Fit Rich Life

Naseema McElroy paid off $1M of debt in just over three years.

While going through an abusive marriage.

While her husband was in jail.

While she was a single mom.

And she did it without a lucky break — just with focus, a debt snowball, and zero-based budgeting.

In this Fit Rich Life Podcast episode, Naseema goes ALL the way in on the stuff most personal finance creators won't touch.

She grew up in Oakland, raised by a single dad who was a converted Muslim and a martial artist. She accidentally applied to USC and got in (true story), and walked into the "University of Spoiled Children" as a broke girl from the hood watching freshmen pull up in BMWs and Lotuses.

She became a top labor and delivery nurse, racked up two master's degrees, bought the house, the Lexus, the look — and still felt broke.

Then she blew it all up.

We get into:

• How she paid off $1M in debt (and why she chose the snowball over the avalanche)

• "People didn't math their way into debt. They're not gonna math their way out."

• Money trauma from childhood — and the double trauma of becoming a woman with no mom around

• Being stigmatized at USC as the "affirmative action" girl and crying at her 20-year reunion

• Why she got married for the wrong reasons — and what it cost her

• The abusive marriage, the jail, the divorce, and paying for her freedom

• Looking rich vs. getting rich — and why LA almost ate her alive

• How she upgraded her circle virtually through Instagram and the FI community

• Why your network is your net worth

• And the one thing she wants you to do TODAY if you're at the start of your journey

Naseema is the founder of Financially Intentional and author of Smart Money. She's one of the most honest, vulnerable, and powerful voices in personal finance.

If you've ever felt shame about money, struggled with debt, or got caught up looking rich instead of getting rich — this one's for you.

Follow Naseema on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/financiallyintentional/

Get a FREE copy of my Money Guide: https://fitrichlifecoaching.com/blueprint

Full Show Notes w/ Links to resources: www.fitrichlife.com/podcast/

FIT RICH LIFE NEWSLETTER

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SHOW SPONSORS:

I am incredibly passionate about Fitness and Money & have reached a substantial degree of mastery in these domains, and now I'm looking to help others do the same! Interested in taking your Fitness, Money & Life to the next level? Book your Free Consultation today or drop me a DM on Instagram https://instagram.com/justindavidcarl to coordinate a time to connect with me.

From Pre-Workout to Protein, if you desire to lead a happy, healthy, fit life, go to https://vedgenutrition.com/dragon and grab your plant-based healthy essentials. Use the code DRAGON to save $$!

Thanks for tuning in!

If you liked my show, LEAVE A THUMBS UP, share, and subscribe!

In this episode of the Fit Rich Life Podcast, I sit down with Matthias Kling and Scarlett Chen, the cofounders of Aireo Sports, to talk about how a Stanford materials scientist and a global trade entrepreneur came together to build one of the most innovative paddle companies in pickleball.

We dive into the story behind Aireo Sports, how Matthias' background in physics and materials science pairs with Scarlett's deep experience in manufacturing and global supply chains, and why they believed they could build better paddles than what was already on the market.

We also unpack the technology behind the Cyclone and Titan Hawk paddles, how top players think about power, spin, control, grit, and durability, and what it really takes to create meaningful innovation in a fast-growing sport.

This conversation is about much more than pickleball. It is about entrepreneurship, following your curiosity, building something around a real obsession, and the power of community.

We also talk about the explosive growth of pickleball around the world, Aireo's sponsored players and ambassadors, and their exciting new partnership as the exclusive sponsor of the Ultimate Pickleball League.

Here's what we get into:

• How a German kid obsessed with ping pong paddles ended up running X-ray laser experiments at Stanford

• Why Scarlett's trade data showed pickleball growing 300% — and why she flew to Palo Alto to learn the sport before building for it

• The actual science behind the Cyclone: pulse foam cores, floating foam suspension, and the nanograph carbon fiber that keeps paddles gritty 4x longer

• Why most "titanium" paddles on the market aren't actually titanium — and what Aireo did differently with the Titan Hawk

• How they bootstrapped and self-funded the company in an increasingly expensive sport

• Their brand new deal as the sole exclusive sponsor of the Ultimate Pickleball League

• The pros and ambassadors building with them — Levi Daniels, MJ Greiner, Kelly Chen, Lisa Tang, and more

• Why the community around pickleball might be even more valuable than the sport itself

If you play pickleball, you're going to love this one.

If you don't — stick around anyway. Because this is really a story about two people from completely different worlds, betting on their passion, and building something around a community they love.

That's the magic.

Grab an Aireo paddle at https://www.aireo-sports.com/ and use code DRAGON for a discount on the paddle I use every day.

Check out Aireo Sports on Instagram here.

Episode Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Aereo Sports and Its Founders

01:16 Matthias Kling's Journey to Stanford and Science

06:15 Scarlett Chen's Background in Global Trade

09:10 The Transition to Pickleball: A Shared Passion

13:25 The Community and Joy of Pickleball

22:02 Innovating Pickleball Paddles: The Aereo Approach

29:02 The Cyclone Paddle: Features and Technology

35:36 Understanding Paddle Technology: Foam Core and Suspension

39:14 Material Science in Paddle Development

41:47 Bootstrapping a Pickleball Company

42:51 Growth Strategies and Brand Awareness

46:58 Innovative Paddle Technologies

51:29 Design and Aesthetics of Paddles

56:55 Understanding Paddle Performance

01:01:35 Player Preferences and Paddle Selection

01:07:17 Sponsorships and Community Engagement

01:13:26 Partnerships and Future Growth

01:17:56 Passion and Entrepreneurship

Get a FREE copy of my Money Guide: https://fitrichlifecoaching.com/blueprint

Full Show Notes w/ Links to resources: www.fitrichlife.com/podcast/

FIT RICH LIFE NEWSLETTER

Get fit, get rich, and live your best life in 10 minutes a week. Join 4,300+ smart readers who are leveling up their Fitness, Money & Life.

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Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justindavidcarl

SHOW SPONSORS:

I am incredibly passionate about Fitness and Money & have reached a substantial degree of mastery in these domains and now I'm looking to help others do the same! Interested in taking your Fitness, Money & Life to the next level? Book your Free Consultation today or drop me a DM on Instagram https://instagram.com/justindavidcarl to coordinate a time to connect with me.

From Pre-Workout to Protein, if you desire to lead a happy, healthy, fit life, go to https://vedgenutrition.com/dragon and grab your plant-based healthy essentials. Use the code DRAGON to save $$!

Thanks for tuning in!

If you liked my show, LEAVE A THUMBS UP, share, and subscribe!

Welcome to the Fit Rich Life podcast, where we talk about fitness, money, and building a life you truly love.

In this episode, I'm sharing a rebroadcast of an interview I did on The Compounding Project Podcast with my good friend Sathish.

We dive deep into my health and fitness journey, including how I doubled my testosterone levels, how I approach VO2 max training, how I think about longevity and healthspan, and how I went from 18% body fat to 8% body fat and got seriously lean.

We also unpack my WHOOP Age, which is WHOOP's estimate of your physiological age based on fitness and recovery markers. At the time of recording this intro, my WHOOP Age is 31.6, which is 12.3 years younger than my actual age. In the episode, I mention being 10 years younger than my biological age, but that was recorded several months earlier and my markers have improved even more since then.

This is a wide-ranging conversation packed with practical insights and actionable takeaways for anyone who wants to improve their health, fitness, and long-term quality of life.

Get a FREE copy of my Money Guide: https://fitrichlifecoaching.com/blueprint

In this episode:

[02:00] Designing Your Fitness Journey

[08:38] The Role of Supplements in Health

[15:34] The Importance of Sleep

[44:27] A Day in the Life of Justin

[42:49] Morning Rituals and Meditation

[01:02:21] Self-Care and Physical Wellness

[01:18:18] Daily Life and Work Balance

[01:28:18] Nutrition and Eating Habits

[01:34:05] Actionable Steps for Improvement

[01:40:09] Recommended Reads for Health and Longevity

[01:44:10] Health Hacks for Everyday Life

[01:50:06] Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

Full Show Notes w/ Links to resources: www.fitrichlife.com/podcast/

FIT RICH LIFE NEWSLETTER

Get fit, get rich, and live your best life in 10 minutes a week. Join 4,300+ smart readers who are leveling up their Fitness, Money & Life.

Join here: https://fitrichlife.com/newsletter

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justindavidcarl

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Follow me on Twitter/X: https://x.com/justindavidcarl

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justindavidcarl

SHOW SPONSORS:

I am incredibly passionate about Fitness and Money & have reached a substantial degree of mastery in these domains and now I'm looking to help others do the same! Interested in taking your Fitness, Money & Life to the next level? Book your Free Consultation today or drop me a DM on Instagram https://instagram.com/justindavidcarl to coordinate a time to connect with me.

From Pre-Workout to Protein, if you desire to lead a happy, healthy, fit life, go to https://vedgenutrition.com/dragon and grab your plant-based healthy essentials. Use the code DRAGON to save $$!

Thanks for tuning in!

If you liked my show, LEAVE A THUMBS UP, share, and subscribe!

In this episode, Justin David Carl and Justin Peters (Host of the FI Minded Podcast) delve into the multifaceted nature of endurance, exploring not just physical stamina but also financial and entrepreneurial resilience.

They discuss the importance of building a community around fitness and how this can enhance motivation and accountability.

Justin Peters shares his personal journey from being a college soccer player to becoming a dedicated runner, emphasizing the significance of consistency and identity in achieving personal goals.

The conversation also touches on the concept of financial independence, with both Justins advocating for a life-first approach to business and the importance of pursuing passions that bring joy and fulfillment.

The discussion further explores the idea of creating a 'five bucket list'—a list of experiences and goals to pursue both before and after achieving financial independence. This list serves as a motivational tool, encouraging individuals to incorporate meaningful activities into their lives now rather than waiting for a future that may never come.

The episode wraps up with practical tips for fitness, wealth, and life, emphasizing the importance of community, planning, and celebrating small wins along the journey to financial independence.

Connect with Justin Peters:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fimindedpod/

Web: https://fiminded.com/

Get a FREE copy of my Money Guide: https://fitrichlifecoaching.com/blueprint

In this episode:

[00:00-03:02] Introduction to Endurance and Identity

[03:03-06:44] Justin Peters' Journey to Running

[06:45-10:51] The Importance of Consistency

[10:52-15:22] Choosing Your Identity

[15:23-19:08] Building Community in Fitness

[19:09-29:44] The Role of Community in Happiness

[29:45-32:56] Lessons from Ultra Marathon Training

[32:57-34:12] Starting Slow: The Key to Success

[34:13-36:05] Building Financial Momentum

[36:06-44:49] Breaking Down Goals: The Power of Small Steps

[44:50-45:41] Defining Financial Independence

[45:42-50:10] Stages of Financial Independence

[50:11-58:09] Learning from Financial Mistakes

[58:10-01:03:36] Navigating the Boring Middle of Financial Independence

[01:03:37-01:04:31] The Sweet Spot of Work Hours

[01:04:32-01:06:51] The Freedom Ladder Concept

[01:06:52-01:10:10] Transitioning to a Life-First Business

[01:10:11-01:15:39] Building a Business Around Interests

[01:15:40-01:20:47] The Boring Middle: A Time for Experimentation

[01:20:48-01:21:10] Shifting Priorities Post-Financial Independence

[01:21:11-01:28:34] The Five Bucket List Concept

[01:28:35-end] Practical Tips for Fitness, Wealth, and Happiness

Full Show Notes w/ Links to resources: www.fitrichlife.com/podcast/

FIT RICH LIFE NEWSLETTER

Get fit, get rich, and live your best life in 10 minutes a week. Join 4,000+ smart readers who are leveling up their Fitness, Money & Life.

Join here: https://fitrichlife.com/newsletter

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Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justindavidcarl

SHOW SPONSORS:

I am incredibly passionate about Fitness and Money & have reached a substantial degree of mastery in these domains and now I'm looking to help others do the same! Interested in taking your Fitness, Money & Life to the next level? Book your Free Consultation today or drop me a DM on Instagram https://instagram.com/justindavidcarl to coordinate a time to connect with me.

From Pre-Workout to Protein, if you desire to lead a happy, healthy, fit life, go to https://vedgenutrition.com/dragon and grab your plant-based healthy essentials. Use the code DRAGON to save $$!

Thanks for tuning in!

If you liked my show, LEAVE A THUMBS UP, share, and subscribe!

In this episode of the Fit Rich Life Podcast, I sit down with Jonathan Aguilera, a former insurance and securities license holder who now exposes the hidden realities behind Indexed Universal Life (IUL) and other permanent life insurance policies.

Jonathan explains why many of these policies are aggressively sold with misleading illustrations, how caps, fees, and rising insurance costs can erode cash value, and why most people are better off buying simple term life insurance and investing the difference.

We also break down the myths around "infinite banking," when permanent life insurance might actually make sense, and how people can review or potentially recover money from problematic policies.

Connect with Jonathan Aguilera:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeinsurancerefunds/

Web: https://iulexposer.com/

Get a FREE copy of my Money Guide: https://fitrichlifecoaching.com/blueprint

In this episode:

[00:00–07:27] From Insurance Agent to Industry Whistleblower

[07:28–14:40] Why IUL Policies Are So Heavily Sold

[14:41–18:52] The Truth Behind Insurance Illustrations

[18:53–24:31] The Sunk Cost Trap & Policy Refund Strategy

[24:32–30:45] Term Life vs Permanent Insurance — What Most People Actually Need

[38:59–44:18] "Infinite Banking" Explained (And Why It's Controversial)

[44:19–49:15] Hidden Costs, Caps & Why Policies Can Collapse

[53:31–01:00:01] Three Paths to Wealth & Avoiding Insurance Scams

[01:06:59–End] Fitness, Money & Final Advice

Full Show Notes w/ Links to resources: www.fitrichlife.com/podcast/

FIT RICH LIFE NEWSLETTER

Get fit, get rich, and live your best life in 10 minutes a week. Join 4,000+ smart readers who are leveling up their Fitness, Money & Life.

Join here: https://fitrichlife.com/newsletter

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justindavidcarl

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Follow me on Twitter/X: https://x.com/justindavidcarl

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justindavidcarl

SHOW SPONSORS:

I am incredibly passionate about Fitness and Money & have reached a substantial degree of mastery in these domains and now I'm looking to help others do the same! Interested in taking your Fitness, Money & Life to the next level? Book your Free Consultation today or drop me a DM on Instagram https://instagram.com/justindavidcarl to coordinate a time to connect with me.

From Pre-Workout to Protein, if you desire to lead a happy, healthy, fit life, go to https://vedgenutrition.com/dragon and grab your plant-based healthy essentials. Use the code DRAGON to save $$!

Thanks for tuning in!

If you liked my show, LEAVE A THUMBS UP, share, and subscribe!

In this episode of the Fit Rich Life Podcast, Bryce Leung from Millennial Revolution (and co-author of "Quit Like a Millionaire") returns to break down what 10 years of early retirement actually looks like.

Since hitting $1M at their 2015 FIRE date, Bryce and Kristy have grown their net worth to roughly $2.8M — while earning over $500K post-retirement from their creative endeavors.

We dive into their current portfolio strategy, why Bryce swapped bonds for preferred shares, his take on global diversification, and the role gold plays in their allocation.

We also talk about simplicity vs. optimization, health habits that compound, and what true financial independence looks like a decade in.

Connect w/ Bryce

Website: https://www.millennial-revolution.com/

Get my FREE Money Guide: https://fitrichlifecoaching.com/blueprint

In this episode, you will learn about:

[00:00–05:21] From $1M to $2.8M — 10 Years After FIRE & Earning Post-Retirement

[05:22–10:28] Portfolio Breakdown — 75% Equities, Preferred Shares & Gold

[10:29–19:50] Why Bryce Replaced Bonds with Preferred Shares

[25:36–29:44] Simplicity vs. Optimization — The JL Collins Philosophy

[37:03–46:10] Why Hold Gold? Inflation, Risk & Speculation

[46:11–51:27] The Case for Global Diversification (And Avoiding Emerging Markets)

[54:38–56:58] Health, Walking & Systems That Compound

[01:02:25–End] New Book Preview & Final Lessons After a Decade of Freedom

Key quotes:

"Don't wait to start living the life that makes you happy" - Bryce

Full Show Notes w/ Links to resources: www.fitrichlife.com/podcast/

FIT RICH LIFE NEWSLETTER

Get fit, get rich, and live your best life in 10 minutes a week. Join thousands of readers who are leveling up their Fitness, Money & Life.

Join here: https://fitrichlife.com/newsletter

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justindavidcarl

Follow me on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@justindavidcarl

Follow me on Twitter/X: https://x.com/justindavidcarl

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justindavidcarl

SHOW SPONSORS:

I am incredibly passionate about Fitness and Money & have reached a substantial degree of mastery in these domains, and now I'm looking to help others do the same! Interested in taking your Fitness, Money & Life to the next level? Book your Free Consultation today or drop me a DM on Instagram https://instagram.com/justindavidcarl to coordinate a time to connect with me.

From Pre-Workout to Protein, if you desire to lead a happy, healthy, fit life, go to https://vedgenutrition.com/dragon and grab your plant-based healthy essentials. Use the code DRAGON to save $$!

Thanks for tuning in!

If you liked my show, LEAVE A THUMBS UP, share, and subscribe!

In this special 100th episode of the Fit Rich Life Podcast, I'm rebroadcasting my interview from The Personal Finance Podcast with host Andrew Giancola.

In this conversation, we cover both my financial independence journey and my fitness transformation — and how the same principles built both.

We go deep into how I went from:

• $80,000 in debt • 6 years behind on taxes • Living a "look rich" lifestyle

…to becoming financially independent in just a few years by obsessively tracking the right metrics, radically increasing my savings rate, and growing my income to nearly $900K in a single year.

We also unpack my fitness journey — how I went from "kinda fit, kinda fat" for 15+ years to 8–10% body fat for a decade — and why tracking body fat % is just like tracking your savings rate.

This episode ties together money, fitness, discipline, obsession (channeled correctly), and ultimately — freedom.

Get my FREE 29-Page Financially Fit Money Guide

Get my FREE 4-day Workout Program

In this episode:

00:00 – Introduction Meeting Andrew at FinCon and the "obsessive personality" superpower (and kryptonite).

03:00 – My FI Awakening (2017) Discovering Mr. Money Mustache and the article that changed everything.

05:22 – Going All-In on Financial Independence From dumpster fire finances to a laser-focused plan.

12:45 – The Big 3 Expenses Housing, transportation, food — and why optimizing these changes everything.

17:44 – Exploding My Income Getting sales coaches → $150K to $888K income in 3 years.

21:41 – My First FI Number Why $1.5M was the target — and why the goalpost kept moving.

26:35 – The Power of Savings Rate Why savings rate is the golden metric (and how 80–90% changed my timeline).

29:53 – How I Invest Total U.S. stock market, S&P 500 index funds, taxable vs retirement accounts.

32:39 – Getting My Wife On Board What NOT to do… and how Camp FI changed everything.

39:25 – Finance & Fitness Crossover Why tracking body fat % is like tracking savings rate.

48:07 – My Current Fitness Regimen Strength training, HIIT, VO2 max, Whoop age, and pickleball obsession.

54:56 – Rapid Fire Questions Golden metrics, best money advice, maximizing net worth vs. net life.

FIT RICH LIFE NEWSLETTER

Get fit, get rich, and live your best life in 10 minutes a week. Join thousands of readers who are leveling up their Fitness, Money & Life.

Join here: https://fitrichlife.com/newsletter

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justindavidcarl

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Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justindavidcarl

SHOW SPONSORS:

I am incredibly passionate about Fitness and Money & have reached a substantial degree of mastery in these domains and now I'm looking to help others do the same! Interested in taking your Fitness, Money & Life to the next level? Book your Free Consultation today or drop me a DM on Instagram https://instagram.com/justindavidcarl to coordinate a time to connect with me.

From Pre-Workout to Protein if you desire to lead a happy, healthy, fit life, go to https://vedgenutrition.com/dragon and grab your plant-based healthy essentials. Use the code DRAGON to save $$!

Thanks for tuning in!

If you liked my show, LEAVE A THUMBS UP, share, and subscribe!

In this episode of the Fit Rich Life Podcast, I sit down with Rusty (an anonymous guest) — a former Big Law attorney who reached financial independence at 36 and completely redesigned his life.

Rusty opens up about the dark period that pushed him to reevaluate everything, from career pressure to the deeper emotional struggles he had been avoiding for years.

We talk about how discovering the FIRE movement gave him a financial path out, but real freedom came from doing the inner work — therapy, boundaries, and rebuilding his identity beyond achievement.

Rusty shares what it took to go from burned out and unhappy to physically fit, mentally grounded, and financially secure.

We also dive into advanced wealth strategies like "buy, borrow, die," how high earners can think differently about taxes and leverage, and the practical habits that support long-term health and happiness.

This is a powerful conversation about reclaiming control of your money, your mind, and your life.

Get my FREE 29-Page Financially Fit Money Guide

In this episode:

[00:00–04:54] Rock Bottom — Career Pressure, Unhappiness & Rusty's Turning Point

[04:55–15:36] Discovering FIRE — The Path to Early Retirement & Living Below Your Means

[15:37–36:16] Mental Health First — Therapy, Emotional Healing & Breaking Old Patterns

[36:17–56:22] Addiction, Sobriety & Self-Awareness — Reclaiming Control of Your Habits

[56:23–01:11:29] Nature, Sleep & Boundaries — Rebuilding Energy and Emotional Stability

[01:11:30–01:33:39] Work, Layoffs & Identity — Letting Go of Career Labels and Finding Community

[01:33:40–02:11:36] The "Buy, Borrow, Die" Strategy — Leveraging Assets, Managing Risk & Tax Efficiency

[02:11:37–02:25:14] Coaching, Growth & Financial Confidence — Redesigning Life After FI

[02:25:15–02:34:08] Fitness, Movement & Daily Habits — Staying Strong in Retirement

Key quote:

"The financial independence piece and the therapy piece were really the things that dug me out of it." - Rusty

Full Show Notes w/ Links to resources: www.fitrichlife.com/podcast/

FIT RICH LIFE NEWSLETTER

Get fit, get rich, and live your best life in 10 minutes a week. Join thousands of readers who are leveling up their Fitness, Money & Life.

Join here: https://fitrichlife.com/newsletter

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justindavidcarl

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Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justindavidcarl

SHOW SPONSORS:

I am incredibly passionate about Fitness and Money & have reached a substantial degree of mastery in these domains and now I'm looking to help others do the same! Interested in taking your Fitness, Money & Life to the next level? Book your Free Consultation today or drop me a DM on Instagram https://instagram.com/justindavidcarl to coordinate a time to connect with me.

From Pre-Workout to Protein if you desire to lead a happy, healthy, fit life, go to https://vedgenutrition.com/dragon and grab your plant-based healthy essentials. Use the code DRAGON to save $$!

My favorite regenerative clothing brand is One Golden Thread. Life-giving apparel that is stylish AF, comfortable enough to sleep in & versatile enough to work out in, attend a business meeting, or take someone out on a date. It's truly sustainable & actually regenerative as they plant a tree for every purchase. Use code DRAGON11 to save 11% & support this show.

Thanks for tuning in!

If you liked my show, LEAVE A THUMBS UP, share, and subscribe!

In this episode of the Fit Rich Life Podcast, I sit down with Tess Waresmith — accredited financial counselor and founder of Wealth with Tess. Tess shares her journey from climbing the corporate ladder to achieving financial independence and building a career centered on education, empowerment, and intentional living.

We dive into the realities of personal finance most people never learn — from the hidden downsides of certain financial advisory models to understanding fees, investment risk, and taking true ownership of your money.

Tess breaks down how confidence, education, and experience compound over time, and how some limiting beliefs about money can hold you back from building wealth.

We also explore how her background in athletics shaped her mindset around discipline, consistency, and long-term success — in both fitness and wealth.

This episode is packed with practical insights on money, systems, and redefining happiness for a truly Fit Rich Life.

If you're ready to level up your life and career, this episode is for you.

Connect with Tess Waresmith:

Tess's Free Investing Guide: http://www.moneyconfidentclub.com/savvy

Website: www.wealthwithtess.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wealthwithtess/

Get my FREE 29-Page Financially Fit Money Guide

In this episode:

[00:00–01:12] Financial Security Foundations — Saving Money & Meeting Tess Waresmith

[01:13–09:26] An Unconventional Path — Early Career Moves, Real Estate Lessons & Taking Smart Risks

[09:27–29:36] The Financial Advisory World — Good, Bad & Ugly Models + Taking Control of Your Finances

[29:37–52:34] Money Mindset — Childhood Influences, Limiting Beliefs & Understanding Advisor Fees

[52:35–56:22] Owning Your Investments — Confidence, Experience & Breaking Up with Your Advisor

[56:23–01:11:20] Leaving Corporate — Financial Independence, Career Shifts & Consistency in Fitness and Wealth

[01:11:21–01:39:18] Systems, Happiness & Long-Term Fulfillment — Final Lessons & Reflections

Full Show Notes w/ Links to resources: www.fitrichlife.com/podcast/

FIT RICH LIFE NEWSLETTER

Get fit, get rich, and live your best life in 10 minutes a week. Join 3,100+ smart readers who are leveling up their Fitness, Money & Life.

Join here: https://fitrichlife.com/newsletter

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justindavidcarl

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Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justindavidcarl

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I am incredibly passionate about Fitness and Money & have reached a substantial degree of mastery in these domains and now I'm looking to help others do the same! Interested in taking your Fitness, Money & Life to the next level? Book your Free Consultation today or drop me a DM on Instagram https://instagram.com/justindavidcarl to coordinate a time to connect with me.

From Pre-Workout to Protein if you desire to lead a happy, healthy, fit life, go to https://vedgenutrition.com/dragon and grab your plant-based healthy essentials. Use the code DRAGON to save $$!

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In this episode of the Fit Rich Life Podcast, I sit down with Andrew Giancola — founder of The Personal Finance Podcast, which gets over 600K downloads a month. He is a strong voice championing financial freedom for everyone.

Andrew shares his journey from earning a modest income and struggling to cover basic expenses to building wealth through disciplined saving, intentional spending, and smart income growth.

He opens up about the moment he couldn't afford gas, why tracking his savings rate became a turning point, and how small financial systems compounded into long-term freedom.

We dive deep into increasing income, adapting your financial strategy as life evolves, and finding the balance between frugality and living well.

We also cover mentorship, fitness, and the key metrics Andrew believes everyone should track on the path to financial independence.

This episode is packed with practical frameworks and timeless lessons for anyone serious about building a Fit Rich Life.

Connect with Andrew Giancola:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mastermoneyco/

Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1zVBTDKimC3UoOQy59KDrR

Web: https://mastermoney.co/

Get my FREE 29-Page Financially Fit Money Guide

In this episode:

[00:00–05:34] Tracking Money & The Turning Point — Income, Savings Rate & Early Struggles

[05:35–19:23] Building Momentum — Budgeting Systems, Income Growth & Financial Discipline

[19:24–42:19] Career Leverage — Negotiation, Repetition & Annual Income Growth

[42:20–55:35] Real Estate & Side Hustles — Lessons Learned, Risks & Opportunities

[55:36–01:24:48] Mentorship, Spending & Opportunity Cost — Relationships, Cars & Lifestyle Choices

[01:24:49–01:52:57] Fitness, Systems & Quality of Life — Health, Habits & Final Advice

Full Show Notes w/ Links to resources: www.fitrichlife.com/podcast/

FIT RICH LIFE NEWSLETTER Get fit, get rich, and live your best life in 10 minutes a week. Join 3,100+ smart readers who are leveling up their Fitness, Money & Life. Join here: https://fitrichlife.com/newsletter

WANT TO LEARN MORE? Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justindavidcarl Follow me on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@justindavidcarl Follow me on Twitter/X: https://x.com/justindavidcarlConnect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justindavidcarl

SHOW SPONSORS: I am incredibly passionate about Fitness and Money & have reached a substantial degree of mastery in these domains and now I'm looking to help others do the same! Interested in taking your Fitness, Money & Life to the next level? Book your Free Consultation today or drop me a DM on Instagram https://instagram.com/justindavidcarl to coordinate a time to connect with me.

From Pre-Workout to Protein, if you desire to lead a happy, healthy, fit life, go to https://vedgenutrition.com/dragon and grab your plant-based healthy essentials. Use the code DRAGON to save $$!

Thanks for tuning in!

If you liked my show, LEAVE A THUMBS UP, share, and subscribe!