An Inspired Chat with Josh Perry of RTP (Raleigh-Durham)

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Josh Perry. Check out our conversation below.

Josh, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I have really enjoyed getting into the game of golf these last 5 years since moving on from freestyle-BMX altogether. I retired from competition in 2017 and pursued high-performance coaching full time. I maintained a professional level of riding and training on a daily basis in BMX despite not earning a living through it anymore. I did this for 3 years after retiring until it occurred to me that I was afraid to let go of that old identity that helped me survive so much of my life, and got me to the point in my life I was able to recognize a way to serve others through my life experiences. In January of 2020, I decided to walk away from BMX for good and replaced the physical act and desire to progress with a skill of mental and physical challenge with golf. Golf is a great mirror for one’s relationship with themself, others, and life in general. How one approaches golf is very revealing of who they are beneath the surface. It’s also a great way for me to push myself mentally and physically without the risk of concussion or breaking a leg like in BMX. I enjoy the game, the physics of the game, being outside, the repetition required to excel, and meeting people through the game. I also enjoy being able to progress with something because I love it with zero pressure of supporting myself finically from it.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I help high-performing professionals simplify performance by doing less of what only feels important so they can achieve more where it truly matters. My work is about guiding them to evolve into the version of themselves required to perform and lead at a high level without burning out or sacrificing their health and relationships. Instead of chasing solutions to “fix” discomfort we label as a problem, I help my clients dismantle the primal survival patterns we all fall into, especially when past success has come from forcing our way forward.

My approach was shaped by my own journey as a former pro BMX athlete and multiple brain tumor survivor. I know how easy it is to get stuck in survival mode, chasing success at the expense of well-being and trying to prove worth through performance and results. That experience taught me that true performance isn’t about doing more, it’s about creating alignment between who you are, how you show up, and what you want most in life, rather than running from what you fear. And it all starts with building awareness around the discomfort we often avoid.

Through my coaching, I guide entrepreneurs, executives, and competitive athletes through a proven roadmap that integrates mindset, nervous system regulation, and systems for optimal energy and aligned execution. What makes this process unique is that it’s not just about achieving external goals, it’s about evolving from the inside out so the results you create are sustainable and deeply fulfilling.

Right now, I’m expanding this work through my 1:1 coaching, workshops, and a book I’m writing that dives deeper into the lessons I’ve learned along the way.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a kid, I believed I was stupid because I grew up with ADHD and didn’t retain information as easily as others. I also believed I had to be my own rescuer, that if I didn’t have the answers or couldn’t solve my problems, I’d be alone and suffering. At a young age, I learned to equate love and acceptance with performance, so I felt like I had to produce extraordinary results just to be enough.

I no longer believe any of that. I now understand this is what happens when we’re trapped in survival mode, coping with stressors we were never taught how to process. I’ve learned that my worth isn’t tied to how much I can achieve or fix. The truth is, I’m not “broken,” and I don’t have to live in constant survival mode. I can ask for help, I can be supported, and I’m just as worthy when I’m not producing or performing.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
For much of my life, I was afraid that if I didn’t have the answers, produce results, or perform at a high level, I’d be rejected or left behind. That fear pushed me to overachieve and stay in control, but it also kept me in survival mode, always hustling for worthiness instead of feeling secure in who I was.

It’s a fear I’ve had to face head-on. Learning that my value isn’t tied to my output has been one of the most freeing shifts of my life. I’ve come to see that belief for what it was: a lie my nervous system created in an attempt to feel safe and in control.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
My industry markets surface-level “solutions” as if the next product, strategy, or program is the missing piece to make you enough. It feeds into people’s fear and sense of inadequacy.

I’m not saying skills, knowledge, or strategy don’t matter, they absolutely do. But the real lie being sold is that who you are isn’t enough unless you have “x, y, or z.” That belief only perpetuates the primal survival prison most people don’t even realize they’re trapped in. It keeps them chasing more things to work on and more “problems” to solve, when the deeper issue is the belief that they’re broken or not enough.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
I’ve always given my best, even without praise. I’ve been self-motivated and driven by the vision I hold in my mind. If anything, I used to hold myself back from being fully authentic because of the fear of what others might think or say. In this season of my life, my focus is on showing up as my true self and letting my vision, not fear, be the driver. Praise feels good, of course, but it’s never been what motivates me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.joshperrybmx.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/JoshPerryBMX
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshperrybmx/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JoshPerryBMX

Image Credits
Jackie Lauricella, Derick Brady, Tyler Northrup