Real Life Investing With Jason & Rachel Wagner

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Join us for a fascinating conversation with our dear friend, Melyssa Garten, as she shares her experience of living in China for 5 years and the significant cultural differences she identified vs the United States. 

Melyssa is a third generation family business owner and she describes how she transitioned from a high powered corporate career at Salesforce in Chicago, to returning to rural Illinois to help with the family business. 

This thought provoking discussion touches on many different topics from politics, entrepreneurship, and refining one’s critical thinking skills to always be prepared for the road ahead. 

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Today's episode we continue the political conversation and discuss why Robert Kennedy Jr is gaining so much traction as a real 3rd party candidate. We cover his stance on vaccines, his leadership style, the assassination of his uncle JFK, and the reality of what power the government has. 

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We just closed on a 5 unit apartment in Portage Park, Chicago! Hear how we underwrote the deal, what the plan is for the property, and how bumpy the closing process was. 

Though It was not easy, with perseverance and creativity, we got this transaction across the finish line. 

Tune in to the conversation!

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Do you need a crash course on how to buy a house in today's low inventory & high interest rate environment? Then this is the episode for you.  On today's show, we discuss the basics of how to purchase a home successfully, while also giving tips and pitfalls to watch out for. 

An extremely informative episode, that will definitely leave you feeling much more confident about purchasing real estate, whether it is your first time or your 10th time.

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Today we begin our first discussions on the current political environment and the main conversations that have hit our dinner table on a regular basis. We discuss inflation, the southern border and illegal immigration, censorship and the legacy media, and finally the Covid mandates.

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Most people are not selling their properties right now because they have previously locked in extremely low interest rates on their mortgage and selling right now would mean giving up that rate for one that is drastically higher. 

But what if you could sell your property and earn a premium for the interest rate you are giving up? Welcome to the assumable mortgage where Jason has recently just sold a client's property that had an assumable mortgage and he sold it for a price that was significantly above it's market value in Chicago.  

In this episode, we break down how to identify properties with assumable mortgages, the potentials hurdles with them, and how buyers and sellers can find a winning situation with assumable loans!

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Have you ever chased a dream only to encounter the sting of rejection, not just once but multiple times? Rachel knows that feeling all too well, and in this heart-to-heart conversation, she openly shares her rollercoaster of emotions through the ups and downs of the Cincinnati Bengals cheerleading tryouts. She's candid about the mix of determination and heartache that comes with being so close to the goal yet having to face another "no." We peel back the layers of Rachel's journey, examining the resilience required to push forward and the self-discovery that comes from facing setbacks head-on.

As we navigate Rachel's story, we also reflect on the complexities of balancing life's roles, like parenting, with the pursuit of personal aspirations. There's a poignant discussion on how her experiences have shaped her view on nurturing dreams, especially for her own children, and how diverse exposures can foster early identification of passions. We tackle the tough conversations about the next steps when a cherished goal seems elusive and the importance of aligning actions with priorities. Rachel's tale is not just about cheerleading tryouts; it's a universal narrative about growth, bouncing back, and the courage to construct new dreams from the fragments of old ones. Join us for an episode that's as inspiring as it is intimate, as we share in the lessons learned when life doesn't go according to plan.

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When Rachel Wagner steps into the studio, you can feel the energy of someone who's danced on the edge of her dreams. She takes us through the whirlwind of emotions as she waits to hear if she's become an NFL cheerleader for the Cincinnati Bengals. Through her eyes, we get an intimate look at the misconceptions of cheerleading, the dedication required to chase such a goal, and how she juggles a rigorous schedule with a rich family life. Rachel's tale is one of persistence, from long commutes to late-night rehearsals, all while holding onto the hope of dancing on the field.

Our conversation takes a turn as Rachel bares her soul about the universal struggle with self-doubt and how she's built up her confidence, step by step. She shares the transformational power of preparing in performance attire and the strategic use of eye contact to connect with judges and exude confidence. But beyond the glitter of pom-poms and high kicks, Rachel speaks to the heart of personal growth—leaning on community, spiritual support, and expert advice to fuel her journey. Listen in as Rachel's story unfolds, providing an inspiring blueprint for anyone facing their own battles with insecurity and the quest for success.

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Paige Henneman, a 23 year old 75 Hard Champion, joins us to share her transformative journey after completing the program.  

Paige comes from a family of entrepreneurs.  Her Mother owns a frozen yogurt shop in Arlington Heights, Illinois, and her Father owns a commercial painting company.  

It was Paige's parents that introduced Andy Frisella, the creator of 75 Hard, to Paige.  After listening to the Real AF Podcast hosted by Frisella, Paige became a huge fan of 75 Hard and Frisella's company 1st Phorm.

Feeling like she was the only one in Arlington Heights who knew of Andy Frisella, when Jason walked into the shop one day wearing a 1st Phorm shirt, she had to stop and introduce herself.  The reality is, if it wasn't for the 1st Phorm t-shirt and the ideologies that come with the brand, we would have never been able to share Paige's story on our podcast.

Paige's story is a testament to what's possible when you intertwine family entrepreneurship with a dedication to self-improvement. 

Capping off this episode, we bring to light the health and wellness transformations that ripple out from adopting challenges like the 75 Hard program. From debunking myths about its sustainability to exploring the intricate ways our bodies respond to changes in diet and exercise, this is a narrative about empowerment, resilience, and the incredible capacity for change within us all. 

So gear up for an episode that's as much about the strength of the human spirit as it is about the power of a supportive network and the enduring pursuit of happiness and health.

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Have you ever pushed yourself to the very edge, only to discover it was the beginning of a remarkable transformation? Manny Estrada did just that with the 75 Hard program, and he's here to recount the mental and physical overhaul that ensued. His competitive spirit initially led him to 75 Hard, but as we unpack Manny's narrative, it becomes clear that the program served as a pivotal 'hard reset' in his life. 

As a Financial Advisor for Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, Manny learned to schedule every hour of his day so that he could maintain his demanding work schedule and still find the time to complete the required daily tasks of 75 Hard, which consist of:

Two 45-min workouts (one must be outside)
Drink 1 Gallon of Water
Take a Progress Picture
Follow a Diet (no alcohol or cheat meals)
Read 10 Pages of a Non-Fiction Book

Hear the inspirational journey of Manny's 75 Hard journey, where he also built his own accountably system to ensure his success.  This engaging conversation will certainly motivate you to consider 75 Hard yourself!