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From Struggle to Success: Joseph Drolshagen’s Journey of Transformation and the SMT Method

From Struggle to Success: Joseph Drolshagen’s Journey of Transformation and the SMT Method

Life is a series of challenges, and for Joseph Drolshagen, overcoming them meant transforming his life from financial struggles and self-doubt to building a successful career and empowering others. As a coach, author, and founder of the SMT (Subconscious Mindset Training) Method, Joseph's story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and a passion for helping others achieve their unique version of success. Here’s a deep dive into his journey, his transformational coaching approach, and the lessons we can all learn from his path.

Humble Beginnings: Growing Up in a Blue-Collar Family

Joseph grew up in Detroit, Michigan, in a blue-collar family of seven. Life was not easy—financial struggles were constant, and his parents worked tirelessly to provide for their children. Joseph recalls his father’s relentless work ethic, often pushing through sickness to work long hours operating heavy machinery in the steel industry. His mother, a court reporter, worked late into the night, often sacrificing sleep to ensure the family’s needs were met.

Despite their efforts, the household was heavy with stress. This environment shaped Joseph’s early perception of life: that success required sacrifice, exhaustion, and constant struggle. At nine years old, he promised himself he would not follow the same path, determined to build a different life.

The Early Career: Falling Into the Trap of "Working to Live"

As Joseph entered adulthood, he found himself repeating the very patterns he had vowed to avoid. His initial jobs in factories and eventually corporate America reflected his family’s conditioning: work tirelessly, and hope to enjoy life later. Despite his hard work, Joseph struggled financially, dealt with self-doubt, and found his corporate sales job unfulfilling.

The turning point came in his thirties when he realized that his efforts were not yielding the results he wanted. He tried various self-help programs, counseling, and coaching without success. This struggle led to a four-year period of alcohol abuse, which further derailed his career and personal life. A car accident became the wake-up call he needed, prompting Joseph to rebuild his life.

A New Beginning: Discovering the Power of the Subconscious Mind

Joseph began his journey of self-discovery by studying the subconscious mind and its role in shaping behavior and success. He realized that his deeply ingrained beliefs about struggle and scarcity were holding him back. By working with a coach and diving into personal development books, he uncovered the root of his self-limiting patterns and began shifting his mindset.

One key revelation was understanding that success is not about working harder but working smarter, aligning actions with personal values and strengths. This realization led to the creation of his SMT Method, a framework for identifying and reprogramming subconscious beliefs to achieve rapid, sustainable success.

The SMT Method: A Unique Approach to Success

The SMT (Subconscious Mindset Training) Method is at the heart of Joseph’s coaching philosophy. Unlike one-size-fits-all programs, the SMT Method focuses on tailoring strategies to each individual’s unique circumstances and goals. It begins by identifying limiting beliefs and subconscious patterns that hinder growth and replaces them with empowering habits and thoughts.

Core Components of the SMT Method:

  1. Subconscious Alignment: Identifying and shifting negative conditioning that conflicts with conscious goals.
  2. Dynamic Visioning: Creating a personalized vision of success that includes all aspects of life, not just career or financial goals.
  3. Accelerated Habits: Developing habits and strategies that align with an individual’s strengths and values.
  4. Actionable Roadmaps: Building step-by-step plans tailored to the client’s unique path.

This approach has helped Joseph’s clients achieve remarkable results, from doubling business revenues to personal breakthroughs in confidence and fulfillment.

Living the Dream: Helping Others Thrive

After climbing the corporate ladder to become a vice president of sales, Joseph made the bold decision to leave the corporate world to pursue coaching full-time. Today, he helps entrepreneurs, sales teams, and individuals achieve their dreams by showing them how to align their mindset and actions with their unique vision of success.

Joseph’s message is clear: true success comes from breaking free of societal conditioning, embracing individuality, and creating a life aligned with one’s values. His passion for coaching has allowed him to transform not only his own life but also the lives of hundreds of clients.


Key Takeaways

  1. Subconscious Patterns Shape Behavior: Identifying and reprogramming limiting beliefs is crucial for personal and professional growth.

  2. Success is Personal: There’s no universal roadmap to success. Tailoring strategies to your unique strengths and values yields the best results.

  3. Dynamic Visioning is Powerful: Creating a vision for your life that excites and inspires you can transform how you approach challenges.

  4. Resilience Leads to Transformation: Joseph’s story shows that even the most challenging periods can lead to profound personal and professional breakthroughs.

  5. Empower Others: True success involves helping others find their own path, creating a ripple effect of growth and positivity.


Joseph Drolshagen’s journey from corporate sales to coaching is a testament to the power of self-awareness, resilience, and the subconscious mind. To learn more about his SMT Method and coaching programs, visit SMTMethod.com or connect with him on social media.

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