⏰ From Rock Bottom to Morning Hero: The Power of One Small Step

In this episode of The Alchemists, Evan Rundle sits down with Jarvis Leverson, founder of The Morning Hero, who went from broke and homeless on his mom’s couch to building multiple businesses, transforming his health, and inspiring thousands to win the morning—and their lives.

What You’ll Learn:

• How hitting rock bottom became the wake-up call that changed everything

• The power of winning the morning to win the day (and your life)

• Why identity is a choice, not a sentence—how to stop telling yourself you’re “not a morning person”

• The science and strategy behind building habits that last

• How to gamify your goals and create accountability that sticks

• The real reason most people never break through (and how to avoid it)

• Why your “why” has to be bigger than you

Key Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro: From Night Owl to Morning Hero 5:30 – Rock Bottom: Homeless, Injured, and Out of Options 12:15 – The Wake-Up Call: 4:57AM and the Power of Peace 18:45 – Building Businesses, Health, and Love—One Morning at a Time 25:20 – The Morning Hero Method: Accountability, Community, and Gamification 32:10 – How to Rewire Your Identity and Habits 38:50 – The Power of a Big Why 45:30 – Speed Round: Books, Mental Health, and Daily Rituals

Connect with Jarvis: Instagram: @the.morninghero Website: themorninghero.com Book: Every Damn Day 

Connect with Evan: Instagram: @TheEvanRundle Website: NOVIQ.com

🏆 From Zero to 10,000+ Closings: The Power of Service, Systems, and Sobriety

In this episode of The Alchemists, Evan Rundle sits down with Ryan Lipsey, CEO of The Lipsey Team—the #1 producing sales team at the top title company in the world. Ryan shares his journey from humble beginnings and family immigration, through addiction and recovery, to building a powerhouse team that’s closed over 10,000 transactions in 24 years.

What You’ll Learn:

• How service and authentic connection built a business empire

• The immigrant mindset and work ethic that shaped Ryan’s success

• Why systems, time-blocking, and delegation are non-negotiable for growth

• The real story behind sobriety, ego death, and finding purpose

• How to create content that actually serves your audience (not your ego)

• The power of mentorship, humility, and always being teachable

• Why “help enough people get what they want, and you’ll get what you want”

Key Timestamps:0:00 – Intro: From San Diego to #1 in the World5:30 – The Power of Service: Opening Doors for Others12:15 – The Immigrant Story: Work Ethic & Perspective18:45 – Building Systems: Time-Blocking, Delegation, and Team25:20 – Sobriety, Ego Death, and the Real Work32:10 – Content Creation: Serving vs. Showing Off38:50 – Mentorship, Humility, and Staying Teachable45:30 – Frequency Illusion: Omnipresence in Business52:15 – Balancing Family, Business, and Recovery58:40 – Speed Round: Books, Habits, and Final Wisdom

Connect with Ryan:Instagram: @ryanlipsey

CONNECT WITH EVAN:

www.NOVIQ.com

🔥 From High School Trauma to Unf*ckwithable Confidence

In this episode of The Alchemists, Evan Rundle sits down with Celia Smith—serial entrepreneur, event company CEO, and founder of Weekenders Destination Mastermind. Celia shares her raw, unfiltered story of surviving a viral high school rumor, family breakdown, and relentless bullying that nearly pushed her to the edge. Instead of letting it destroy her, she turned pain into power, built a D1 athletic career, and now leads transformative mastermind retreats for entrepreneurs.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to turn your worst moments into your greatest strengths

• The power of standing up for yourself (and why it’s a business superpower)

• Why “unfuckwithable” confidence is built, not born

• The four elements of quantum development: physical, intellectual, emotional, spiritual

• How to build authentic community and curate your circle

• The difference between real impact and influencer clout

• Why near-death experiences can be the ultimate gratitude hack

Key Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro: From Miami to Mastermind Retreats 5:30 – The Viral Rumor That Changed Everything 12:15 – Surviving Bullying, Family Breakdown, and Court 18:45 – Choosing to Live: Becoming “Unfuckwithable” 25:20 – Sports as Salvation: D1 Scholarship & Beyond 32:10 – From Influencer to Founder: Building Weekenders 38:50 – The Four Elements of Quantum Development 45:30 – Curating Community: Impact Over Clout 52:15 – Near-Death Experience: What Really Matters 58:40 – Speed Round: Books, Advice, and Life Lessons

Connect with Celia: Instagram: @celiasmith Apply for Weekenders: weekenders.club

Connect with Evan: Instagram: @TheEvanRundle Website: NOVIQ.com

#TheAlchemists #CeliaSmith #Entrepreneur #Mastermind #Resilience #Bullying #Confidence #QuantumDevelopment #Miami #Weekenders #Podcast

💔 From Millionaire at 23 to Loosing Hope to Finding Purpose

In this episode of The Alchemists, Evan Rundle sits down with Garrin Heslop, founder of Gÿnergy, who shares one of the most powerful transformation stories you'll ever hear:• Built an 8-figure cannabis company (Medicare Farms)• Lost everything during COVID• Stood on a balcony ready to end his life• Chose to live with no fear instead• Jumped off a cliff in Mexico with a bungee cord to symbolize letting go• Now building Gÿnergy with his fiancée Yesi to help others transform

What You'll Learn:✅ How childhood trauma became fuel for success (and later, a prison)✅ The motorcycle accident that changed everything✅ Building an 8-figure cannabis company from a mission✅ Losing his grandmother, father, and business in rapid succession✅ The balcony moment: choosing life over death✅ What "confident vulnerability" means for masculinity✅ The difference between push and pull motivation✅ How to turn fear into fuel instead of letting it paralyze you✅ Building Gÿnergy: gamified gratitude and action✅ Why surrender is more powerful than willpower

Key Timestamps:0:00 - Intro: The Man Who Chose Life on a Balcony5:30 - Childhood Trauma: Locked Out at 6 Years Old12:15 - Sports as Salvation: Wrestling and Finding Value18:45 - Millionaire at 23: Building a Real Estate Empire25:20 - The Motorcycle Accident That Changed Everything32:10 - From Opioids to Cannabis: Finding a New Mission38:50 - Building an 8-Figure Cannabis Company45:30 - COVID, Loss, and Everything Falling Apart52:15 - The Balcony: Choosing Life Over Death58:40 - Bungee Jumping in Mexico: Letting Go of Fear1:05:20 - Meeting Yesi: Attracting Love Through Transformation1:12:30 - Building Gÿnergy: Gamified Gratitude + Action1:18:45 - Confident Vulnerability: Redefining Masculinity1:25:10 - Speed Round: Books, Fear, and Final Wisdom

Connect with Garrin:Instagram: @theGynergyeffectWebsite: gynergy.comProgram: Day Zero Journal & Transformation Program

Connect with Evan:Instagram: @TheEvanRundleWebsite: NOVIQ.com

#TheAlchemists  #MentalHealth #Transformation #Cannabis #Entrepreneur #Gratitude #Fear #Masculinity #GarrinHeslop #Gynergy #Purpose

👁️ From Devastating Eye Injury to Building a MovementIn this episode of The Alchemists, Evan Rundle sits down with Shelby, founder of Adhesive, who turned the loss of her eye into a thriving business and community: • Lost her eye 4 years ago, just 10 months into sobriety • Built a global community for people with one eye • Launched virtual conferences, coaching programs, and memberships • Expanded to help anyone with life-altering injuries build businesses • Launching a product line for eye patches on Amazon • Teaching others how to monetize their storiesWhat You'll Learn: ✅ How to turn trauma into purpose and profit ✅ Building community from scratch on social media ✅ The power of staying sober through adversity ✅ Monetizing your story through coaching and products ✅ Overcoming imposter syndrome as an entrepreneur ✅ Why mentorship changed everything ✅ Creating content when you're scared to post ✅ The difference between creating and producing ✅ How to ask for help and receive supportKey Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro: From Eye Injury to Entrepreneur 5:30 - The Accident: Losing an Eye 10 Months Sober 12:15 - Building Community Through Social Media 18:45 - First Virtual Conference: 26 People Changed Everything 25:20 - From Free Meetups to Paid Memberships 32:10 - Finding a Mentor: The Push She Needed 38:50 - Overcoming Imposter Syndrome 45:30 - Launching a Product: Eye Patches on Amazon 52:15 - Content Creation: Making It About Service, Not You 58:40 - Speed Round: Books, Fitness & Life AdviceConnect with Shelby: Instagram: @shelbs_90 Website: Coming soon with product launchConnect with Evan: Instagram: @TheEvanRundle Website: NOVIQ.com#TheAlchemists #Sobriety #EyeInjury #Entrepreneur #Community #Coaching #ProductLaunch #ImposterSyndrome #ContentCreation #Mentorship #Recovery

In this episode of The Alchemists with Evan Rundle, we sit down with Laura Foss – immigrant, mother, realtor, investor, and entrepreneur – for one of the most raw and powerful conversations we’ve had on the show.

Born in Israel to Ukrainian parents who fled Chernobyl, Laura’s story starts with her family packing up twice — first to Israel, then again to the U.S. after winning the green card lottery. They arrived in La Mesa with suitcases, no English, food stamps, no car, and four people sharing one bedroom and a den.

00:00 – Intro & who is Laura Foss 02:10 – Ukraine, Chernobyl, Israel & winning the U.S. green card lottery 05:45 – Landing in La Mesa: food stamps, one-bedroom, no car 09:20 – Family values, community and how “White Russia” was born 13:05 – First jobs: Albertsons, Wells Fargo & SDSU grind 16:50 – Buying her first condo at 21 & sleeping on the floor (house hack 101) 21:40 – Nightlife, networking & the power of proximity 26:30 – Her mom’s sudden stage 4 cancer diagnosis & passing 33:00 – How fitness, books & mindset kept her from breaking 37:40 – Evan’s sobriety story & alchemizing rock bottom 44:10 – First year in real estate: 25 deals at 15% commission 49:00 – Starting her own team, 14 agents & a $105M year 54:30 – Owning instead of just selling: building her own portfolio 59:20 – Becoming a mom, working in labor & redefining “success” 1:04:30 – Fear, ego death & doing it scared anyway 1:10:20 – Losing baby Roman & choosing to become unbreakable 1:17:00 – Full-circle moment: daughter Rainn Raya & legacy 1:21:40 – Message to moms, immigrants & anyone feeling stuck 1:25:10 – Final thoughts + why she believes she’s “living the dream” 1:27:40 – Where to find Laura online

📸 Instagram: @whiterussiaa

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In This Episode You’ll Hear:📌 Chapters (Timestamps)
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🏠 From $500K Loss to $17M in Real Estate in 12 MonthsIn this episode of The Alchemists, Evan Rundle sits down with Chris Luna, a San Diego multifamily developer who turned his biggest failure into his greatest success: • Lost $500K on a failed deal in 2022 • Used that moment to build a massive following and business • Closed $17M in real estate deals in the last 12 months • Hosts "On the Come Up" podcast and Margarita & Mingle events • 18 months sober and building through faithWhat You'll Learn: ✅ How to use ADU code to build multifamily developments ✅ The "deal, debt, equity" framework for real estate success ✅ Why losing $500K became the turning point for massive growth ✅ The power of quitting alcohol for entrepreneurial clarity ✅ How faith and fitness fuel business success ✅ Overcoming the "not enough" mindset from childhood ✅ Why being the underdog is actually your superpower ✅ The unicorn ADU deal breakdown (12,502 sq ft in PB)Key Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro: The Developer Who Lost $500K 5:15 - From Cell Phone Repair to Real Estate Empire 12:30 - The ADU Bonus Program Explained 18:45 - Unicorn Deal Breakdown: 12,502 Sq Ft in Pacific Beach 25:20 - The $500K Loss That Changed Everything 32:10 - 18 Months Sober: The Decision That Shifted Everything 38:50 - Growing Up Without a Father: The Underdog Story 45:30 - Faith, Fitness & Overcoming Fear 52:15 - Sacred Sundays: The Social Media Detox Strategy 58:40 - Speed Round: Books, Fitness Tips & Life AdviceConnect with Chris: Instagram: @ChrisJLuna Podcast: On the Come Up Website: BackyardCommunity.comConnect with Evan: Instagram: @TheEvanRundle Website: NOVIQ.com#TheAlchemists #RealEstate #ADUs #MultifamilyDevelopment #Sobriety #Faith #Entrepreneurship #SanDiegoRealEstate #ChrisLuna #RealEstateInvesting

🏠 From Corporate Job to 120 House Flips in Just 2 YearsIn this episode of The Alchemists, Evan Rundle sits down with Josh Giordani, a San Diego house flipper and wholesaler who achieved incredible results in record time: • 68 deals in his first year (2023) • On pace for 120 deals in year two (2024) • Transitioned from title insurance to full-time flipping • Built a team and office in under 24 monthsWhat You'll Learn: ✅ How to flip houses completely virtually without seeing properties ✅ Hard money lending strategies (80-90% ARV financing) ✅ Why coaching programs work (when you actually follow them) ✅ The real cost of lead generation ($10K per deal average) ✅ Wholesaling vs flipping: when to choose which strategy ✅ Building systems for predictable income in real estate ✅ Why focusing on "boring" deals beats chasing unicorns ✅ The mindset shift from employee to entrepreneurKey Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro: From Title Insurance to 120 Deals 8:30 - The Coaching Program That Changed Everything 15:45 - Virtual House Flipping Process Revealed 22:10 - Hard Money Lending Breakdown 28:20 - Lead Generation: $10K Per Deal Reality 35:15 - Wholesaling vs Flipping Strategy 42:30 - Building Predictable Income Systems 48:45 - Why "Boring" Deals Win Long-Term 55:20 - Entrepreneurial Mindset & Family DynamicsConnect with Josh: Instagram: @Josh_GiordaniConnect with Evan: Instagram: @TheEvanRundle Website: NOVIQ.com#RealEstate #HouseFlipping #Wholesaling #HardMoney #RealEstateInvesting #SanDiegoRealEstate #Entrepreneur #TheAlchemists #VirtualFlipping #RealEstateCoachingHouse flipping, real estate wholesaling, hard money lending, virtual real estate investing, San Diego real estate, real estate coaching, property flipping, real estate entrepreneur

On Episode 3 of The Alchemists, Evan Rundle sits down with Brian Koons—Former Head of Development at ADU Geeks, small-lot urban infill developer, musician, and former US Marine. We delve into VA loan house hacking, the San Diego Bonus ADU program, underwriting feasibility, and the mindset/leadership skills that translate from the Corps to real estate. If you’re eyeing ADUs, boutique-scale infill, or turning a 1–4 unit into a cash-flowing asset, this is your playbook.What you’ll learn:•⁠ ⁠VA Loan House Hack: how owner-occupied loans (including 0% down VA) can launch your first 1–4 unit deal•⁠ ⁠Underwriting in the real world: qualifying income, rental appraisals, and why lenders underwrite long-term comps•⁠ ⁠Bonus ADU in San Diego: how code changes expanded unit counts—and what actually pencils•⁠ ⁠Brian’s “Golden Goose” deal: distressed SFR in a single-family neighborhood + 2–6 ADUs (why he avoids overbuilt, high-density RM sites)•⁠ ⁠Operations vs. brochure math: vacancy, turnover, management reality checks•⁠ ⁠Mindset & leadership: conflict resolution, simplicity complexity, and moving from “push” to “pull” motivationChapters:00:00 Cold open + setup01:10 Meet Brian: Marine, musician, developer04:30 VA loan house hacking (owner-occ rules, rental appraisals, DTI)14:20 Refinances, value-add, and what to renovate first20:40 Bonus ADU in San Diego: how policy unlocked more units28:10 From band to development: learning, mentors, and risk38:30 Operations reality: vacancy, turnover, underwriting sanity44:15 Mindset: leading well, breaking cycles, collaboration over scarcity56:00 The “unicorn” ADU deal (SFR + 2–6 ADUs in SFR neighborhoods)1:04:00 Airbnb vs. MTR with ADUs (what the loan allows vs. what works)1:10:00 How to work with Brian & ADU Geeks + resourcesGuest:Brian Koons — Head of Development at ADU Geeks. Specializes in small urban infill, ADUs, and practical underwriting with a builder’s lens. IG/YouTube: The Builder of Brian.Host:Evan Rundle — NOVIQ (STR → boutique hotel operator). We maximize guest experience and profit per square foot.Work with us:•⁠ ⁠Co-hosting/Boutique Hotel ops (NOVIQ): https://www.noviq.com•⁠ ⁠Evan on IG/LinkedIn: https://www.instagram.com/theevanrundle/Free resources:•⁠Free Property Audit and Revenue Projection: https://forms.monday.com/forms/927223a17cba5951fe15172899caab97?r=use1Hashtags:#ADU #SanDiegoADU #HouseHacking #VALoan #RealEstateDevelopment #UrbanInfill #BonusADU #Underwriting #CashFlow #Multifamily #TheAlchemistsPodcast #EvanRundle #ADUGeeks #TheBuilderOfBrianADU San Diego, accessory dwelling unit, San Diego Bonus ADU program, VA loan house hack, owner-occupied loan rules, rental appraisal, underwriting feasibility, small-lot infill, 1–4 unit investing, SFR plus ADUs, Airbnb vs mid-term rentals ADU, real estate mindset, Marine to developer, ADU Geeks, The Builder of Brian, Evan Rundle, NOVIQ, boutique hotel operator.

🎙 From Commission Checks to Building a 72-Unit Empire — The Blueprint for Agents Who Want Equity

Tired of selling homes for others while owning nothing yourself?

In this episode of The Alchemists, Evan Rundle sits down with Alexio Barara (@CashflowAlexio) — a San Diego real estate strategist who flipped the agent script. After 175+ deals and over $400M sold, he built a 72-unit portfolio using ADUs, forced appreciation, and zero-traditional financing.

If you're an agent, hustler, or investor tired of spinning your wheels — this episode shows the playbook.

What You'll Learn:

✅ How to turn sales experience into a high-cash-flow portfolio

✅ Forced appreciation tactics that create equity overnight

✅ Creative financing and bridge lending decoded

✅ ADU stacking to multiply income per property

✅ Student housing strategies: How one 13-bedroom property generates $19K/month

✅ The mindset shift that built 72 doors in under a decade

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro: The Renaissance Man of Real Estate

5:30 - From College Hustle to $400M in Sales

12:15 - How the 72-Unit Empire Was Built

18:45 - Creating Instant Equity with Forced Appreciation

25:20 - Creative Financing + Bridge Lending Tactics

32:10 - ADU Development for Maximum ROI

38:50 - Student Housing: How One Property Hits $19K/Month

45:30 - The Alchemists Mindset Shift

Don't miss this if you're stuck trading time for commission and ready to build something that pays you forever.

▶️ Watch now and connect:

Alexio: @CashflowAlexio

Evan: @TheEvanRundle | NOVIQ.com

#RealEstate #RealEstateInvesting #ADUs #CashFlow #StudentHousing #CreativeFinancing #TheAlchemists #SanDiegoRealEstate