A Life Built Around Purpose, People, and the Stories That Shape Us.

Over the years, Gary has learned that a meaningful life is less about having all the answers and more about being intentional with the people, choices, and experiences that matter most.

EXPLORE THE BOOK ➝

About Gary

A Life Built Around Purpose, People, and the Stories That Shape Us

For more than 34 years, Gary Barss has built a career as a trusted Financial Advisor, helping individuals and families navigate the complexities of wealth management with clarity, purpose, and values-based decision-making. Throughout his career, Gary has learned that financial success is only one part of a meaningful life. The more important questions often have less to do with numbers and more to do with what we value, why we make the choices we make, and what kind of life we ultimately want to create.

That perspective has shaped much of Gary’s work beyond financial advising.
As a speaker, Gary brings real-world experience and a practical approach to conversations about intentional living, values-driven goal setting, personal growth, and the psychology behind the decisions we make. His talks have connected with audiences ranging from corporate teams to community groups, where he encourages people to step back, examine what truly matters, and make choices that are aligned with their values and long-term fulfillment.

At the heart of Gary’s work is a simple idea: living intentionally means being more conscious of the choices we make and the life we are creating.

What Shapes Gary’s Perspective

Intentionality

Living consciously rather than living on autopilot. Every choice shapes our direction.

Genuine Curiosity

Every person has a story worth hearing, and every experience carries a lesson.

Sense of Humor

Purpose matters, but so does the ability to laugh, stay grounded, and enjoy the journey.

Human Connection

Meaningful growth happens when we share wisdom, setbacks, and honest conversations.

GARY’S MOTIVATION & CURIOSITY

The Experiences That Shaped Gary

A career built around people, curiosity, and a deeper understanding of what makes a life meaningful.

Gary has always been deeply curious about people—their experiences, motivations, challenges, and the pivotal moments that shape their lives. Over more than 34 years in financial advising, he learned that true success isn’t simply about numbers, but about what we value, who we share our lives with, and how we choose to live. That curiosity eventually led him to writing, speaking, and podcasting, where he continues to explore the stories, choices, and experiences that make life meaningful.

Gary’s Life Philosophy

Principles shaped by decades of guiding people toward purpose, clarity, and intentional choices.

Conscious Choices

Living intentionally means stepping back from the default and making choices that reflect what matters most.

Wisdom in Every Story

Every person’s journey contains lessons—often found in both the moments of success and the setbacks along the way.

Humor & Perspective

Life can be challenging, but keeping a sense of humor can help us stay grounded, connected, and open to the moment.

Values-Driven Living

A meaningful life isn’t about doing more. It’s about aligning your choices with what matters most to you.

Meaningful Connection

The people we share our lives with shape our experiences. Authenticity, curiosity, and presence make those connections meaningful.

Mindful Growth

We can’t control everything that happens in life, but we can choose how we respond, learn, and grow from it.

THE BOOK STORY

Why Gary Wrote “The Intentional Life”

A Natural Reflection Of 34+ Years Spent Helping People Align Their Choices With Their True Values.

Across more than three decades as a Financial Advisor, speaker, stand-up comedian, and podcaster, Gary noticed a recurring pattern: most people don’t fail due to a lack of ambition—they simply get caught up in the urgent demands of daily life. Without realizing it, the things that matter most quietly drift into the background.

The Intentional Life wasn’t born out of a desire to write a typical self-help book. It was created as a practical reflection of Gary’s own life experiences and the countless conversations he’s had with clients, podcast guests, and audiences.

For Gary, The Intentional Life is an invitation to pause, reflect, and consider whether the life you’re living reflects what matters most to you.