THE GROWTH ENGINE BEHIND EARN YOUR LEISURE: FROM 4000 TO 30000 || MICHAEL J MACDONALD || EPISODE 085

Sitting down with us today is Michael J. MacDonald, visionary entrepreneur, architect of impact, and co founder of Earn Your Leisure (EYL), the movement redefining financial education and culture for an entire generation.Michael doesn't just talk about branding. He builds legacies. As a coach, strategist, and entrepreneur, he has spent his career pushing people to think bigger, act bolder, and build brands that command attention and stand the test of time.In this episode, we go deep into Michael's journey as co founder of both Earn Your Leisure and Invest Fest, the powerhouse financial literacy conference that has become a movement in its own right. We uncover the untold story behind their very first conference, where they took a bold $1.3 million investment with absolutely no sponsors locked in, a high stakes gamble that could have gone either way. We break down exactly how that risk paid off and set the foundation for everything that followed.We also explore the game changing partnership with Steve Harvey, a strategic move that opened doors, elevated credibility, and helped propel Invest Fest into the global phenomenon it is today. From humble beginnings to tens of thousands of attendees, this is the real story of how vision, risk, and relentless execution built one of the most influential platforms in financial education.Chapters00:00 EYL Origin Story03:45 Entrepreneur Journey ️07:17 Freedom Mindset10:21 Community Info Gap14:10 Real Estate Boom17:16 Investfest Profitability20:23 Diddy's Impact24:20 AI Investing Ease27:27 Generational Wealth Gap31:28 Podcast Impact Goal ️34:45 System for Fulfillment ️38:59 Business Relationships41:58 Time is Now ⏰45:49 Dream Big49:56 Community Building ️53:06 Obsession Drives Success56:06 Winning Definition Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ryan Gardner founded Bucked Up in 2016 and has been the managing partner and CEO ever since. Under his supervision, Bucked Up has gone from a local supplement brand to the #1 best-selling pre-workout, available in over 100,000 stores worldwide.   Back in 2001, Ryan and his twin brother Jeff built a successful internet marketing company, promoting everything from supplements to biz opp to lead generation. By 2010, their affiliate network (with only 3 other employees) was earning over $25M+ annually in revenue. In 2015, they saw that social media was the future and decided to start their own social media agency. After over a decade of promoting other people's products, Ryan and Jeff realized it was finally time to put their talents to work promoting their own.   Ryan purchased the domain name DeerAntlerSpray.com in 2013. Not long after, Ray Lewis made headline news when he was accused of taking the spray before the Super Bowl. Sales exploded overnight. Sure, he was in the "Right Time...Right Place," but without Ryan's smart, hard work, he would've missed out on all that success. Shortly after the Super Bowl, he managed to get Deer Antler Spray into GNC and sold thousands of bottles a week for the next two years. Ryan, with the help of a GNC franchise owner, came up with the idea to launch a pre-workout. Despite some skepticism from family, he purchased BUCKEDUP.com for $1500 and named the first pre-workout "Bucked Up." With a great logo, flavor profile, the right ingredients, and a non-proprietary blend, the company started making waves in the supplement industry and never looked back.   This episode Ryan talks about his journey and the start of Bucked Up how the business structure works, affiliates and partners and the vision for the next 10 years. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction  03:37 How The Journey Begun 08:06 Brand Name Challenges ️ 10:48 Athlete Selection 13:20 Ambassador Payments 17:14 Company Growth 21:17 Networking Importance 24:13 CEO Involvement ‍ 27:32 Learning From Failure 30:03 Intuition in Business 32:50 Bucked Up Future 38:43 Next Athlete Partner? 42:06 Soccer/NFL/ NBA 45:35 Brand Equity Focus 48:47 Affiliate Program Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Catherine Bennett, Executive Editor of Utah Business, joins us for a deep dive into what truly makes Utah one of the best places for entrepreneurs and small businesses to thrive. With a background in print journalism, she began her career in marketing as a global communications leader, managing a team of 10 translators before stepping into entrepreneurship and launching Backpack Marketing, an agency focused on helping small businesses grow. She later moved into an executive marketing role working across industries including manufacturing, aerospace, and health sciences. In this episode, we explore why Utah stands out from other states when it comes to business culture. We break down how collaboration, accessibility, and a strong community mindset create the perfect environment for solopreneurs, startups, and growing companies. Catherine also shares insights into networking, events, and key resources available in Utah—and how Utah Business serves as a powerful platform to celebrate, connect, and elevate everyday entrepreneurs. If you’re building a business or looking to tap into a thriving ecosystem, this conversation is packed with valuable perspective and practical takeaways. Chapters 00:00 Utah Business History 03:03 Utah Business Mission 05:49 Entrepreneur Journey 10:20 Executive Editor Role 13:29 Utah Business Advisory 17:03 Collaborative Workforce 20:41 Utah's Accessibility 24:31 Journalistic Integrity 27:16 Mission: Celebrate & Elevate 30:11 Founder's Struggle ️ 32:53 Utah Industry Growth 41:08 Networking Advice ️ 45:03 Utah Executive Talk ️ 50:39 Customer Obsession 53:37 Connect with Utah Biz Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. James E. Dixon, widely known as SupermanIs4Real, for a deeply moving and powerful conversation on resilience, faith, and purpose. After experiencing a life-altering tragedy that resulted in the loss of his leg, Dr. Dixon made a decision that would define the rest of his life—he refused to be defined by what he lost. Instead, he chose to step fully into his purpose. What many would see as a setback, he transformed into a calling. Recorded around his impactful message at the Little Lambs Fundraiser, Dr. Dixon shares how his journey as an amputee became a platform to inspire, serve, and uplift others. His story is not about limitation—it’s about identity, belief, and the power of perspective. He speaks on how physical loss does not cancel divine purpose, and how mindset can override circumstances. At the core of this conversation is a powerful belief: he never saw himself as broken—he saw himself as Superman. “You may not walk the same—but you still have somewhere to go.” We dive into the lessons that shaped him, the faith that carried him, and the responsibility he feels to impact others through his story. This episode will challenge you to rise above your circumstances, to serve with intention, and to move forward with conviction—no matter what you’re facing. If you’re looking for a reminder of what true strength, purpose, and transformation look like, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. Chapters 00:00 Early Life Challenges 04:28 Intimidation Factor 08:29 Why Me? Question 12:18 Overcoming Challenges 17:36 Pain to Passion 22:40 Grandma's Lifeline 27:30 Questioning God 33:29 Identity & Purpose 37:39 Survivor Mindset ️ 41:42 YouTube Growth Tips 46:15 Avoid Remoras 51:06 Perception vs. Truth 54:51 Integrity Matters 59:23 Authentic Speaking ️ 01:03:18 The Power of the Core 01:07:39 Resilience and Legacy 01:11:21 The Meaning of Winning Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, I sit down with Azure Calder, a seasoned mortgage expert with over 20 years of experience in the real estate and lending industry. From processing and management to ownership, Azure has built a career defined by consistency, leadership, and results—personally contributing to over $1 billion in real estate transactions and earning recognition as a top producer and President’s Club winner. But this conversation goes far beyond traditional real estate. Azure breaks down how he helps clients build true generational wealth, whether it’s guiding first-time homebuyers into their first property or helping seasoned investors scale through residential loans, portfolio lending, bridge financing, and commercial deals. His approach is rooted in strategy, mentorship, and understanding how to structure deals that actually work in today’s market. We also dive into topics most people aren’t talking about—aviation ownership, trusts, and business funding strategies that can open doors to entirely new levels of opportunity. Azure shares insights on how entrepreneurs are securing $500K to $750K in funding in as little as four months, along with the systems, positioning, and mindset required to make it happen. This episode is packed with practical game from both a lending and business perspective, including: • How to leverage real estate to build long-term wealth • The role of trusts in protecting and scaling assets • Creative ways to access capital in today’s economy • Inside strategies behind aviation ownership • What it really takes to win in business in 2026 If you’re serious about real estate, funding, and scaling your financial future, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction  05:32 The Failure of My First Brokerage 08:01 Venture Capital (60% APY)  11:14 What Separates Us ?  12:30 How to Obtain Business Funding? 20:03 Aviation: Get Ownership of a Jet?  25:11 The One Investment You Should Do 29:39 Trusts: The Hidden Secret to Wealth  34:25 The Importance of Coaching  37:07 The Secret to winning  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Kylie Brenning has been active in the real estate industry since 2018, starting her career in commercial real estate development before transitioning into lending in 2022. That foundation gives her a unique, well-rounded perspective on both the building and financing side of real estate. As a Mortgage Broker, Kylie works across both residential and commercial lending, leveraging strong relationships with a wide network of banks and lending institutions. Her approach is solution-focused—no matter how niche the deal or complex the situation, she believes there is always a loan product or strategy that can make it work. Beyond her work in lending, Kylie serves as the President of E.P.I.C.C. (Empowering Professionals In Clark County), a nonprofit dedicated to giving back through meaningful networking, community-driven events, and supporting local charities and small businesses throughout the Pacific Northwest. In this episode, we break down the realities of lending in today’s market—from creative financing strategies to how AI is shaping the future of mortgage brokering. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, investor, or entrepreneur, this conversation is packed with practical insights on navigating credit, income, and opportunity in real estate. 🎙️ Episode Timestamps  0:00 Introduction  3:45 What is Creative Finance?  7:32 DSCR loan , 0 Income Documentation?  12:34 How important is credit score?  16:41 Income vs Credit score  19:50 AI integration as Mortgage Broker  21:35 No Credit vs Bad Credit ?  26:15 Interests Rates & When To Buy ?  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode recorded during WealthCon in Las Vegas, I sit down with Brock Holyoak, a blue collar builder turned real estate investor who has built a reputation for speed, efficiency, and delivering strong returns for investors. Today he runs a construction operation capable of building 70 to 80 homes a year, focusing on quality homes priced under $400K while completing builds in around 90 days, nearly twice as fast as many competitors in the market. We dive into the structure of Brock’s business and how he has been able to scale production with a lean team of just five people. He breaks down his debt first investor model, where investors get paid before he does, and explains how that structure allows him to consistently turn investor capital multiple times per year while targeting 45 to 50 percent returns. The conversation also explores how he manages projects, maintains speed without sacrificing quality, and keeps operations running smoothly at scale. Beyond the numbers, Brock talks about the importance of relationships in construction and why strong loyalty with subcontractors is one of the biggest advantages a builder can have. We also discuss broader investment strategies, different ways people can participate in real estate deals, and practical opportunities for generating income in the space today. If you want a real conversation about building wealth through real estate, construction efficiency, and working with investors, this episode delivers a raw and honest look at what it takes to rebuild from nothing and scale a serious operation.   Timestamps  00:00 Introduction  02:15 background  08:00 upscaling  14:00 Biggest Financial year 15:22 How does the process work  20:57 Utilizing AI in building homes  23:00 Building Brick vs Stick Frame  25:41 Business Structure  28:00 Other Asset investments  32:50 Residential vs Commercial  37:05 Winning Mindset  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, I sit down with Levi Lascsak, Dallas real estate powerhouse, Iraq War veteran, and one of the most recognized voices in YouTube driven real estate marketing today.   Levi has helped generate over $250 million in sales, closing more than 524 homes in just five years, while building a YouTube strategy that has transformed how realtors attract clients. Voted Top Producer by D Magazine and ranked Top 100 in Dallas by Real Producers, Levi has proven that consistent content and strategic positioning can outperform traditional marketing in today’s market.   But this conversation goes far deeper than numbers. Levi shares how his experience serving in Iraq shaped his discipline, leadership, and resilience and how those traits carried into entrepreneurship. We talk about what it really takes to stand out in competitive markets like Dallas, why most agents fail on YouTube, and how to build a predictable inbound lead machine through long form content. He also breaks down: • How YouTube became his primary driver of business • The mindset shift from chasing deals to attracting them • Turning content into passive prospecting • Overcoming skepticism and industry pushback • Building authority and trust at scale   As the author of Passive Prospecting and recognized as a HousingWire 2025 Top 10 Coach, Levi has made it his mission to help realtors crush YouTube and create long term sustainable growth without cold calling or door knocking.   If you’re a realtor, entrepreneur, content creator, or business owner looking to dominate your niche using YouTube, this episode is a masterclass in strategy, execution, and discipline.   Timestamps  00:00 Quick Money vs. Steady 04:46 Medicare Insurance ️ 08:42 Perfect Exit Timing 12:08 Attention to Detail 15:41 Financial Terminology 18:15 Niche Content Focus 23:07 Future Business Trends 25:48 Software Race Impact 28:32 Entrepreneurial Focus 31:07 Service Industry Value ️ 34:08 Journey to Wealth 36:30 Authentic Influence 39:02 Motivation vs. Action 42:13 Business Growth Path 46:08 Definition of Winning Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

I sit down with Justin Brock, an extraordinary entrepreneur and United States Marine Corps veteran who skyrocketed his business from $8M in revenue to a $70M valuation in under two years. I first met Justin backstage at the Wealth event, where we had the chance to dive into his incredible journey—from his time serving in the Marines to building and scaling a high-performing company. Justin shares how the discipline, resilience, and leadership he developed in the Marine Corps shaped the way he approaches business, decision-making, and building winning teams.   As Justin and I unpack his story, we explore the key strategies that fueled his rapid growth—from implementing critical business guardrails to focusing on high-profit metrics and scaling leadership effectiveness. We also talk about the lessons he carried from the military into entrepreneurship, including accountability, mental toughness, and staying mission-focused even during high-pressure moments.   Whether you're navigating growth challenges, building your leadership skills, or aiming for your own nine-figure outcome, this episode is packed with practical insights that will inspire and equip you to level up your business Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this podcast episode, we sit down with Robin Petgrave for a powerful and deeply personal conversation that traces his journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of the most respected helicopter pilots and aviation entrepreneurs in the industry. Robin opens up about his upbringing, being born in Jamaica and raised in the United States, and how early dreams of movement speed and freedom shaped his desire to do something extraordinary with his life. Long before aviation entered the picture, he was driven by competition discipline and the belief that his future could be bigger than his surroundings.   Robin takes us inside his early pursuit of excellence as a world class runner and how an unexpected accident changed the course of his life just short of the Olympic stage. Instead of allowing disappointment to define him, he explains how that setback sharpened his resilience and forced him to reinvent himself. That mindset eventually led him into acting and then aviation where he discovered a new way to combine precision creativity and adrenaline. His love for flying quickly turned into a calling and he committed fully to mastering the craft.   The conversation dives deep into how Robin built his entrepreneurial foundation from the ground up. Starting a helicopter business with just three hundred dollars and relentless belief he scaled operations into a multi million dollar company. He shares the realities of risk pressure and leadership and how trusting instincts and staying fearless helped him navigate industries where few people looked like him. His reputation for excellence earned him opportunities in film television music videos and commercial production where his flying skill and creative vision set him apart.   Beyond success and accolades Robin speaks candidly about purpose. He explains why entrepreneurship for him was never just about profit but about impact. Through founding Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum he created pathways for young people from underserved communities to see aviation as attainable not impossible. Mentorship outreach and giving back have become central to his mission and he reflects on how working with youth continues to ground him and give his success meaning.   Today Robin stands as a living example of reinvention and perseverance. From athlete to actor to aviator to entrepreneur and mentor his story is proof that dreams evolve but purpose deepens when you commit to growth and service. This episode is an honest look at what it takes to keep believing adapt through adversity and build a life that lifts others as you rise. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.