REAL Mentors Podcast

Melvin Thomas is building something most people never imagine possible. At 22, he was a psychiatric social worker on a mobile crisis team in Brooklyn, talking a 17-year-old down from a fire escape. Today, he's the founder of Mr. Thomas NYC—a luxury brand creating handcrafted, one-of-one lapel pins that celebrities wear on national television.But this episode isn't just about pins and profit. It's about the Bronx kid who became the youngest dean ever hired in the NYC public school system, who still teaches kids K-8 by day, coaches basketball through the Omari Lawrence Foundation, and just launched his podcast to inspire the next generation.Topics:

• Crisis counselor to luxury designer
• Fire escape moment at 22
• Youngest dean ever hired in NYC
• Pandemic scraps to $10K pins
• Adam Lefkoe collaboration (NBA broadcast)
• Authentic craftsmanship & storytelling
• Why only 30% of kids have both parents
• Mentorship & what men owe their communities
• Dominican heritage & family values
• Real talk on mental health & medication

This episode is about real struggle turned into art, real impact on young lives, and the responsibility of men who make it out to bring others with them.---🔗 Connect with Melvin ThomasInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mr.thomasnyc/Podcast (New!): "What's the Deal with Mr. Thomas?" | https://www.instagram.com/whatsthedealwithmrthomas/
Follow REAL Mentors PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/realmentorspodcastHost Sean Martin: https://www.instagram.com/theseanmartin
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About the Guest – Melvin ThomasMelvin Thomas is the founder and principal artisan of Mr. Thomas NYC, a luxury brand redefining handcrafted accessories through one-of-one lapel pins and brooches. Born and raised in the Bronx to Dominican immigrant parents, Thomas broke barriers as the youngest dean ever hired in the New York City public school system at just 23 years old.
With degrees in Sociology and English from Lehman College, Thomas began his career as a psychiatric social worker on a mobile crisis team at Woodhull Hospital in Brooklyn—a position that shaped his understanding of human connection and resilience.
During the pandemic, while working as a dean, Thomas discovered his artistic calling through therapeutic metalwork using construction scraps. What started as pandemic therapy evolved into a luxury pin business that caught the attention of NBA broadcaster Adam Lefkoe, leading to a collaboration with celebrity jeweler Aunt Tasha Diamonds on a solid gold, glow-in-the-dark piece featured on national television.
Today, Thomas operates Mr. Thomas NYC with a waiting list of clients, coaches basketball through the Omari Lawrence Foundation, and serves as a dean in Spanish Harlem working with K-8 students. He recently launched his podcast "What's the Deal with Mr. Thomas?" to amplify voices of people of color in entrepreneurship and leadership.
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Tags & Keywords:Melvin Thomas, Mr. Thomas NYC, lapel pins, luxury brand, handcrafted accessories, Real Mentors Podcast, Sean Martin, Bronx entrepreneur, youngest dean NYC, Dominican heritage, psychiatric social worker, pandemic business, crisis counselor, mentor, fatherhood, community impact, second chances, purpose-driven business, authentic craftsmanship, education, leadership, New York City, artisan, luxury accessories, wearable art, storytelling, confidence, mental health, immigrant mentality, generational wealth, FDNY, NYPD, Adam Lefkoe, Aunt Tasha Diamonds, basketball coaching, Omari Lawrence Foundation, inspiring next generation, social impact, redemption, transformation, resilience, personal growth, business mindset, authentic leadership, Latino representation, inspirational...

Since his early days working as a janitor for $8/hour, Michael "DJ SPYNFO" Eagen has built multiple six-figure businesses in the South Bronx—and he's stayed there the entire time. But this isn't a typical success story. It's about Emmy-award recognition, founding Sankofa Haus, navigating generational trauma, and choosing legacy over escape.In this conversation, SPYNFO breaks down how he built 4 thriving businesses simultaneously, why he refuses to focus on money while making serious wealth, and what happens when you stop chasing success and start building community. He also gets deeply vulnerable about parenting, breaking generational cycles, and the real cost of growth—including the friendships that don't survive it.
This Episode Explores:- How an $8/hour janitor became an Emmy-winning entrepreneur (without leaving the Bronx)- Building 4 businesses simultaneously: Hot 97 radio, Sankofa Haus, Mr. Matrimony weddings, and Airbnb- The generational trauma that shapes every decision (and how to transform it)- Why "manage your attention" beats "manage your time" every single time- The uncomfortable truth about why friendships end when you succeed- His Pitbulls DJ Crew induction by Funkmaster Flex and 20+ years at the top of hip-hop- Creating experiences over chasing money—and making more money doing it- Parenting with intention: saying "I love you" twice daily and breaking cycles- Manifesting what you want by thinking differently about the multiverse- The South Bronx real estate opportunity nobody's talking about- Building cultural spaces that preserve identity while transforming neighborhoods- Discipline over motivation: the framework that changed everything
This episode is about staying rooted while reaching your peak, building legacy in your own community, and understanding that the real wealth is what you create for people, not what you keep for yourself.
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🔗 Connect with DJ SPYNFOInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/djspynfo/ | https://www.instagram.com/mrmatrimony | https://www.instagram.com/sankofahausSankofa Haus: sankofahaus.comDJ Services: https://www.djspynfo.net/
Follow REAL Mentors PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/realmentorspodcastHost Sean Martin: https://www.instagram.com/theseanmartin
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About the Guest – DJ SPYNFO
DJ SPYNFO (Michael Eagen) is an Emmy Award-winning DJ, Hot 97 radio personality, and South Bronx cultural entrepreneur. Inducted into Funkmaster Flex's elite Pitbulls DJ Crew, SPYNFO has performed on BET's Rap City and collaborated with major hip-hop artists including Ludacris, Nas, and Keyshia Cole. As founder of Sankofa Haus—a transformative 2,400+ sq ft cultural event space in Mott Haven—he creates platforms for emerging artists while preserving neighborhood identity. SPYNFO also runs Mr. Matrimony Entertainment, a premier destination wedding DJ service, and operates a profitable Airbnb in the South Bronx. His Emmy-winning documentary work with NYC Tourism's "Local Legends" series showcases his commitment to reclaiming South Bronx narratives. SPYNFO is proof that you don't have to leave your community to elevate it.
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Keywords & Tags
DJ SPYNFO, Michael Eagen, Hot 97, Emmy Award winner, Sankofa Haus, South Bronx entrepreneur, real estate development, generational trauma, parenting, Pitbulls DJ Crew, Funkmaster Flex, entrepreneurship podcast, multiple income streams, Airbnb business, wedding DJ, cultural spaces, community building, legacy wealth, Bronx development, social impact, hip-hop culture, business mindset, family values, generational wealth, NYC business, urban development, manifestation, discipline, intentional parenting, emotional intelligence, business...

Music executive Max Escobar shares his journey from professional baseball with the Cincinnati Reds to becoming one of the most influential Latin music executives in the industry. Learn how he built AudioMack's Latin division, signed 4,000 artists in two months, and founded 1844 Tech music distribution company with Universal Music backing.What You'll Learn:✅ How to break into the music industry from outside entertainment✅ Music contract negotiation strategies for independent artists✅ Building a music distribution company from scratch✅ Latin music industry insights from Ozuna, Bad Bunny, and top artists✅ Club promotion to music executive career transition✅ A&R secrets from Konvict Music and AudioMack experience✅ Dominican artist challenges: splits, publishing, and organization✅ Using AI (ChatGPT) to navigate contracts and learning✅ Renegotiating bad music deals with leverage tactics✅ Building legacy and long-term success in entertainment
Connect with Max Escobar:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maxescobar/1844 Tech: https://www.instagram.com/1844.tech/
Follow REAL Mentors Podcast:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realmentorspodcast/Host Sean Martin: https://www.instagram.com/theseanmartin/Book: Beyond The Bronx (Coming Soon!)
About Max Escobar - Music Executive & Entrepreneur
Max Escobar is the founder and CEO of 1844 Tech, a music distribution company focused on Latin artist independence and ownership. Before founding 1844 Tech, Max built AudioMack's entire Latin music division, working directly with superstars including Ozuna, Bad Bunny, Mike Towers, and Farruko. His music industry career began at Konvict Music as an A&R, where he signed Omega El Fuerte. Prior to music, Max was a professional baseball player signed to the Cincinnati Reds organization. Today, 1844 Tech has distributed 4,500+ songs for 400+ artists and maintains a partnership with Universal Music Group.
Related Topics & Keywords:
Music business, music executive career, Latin music industry, music distribution company, AudioMack, Bad Bunny success, Ozuna, Dominican artists, music contracts explained, music publishing, A&R career, Konvict Music, Akon, music entrepreneurship, independent artist tips, music marketing strategy, Bronx entrepreneurs, Cincinnati Reds, career pivot, club promotion, DJ management, music industry secrets, contract negotiation, Universal Music, 1844 Tech, Dominican trap music, Lobo Montana, United Palace, music legacy, fatherhood and business, baseball to music, athlete entrepreneur, Latin trap, reggaeton business, music streaming, artist ownership, music masters, splits and publishing, ChatGPT for contracts, renegotiate music deals, music lawyer alternatives, artist empowerment, Dominican Republic, New York music scene, Bronx hustle, REAL Mentors Podcast, Sean Martin podcast, entrepreneur interviews

Vladimir Bautista went from hustling on the streets of Harlem’s Sugar Hill to becoming one of New York’s leading voices in cannabis culture and social equity. A Dominican-American raised by a single mother, Vlad saw firsthand how communities like his were targeted by the War on Drugs. After being arrested over 20 times for cannabis, he turned that same street hustle into a mission—to create opportunity, ownership, and education in an industry that once criminalized him.Today, he’s the co-founder and CEO of Happy Munkey, a cannabis lifestyle brand and dispensary that’s redefining what it means to “choose happy” while leading the movement for equity, culture, and inclusion in New York’s legal cannabis market.
This episode explores:- Growing up in Harlem’s Sugar Hill during the 80s and 90s—and what the “Dominican version of A Bronx Tale” looked like- Early exposure to drugs, hustling, and survival—and the turning point that led Vlad toward cannabis instead of cocaine- Being arrested 22 times and why that “street education” became his real MBA- The birth of Happy Munkey: from underground parties to the “Studio 54 of cannabis”- How a pandemic, politics, and perseverance led to legalization in New York- The fight for equity—why Vlad and his team pushed for the MCA bill over big-money lobbyists- Choosing Dyckman over downtown: why he built the first dispensary above 125th Street and kept it in the community- How representation, legacy, and access change entire neighborhoods- The lessons from single motherhood, community respect, and moral integrity that shaped his leadership- Overcoming imposter syndrome, staying authentic in every room, and turning pain into purpose
This episode is about transformation, advocacy, and ownership—how a kid from Sugar Hill turned the very thing that once got him locked up into a bridge for education, opportunity, and cultural pride. Vlad’s story will challenge you to rethink what equity truly means and remind you that legacy isn’t about money—it’s about coming back home to build something bigger than yourself.
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🔗 Connect with Vladimir BautistaInstagram: @vladimirbautista123Happy Munkey: https://happymunkey.com
🎙️ Follow REAL Mentors PodcastInstagram: @realmentorspodcastHost Sean Martin: @theseanmartin
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🔥 About the Guest – Vladimir BautistaVladimir Bautista is the co-founder and CEO of Happy Munkey, a New York-based cannabis lifestyle brand and dispensary dedicated to culture, community, and social equity. Born and raised in Harlem’s Sugar Hill neighborhood to Dominican immigrant parents, Vlad’s life reflects both the hardship and hope of New York’s inner city. After multiple arrests for cannabis-related offenses, he transformed his experience into advocacy—becoming a voice for legacy operators and disenfranchised entrepreneurs in the new era of legalization.
From underground events dubbed the “Studio 54 of Cannabis” to public speaking engagements across the U.S., UK, and Spain, Vlad continues to use his platform to bridge the gap between culture and commerce, reminding the world that the future of cannabis must include the people who built it.
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Tags & KeywordsVladimir Bautista, Happy Munkey, Sean Martin, REAL Mentors Podcast, cannabis legalization, social equity, Harlem Sugar Hill, Dominican American, New York dispensary, cannabis entrepreneur, legacy to legal, Studio 54 of cannabis, social justice, War on Drugs, restorative justice, advocacy, Bronx entrepreneurs, representation, community impact, street hustle to CEO, resilience, mentorship, culture, Dyckman, New York cannabis industry, purpose-driven business, empowerment, legacy building

Coss Marte is back on the Real Mentors Podcast with an update that’s as raw as it gets.Since his first appearance, the founder of ConBody and ConBud has faced new challenges — this time from the state itself. After building three licensed cannabis shops in just 15 months, Coss and more than 150 other small dispensary owners were hit with sudden rule changes that could force them to shut down.In this conversation, Coss breaks down what’s really happening behind New York’s cannabis laws, how politics and power plays are crushing small businesses, and why he refuses to give up. He also opens up about fatherhood, faith, and what it means to build a family and business with transparency, trust, and love.This Episode Explores:

• The state’s last-minute regulation change threatening 150+ dispensaries
• The lawsuit Coss filed to protect small, justice-impacted entrepreneurs
• Lobbyists, corporate influence, and the politics behind New York’s cannabis rollout
• Lessons from his father’s Bronx bodega and what real work ethic looks like
• How honesty changed his relationship with his son after prison
• Raising kids with openness and empathy
• Building ConBud and ConBody with integrity and community in mind
• Working full-time with his wife and balancing marriage with mission
• Staying grounded when everything you built is on the line

This episode is about real pressure, real growth, and the strength it takes to keep moving forward when everything you’ve worked for is tested.---🔗 Connect with Coss MarteInstagram: https://instagram.com/cossmarteConBody: https://conbody.comhttps://instagram.com/conbodyConBud: https://instagram.com/conbudnyFollow REAL Mentors PodcastInstagram: https://instagram.com/realmentorspodcastHost Sean Martin: https://instagram.com/theseanmartin---
About the Guest – Coss Marte
Coss Marte is an entrepreneur, author, and advocate for second chances. After serving time in prison, he turned his life around by launching ConBody, a fitness brand employing people with past convictions, and ConBud, one of New York’s first justice-driven cannabis dispensaries. His work has been featured on TEDx, Forbes, CNN, and The Today Show. Today, Coss continues to fight for fairness, opportunity, and the communities he came from.
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Tags & KeywordsCoss Marte, ConBody, ConBud, Sean Martin, REAL Mentors Podcast, Bronx entrepreneur, second chances, New York dispensary law, cannabis business, prison to purpose, criminal justice reform, immigrant story, family values, transparency, integrity, redemption, fatherhood, entrepreneurship, resilience, legacy, purpose-driven business, mindset, marriage and business, NYC small business, political reform, community empowerment, social equity, leadership, growth, life after prison

Hugo Sánchez went from spending two decades away from society to becoming the Founder & CEO of MOTI, a multi-million-dollar tech startup that’s redefining how humans connect, communicate, and get paid for their time.A proud Puerto Rican from Bayamón who rebuilt his life from zero, Hugo embodies what it means to bet on yourself. From construction and dry-cleaning businesses to creating a global consulting platform, he proves that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself—or to win big by believing bigger.This episode explores:

• Growing up in Puerto Rico and the early habits that shaped (and tested) his path
• Losing both parents while serving time—and what it taught him about purpose and perspective
• Coming home after 20 years to a world that moved on—and why he refused to stay behind
• Spotting opportunity in what others ignored: “Nobody wanted to work. I saw work everywhere.”
• The leap from dry cleaning and construction to founding a tech company
• How he raised $1.2M without venture capital—using micro-investing and pure hustle
• Building MOTI: a video-and-payments platform for coaches, consultants, and creators
• Why data privacy, human trust, and simplicity beat hype and trends
• Creating a billion-dollar mindset from nothing: “MOTI only needs 100,000 users—that’s a $300M app.”
• Lessons on betting everything—his house, car, and savings—to prove what’s possible
• Age, faith, and fire: why 57 is the new start line, not the finish

This episode is about resilience, reinvention, and the price of waiting.Hugo’s story reminds us that comfort is costly, timing is an illusion, and your biggest asset isn’t money—it’s belief.---🔗 Connect with Hugo SánchezMOTI App: https://motiapp.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/hugos.motiFollow REAL Mentors PodcastInstagram: https://instagram.com/realmentorspodcastHost Sean Martin: https://instagram.com/theseanmartin---🔥 About the Guest – Hugo SánchezHugo Sánchez is a Puerto Rican entrepreneur, visionary, and the Founder & CEO of MOTI, a multi-million-dollar tech startup designed to help professionals and creators monetize their time through seamless video calls, payments, and scheduling.After rebuilding his life from the ground up, Hugo turned his experience into a philosophy: time is the most valuable currency. His no-excuses approach to life and business has inspired thousands to stop waiting, start moving, and take control of their financial freedom—one call at a time.---Tags & KeywordsHugo Sánchez, MOTI App, Sean Martin, REAL Mentors Podcast, entrepreneurship, Puerto Rican tech founder, micro investing, startup funding, creator economy, time monetization, video consulting, fintech, resilience, second chances, comeback story, self-belief, legacy, faith, human connection, data privacy, reinventing yourself, motivational stories, Bronx podcast, tech innovation, digital entrepreneurship, rebuild your life

Dan “Big D” Sachkowsky went from filing bankruptcy at 24 to rebuilding a multimillion-dollar construction and coaching empire rooted in faith, structure, and the discipline to say no.Raised in Elizabeth, New Jersey by immigrant parents who taught him to work hard but think small, Dan learned early that breaking generational limits meant unlearning everything he’d been told. At 15, his father told him, “we’ll never be rich.” That moment lit a fire that would define his life.Today, he’s a serial entrepreneur, real-estate investor, and performance coach known for helping business owners buy back their time, build real systems, and lead with purpose.This episode explores:

• Growing up in Elizabeth, NJ and discovering the gap between survival and success
• The 15-year-old moment that redefined his belief in what was possible
• Finding mentors who said “I believe in you” and how that changed everything
• Building a thriving construction business—then losing it all at 24 during the 2007 crash
• Lessons from bankruptcy, humility, and rebuilding with five income streams
• Faith through crisis: his son’s near-death accident and rediscovering God
• Why failure tolerance is the ultimate entrepreneurial skill
• Competing with yourself, not others, and designing a “life blueprint” instead of just a business plan
• The power of saying no—and how discipline and structure create more yeses
• Fatherhood, responsibility, and teaching kids gratitude in a world of excess

This episode is about breaking cycles, redefining wealth, and learning that saying no isn’t rejection, it’s alignment. Dan’s story will challenge you to trade busyness for balance, ego for faith, and comfort for calling.---🔗 Connect with Dan “Big D” SachkowskyWebsite: dansachkowsky.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/_big_dan_official/🎙️ Follow REAL Mentors PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/realmentorspodcast/Host Sean Martin: https://www.instagram.com/theseanmartin/---🔥 About the Guest – Dan “Big D” SachkowskyDan Sachkowsky is an entrepreneur, investor, and business coach who built and scaled multiple construction companies before launching Big D Coaching, a platform that helps business owners regain focus, systemize growth, and live with intention. His coaching philosophy blends faith, structure, and high-performance strategy—teaching that true freedom comes from discipline, not hustle. Through his story of failure, faith, and rebuilding, Dan helps others design lives that work as hard as they do.---Tags & KeywordsDan Sachkowsky, Big D, Sean Martin, REAL Mentors Podcast, entrepreneurship, business coaching, mindset, discipline, faith and success, bankruptcy recovery, time management, systems and processes, construction business, leadership, mentorship, resilience, the power of saying no, legacy building, fatherhood, immigrant mentality, self-development, personal growth, real estate investing, purpose over profit

Chad Willardson went from top 2% at Merrill Lynch, speaking on Wall Street stages, to walking away from the corporate “matrix” to build a life where family and freedom come first. Today, he’s the founder of Pacific Capital, a fiduciary wealth advisory firm serving entrepreneurs and families, a five-time author, and a leading voice challenging the hustle culture with a new framework: work-life integration.Raised with strong family and faith values but no entrepreneurial wealth, Chad learned early that true success isn’t just about a big bank account—it’s about being present at home and building wealth that lasts across generations. His books Smart, Not Spoiled and Why Work-Life Balance Is a Lie reveal how to raise grounded kids, manage money differently, and create both financial freedom and family legacy at the same time.This episode explores:

• Growing up in a family that valued presence and faith over money—and how that shaped his path
• Turning down lucrative Wall Street jobs as a newlywed to prioritize marriage and fatherhood
• Leaving Merrill Lynch after 9 years despite high performance, and the freedom entrepreneurship unlocked
• Why entrepreneurs are “wealth wired differently”—and why traditional advice fails them
• Smart, Not Spoiled: practical ways to raise kids who understand money, work ethic, and value creation
• Why financial literacy should be taught in schools from 1st grade through college
• The viral Babysitter Guide that became a parenting and leadership lesson
• Missing the Kentucky Derby “main event” to make his son’s playoff game—and why he’d do it 100 out of 100 times
• Work-life integration: putting family on the calendar first, then business
• How money mindsets are inherited—and how anyone can rewire theirs to build wealth
• Why financial freedom is possible for everyone, regardless of background

This episode is about faith, family, and freedom. Chad’s story will challenge you to stop chasing hustle culture, start defining success on your own terms, and create wealth without sacrificing the relationships that matter most.---🔗 Connect with Chad WillardsonWebsite: https://chadwillardson.comBook: https://fullyinvested.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/chadwillardsonFollow REAL Mentors PodcastInstagram: https://instagram.com/realmentorspodcastHost - Sean Martin: https://instagram.com/theseanmartin---🔥 About the Guest – Chad WillardsonChad Willardson is the President & Founder of Pacific Capital, a fiduciary wealth advisory firm in Southern California. With 23+ years advising entrepreneurs and families, Chad is a trusted voice on financial freedom, family legacy, and entrepreneur-focused wealth strategies. He’s the author of five books, including Smart, Not Spoiled and Why Work-Life Balance Is a Lie. His work has been featured in major outlets, and his viral parenting and money frameworks have reached millions. A husband, father of five, and entrepreneur, Chad leads with faith, integrity, and the belief that real success means thriving in both business and family life.---Tags & KeywordsChad Willardson, Pacific Capital, Smart Not Spoiled, Why Work Life Balance is a Lie, Fully Invested, Sean Martin, REAL Mentors Podcast, financial freedom, wealth management, entrepreneur money mindset, family legacy, parenting and money, financial literacy, entrepreneur wealth, fiduciary, Wall Street to entrepreneur, money mindset, wealth wired differently, faith and business, work life integration, freedom and family

Abbie Ayala went from hustling in the Bronx during the 1990s “get money” era to becoming the host of the ABFive Podcast, a raw and authentic platform that gives real people a voice. Born in Puerto Rico and raised in the Bronx, Abbie became a father at 19, grew up alongside his daughter, and later learned the hard truths of parenting, hustling, and surviving street life. From driving cabs for drug dealers and executives alike, to realizing in a tense moment that he wasn’t built for the streets, Abbie found his path in storytelling. What started with Fat Joe’s IG Lives and a conversation with his pregnant daughter turned into a purpose-driven mission: using his podcast to impact lives, represent the Bronx, and show what it means to keep it real.This episode explores:- Growing up in Puerto Rico and the Bronx, and how his mom’s strength shaped his path- Becoming a young father at 19, raising a daughter while still trying to figure out life- The “get money era” of the 90s—hustling cabs, street temptations- Starting the “Calls from the Inside” segment to give incarcerated voices a platform- Why peace is more valuable than wealth—and why authenticity always wins- Lessons on networking, impostor syndrome, and building a Bronx-rooted community through podcastingThis episode is about resilience, authenticity, and using storytelling as a tool for impact. Abbie’s journey will challenge you to rethink what “success” looks like, to stop chasing validation, and to start building your own lane—by any means necessary.
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🔗 Connect with Abbie AyalaInstagram: https://instagram.com/abfive_podcastYouTube: @LIVEWITHABFIVEFollow REAL Mentors PodcastInstagram: https://instagram.com/realmentorspodcastHost Sean Martin: https://instagram.com/theseanmartin---🔥 About the Guest – Abbie AyalaAbbie Ayala is the host and creator of the ABFive Podcast (Live with AB5ive), a Bronx-born show spotlighting real stories from hustlers, entrepreneurs, DJs, community leaders, and everyday people with extraordinary journeys. Inspired by Fat Joe’s IG Lives, Abbie launched his podcast with raw conversations—beginning with his own daughter—and grew it into a 70+ episode platform built on authenticity and impact. A proud father, Bronx native, and union doorman, Abbie blends street lessons, family values, and guerrilla-style production into a one-of-a-kind show that proves you don’t need a studio to make an impact—you just need heart, hustle, and a tripod.---Tags & KeywordsAbbie Ayala, ABFive Podcast, Live with AB5ive, Sean Martin, REAL Mentors Podcast, Bronx podcast, Bronx hustle, Bronx storytellers, Fat Joe IG Live, young fatherhood, parenting in the Bronx, street hustle, 32BJ doorman, authentic storytelling, guerrilla podcasting, Bronx DJs, Funk Flex interview, Toughie, Major Galore, South of Girls, Calls from the Inside, impact over money, chasing peace, keeping it real

Chef Kelvin Fernandez went from a kid in Harlem who didn’t even realize his family was poor—to becoming the youngest executive chef in New York City at just 22, a Beat Bobby Flay winner, and a private chef trusted by Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez. Raised by Dominican immigrant parents, Kelvin discovered cooking in high school, found discipline in kitchens that tested him to the edge, and built a career on sacrifice, flavor, and breaking down gatekeeping in the culinary world.This episode explores:

• Growing up in Harlem, food stamps, and immigrant grit
• Cutting his thumb in the kitchen and choosing discipline over excuses
• Winning a full scholarship to the Culinary Institute of America
• Becoming the youngest executive chef in NYC at 22
• Competing on Chopped, winning Beat Bobby Flay with his signature arepa, and landing on Forbes 30 Under 30
• Building La Marina’s legendary Uptown kitchen crew and creating Tasting Tuesdays
• The private chef chapter: from Jose Reyes to Jennifer Lopez, and why he walked away
• Opening doors for the next generation and eliminating “gatekeeping” in the industry
• Why family and partnership with his wife are now his greatest ingredients for success

This episode is about grit, mentorship, and redefining what success tastes like. Chef Kelvin’s story will challenge you to see setbacks as seasoning, believe in the power of discipline, and remember that the perfect bite isn’t just on a plate—it’s in the life you build.---🔗 Connect with Chef Kelvin FernandezInstagram: https://instagram.com/chefkelvinFollow REAL Mentors PodcastInstagram: https://instagram.com/realmentorspodcastHost Sean Martin: https://instagram.com/theseanmartin---🔥 About the Guest – Chef Kelvin FernandezChef Kelvin Fernandez is a Dominican-American chef raised in Harlem, New York. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Kelvin became the youngest executive chef in New York City at 22, and has since led kitchens at La Marina, Blend, and The Strand Hotel. Known for his elevated Latin cuisine and signature arepas, Kelvin is a Beat Bobby Flay winner, a Chopped finalist, and a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree. His career spans restaurants, celebrity private chef work, and mentorship programs that open doors for the next generation of culinary talent. Today, Kelvin continues to innovate through pop-ups, private events, and his upcoming sports bar venture, while championing collaboration and authenticity in every kitchen he touches.---Tags & KeywordsChef Kelvin Fernandez, Sean Martin, REAL Mentors Podcast, Beat Bobby Flay, Chopped, Forbes 30 Under 30, La Marina, Dominican chef, Harlem success story, Latin cuisine, arepas, culinary mentorship, discipline, gatekeeping, hospitality, Jennifer Lopez chef, Alex Rodriguez chef, CIA scholarship, immigrant story, resilience, New York chefs, mentorship, food entrepreneurship, private chef, Uptown chefs