Guest: Rafa Conde — Founder & CEO of Man of War, former DEA/Narcotics/SWAT officer, best-selling author, host of the Men of War podcast (35M+ downloads), elite leadership coach, and multimillion-dollar entrepreneur.

Early Hustle & Lessons:

Rafa’s first money came washing cars at age 11, developing a bias for action, self-reliance, and learning to execute before overthinking or overplanning.

Early entrepreneurship shaped his long-term drive to “just do it” — a theme he now instills in men seeking discipline and legacy.

Wall Street to Law Enforcement:

Spent 12 years on Wall Street, managing nearly $1B in assets, establishing himself as a high-producer and eventually running his own branch.

Left for a greater sense of purpose, becoming a police officer at age 32 in one of the nation’s most violent cities, later working narcotics, SWAT, and ultimately as a DEA task force officer.

Rafa describes giving up material wealth and status and embracing “starting from scratch” as crucial for true growth and reinvention.

Law Enforcement, Humility, & Adversity:

Made his mark through work ethic and results—leading felony arrests and serving in specialized units (including undercover work and federal task force roles).

Learned from major setbacks: lost home, cars, and income in the transition, but rebuilt through tactical training contracts and martial arts instruction, showing lasting resilience and adaptability.

Reinvention: Founding Man of War:

Later transitioned to building Man of War—a movement and business designed to restore “the warrior mindset” and healthy masculinity through high-impact events, masterminds, and coaching.

His podcast "Men of War" surpassed 35 million downloads by championing direct, honest conversations about discipline, code, and male brotherhood in today’s world.

Philosophy on Masculinity & Leadership:

Key problem: Modern men have grown soft, seeking comfort and avoiding adversity; true growth requires struggle, competition, and camaraderie.

Emphasizes leading by example—“If you can’t lead yourself, don’t expect to lead anyone else.”

Rejects “false leadership” based on rank—respect must be earned by character, resilience, and the courage to do hard things.

Recommends men start with competition (e.g., martial arts) and purposely place themselves in uncomfortable situations to develop confidence, grit, and self-mastery.

Programs, Reach, & What’s Next:

Man of War now provides elite events (“Crucible”), global masterminds (“House of Kings”), and a fast-growing father-son program (“Odyssey”), expanding across the US, Latin America, Europe, and beyond.

Rafa continues to consult for top companies and help men build modern legacies based on strength, discipline, and honor.

Connect with Rafa Conde & Man of War:

Website: https://www.rafajconde.com/

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