Next Level 300: The Most Disciplined Man in the World; Craig Ballantyne

In this episode of the Next Level Income Podcast, I sit down with Thomas Cox, a Financial Architect and Infinite Banking Strategist, to break down one of the most talked-about yet misunderstood wealth-building strategies today: Infinite Banking Concept (IBC).Thomas Cox brings a unique blend of real-world entrepreneurial experience and sophisticated financial strategy. Before stepping into the world of private capital and real estate, he successfully built and scaled multiple seven-figure catering businesses. Today, he owns 32 multifamily units across the Southeast, operates short-term rentals, and leads a private lending network that fuels deals across the region. Through his firm, Cox Capital, he has helped business owners and investors deploy millions using IBC and private lending strategies designed to build and protect long-term wealth.🔗 Connect with Thomas Cox🌐 https://www.thomascox.co/🌐 https://app.gohighlevel.com/v2/preview/5kpri8txgYvqP1j55mGzYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@thomascox4141Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thomascox.coTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thomascox.coFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thomascoxmealfit/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomascoxco/

In this milestone episode of the Next Level Income Podcast, I sit down with Craig Ballantyne—widely recognized as the “World’s Most Disciplined Man.” Known for his no-nonsense approach to productivity, performance, and personal growth, Craig has built a reputation for helping high-performing entrepreneurs eliminate chaos, master their time, and achieve extraordinary results.Craig’s journey didn’t begin with perfect discipline. Like many entrepreneurs, he faced setbacks, distractions, and periods of uncertainty. But through years of refinement and relentless commitment, he developed systems that transformed not only his own life, but the lives of thousands of business owners around the world. Today, he stands as a leading business coach for those seeking clarity, control, and consistent high performance.Resources & Links  www.craigballantyne.comEarlyToRise.com

Success at the highest level of sport is rarely just about physical ability—it is about mental resilience, discipline, and the ability to perform under pressure. In this episode of the Next Level Income Podcast, we sit down with Brent Bookwalter, a former Olympian and 16-year veteran of professional cycling, to uncover the powerful mental frameworks that fueled his elite career and now help others elevate their performance.Brent’s journey is one of relentless perseverance. As a key domestique on Cadel Evans’ 2011 Tour de France-winning team, Brent understood that success is often built behind the scenes—through teamwork, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to a larger goal. This experience shaped his perspective on leadership and collaboration, emphasizing that true excellence comes from lifting others while staying grounded in your role.Resources & Linkshttps://www.brentbookwalter.com/

Whole life insurance has long been one of the most debated financial tools in the world of personal finance. Some view it as an outdated product with high costs, while others consider it a powerful wealth-building strategy when used correctly. In this episode of the Next Level Income Podcast, host Chris Larsen sits down with Rod Zabriskie and Blake Brogan from Money Insights to explore whether whole life insurance still makes sense in today’s financial landscape.Rod Zabriskie, President of Money Insights, brings over a decade of experience in financial services along with an MBA focused on entrepreneurship and a background in marketing communications. Having spent years helping individuals and families navigate complex financial decisions, Rod focuses on creating strategies that are both practical and empowering. Alongside him is Blake Brogan, a Wealth Strategist who specializes in maximum overfunded life insurance strategies. With eight years of industry experience, Blake works closely with clients to design financial plans that help them achieve greater long-term stability and control.Links: https://insights.moneyinsightsgroup.com/blake-30-min

Every entrepreneur knows the feeling: the deal that fell apart at the finish line, the project that took longer than expected, the market shift that changed the rules overnight. On this episode of the Next Level Income podcast, we sit down with Jose Miguel Berlanga to unpack a simple but powerful truth—grit is good, but only when it’s paired with clarity, humility, and the willingness to get back up again.With more than 35 years of experience as an entrepreneur, Jose Miguel Berlanga brings a global perspective shaped by his roots in Mexico City and his impact on Houston’s real estate market. As a co-founder of Tricon Homes, he has seen cycles come and go, markets boom and cool, and teams rise through adversity. His story is a masterclass in resilience—one that goes beyond motivational quotes and dives into the daily disciplines that keep leaders steady when pressure is high.

On this episode of the Next Level Income Podcast, we unpack one of the most misunderstood money strategies out there: how the wealthy legally minimize taxes—not through shady loopholes, but by structuring their wealth differently than the average earner.Most people are trained to focus on income. Work harder, earn more, pay more taxes. The wealthy play a different game. They focus on building assets that grow over time and are treated more favorably by the tax code. This shift in mindset—from income to wealth—is the foundation of how high-net-worth individuals keep more of what they earn.One powerful concept discussed is turning debt into income. That sounds backwards at first, but here’s the strategy: instead of selling assets and triggering taxes, the wealthy borrow against assets they already own. Because loans are not considered taxable income, this allows them to access cash without creating a tax bill.

Access to capital is one of the biggest hurdles small business owners face when trying to grow. Traditional bank loans can be slow, restrictive, and often out of reach for entrepreneurs who don’t fit neatly into rigid lending criteria. On the Next Level Income podcast, we explore smarter, more flexible ways to build wealth and scale businesses. In this episode, we sit down with Ian Samlin, CEO and Founder of REIL Capital, to unpack how private credit is becoming a powerful growth tool for small business owners.Ian’s journey into finance is rooted in both education and real-world experience. After earning his degree in Finance from Towson University, he went on to build deep expertise in business development and capital markets. Rather than following a traditional corporate path, Ian chose to build REIL Capital from the ground up with a clear mission: deliver tailored financial solutions grounded in trust, transparency, and long-term client success.

Building generational wealth through real estate isn’t just about buying properties—it’s about knowing how to preserve capital, defer taxes, and strategically reposition assets over time. On this episode of the Next Level Income Podcast, we sit down with real estate veteran Tim Tepes to break down two powerful tools that sophisticated investors use to scale and protect wealth: 1031 exchanges and Delaware Statutory Trusts (DSTs).With over three decades of hands-on experience and more than 2,000 properties closed, Tim brings rare, real-world insight into how these strategies work beyond theory—and how investors can use them to move from active ownership into long-term, legacy-focused investing.

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Tyson Cobb shares how high-income professionals can build passive income, regain time freedom, and invest with purpose using the BONES framework.

Discover where Americans are moving in 2026 and what it means for real estate investors. Chris Larsen and Collin Campbell break down the latest U-Haul migration trends, top growth markets like Texas and Florida, and how to invest smartly in today's housing landscape.