold a business for $380M.
His competitive advantage?
Not a finance degree.
Not Wall Street lineage.
Not technical jargon.
🔑 It was relationships + fearless asking + constant adaptation
Taking on Wall Street — The Birth of Vera
Despite success in venture capital, Peter saw something broken in the financial industry:
💰 Wealthy clients get the best tools — the rest are stuck guessing
💸 Fees and commissions eat everyone’s returns
🚪 Most people are shut out of quality investment opportunities
So Peter co-founded Vera — applying aerospace-grade mathematics and AI to build transparent, subscription-based investment technology that helps anyone trade smarter.
Their mission:
“Bring institutional-level tools to the everyday investor — without the conflicts of interest.”
Imagine:
No percentage-based fees
No expensive advisors needed
No insider gatekeeping
Just better decisions faster, whether you have $100 or $1 million
That’s the future Vera is building.
Lessons From Peter’s Wild Pivot Story
Here’s what every entrepreneur, parent, student, and dreamer should take away:
1️⃣ Your first dream is not your only dream
Careers don’t end — they evolve.
2️⃣ Ask bold questions
You’d be shocked how many doors open when you simply ask.
3️⃣ Relationships are currency
Your network is not a trophy collection — it’s a value exchange.
4️⃣ Discomfort is a compass
If you’re too comfortable, you may be falling behind.
5️⃣ Keep moving — next play
As Peter says: Don’t take the last loss into the next snap.
Listen to the Full Episode
Peter’s story is a masterclass in resilience, humility, and reinvention.
➡️ Watch/Listen now to learn:
• How to turn failure into fuel
• How to build wealth through connection
• Why the finance industry needs disruption
• How Vera is stacking the odds back in the consumer’s favor
This episode will stretch your perspective—and maybe even your future success.
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