Both On Board

The power of two is inextricably more powerful than what someone can do alone. Having a partner in life and business makes life itself more fulfilling and fun. But how do you know you're choosing the right friends? The right spouse or business partner? In this episode of Both on Board, Ray and I talk about some of the criteria we use to choose the people we surround ourselves with.

Highlights From Our Conversation

• [0:50] The Power of Two
• [6:15] How do you choose the right people?
• [12:50] Do they act with integrity?
• [16:05] Give relationships time to develop
• [23:10] What does a good partnership look and feel like?
• [28:55] Choosing a partner is an art
• [33:50] Be strategic with relationships
• [38:10] Couples Cruise coming!

It begins with value alignment

One of the key things we look at when building relationships with potential friends, business partners, etc. is their value system. For the relationship to work in the long run, we need to align on core values and beliefs.

Do they show genuine care for others?

Do they give to charities?

Do they have a commitment to personal growth?

You can't force someone to meet your values. It's okay if they're different. They don't have to be mirror images of you—you want diversity. But you want to know they are people of integrity, who do what they say they will.

The power of two begins with YOU

I rely heavily on my intuition, or "gut feeling". I'm good at listening and reading body language, whereas Ray is a "love at first sight" kind of guy. Ray instantly vibes with people and thinks they're amazing. I take time to feel them out. I note if I have synergy with them or not.

If it doesn't feel good or it doesn't feel easy it's probably not the right thing to do.

We are on opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to feeling people out. Ray and I balance each other out. I help him be more cautious, and he pushes me to be more open.

We leverage the power of two.

It takes time to build relationships

Along with core value alignment and intuition, you need to factor in time. Is the other person's behavior in alignment with what they say? Relationships/partnerships/friendships don't get tested until stress is added. As Ray likes to say, how do they act when they get punched in the face?

Don't get attached to their personality until you know who they are. Sometimes your initial perception is not the reality. People deal with daily stressors and things that impact them—they aren't always going to put their best face forward.

It also depends on how you are showing up. If you aren't showing up authentically, how can they expect you to? If you are clear on who you are and how you feel about yourself, you'll attract the same kind of people.

What does a good partnership look like?

Ray and I are the first to admit that the right person makes all the difference. As you look at your core values, listen to your intuition, and give the relationship time it comes down to who do you want to be on board with?

You don't have to be the same, but you have to be on board with each other. A good partnership is about finding a way for both of you to show up authentically as your best selves and create magic. Your differences should melt away as you work in alignment.

Other than personal development, the best way to invest your time is in relationships. You want to be strategic in your decisions and invest in partnerships where you give value to each other. When you choose wisely, the power of two will be more evident and fruitful.

To hear how some of our best relationships and partnerships started, how we help balance each other out, and more—listen to the whole episode!

Resources & People Mentioned

• The Power of Two
• Principles by Ray Dalio
• The Way of Mastery by the Shanti Christo foundation

Connect With Ramon and Christy

• Schedule a meeting with us now!
• www.BothOnBoard.com
• Both On Board on Instagram: @BothOnBoard
• Ray's Instagram - @OfficialRamonGonzalez
• Christy's Instagram - @ChristyRisco
• Facebook - Ramon Gonzalez
• Facebook - Christy Risco

Subscribe to Both on Boardon Apple Podcasts, TuneIn, RadioPublic, Google Podcasts, Spotify

Are you waiting for January 1st, 2020 to commit to change in your life? Are you sitting there telling yourself rational lies? What if—instead of waiting—you committed to small changes now? Focus on what you want to BE, what you want to DO, and what you want to HAVE. In this episode of Both on Board, we talk about how we have committed to daily rituals and how it's changed us—and can change you, too.

Highlights From Our Conversation

• [0:45] How we're preparing for 2020
• [3:35] What are the things I want to BE/DO/HAVE?
• [8:00] Do you have gray areas in your life?
• [13:10] What daily ritual can you implement?
• [19:30] Show up with a different energy
• [21:40] Cultivate awareness of where your time is spent
• [25:50] Celebrate every little win
• [29:20] What are your "big rocks"?
• [40:20] Don't let your willpower wane
• [43:15] What's coming up for Both on Board

Do you have gray areas in your life?

We all have something we want to commit to and improve, right? People seem to expect that when the new year comes around they will magically be able to commit to resolutions they couldn't keep the entire previous year.

You have the power to take responsibility for your choices. You need to get to a place where you have a strong foundation to build off of.

Are there gray areas that you're avoiding?

It's time to shine a light on the areas that are in the gray. Are you living in alignment with where your soul knows it should be? You need to move out of the gray areas and back to joy.

What daily ritual can you implement?

Start working on those gray areas now by implementing a small daily ritual that you can learn to keep consistently. It takes approximately 68 days for something to become a habit. Start small, such as working out once a day. Get up early, make your bed, or drink more water. Start early in the morning because your willpower wanes throughout the day.

As you start to successfully continue that habit, you build success on success.

If you're struggling, find a way to get your spouse on board. Fill them in on your goals and allow them to keep you accountable. Maybe your spouse will dive in with you! After all, you'll do more for someone else than you'll do for yourself. Work hard to find a middle ground of accountability and support.

There is power in commitment. Grant Cardone says "Commit first and figure the rest out later". Are you ready to commit to implementing one small change?

What are the 'big rocks' you will schedule around?

Are you aware of what happens every day? Do you know where your time is going? How much time are you wasting? When we were doing 75Hard, we cultivated an awareness of where our time was being spent and learned something valuable: You will always have time for the things you prioritize.

Are your goals important enough that you're prioritizing them daily? Your non-negotiables should be your core commitments that you schedule first—the rocks. Things that you want to do are the tiny pebbles or sand that are filtered in and fit around the rocks.

When you're saying you don't have time for something important, you're prioritizing something that's not. What 3-5 things are your priorities? Take some time to think through what those are, and schedule them into your next week. Let everything else filter around them, and you'll be amazed.

Commit to change NOW

What is taking up mental space and energy? What is robbing your peace? It is there for you to address it. Stop making things more difficult than they need to be. Show up as the person you want to be now. Not next week, not in 2020, but now. The more responsibility you take, the more power you get back. And there is power in commitment.

Where can you challenge yourself with starting today?

Resources & People Mentioned

• The Way of Mastery by the Shanti Christo foundation
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
• Chris and Heidi Powell with Ed Mylett

Connect With Ramon and Christy

• Schedule a meeting with us now!
• www.BothOnBoard.com
• Both On Board on Instagram: @BothOnBoard
• Ray's Instagram - @OfficialRamonGonzalez
• Christy's Instagram - @ChristyRisco
• Facebook - Ramon Gonzalez
• Facebook - Christy Risco

Subscribe to Both on Boardon Apple Podcasts, TuneIn, RadioPublic, Google Podcasts, Spotify

Entrepreneurship development in marriage is possible when you're both aligned and passionate about what you do. Are there struggles to overcome? Of course! But if you're both on board, then you can work through the challenges and come out stronger. Ray and I love connecting with other married entrepreneurs and couples working together. In this episode of Both on Board, Ray and I were interviewed on the Multi-FAMILY Zone podcast, hosted by Julia and Gino Barbaro.

Highlights From Our Conversation

• [0:45] The Multi-FAMILY Zone podcast
• [2:30] We finished 75Hard!
• [3:55] Why did Ray choose Real Estate?
• [5:35] Christy's Journey
• [8:30] Moving away from limiting beliefs
• [12:15] How Ray and Christy work together
• [17:45] How marriage grows and changes
• [22:45] How did having a child change everything?
• [26:20] Ongoing goals for the business
• [29:20] Tips for working together as a couple
• [38:00] Connect with us

The 3 Laws of Ray

We share a little bit of our personal journeys in this podcast. Part of Ray's story is that he's constantly reinventing himself, trying to find the path that is his right fit. I prefer to refer to it as 'agility'. He has this unique ability to transition into something bigger and better seamlessly. Gino coined the "3 Laws of Ray":

1. Desperation: Ray was motivated because he was desperate for change, desperate for something more. He didn't feel fulfilled at General Electric. It often is a strong motivator for people to make a change
2. Inspiration: He found inspiration and dove into real estate. What is your inspiration for your business and future?
3. Perspiration: Building a business and being an entrepreneur isn't easy. It takes hard work and perspiration! Do you have what it takes?

Keep listening along to hear some insight from my journey from being a school-teacher to a full-time entrepreneur and mom!

How to overcome your limiting beliefs

When I was a teacher, I did my best to always be happy. I chose to enjoy my days in my job—though often difficult—and spent them smiling. My coworkers gave me the name "Sunshine". But what I found is that other teachers found my happiness to be annoying, as if I shouldn't be happy in my circumstances.

Many teachers weren't happy. But their limiting beliefs held power over them:

"You just gotta suck it up and deal with it".

"It's worth it because I have the summers off".

"I get to leave at 3 pm every day".

I'm of the mindset that if you're going to teach, you need to be happy doing it. If you don't want to teach, overcome the limiting beliefs that are keeping you trapped and find something better. If you don't enjoy it, are you truly making an impact?

Tried and true strategies for couples working together

Our first and foremost tool that we reiterate time and time again is investing in personal development. We can't know each other and how we mesh together if we don't know ourselves first! Find out what you're good at (and what you're not) and learn to play off of each other's strengths.

Another mindset that we stand by is taking responsibility for yourself and your actions. You are responsible for your life and everything in it, including how you respond. Don't play the blame game, stop being the victim, and believe that life is happening for you and serves you. This allows you to show up to your relationship and business at a much higher level!

Lastly, support each other. Be in alignment with each other. Be compassionate. As Ray is learning the lending space, I am giving him the time and space he needs to grow in the new endeavor. But we are both enrolled in the vision and are each other's biggest fan.

Burn the ships and dive in

When I left my teaching job, I didn't request a leave of absence—I turned in my resignation. There was no life preserver. Gino pointed out that I burned the ships, and dove head-first into the entrepreneurial world with Ray. It certainly wasn't easy, and the learning process was hard on us.

Gino said it best when he said an entrepreneur is anyone who takes responsibility and someone who makes enough money to pay for their own mistakes. Through our marriage, the seasons of starting and ending businesses, and having our daughter we've hit bumps in the road.

But you have to take a leap of faith to get to something better. You work through the challenges, the arguments, disagreements, and move forward in an aligned vision. There is no looking back, only pushing forward to something better.

If you're ready to take the leap and need some motivation, schedule a call with us by clicking our link below!

Resources & People Mentioned

• Schedule a meeting with us now!
• The Multi-FAMILY zone podcast
• Summit Home Buyers, LLC
• Tony Robbins Date with Destiny
• DiSC Personality Test
• Wealth Dynamics Test
• Human Design Test

Connect With Ramon and Christy

• Schedule a meeting with us now!
• www.BothOnBoard.com
• Both On Board on Instagram: @BothOnBoard
• Ray's Instagram - @OfficialRamonGonzalez
• Christy's Instagram - @ChristyRisco
• Facebook - Ramon Gonzalez
• Facebook - Christy Risco

Subscribe to Both on Boardon Apple Podcasts, TuneIn, RadioPublic, Google Podcasts, Spotify

"You can grow ideas in the garden of your mind" - Mr. Rogers

Mr. Rogers popularized the term "Garden of Your Mind" and this week it became real for us. There is this patch of weeds that have been growing at the front of our house and it's bothered me for a while. I decided to stop ignoring it, and turn it into a garden. As I've gone through the process, a wonderful analogy has developed that we wanted to share with you. What are you growing in the garden of your mind? Are you letting weeds take over? What ideas are you cultivating? Ray and I discuss the concept in detail in this episode of Both on Board!

Highlights From Our Conversation

• [0:50] The garden of your mind
• [2:25] What does your foundation look like?
• [12:15] The four F's: family, fitness, finances, and faith
• [18:00] The process of "un-becoming"
• [24:00] Don't take the weeds for granted
• [25:35] Cultivating the seeds of awareness
• [32:10] The excuse of lack of time

Rebuild a stronger foundation to maximize success

What does your foundation look like? Are there weeds growing? Is the soil nourished and ready to grow the seeds that you plant? Just as it is with gardening, your foundation for personal development needs to be cultivated. If your foundation is matted with weeds, there is no room for other plants to grow.

To become effective and efficient, you need to make room for growth by first pruning the weeds. Remove limiting beliefs, baggage from the past, and anything that is not serving you. If you ignore the weeds, any seed you plant will be choked out and diminished. A strong foundation is what ultimately leads to and maximizes your success.

What are the building blocks of your foundation?

There are 'Four F's' that you can focus on that are the foundation for your life: family, fitness, finances, and faith. We've been doing 75Hard to address our fitness. As we are focusing on that, our nutrition is falling into place. But it's also allowing us to build discipline into our life that impacts everything else we do.

The better you take care of yourself, the better you show up, right?

Our finances are on point. We work hard to stay organized and on top of what we need to be doing. If you get your finances in order, people take notice. Our CPA is one of our investors for a deal we just completed because he sees how organized and responsible we are. He's willing to invest because our foundation is strong and we are dependable.

What can you address in the four F's that will strengthen your foundation?

The process of "un-becoming"

"Maybe the journey isn't so much about becoming anything. Maybe it's about un-becoming everything that isn't really you, so you can be who you were meant to be in the first place."

― Paul Coelho

God made you in his image to be a creator. To be love and give love. Are their weeds growing in the garden of your mind that you need to remove in surrender? Are they masking your foundation and who you really are?

Let go of who you think you are—your limitations and fear—and learn to surrender. Let go of negative energy and stop taking things so seriously. It is so much easier to overcome obstacles when you learn to make the process fun. Keep listening as we talk about practical ways to do this!

Plant the seed of awareness

Look at the weeds that have grown in your life and don't take them for granted. Bring conscious awareness to your past, your struggles, your challenges. If you ignore the weeds, you run on auto-pilot and continue to allow fear, scarcity, lack, doubt, denial, and self-judgment rule your life. Once you allow awareness into your life, you can't "unsee" it. You can't return to what was.

Instead, you get to focus on cultivating what you have planted.

As you begin to build consistency and work on pulling the weeds in your life you cultivate success. That doesn't mean weeds won't still crop up, but you will have the awareness that they are showing up and can spot-treat. The more you build on the success the easier it gets, the more it's part of your process, and the more fruitful you become.

What do you need to shine a light on? What behaviors do you need to bring into conscious awareness? We continue to talk about prioritizing your time, asking empowering questions, and much more. Don't miss this episode!

Resources & People Mentioned

• The Way of Mastery by the Shanti Christo Foundation
• Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown
• Andy Frisella's 75Hard

Connect With Ramon and Christy

• Schedule a meeting with us now!
• www.BothOnBoard.com
• Both On Board on Instagram: @BothOnBoard
• Ray's Instagram - @OfficialRamonGonzalez
• Christy's Instagram - @ChristyRisco
• Facebook - Ramon Gonzalez
• Facebook - Christy Risco

Subscribe to Both on Boardon Apple Podcasts, TuneIn, RadioPublic, Google Podcasts, Spotify

When you learn to accept responsibility for your actions it can be life-changing. We believe it's important to cultivate an awareness of how you're acting and reacting. All aspects of decision-making are in your control. Even how you react to situations out of your control is up to you. Are you ready to start owning everything you do? Listen to this episode of Both on Board as we dissect the way we think about our actions.

Highlights From Our Conversation

• [0:50] You're responsible for everything in your life
• [4:15] The power of responsibility
• [9:25] Confront, acknowledge, and change your outlook
• [13:45] What happens when you operate out of fear
• [15:35] The importance of integrity
• [21:50] Everyone needs accountability

You are perfectly free at all times: everything is your choice

You get to assign meaning to everything that happens to you and through you. You need to take full responsibility for how you show up in your life. It's so easy to say, but much harder to do. Did you spend a ton of money at Target? Are you looking at your credit card bill in disbelief?

Own the decision you made, pay your bill, and think about what you could have done differently next time.

What are you bringing to life with your thoughts? Are they bringing you life, or making you feel imprisoned? If you bring awareness to the moments and decisions that you're making, you can change your perception—and maybe even change your reality.

Every situation is neutral and only you assign meaning

Every situation that happens to you or for you is neutral. They are just events in time that happen—you get to choose what they mean. You get to decide what emotion to assign to the situation. Are you going to look at it in an empowering way? My mood or perception of the event is how I label it.

What emotion are you choosing to live in?

Negativity attracts negativity. What if we chose to live in abundance versus lack? Can you look at what appears to be a negative situation and believe you can figure it out? When we choose to confront the negative emotions and acknowledge how we feel we can make better decisions. When you assign meaning, you take back the power and can stop playing the victim.

The importance of integrity

We believe that if you say you're going to do something, that you should do it. If you make a mistake and aren't true to your word, take responsibility and rectify your mistake. Ray recently had the opportunity to have a conversation with someone he cared about who wasn't holding up to what they said they'd do.

The conversation was transformational because he came from a place of love and respect, while also communicating that the actions weren't okay. Make sure you're coming from a place of love and not judgment. When coming at it in that way, you can have deep conversations create a bond and closeness.

If the tables were flipped, and someone confronted you, how would you respond? Would you take responsibility for your actions and embody integrity?

When you accept responsibility it gives you power

Ray and I are at the tail end of closing a deal on some rental property in Atlanta. I allowed myself to be completely stressed about the deal because I felt like I was in the dark. I let anxiety creep in, and because of it, I couldn't sleep. I assigned meaning to the situation that didn't exist and created unnecessary anxiety.

Ray confronted me about the situation and I had to take a step back and evaluate.

When I accepted responsibility for how I assigned meaning to the situation, it was a weight off my shoulders. I didn't have to be in that state of mind.Taking responsibility allows you to diffuse whatever situation you're in and gives you back your power.

How are you showing up in your life? Are you accepting responsibility for every action and response?

Resources & People Mentioned

• The Way of Mastery by the Shanti Christo Foundation

Connect With Ramon and Christy

• Schedule a meeting with us now!
• www.BothOnBoard.com
• Both On Board on Instagram: @BothOnBoard
• Ray's Instagram - @OfficialRamonGonzalez
• Christy's Instagram - @ChristyRisco
• Facebook - Ramon Gonzalez
• Facebook - Christy Risco

Subscribe to Both on Boardon Apple Podcasts, TuneIn, RadioPublic, Google Podcasts, Spotify

It's important to support your partner through everything, especially when life brings unexpected (or expected) change. Are you walking separate paths towards the same goal? Or is a new business endeavor stealing more of your time then you'd hoped? Whatever the circumstances, are you there for each other? Change can be both wonderful and terrifying. In this episode of Both on Board, we talk about navigating change together.

Highlights From Our Conversation

• [0:45] How to support your partner
• [4:30] Give yourself flexibility
• [8:45] Change can lead to opportunity
• [13:50] Desire drives impact
• [20:45] What am I willing to give up?
• [25:30] Leverage your unique abilities
• [28:30] Invest in relationships
• [34:45] What doors are being opened?
• [36:25] What are your strengths?
• [40:55] Face your fears
• [43:30] align with the "5 F's"

Navigating change requires flexibility and grace

When Ray and I stopped wholesaling and flipping houses and dove into the loan business, it was a whirlwind of change. We were navigating something completely foreign and it took some time to adjust. Now, Ray is working on a deal that would involve acquiring a large multi-family property in Buckhead.

It's taken significantly more time than we ever thought it would.

It's new, exciting, and terrifying. We've had to practice giving ourselves grace. Ray is traveling and speaking to investors to raise capital. But we've taken the time to be proactive and prepare for this new season. After all, being an entrepreneur requires embracing changes and ups and downs. We know that this is happening—we chose it and we are going to navigate it.

Support your partner to reach your shared vision

In this podcast, we're always talking about our belief that life comes in seasons and that one prepares you for the next. We had a slow summer of self-care and focusing on our family. As we are ramping up into fall we are reminded that the season prepared us for the chaos that is coming. We know that with a willingness to leap into the unknown there will be growth. But there is one thing that we always consider when facing change:

Is it in alignment with our vision for our future?

You must compare proposed change against the framework you've created for yourself. If our desire for expansion aligns with our combined vision, we take the challenge head-on. You may have to give up some things that are no longer essential. Are the opportunities presented to you worth what you'll need to give up? Only you get to decide.

Is the change we are embracing scary? Of course. But we have each other to lean on for support.

What are your unique abilities and strengths?

Ray is 100% in his element when he's networking and speaking. He understands risk and investments and knows exactly how to explain that to investors. I know what his unique abilities are and know that he's doing what he's meant to be doing in this season. I've been privileged to see him living a passion of his firsthand as he's supporting me in mine.

Flow and alignment using your own unique abilities and talents creates magic.

You need to figure out what you're great at and pivot as you go through life. My comfort zone has always been more of a supporting role but I'm growing and branching out. I started with a speaking opportunity and will continue to develop and grow my unique abilities.

Where do you place value?

Every event we attend allows us to forge relationships that could last a lifetime. Some relationships are seasonal. But we desire to build friendships with people that we can pour into as they invest in us. Always remember—what doors are opening as you branch out and step into the unknown?

Are you vibrating at a frequency that attracts people on the same level as you are higher?

Are you investing in your personal growth?

Are you remembering to place your health and family first?

We share personal stories and so much more about support in this episode. Be sure to listen to the whole thing!

Resources & People Mentioned

• Way of Mastery by the Shanti Christo Foundation
• Tim Bratz
• The 10X Rule by Grant Cardone

Connect With Ramon and Christy

• www.BothOnBoard.com
• Both On Board on Instagram: @BothOnBoard
• Ray's Instagram - @OfficialRamonGonzalez
• Christy's Instagram - @ChristyRisco
• Facebook - Ramon Gonzalez
• Facebook - Christy Risco

Subscribe to Both on Boardon Apple Podcasts, TuneIn, RadioPublic, Google Podcasts, Spotify

What does financial freedom look like for you? Is it paying off debt? Does it allow you to travel the world? In a world where talking about finances is taboo, we are bringing the conversation front and center. Money is important. Money is needed. You should want more of it. We talk about the benefits of financial freedom and also touch on some concepts from the book "The 4-Hour Workweek" in this episode of Both on Board.

Highlights From Our Conversation

• [0:45] The topic of finances shouldn't be taboo
• [2:30] The goal is to be rich, not look rich
• [6:00] What does being wealthy really mean?
• [9:30] What does financial freedom look like for you?
• [14:40] How to find fulfillment and happiness
• [19:30] "The 4-hour Workweek" by Tim Ferriss
• [27:00] Renting versus buying
• [30:30] Inactivity is not the goal, doing what excites you is
• [39:35] The entrepreneurial mindset: be an investor
• [44:05] Cashflow first, big payday second

The goal is to be rich, not look rich

I saw this statement on Instagram and it struck me. The goal is to be rich, not look rich. So many people prance around Miami, showing off their nice cars and expensive apparel—but in reality, they're broke. In reality, we are just seeing their highlight reel. Are they just trying to put on a mask? Are they choosing retail therapy over facing inner demons?

In reality, the goal shouldn't be to look rich.

The goal is to be rich. We don't say this to sound snobbish, uppity, or whatever you want to label it. But guys—God didn't make you to be broke. He created us to live in abundance, to provide for our families, and to find fulfillment. How about, instead of "fake it til you make it" we embrace "make it so you don't have to fake it".

"Money is not everything, not having it is" - Kanye West

We are being completely open, honest, and blunt in this episode. You may claim that money isn't everything, but you need it. Everyone lives a different journey and has a different mindset about money, and that's okay. Get clarity on what it means to you and what financial freedom looks like.

Then embrace the fact that money is important.

Without money, you cannot have abundance. You can't give from a place of want. You should have enough cash flow to sustain yourself and your family. You need money to give to others. Whether you like it or not, money is a critical tool in survival. 80% of US citizens live paycheck-to-paycheck. Is that really what you want for your life?

Financial freedom allows you to live a life of fulfillment

Ray poignantly stated that we were willing to trade 5-10 years of our life—which most aren't willing to do—so we could live a life that most can't. We hustle and work hard for what we've earned, and it's allowed us the financial freedom that we desired. It was never about the money, but growing into the life we want to live.

We can take our daughter to Disney World without hesitation.

We can move wherever we want, whenever we want.

We focus on experiences over material things.

We give to worthy causes.

Because those are the things we value. What gets us those things? Money. We desire to give Valentina magic moments. We don't want to place our limiting beliefs on her by saying something is not possible. The reality is the world is full of possibilities—but you have to be willing to work hard for it.

Inactivity is not the goal, doing what excites you IS

What hit me hard and made me realize it was time to quit my teaching job is when someone said I only had 25 more years to go before retirement. I couldn't fathom working another 25 years in a job I wasn't invested in. Not only that, but our mindset has shifted. If we are doing something we love, why would we want to retire?

I'm not going to pretend I'm happy for 25 years while waiting on a retirement fund that might not even exist when I retire. We don't want to retire early. We want to spend our lives doing what excites us. Do you want to live a lie and end up broke and unfulfilled?

Financial freedom for us means having enough money to live the life that we've imagined and finding fulfillment. Keep listening as we chat about some more topics from the book, cashflow, and much more. Remember, there is no excuse for not living the life you want to live!

Resources & People Mentioned

• The 4 hour Work-Week by Tim Ferriss
• Essentialism by Greg McKeown

Connect With Ramon and Christy

• Schedule a meeting with us now!
• www.BothOnBoard.com
• Both On Board on Instagram: @BothOnBoard
• Ray's Instagram - @OfficialRamonGonzalez
• Christy's Instagram - @ChristyRisco
• Facebook - Ramon Gonzalez
• Facebook - Christy Risco

Subscribe to Both on Boardon Apple Podcasts, TuneIn, RadioPublic, Google Podcasts, Spotify

Do you have the strength and courage it takes to overcome the fear and limiting beliefs that are holding you back? Are you afraid to go against the grain of how society dictates you need to live? If you're seeking approval from everyone else but unhappy with who you are, it's time to let go. It's time to embrace your inner strength, be courageous, and take back control of your life. This episode of Both on Board is dedicated to being courageous and what that looks like for us.

Highlights From Our Conversation

• [0:45] Courage & Bravery
• [4:40] Reach clarity: Ask deeper questions
• [9:00] Incorporate this into your life
• [12:10] What boundaries have you set?
• [18:15] Overcome limiting beliefs
• [24:10] Be careful who you seek advice from
• [30:35] How to act in spite of fear
• [34:00] Simple things make a large impact
• [39:45] Do what is sustainable

What does your soul need?

Are you lying to yourself about what you really want in life? Maybe you're conforming to someone else's dreams. Or you've kept yourself so busy that you haven't given yourself time to learn what your purpose is in this life. It's not about making other people happy.

It's about building a life that leaves you happy and fulfilled.

It doesn't have to be a wife and kids, a house or a car. It doesn't have to be the cookie-cutter expectations of society. Give yourself permission to live life on your terms. Have the courage and bravery to live the life you've imagined for yourself. Set aside time to find that clarity and ask deeper questions.

What walls do you need to tear down?

We all build walls around ourselves to some extent as a means of protection. Protection from hurt, embarrassment, and the cruelty that we associate with the world. If you find yourself hiding behind the walls and limiting beliefs you've constructed for yourself, ask yourself this question: What is it that you're afraid of?

Listen to what those inner voices are telling you—because they're clues to what you need to overcome.

This inner chatter that makes you feel worthless and afraid is a protection mechanism that you can learn to disarm. Be compassionate with yourself, but start to tear down those walls brick-by-brick. Life is too short to not live it the way you want to.

Feel it, acknowledge it, then allow yourself to overcome your fear and move on to something better.

Choose your mentors and advisors wisely

We always recommend finding a coach or advisor you trust that you can seek advice from. But we want to caution you to choose wisely. You shouldn't run to a friend or family member who can't be objective. You'll learn nothing from someone who always takes your side. Even worse, if the person isn't qualified, their limiting beliefs and outlook on the world can hinder your progress.

Find a coach or a mentor who is where you are trying to go. You need someone objective who will understand the scope of what you're going through and help you see the big picture. They'll help you limit the outside influences and voices that are telling you you're not good enough.

It takes strength and courage to overcome fear

Stop telling yourself that you'll do something when you're no longer afraid. The fear will never go away—you have to act in spite of it. How much time are you wasting by letting your fear win?

What is your fear costing you?

Are you going to look back on your life in 20 years and wonder where it all went? Don't set yourself up to be filled with regret. You have the permission to live the life you desire. Don't allow yourself to live in fear.

We encourage you to find ways to build belief in yourself. Journal, meditate, pray, and do something that builds your courage. Little-by-little you can change your life, until one day you realize you're truly living your dreams.

Resources & People Mentioned

• Eric Thomas
• Eat That Frog! by Brian Tracy
• Super Attractor by Gabrielle Bernstein

Connect With Ramon and Christy

• www.BothOnBoard.com
• Both On Board on Instagram: @BothOnBoard
• Ray's Instagram - @OfficialRamonGonzalez
• Christy's Instagram - @ChristyRisco
• Facebook - Ramon Gonzalez
• Facebook - Christy Risco

Subscribe to Both on Boardon Apple Podcasts, TuneIn, RadioPublic, Google Podcasts, Spotify

Conflict is inevitable in a relationship—healthy conflict resolution seems rare. Too often couples let their anger fester, disagreements build, and resentment settles in. With the divorce rate so high, how do you avoid becoming a statistic? How do you change the conversation? In this episode of Both on Board, we share our framework for healthy conflict resolution to build a marriage that lasts.

Highlights From Our Conversation

• [0:50] The topic of conflict
• [4:00] Our framework for conflict resolution
• [6:15] Learn how to actively listen
• [9:00] What else could this conflict mean?
• [13:35] DO NOT bring up the past
• [15:00] Be aware of your unconscious programming
• [18:25] What are you committed to?
• [21:50] Pursue your shared vision
• [23:50] Your words are powerful
• [25:00] Practice your daily disciplines
• [28:30] The importance of a shared vision
• [31:35] What am I resisting in myself?

Healthy conflict resolution begins with trust

Your relationship needs to be built on mutual trust. Without it, you have a shaky foundation at best. If you don't trust each other, you allow doubt to creep in. You begin to lose the belief that your spouse has your best interest in mind. This is a breeding ground for marital dysfunction.

Not only do you need to build trust, but you also need to believe in each other. Believe that the other person does have your best interest in mind. Believe that they are coming from a place of love. By doing these things, you are creating an environment for healthy conflict.

There are a few other things that make up our basic framework—make sure to listen to the whole episode to hear more!

Listen to understand—not to respond

Active listening is one of the hardest things to master for anyone (ahem, we women may argue that it's harder for men to master…). Think about it—you spend the entire time your spouse is talking trying to think of a comeback. Are you listening and comprehending what they're saying? Or just preparing your rebuttal?

Instead of becoming defensive, respond by repeating what you think your spouse is trying to say.

They'll see that you're actively listening, trying to understand your point of view, and making an effort. Try to put yourself in their shoes and be compassionate. That doesn't mean that you have to agree. But you are allowing each other to feel heard.

What do you do if you feel you're not being heard? Listen to find out our tips!

How did your family handle conflict resolution?

It is human nature to react to conflict the way you were conditioned to react. Ray and I grew up in completely different households and different environments. My family avoided conflict entirely, so I am programmed to avoid conflict. Ray's family fought it out—loud and proud—and then subsequently forgot about it.

Two different worlds collide when you get married.

We are very different people coming together and need to find conflict resolution that works for us. So bring awareness to your style of conflict. I have to make sure I don't withdraw from conflict and pretend there isn't an issue. Ray has to learn to take a step back and let things simmer down before we have a conversation.

What type of conflict resolution (or lack thereof) did your family model in your childhood?

Remember you are 100% accountable for yourself

There's a saying that goes something like this: When you hammer a nail into a piece of wood the nails can be removed. But holes are left behind. So it is in an argument. If you are spewing hurtful words and reacting out of anger and frustration, those are words you can never take back.

You can never undo the damage you've caused by not controlling your words.

Your words are powerful.

Use them to build each other up, not tear each other down.

We believe in forgiveness—but the process of forgetting is far harder. So take responsibility for yourself. Make sure that you are taking care of you and filling your cup first so that you can put your best self forward and argue from a place of compassion and understanding, not anger.

Remember, you are 100% complete. Your spouse is 100% complete. You don't complete each other. But when you come together you are exponentially better.

Resources & People Mentioned

• Sharper Couples Retreat
• Schedule a meeting with us now!

Connect With Ramon and Christy

• www.BothOnBoard.com
• Both On Board on Instagram: @BothOnBoard
• Ray's Instagram - @OfficialRamonGonzalez
• Christy's Instagram - @ChristyRisco
• Facebook - Ramon Gonzalez
• Facebook - Christy Risco

Subscribe to Both on Boardon Apple Podcasts, TuneIn, RadioPublic, Google Podcasts, Spotify

Trying to overcome obstacles alone is impossible, but together you can feel invincible. 75Hard has taught us so much about who we are as individuals and we've learned so much about each other. It's about mental toughness, exposing weaknesses, setting priorities, and removing time-wasting activities for your life. This episode of Both on Board is dedicated to learning how to be an overcomer.

Highlights From Our Conversation

• [2:50] 75Hard Struggles
• [8:15] Exposing your weaknesses
• [13:00] Make Priorities fit the time you have
• [16:40] Be intentional with everything you do
• [18:40] The rain won't last forever
• [25:00] Bring awareness to your escapes
• [29:00] Accountability, support, and understanding
• [31:40] We are all about connection

Overcome obstacles by exposing your weaknesses

75Hard has pushed us to unexpected levels. Instead of the physical struggles that we've expected, our struggles have been emotional. It's been internal. Overcoming the internal chatter that is what strengthens you. No one is forcing us to do this. We don't have to do this. But we are choosing to do this.

And you know what? I am going to find a way to make this happen no matter what.

Feelings are temporary, right? 75Hard is bringing out struggles in each of us but we know why we're doing this and we know we can overcome the temporary struggles. We didn't start 75Hard to stay the same. We welcome the struggles, the change, and growth. We want to show up to this life at a higher level. What is your why?

You show up for what you prioritize

Everyone always asks "how do you find the time to fit that into your schedule?". We have the same amount of time as everyone else. The difference is we make our priorities fit the time that we have. We make time for 75Hard, and our business, and our family because they are important to us. We are pushing ourselves out of our comfort zones.

There is a cost to comfort: You are not growing or expanding.

Time is never an issue. We don't delay our priorities. We face them head-on, and show up mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. We are learning to be intentional about everything we do. You must decide, commit, and remove time from the equation. You must take back your time and make it work for you.

Remember the rain doesn't last forever

It's been a rainy few days in Florida. We've had some rainy outdoor walks but spend our days believing God will open a window of time so we won't get poured on. The opportunity will come—it won't rain forever. So it is in our personal lives. We all go through similar issues and struggles. But they don't last forever.

Don't waste time being a victim. Things happen, but they don't happen to you. You and only you are responsible for how you react. So show up with the belief that you can take on anything and everything that comes your way.

Create a life you don't desire to escape

We all have ways that we try to escape life.

Watching TV, scrolling on social media, YouTube videos, drinking alcohol, etc. The list goes on and on. We think these temporary escapes will be freeing. Instead, we often feel drained and guilty for wasting our time.

It's time to bring awareness to what we do to escape. Where do you devote your time?

Replace it with practices that put you in a better place. Read a book. Go for a walk. Time is emotion, and what we choose to focus on matters. Talk about what your priorities are, and support each other when you're not at 100%.

Accountability, support, and understanding are key to overcoming the hurdles you face. Listen to the whole episode as we share our struggles, challenges, and wins together.

Resources & People Mentioned

• Can't Hurt Me by David Goggins
• The 75Hard Challenge by Andy Frisella
• The Way of Mastery by the Shanti Christo Foundation
• Schedule a meeting with us now!

Connect With Ramon and Christy

• www.BothOnBoard.com
• Both On Board on Instagram: @BothOnBoard
• Ray's Instagram - @OfficialRamonGonzalez
• Christy's Instagram - @ChristyRisco
• Facebook - Ramon Gonzalez
• Facebook - Christy Risco

Subscribe to Both on Boardon Apple Podcasts, TuneIn, RadioPublic, Google Podcasts, Spotify