Travis Chappell and producer Eric dive into whether "being good with money" can actually trap you in poverty by over-prioritizing frugality over life enjoyment. They debate Dave Ramsey-style saving vs. smart risks, using real stories like driving cars into the ground and delaying dream purchases until it's too late.

On this episode we talk about:

Trading mental health for frugality—driving 260k-mile cars as a "badge of honor" that backfires

The Porsche 911 regret story: Waiting until 70 to buy your dream car, only to trade it with 2k miles

Balance over extremes: Don't YOLO into debt, but don't delay family trips to Europe for "cash-only" rules

Giving early and often—tips, GoFundMe, or urges—not rigid 10% church rules or corrupt nonprofits

Why tipping feels best (direct impact) vs. tipping culture's annoying expectations at movie theaters

Make more money as the real solution: Enjoy now and secure your future without sacrifice

Top 3 Takeaways

Frugality becomes toxic when it sacrifices mental health—buy the reliable car or family trip if you can afford it now, not at 72.

Give generously when led to (tips, personal causes), not from guilt or rigid formulas; build the habit early regardless of income.

Money's only value is what you exchange it for—prioritize experiences and peace today while protecting tomorrow by earning more.

Notable Quotes

"You don't want to wait till you're 72 to drive your dream car, because it's not as fun to drive when you're 72 as it is when you're 41."

"If you don't build the habits when you have almost no money, you're probably not going to do it when you have some money."

"Money is only useful for the things that you exchange it for."

Connect with Travis:

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

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/travischappell

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

Other: travischappell.com

Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. Get an extended free trial at http://gohighlevel.com/travis

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Ashley Herd is the founder of Manager Method, former Head of HR North America at McKinsey & Company, national keynote speaker, top 10 business podcast host, and a LinkedIn Top Voice who has trained over 250,000 managers. With a background that spans law, HR, and corporate leadership across global companies like McKinsey and Yum! Brands, Ashley brings a rare blend of practical wisdom and real-world empathy. Her new book, The Manager Method, provides a simple, powerful framework—Pause, Consider, Act—to help managers lead with confidence, avoid burnout, and create high-performing teams.

On this episode we talk about:

How Ashley made her first dollar as a Subway “sandwich artist” and the lessons it taught her about leadership

Why she left a high-profile role at McKinsey to build her own leadership training business

The surprising similarities between corporate leaders and front-line managers

How social media helped her reach millions with practical management advice

Ashley’s three-step “Pause, Consider, Act” framework from her book The Manager Method

What it’s really like to write and publish a book with Hay House

Top 3 Takeaways

Great management isn’t about titles or degrees—it’s about practicing empathy, communication, and self-awareness.

Social media can democratize leadership training, giving valuable education to people at every level.

Pausing before reacting—whether as a leader, coworker, or entrepreneur—can turn a difficult moment into a growth opportunity.

Notable Quotes

“The smartest people in the world often need practical training just like everyone else.”

“Whether it’s a McKinsey partner or a McDonald’s manager, everyone deserves access to good leadership training.”

“Sometimes the hardest thing about leadership isn’t knowing what to do—it’s taking a breath before you do it.”

Connect with Ashley Herd:

LinkedIn: Ashley Herd on LinkedIn

Twitter/X: @managermethod

Instagram: @managermethod

Website and Book: managermethod.com

Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency.

Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform.

 Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Travis Chappell delivers a solo masterclass on gaining influence—the essential skill for entrepreneurs, networkers, and anyone looking to close more deals or build authority. Drawing from Robert Cialdini's Influence, his podcast booking agency that hit $1M in 8 months, and years of relationship-building, Travis shares three proven paths to become undeniably influential without gimmicks or scams.

On this episode we talk about:

Why "be interested, not interesting" is half the networking equation—becoming a person of interest first

"Badass bullets": How unique accomplishments (ultras, stadium tours, epic feats) make you a must-interview guest

Value = influence: Give practical advice, entertainment, or insights to earn trust and obedience

Examples from Gary Vee, MrBeast, and The Rock—how consistent value creation turns into massive business wins

The power of frequency over volume: Short-form consistency builds long-term trust faster than you think

Top 3 Takeaways

Become a person of interest—stack unique life experiences (adventures, feats, stories) so others evangelize you naturally.

Deliver value relentlessly; it doesn't have to be profound—entertainment or quick wins create loyal followers who act on your word.

Stay consistent over time; frequency breeds trust, turning one-off interactions into lifelong influence.

Notable Quotes

"Value equals influence. The more value that you give, the more influence that you have."

"People who do really interesting, cool things... become the evangelists for them just by very nature."

"Be interested, not interesting... [but] being interesting is actually still a really valuable piece of the equation."

Connect with Travis Chappell:

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

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/travischappell

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

Other: travismakesmoney.com

Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. Get an extended free trial at http://gohighlevel.com/travis

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Travis Chappell teams up with his longtime friend and collaborator Eric for a fun, unfiltered episode of the Travis Makes Money podcast. Eric reads provocative quotes from thinkers like Naval Ravikant and Benjamin Franklin, challenging Travis to agree or disagree with context from his own life and business journey. Packed with laughs, banter, and real talk on fame, education, saving vs. earning, and designing your own life path.​

On this episode we talk about:

Travis's massive nicotine stash and why he has a year's supply in his desk drawer​

How close friendships lead to knowing each other's stories too well (door-to-door sales, anyone?)​

Agree/disagree: "Life is a single player game" – owning your path without overvaluing others' opinions​

Agree/disagree: "You want to be rich and anonymous, not poor and famous" – podcast micro-fame vs. nightmare celebrity​

Agree/disagree: "The overeducated are worse off than the undereducated" – why street smarts often beat degrees​

Roasting Ben Franklin's "A penny saved is a penny earned" – earn more, don't obsess over coupons​

Top 3 Takeaways

You're the main character in your own "single player game" – question inherited paths and design a life that fulfills you, not others' expectations.​

Aim for "rich and anonymous" over fame; meaningful connections with a niche audience build sustainable businesses without public life hassles.​

Focus on earning more money rather than extreme frugality – redirect "coupon-clipping" energy into income generation for real freedom.​

Notable Quotes

"You're the only person that has to wake up every day and be you."​

"Spend that free time figuring out a way to make extra money and you don't have to worry about where you fill up."​

"Would you rather be right or would you rather be successful?"​

Connect with Travis:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell​

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/travischappell​

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell​

Website: https://www.travischappell.com

​

Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. Get an extended free trial at http://gohighlevel.com/travis.

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Mikey Margolin is the founder of Etho Wellness Club, a social platform that's thrown 33 wellness events in Las Vegas in just eight months, drawing thousands with cold plunges, saunas, movement, music, and brand partners like Ever Bowl. Growing up in Vegas' party culture, he left a sports betting job to build healthier social spaces after battling drugs, alcohol, and gambling personally. Now he's creating the "third space" locals crave—fun without vices—while turning community demand into a scalable wellness ecosystem.

On this episode we talk about:

Why Vegas' traditional nightlife (partying, gambling, drugs) isn't sustainable, and how Mikey spotted demand for healthy social events blending music, movement, and recovery.

His personal rock bottom in the gambling industry that forced him to quit and go all-in on Etho as his only path forward.

Highs of massive community support (33 seamless events, inbound brand partnerships) vs. lows of thin margins and labor-intensive operations.

Tactics for high-volume events: build a visionary team, keep marketing simple (flyers at gyms, word-of-mouth), and let great experiences drive organic growth.

How post-COVID population booms and mindset shifts from California/Texas transplants are making Vegas ripe for wellness as the new "capital" of health.

Top 3 Takeaways

Start with community over business models—throw grassroots events to test demand, gather feedback, and let partnerships/revenue streams emerge organically (like Mikey's Puma/Lululemon deals).

Overcome "closed fist" fear by surrendering to the mission; opportunities like venues and sponsors appear when you create real value first, even if margins start slim.

Build the "third space" people crave (beyond home/work): accessible wellness clubs for daily hangs, not elite/exclusive, to foster belonging and health without vices.

Notable Quotes

"Why does it always have to be the healthy ones sacrificing? Let's create environments where healthy behavior is celebrated."

"Everyone believed in what we were doing, but 'how will this pay the bills?'—we surrendered, threw the first event, and doors opened we never imagined."

"Vegas is shifting: casinos' gambling/drinking numbers are down because people want healthier, happier lives."

Connect with Mikey Margolin:

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justlikemikey/?hl=en

Website: ethoclub.com (events, email list)

Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this solo episode, Travis breaks down how to “cut the line” in life and business using the same principle behind amusement park fast passes. Drawing from his own journey—from hating long lines to hacking his way into faster growth—he explains the mindset and identity shifts that let you skip years of unnecessary waiting. If you’ve ever felt stuck, behind, or like success is taking too long, this episode lays out a practical roadmap to move quicker toward the life and income you actually want.​

On this episode we talk about:

Why Travis always buys the Fast Pass at theme parks and how that applies to life and money​

The power of changing your identity before your actions and habits​

Why valuing time over money is a critical shortcut to success​

How expanding your comfort zone unlocks your next level​

Reframing fear from rejection and embarrassment to long-term regret​

The importance of upgrading your circle to people who’ve “been there, done that”​

Top 3 Takeaways

Change your identity first. Decide who you are (reader, runner, entrepreneur, leader) and let your actions follow that new identity instead of waiting for evidence before you believe it.​

Value time more than money. Money is only useful for what you exchange it for, and using it to buy back time is one of the fastest ways to accelerate your growth.​

Upgrade your environment—your comfort zone, your fears, and your circle. Getting around people ahead of you can save you months or years of trial and error with a few simple “tweaks.”​

Notable Quotes

“We have a psychological desire to act in consistency with who we believe ourselves to be.”​

“If you’re not actively using your money to buy back your time, you’re probably using both ineffectively.”​

“Would you rather be right or would you rather be successful?”​

Connect with Travis Chappell:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell​

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/travischappell​

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell​

Website: https://www.travischappell.com​

Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. Get an extended free trial at http://gohighlevel.com/travis.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Travis and producer Eric break down a viral tweet questioning Dave Ramsey's $200M net worth and "no debt" advice, revealing why he's likely worth over a billion and how he built a debt-free empire preaching timeless financial basics.

On this episode we talk about:

A tweet claiming Dave Ramsey got rich selling "no credit card" advice he never followed himself.

Ramsey Solutions' massive scale: 10M EveryDollar app users, $300M+ annual revenue, $300-400M in paid-off real estate.

Why similar apps (TrueBill/Rocket Money) sold for $1.275B, proving Ramsey's hidden billionaire status.

How to vet advice from "sellers" like coaches/authors without dismissing all profitable wisdom.

The power of repeating simple truths (like "spend less than you make") for decades like Ramsey or Gary Vee.

Top 3 Takeaways

Practice beats preaching. Ramsey lives debt-free, owns everything outright, and scaled to billions without outside capital—proving his advice works at massive scale.

Question financial incentives, but don't auto-discount. If someone's advice only makes them richer via high-ticket coaching, probe deeper; low-price scalability (books/courses) is often more legit.

Boring repetition builds empires. Dave's said "spend less than you earn" for 30+ years; Gary Vee's hammered social/content for 20—find your core truth and repeat relentlessly.

Notable Quotes

"Dave Ramsey didn't get to $200 million by never using a credit card... He got to $200 million by selling that idea to you." 

"EveryDollar is a multi-billion dollar company. Rocket Money (TrueBill) sold for $1.275B with 10M users—Ramsey owns it 100% debt-free."

"He's been preaching the same message for 30 years and still debt is at an all-time high... but he's made a big dent for tons of people."

Connect with Travis:

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

Other: travischappell.com

Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency.

Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform.

Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Charles Steel spent two decades at top-tier firms like Goldman Sachs, The Carlyle Group, and Ares Management, working closely with management teams to build companies and deploy capital at scale. He later advised Tony Blair in Jerusalem, chaired Save the Children UK, and most recently authored The Curious Mind of Elon Musk: Nine Ways He Thinks Differently, where he dissects how the world’s most driven entrepreneur approaches risk, purpose, and problem-solving. Across finance, policy, and philanthropy, Charles brings a rare, multi-angle perspective on how big money and big ideas actually get made.

On this episode we talk about:

How a hectic teenage restaurant job taught Charles camaraderie, stoicism, and the confidence that “we’ll figure it out and get paid by the end of the day.”

The path from a middle-class upbringing and studying history at Cambridge to landing at Goldman Sachs and learning what true excellence looks like.

Why he wishes he’d fed his curiosity more at university—and how he’s become a student again later in life.

The workload and culture at elite investment banks in the late ’90s, and the tradeoffs of chasing excellence at 80–100 hour weeks.

How curiosity pulled him from private equity into advising Tony Blair in the Middle East and chairing Save the Children UK.

Why Elon Musk is so hard to categorize and the three “ingredients” Charles believes truly explain him: existential anxiety, hyper-rational engineering, and unusual creativity.

How Musk reframes risk, probability, and failure—and what regular entrepreneurs can learn from that mindset.

Why embracing your “strangeness,” feeding your curiosity, and doing intricate, carefully made work can be a powerful (and profitable) life strategy.

Top 3 Takeaways

Curiosity is not just about asking questions; it’s about caring enough to explore deeply, cross disciplines, and stick with difficult, intricate work long enough to make something truly valuable.

Elon Musk’s advantage isn’t just IQ or work ethic—it’s the way he reframes risk, failure, and the future as a range of possible outcomes he can influence by backing himself and acting boldly.

You don’t need to copy Musk to benefit from his thinking; you can apply the same principles by betting on yourself, embracing hard problems, and leaning into what makes you different instead of trying to be “normal.”

Notable Quotes

“At Goldman Sachs, I learned what excellence really was.”

“I wanted to understand what really drove him—what drives the most driven person in the world.”

“Don’t worry so much about being normal. Embrace your differentness.”

Connect with Charles Steel:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-steel-3804397b/

Twitter/X: https://x.com/crasteel

Other: Website – https://charlessteel.com (links to his book The Curious Mind of Elon Musk: Nine Ways He Thinks Differently and other work)

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Travis delivers a solo masterclass on the "Credibility Code," sharing the top five proven ways he's used to build massive trust in his personal brand and business, even when he wasn't the "best" at what he did. Drawing from his own journey, he explains why the most successful people often win through perception and proof rather than just skill alone.​

On this episode we talk about:

The "celebrity effect" and why credibility often trumps raw talent in getting business.​

Why PR and publications are still the lowest-hanging fruit for instant third-party validation.​

Building a massive library of testimonials and case studies tailored to different customer avatars.​

Creating high-volume content and guest appearances to overwhelm skeptics with evidence.​

Associating with "undeniable" influencers (like Shaq) to borrow their trust and skyrocket your brand.​

Top 3 Takeaways

Stack social proof relentlessly. Don't just add one or two testimonials—build a library matching every possible customer scenario so prospects see themselves in your results.​

Volume creates conviction. Flood Google with your name through guest spots, podcasts, and backlinks until anyone researching you finds overwhelming evidence you're legit.​

Associate to accelerate. Share the stage with "Shaq-level" names in your niche; their endorsement transfers instant trust, often more powerfully than PR logos alone.​

Notable Quotes

"The people who got the most business were not necessarily always the best at what they did. They were just the ones who were well known for doing it."​

"If anybody researched who I am... you're going to find so much volume... it's going to be overwhelming... that you can't avoid the idea that I'm credible."​

"Nike spends tens of billions a year in endorsements. They're basically just buying trust with their ideal audience. That's all it is."​

Connect with Travis:

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

Other: travischappell.com

Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency.

Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform.

Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Travis is joined in the studio by his producer Eric for a fun but honest conversation about body image, fitness culture, and what it really means to optimize your life for long‑term health and happiness instead of just aesthetics. Together they unpack a viral Arthur Brooks clip about why the “happiest men over 40 are 25 pounds overweight,” and connect it to money, family, and the pressure to perform.

On this episode we talk about:

How a viral Arthur Brooks clip reframes what “healthy” and “happy” actually mean after 40.

Why extreme fitness goals can quietly become another form of unhealthy obsession or body dysmorphia for men.

The trade‑offs behind bodybuilding, steroids, TRT, and chasing the “movie superhero” physique.

Balancing physical health with relationships, shared moments (like pizza night), and being present with your family.

Applying the same optimization idea to money, careers, and success so you don’t sacrifice your whole life for one metric.

Top 3 Takeaways

Optimize across your whole life, not just one metric. Abs, money, or career status are only a few variables in the bigger equation that also includes relationships, spiritual life, joy, and service, and over‑optimizing one can wreck the others.

Chasing an “ideal body” can become as dangerous as chasing money for its own sake. When your identity is tied only to a look or a number on the scale, you start making unhealthy sacrifices that actually move you away from true health and happiness.

Enjoy the process and the people, not just the result. Whether it is eating carbs with your family on a trip, sharing dessert at grandma’s, or having a slice of pizza with your spouse, those small moments often matter more than perfect macros or picture‑perfect abs.

Notable Quotes

“You have to optimize across more than one variable. You have your abs, joy in your relationships, and spiritual transcendence—all different variables you’re trying to optimize simultaneously.”

“To pursue the result at the expense of your personal health along the way is the opposite reason most of us started doing this in the first place.”

“Money only solves your money problems, but it is easier to solve the rest of your problems when you’ve got money in the bank—so let’s solve that one first.”

Connect with Travis:

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

Other: travischappell.com

Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All‑In‑One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform, and get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices