In episode 49 of The VICI Code, Joe Dunaway interviews Bill Lee, a retired USMC officer and founder of Be Better with GRIT, as they dive deep into critical business and personal growth themes: leadership principles forged in fire, the impact of consistent goal-setting, the crucial role of mentorship and accountability, and building teams that not only perform but thrive.  

Tune in to discover how to kill comfort, own your standards, and lead with both heart and relentless discipline. 

TIMESTAMPS

[00:00:02] Introducing Bill Lee: Marine. MBA. Architect of GRIT.

[00:02:48] From Quitting Mindset to Grit: Breakthrough Moments

[00:05:07] Battlefield Leadership—Translating Combat Standards to Business

[00:06:59] The Power of Consistency, Systems, and Environmental Discipline

[00:09:12] Bringing Military Discipline into Business with Jack Welch Insights

[00:13:30] How to Condition Yourself for Discomfort and Progress

[00:15:10] Building Discipline as a Muscle—Practical Approaches

[00:17:46] The Triangle of Sacrifice: Time, Comfort, and Ego

[00:21:15] Extreme Ownership at Home: Leadership in Marriage and Family

[00:23:00] Leading with Heart—Stories of True Empathy and Sacrifice

[00:27:55] Awareness, Ownership, and Day-One Action Steps

[00:31:00] Key Takeaways: Standards Over Feelings, Grit, and the Messy Middle 

QUOTES

• "It's the little things that add up to big things and give you character." – Bill Lee
• "The standard is the standard. You have non-negotiables; you do them regardless of how you feel." – Bill Lee
• "Embrace the messy middle—those challenges are what make or break true leaders." – Joe Dunaway

SOCIAL MEDIA

Joe Dunaway

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-dunaway 

Bill Lee

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

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-lee-58559824/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/william.lee.752

WEBSITE

VICI Finance: https://www.vicifinance.com

In episode 48 of The VICI Code, Joe Dunaway interviews Abi Horton, Founder of Aros Hospitality, as she shares her inspiring journey from a varied career as a flight attendant, bartender, and sales professional to founding successful ventures in the competitive hospitality and real estate industries.  

Tune in for expert perspectives on overcoming setbacks, choosing your “hard,” and the measurable results of mastering daily habits as both an individual and a leader. 

TIMESTAMPS

[00:00:02] Unlocking the mindset of high-achieving entrepreneurs with Abi Horton.

[00:01:00] Overcoming anxiety, embracing vulnerability, and authentic leadership.

[00:02:24] Workshops, masterminds, and the power of mentorship.

[00:04:23] The transformational journey: from the UK to Miami, finding purpose through change.

[00:08:01] Ditching the linear life plan—building success one step at a time.

[00:12:39] High-performance habits: discipline, fitness, and nutrition.

[00:18:55] Small changes, big impact: routines, sleep, and recovery.

[00:21:28] Embracing discomfort, mental health, and actionable growth.

[00:24:25] Public speaking, taking action, and empowering others.

QUOTES

• "I struggled with not having a set pathway for a long time, but everything I’ve done has led me exactly to where I am right now." – Abi Horton
• “You don’t have to be in growth mode every second of the year. Sometimes, you just need to stabilize and put what you’ve learned into practice.” – Joe Dunaway
• "If my temporary discomfort can help provide value or confidence to someone else, that's really motivating for me to do it." – Abi Horton

SOCIAL MEDIA

Joe Dunaway

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-dunaway 

Abi Horton

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

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/abihorton/

WEBSITE

VICI Finance: https://www.vicifinance.com

Aros Hospitality: https://www.aroshospitality.com/

In episode 47 of The VICI Code, Joe Dunaway interviews Rob Cressy, AI Coach, Creator, and Founder of the "Creating The Future From The Heart" Movement, as he shares how he went from sports marketing agency owner to an identity-driven mentor, empowering leaders with actionable systems, extreme operational ownership, and a relentless growth mindset

Tune in for the blueprint to leading with heart, scaling with integrity, and creating the future of your business on your terms. 

TIMESTAMPS

[00:00:02] Welcome & Introduction: The power of faith, family, fitness, and finance

[00:02:20] Rob Cressy's 1000-day AI streak and mindset transformation

[00:06:01] Overcoming overwhelm: Simple scales and stacking daily wins

[00:08:03] How CEOs can become “AI Dangerous”—without coding

[00:10:44] Authenticity and candor: Building high-performing, connected teams

[00:17:12] Bringing AI mastery home: Impact on family and relationships

[00:22:56] Reinvesting saved time for bigger dreams and deeper relationships

[00:25:58] Faith, integrity, and doing what’s right in a digital world

[00:30:05] Fitness, discipline, and the growth mindset advantage

[00:33:00] Creating the future from the heart: How to connect with Rob 

QUOTES

• "Everything you need is already inside of you. The key is taking what's in your head and getting it into AI with intention." – Rob Cressy
• "You earn your confidence; if you look good, you feel good. If you feel good, you’re more confident, and great things happen." – Rob Cressy
• "Set out on your own thousand-day streak—discipline and consistency will take you everywhere you want to be." – Joe Dunaway

SOCIAL MEDIA

Joe Dunaway

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-dunaway 

Rob Cressy

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

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/cressy/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/robcressy

WEBSITE

VICI Finance: https://www.vicifinance.com

Rob Cressy: https://robcressy.com/

In episode 46 of The VICI Code, Joe Dunaway interviews Matt Morizio, Founder of Reconstructing Wealth & Former MLB Draft Pick, as they dive deep into the pillars of sustainable success: leadership rooted in example, relentless goal-setting, and cultivating generational impact. 

Tune in to unlock the actionable strategies and mindset shifts that fuel both personal and professional legacies! 

TIMESTAMPS

[00:00:02] Introducing Matt Morizio and the path of reconstructing wealth
[00:02:44] Early stage breakthroughs and redefining risk
[00:07:48] Translating athletic discipline to entrepreneurial grit
[00:17:00] Breaking emotional chains around money
[00:21:40] Shifting from accumulation to generational mission
[00:26:10] Leading a large family while serving clients
[00:32:23] Creating a family mission statement in practice
[00:40:44] Staying grounded in faith when plans change
[00:45:50] Fitness, learning, and habits for long-term success
[00:53:43] Key takeaways and next steps

QUOTES

• "To reconstruct your relationship with money is to achieve true financial freedom, where you can learn to emotionally detach from money and see it as a tool." – Matt Morizio
• "When your purpose—your 'why'—is a 'who,' you will live a life of fulfillment." – Matt Morizio
• "You may have your wife and your kids cheering you on, but you’ll always have the man upstairs walking alongside you." – Joe Dunaway

SOCIAL MEDIA

Joe Dunaway

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-dunaway 

Matt Morizio

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

https://www.instagram.com/reconstructingwealth/

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattmorizio/ 

WEBSITE

VICI Finance: https://www.vicifinance.com

Reconstructing Wealth: https://reconstructingwealth.com/

In episode 45 of The VICI Code, Joe Dunaway interviews Kavita Ajwani, Founder of Dashing Date & Huddle Eleven Elite, as she shares practical advice, compelling stories of transformation, and reveals how embracing love and partnership leads to tangible growth—in business and in life.  

Tune in for an inspiring conversation guaranteed to help you build your best self, both in the boardroom and beyond! 

TIMESTAMPS

[00:00:02] Welcome & Why Connection Matters in Leadership

[00:02:20] Kavita’s Entrepreneurial Roots & Breakthrough Moment

[00:04:45] Data Mindset vs. Following Your Gut in Love and Business

[00:07:21] Hidden Cost of Success: Why Emotional Fitness Comes First

[00:13:09] The ROI of Dating: Client Success & Business Breakthroughs

[00:17:29] Building Emotional Stamina & Mountain Energy Habits

[00:25:16] The Power of Community: Behind “The Huddle”

[00:31:03] How Family & Love Unlock Ultimate Purpose

[00:36:50] Hard Truth: Don’t Let Intimacy Erosion Block Your Future

[00:41:39] Kavita’s Free Masterclass Offer & Final Takeaways 

QUOTES

• “Joy becomes your measure of success in the area of love. Confidence and resilience in relationships fuel growth in every area of life.” – Kavita Ajwani
• “Financial freedom doesn’t always equal freedom. If your wallet’s full but you’re not happy, you haven’t truly succeeded.” – Joe Dunaway
• “You attract what you are, not what you want. Embody the feeling of partnership now to see it realized in your life.” – Kavita Ajwani

SOCIAL MEDIA

Joe Dunaway

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-dunaway 

Kavita Ajwani

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

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kavitaajwani/

WEBSITE

VICI Finance: https://www.vicifinance.com

Dashing Date: https://go.dashingdate.com/home

In episode 44 of The VICI Code, Joe Dunaway interviews Angela H. Brown, Executive Director of Craft Lake City & Owner of SLUG Magazine as she shares insights into the leadership lessons she learned by bootstrapping both her magazine and nonprofit, the systems and discipline she applied to scale teams from a single part-timer to more than 10 full-time staff and 100+ volunteers, and the mindset shifts that enabled her to bridge art, business, and impactful community service. 

Tune in and unlock the blueprint for using creativity, consistency, and community to make a lasting impact—no matter where you start. 

TIMESTAMPS

[00:00:02] Angela Brown’s journey from underground magazine to nonprofit powerhouse

[00:02:41] The breakthrough: Expanding beyond print to serve the creative community

[00:08:23] Bootstrapping, balancing checkbooks & building a sustainable team

[00:16:09] Invisible costs: What founders often overlook in community-focused business

[00:22:16] Family, integration, and ditching the “work-life balance” myth

[00:26:33] Leadership as art: Designing teams & nurturing creative business

[00:29:31] Building mental fitness and the power of resilience in entrepreneurship

[00:33:48] Angela’s actionable playbook for hiring & maximizing an executive assistant 

QUOTES

• "I need to involve my family in my work...to understand that women can be bosses, that we can be entrepreneurs, we can be community leaders, we can essentially do whatever we want to do." – Angela Brown
• "When we're working with volunteers, it brings a mission-driven, purpose-driven energy...it's more people leading with their heart." – Angela Brown
• "You've got to really remind yourself to be hyper-focused. Who would have thought free money would cost so much?" – Joe Dunaway

SOCIAL MEDIA

Joe Dunaway

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-dunaway 

Angela Brown

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

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-h-brown-1240511/

WEBSITE

VICI Finance: https://www.vicifinance.com

Slug Mag: https://www.slugmag.com/

Craft Lake City:  https://craftlakecity.com/ 

In episode 43 of The VICI Code, Joe Dunaway interviews Devin Karpes, Founder of True Traction, as he shares not just frameworks, but the critical daily habits and conscious decisions that make elite execution possible—from morning breathwork to being truly present with family. 

Tune in for motivation, strategic insights, and the leadership edge you need to win in the age of AI! 

TIMESTAMPS

[00:00:02] Introducing Devin Karpis & the mission behind True Traction

[00:02:48] Realizing too much tech creates chaos—and the breakthrough leadership pivot

[00:06:16] Distinguishing shiny tools from functional systems

[00:08:29] Building AI literacy and empowering teams, not replacing them

[00:15:23] The 10-hour gift: reclaiming time and maximizing ROI as a founder

[00:17:17] How AI-driven systems scale valuation and growth

[00:18:41] Daily non-negotiables: routines that sharpen leadership and fulfillment

[00:21:28] The conscious choice: being present for family and purpose

[00:23:35] Key takeaways, next steps, and where to connect for more 

QUOTES

• "If you take a strategy-first approach, the tools then come to the surface of what will actually aid that strategy." – Devin Karpes
• "You can have the best systems in the world, but if you're constantly on your phone, you'll never make the time valuable." – Devin Karpes
• "It’s always about operating systems. It’s about leadership, about really streamlining things so you can buy back your time and fulfill your purpose." – Joe Dunaway

SOCIAL MEDIA

Joe Dunaway

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-dunaway 

David Karpes

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

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/devinkarpes/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@devinkarpes

WEBSITE

VICI Finance: https://www.vicifinance.com/

True Action AI: https://www.truetraction.ai/the-ai-operating-system/ 

In episode 42 of The VICI Code, Joe Dunaway interviews Marko Bizjak, Founder of Marvix Digital & Creator of the Marvix Growth Engine™, as he explores everything from the “prisoner” realization that traps talented entrepreneurs, to creating pipeline command centers that turn every inquiry into a tracked opportunity, and building company culture through discipline, relationships, and faith. 

Tune in to learn actionable strategies for buying back your time, scaling what matters, and building a business that serves your life! 

TIMESTAMPS

[00:00:02] The "prisoner" realization—why most business owners get stuck

[00:03:00] Marko Bizjak’s breakthrough: systems over manual chaos

[00:04:23] The mindset shift: Moving from technician to leader

[00:05:41] Tracking every lead—financial impact of governed systems

[00:06:53] Social proof and the review magnet system

[00:08:40] Buying back your time—family and freedom stories

[00:11:41] Overcoming mindset blockers and embracing tech

[00:15:08] Discipline, daily routines, and leading by example

[00:17:23] Building personal and business fitness

[00:21:20] The mission driving Marko Bizjak and his passion for trades

[00:24:02] Key takeaways and how to connect with Marko Bizjak 

QUOTES

• "It's a vicious cycle that keeps repeating—until you build a system that allows you to buy back your time." – Marko Bizjak
• "Websites are not a system, but they’re your biggest opportunity to build system-driven intake and communication." – Joe Dunaway
• "When you lead by example, the energy is different. The people around you rise to another level, too." – Marko Bizjak

SOCIAL MEDIA

Joe Dunaway

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-dunaway 

Marko Bizjak

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/markob777/ 

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/markobizjak/

WEBSITE

VICI Finance: https://www.vicifinance.com/

Marvix Digital: https://marvixdigital.com/   

 In episode 41 of The VICI Code, Joe Dunaway interviews Mark Mendez, Founder of JIT Delivers It (Just In Time), as they dive deep into the journey of an entrepreneur who shares their experiences of failure, growth, and the lessons learned along the way.

Tune in for raw, honest insights about faith, family, and the relentless pursuit of victory in business.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:02:25] Slow, gradual climb to success.

[00:05:21] Hiring friends in business.

[00:10:51] Fitness journey and mental clarity.

[00:15:02] Martial arts passion and experiences.

[00:18:40] Wrestling's impact on life skills.

[00:22:01] Transactional versus relational mindset.

[00:27:06] Parenting through example and habits.

[00:28:42] Empathy in everyday interactions.

[00:32:31] Faith fuels the fight.

QUOTES

• "We're all so wrapped up in our own world that we don't recognize other people who are in need." -Mark Mendez
• The company that gets you your first million, you may not be in it, but you should be learning everything you can from that business that you're in now." -Joe Dunaway

==========================

Less supplements. More consistency.

AG1 every day.

SHOP HERE:

https://click-myl.ink/2p8hck3h

==========================

SOCIAL MEDIA

Joe Dunaway

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-dunaway 

Mark Mendez

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mark.floorpro/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mendez-a182018/  

WEBSITE

VICI Finance: https://www.vicifinance.com/

JIT Delivers It: https://www.jitdeliversit.com/about

In episode 40 of The VICI Code, Joe Dunaway interviews Brian Stewart, Founder of Leadology and BMP Tuning, as he shares his battle-tested wisdom on eliminating chaos during the scaling phase and how he has successfully scaled a brand from $900 million to over $2 billion in sales.

Tune in as we uncover the architecture of growth and learn how to navigate the chaos that often hinders scaling businesses.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:02:30] Systems vs. Hustle in Business.

[00:05:04] Lack of consistency in business.

[00:10:18] Bulking and leaning in marketing.

[00:11:58] AI for business growth.

[00:18:28] Family fitness and leading by example.

[00:21:10] Fitness as personal presentation.

[00:24:43] Family and work-life balance.

[00:29:17] Teaching responsibility through chores.

[00:31:34] Teaching kids financial responsibility.

[00:36:15] Faith in business alignment.

[00:39:37] Family commitment to faith.

[00:44:22] Forgiveness and self-kindness.

QUOTES

• "Fitness is the presentation of you and how you outwardly present yourself before you can speak." -Brian Stewart
• "Be nice. Be kind. Forgiveness. Right. All those things are just so important." -Joe Dunaway
• "Having a higher calling, a higher purpose... doing things not for yourself is really the golden rule." -Joe Dunaway

==========================

Less supplements. More consistency.

AG1 every day.

SHOP HERE:

https://click-myl.ink/2p8hck3h

==========================

SOCIAL MEDIA

Joe Dunaway

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-dunaway 

Brian Stewart

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianjamesstewart/

WEBSITE

VICI Finance: https://www.vicifinance.com/