How I Went From Fearing AI to Closing $250K in Business

The Backstory – AI Made Me $200/Hour, But It Also Terrified Me

When ChatGPT first came out, I was making over $200 per hour as a software developer. It was my secret weapon.

I built a custom integration for WalletConnect and made $6,000 over Christmas break. Then the founder of WalletConnect, Pedro Gomes, reached out. He wanted my work to become part of their official tech stack.

That led to another contract—$30,000 over 4-5 months, working just 2 hours per day.

And AI was behind it all.

It helped me write code, draft proposals, structure pricing, and even coach me into charging more. I doubled my prices twice—and they still said yes.

But then, something hit me.

The Internal Struggle – AI Was Doing 90% of My Job… And That TERRIFIED Me

I started to notice something unsettling…

AI wasn’t just helping me. It was doing my job! (At least I thought so at the time.) It was writing the code. Solving the problems. Making decisions I used to make.

If AI could do 90% of my work… what did that mean for me?

I panicked.

I thought, "AI is going to replace me."

So, I ran.

I stepped away from software development and decided to reinvent myself as a coach. I dove deep into Brendon Burchard’s High Performance Institute, learning about communication, marketing, and coaching.

And for six months, I stopped using AI.

I thought, “AI sucks at sounding like me, so what’s the point?”

Until a friend sent me a message that changed everything.

The Epiphany – “Use ChatGPT Like Google” (This Changed Everything)

One day, my friend Luke Brox messaged me:

I was skeptical: ChatGPT has JUST come out with its internet search function.
But I tried it.

And suddenly, AI wasn’t just a code-writing machine. It became my thinking partner, research assistant, and even my coach.

I started using it to:
✅ Find better ways to teach and coach
✅ Troubleshoot problems (even fix my faucet!)
✅ Draft proposals, brainstorm ideas, and refine my messaging

I stopped fearing AI and started harnessing it as an amplifier.

Then, at Brendon’s Ultra Mastermind, everything clicked.

At the end of the event, Brendon stepped off the stage, walked into the aisles, and started talking about AI. He said things like:

The fear in that room was palpable.
But I had already solved this for myself.
And I knew I had to help them do the same.

The Strategy – How to Make AI Work for YOU

Most people struggle with AI because they expect it to just "sound like them."
I did too—until I discovered a simple 3-step system that changed everything:

Step 1: Input – Feed the AI Your Stories

AI can’t capture your voice unless it understands your experiences, values, and perspective. Your personal stories are what make your content unique, and AI needs those to reflect your authentic voice.

To do this, you can:

• Share your mission, values, and personal experiences so AI understands your perspective.

• Have AI interview you to extract your unique insights.

• Provide past content—blog posts, social media, transcripts—to give it real examples of your style.

Step 2: Structure – Use Templates to Guide Output

Even with the right input, AI still needs a clear structure to follow. Templates define how your content is formatted, ensuring that the AI’s output aligns with your natural flow.

To get AI to produce content that feels right, you should:

• Use examples of your past work to guide its output.

• Provide specific instructions on format—lists, steps, or storytelling frameworks.

• Build custom templates based on how you naturally communicate.

Step 3: Iterate – Refine for Authenticity

AI won’t get it perfect the first time. The key to making it truly sound like you is iteration.

To refine its output, you need to:

• Review AI’s work and identify where it sounds off.

• Give clear feedback to adjust tone, style, and clarity.

• Re-feed improved content (this is HUGE) so AI continuously learns from your revisions.

The Results – How This Changed My Life (And Others’)

Hundreds of people have now used this framework.

Coaches and consultants have used AI to:
💰 Grow their businesses
💡 Find their authentic voice
🚀 Make tens of thousands of dollars

And for me personally?

I’ve used ChatGPT to close over $250K in business over the last year.

And it all started when I stopped running from AI and started teaching it to amplify me.

Your Next Step

If you’re a coach or consultant who wants AI to actually sound like you, I’ve put together a free guide:

👉 Get the Authentic AI Voice System here: https://sterlinglong.me/authentic-ai-voice-system-opt-in

Don’t let AI replace you. Make it work for you. 🚀

Your AI Coach,
Sterling Long!