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.

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🔗 Connect with Chad Willardson

Website: https://chadwillardson.com

Book: https://fullyinvested.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/chadwillardson

Follow REAL Mentors Podcast

Instagram: https://instagram.com/realmentorspodcast

Host - Sean Martin: https://instagram.com/theseanmartin

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🔥 About the Guest – Chad Willardson

Chad 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.

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Tags & Keywords

Chad 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 podcasting

This 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 Ayala

Instagram: https://instagram.com/abfive_podcast

YouTube: @LIVEWITHABFIVE

Follow REAL Mentors Podcast

Instagram: https://instagram.com/realmentorspodcast

Host Sean Martin: https://instagram.com/theseanmartin

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🔥 About the Guest – Abbie Ayala

Abbie 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.

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Tags & Keywords

Abbie 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.

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🔗 Connect with Chef Kelvin Fernandez

Instagram: https://instagram.com/chefkelvin

Follow REAL Mentors Podcast

Instagram: https://instagram.com/realmentorspodcast

Host Sean Martin: https://instagram.com/theseanmartin

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🔥 About the Guest – Chef Kelvin Fernandez

Chef 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.

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Tags & Keywords

Chef 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

J. Scott Scheel went from a broke twenty-something living in his mom’s basement to a nationally known commercial real estate investor and educator whose mantra—“one deal, one time can change your life forever”—has helped 100,000+ entrepreneurs get into the game. Raised in Cleveland with humble beginnings and a faith-first compass, Scott learned to turn adversity into advantage, master creative finance, and build a community where integrity leads.

This episode explores:

• Growing up in Cleveland, family hardship, and the Blizzard of ’77 moment that changed everything
• From “Big Man Words” with dad to the power of communication and leadership
• Early hustle to first business at 14—and the lessons (and lines) not to cross
• Losing it all in his 20s, moving into the basement, and rebuilding from zero
• The 24-unit apartment deal that produced ~$850K tax-free in 18 months (and how he structured it)
• Seller financing, options, wraparounds, subject-to, and master-lease plays explained simply
• Why immigrants often “see” U.S. real estate more clearly—and how land ownership changes outcomes
• How to add value if you have time but no money (and vice versa)
• The current CRE landscape: banks, auctions, cap rates, and why creative finance wins now
• Building Commercial Academy’s diverse, pay-it-forward community (and how to plug in with integrity)
• Mindset over mechanics: authenticity, starting small, and taking the first step—today

This episode is about resilience, ethical deal-making, and compressing time with the right strategy and people. Scott’s story will challenge you to stop “thinking with your wallet,” start thinking with your plan, and use integrity-based collaboration to change your financial trajectory, one signature at a time.

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🔗 Connect with J. Scott Scheel

Website: Commercial Academy

Instagram: @officialjscottscheel

Follow REAL Mentors Podcast

Instagram: @realmentorspodcast

Host Sean Martin: @theseanmartin

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🔥 About the Guest – J. Scott Scheel

J. Scott Scheel is a commercial real estate investor, educator, and entrepreneur from Cleveland, Ohio. A proud capitalist who leads with service and faith, Scott has built and repositioned assets across multifamily, retail, office, and land—often using creative finance to unlock value where others see roadblocks. He’s the founder of Commercial Academy, a training and deal-making community that has guided 100,000+ students with a practical, integrity-first approach to acquiring, financing, and managing commercial property. Scott’s “One Deal, One Time” framework demystifies complex deals into actionable steps, helping everyday operators, W-2 earners, and seasoned investors compress years of progress into months—without betting the farm.

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Tags & Keywords

J. Scott Scheel, Commercial Academy, Sean Martin, REAL Mentors Podcast, one deal one time, commercial real estate, creative finance, seller financing, master lease, options, subject-to, triple-net (NNN), due diligence, cap rates, interest rates, immigrant mindset, resilience, ethical capitalism, leadership, mentorship, Huge Profits Podcast, Cleveland success story, wealth building, financial independence

Sean Callagy went from being a Division I baseball captain at Columbia University — with dreams of playing pro ball — to having those dreams shatter overnight when he discovered at 17 he was going blind. Instead of giving up, he built a multi-state law firm, pioneered an entire industry, and created a movement teaching people how to master influence, business, and themselves.

This episode explores:

• Growing up in a family where blindness was generational
• Finding out at he was going blind and watching his baseball dream die
• From Division I athlete to founder of Callagy Law, a 100+ person firm
• Building a 40-person firm in just two years with no money and no business card
• Securing two Top 100 National Jury Verdicts — while legally blind
• Inventing the medical revenue recovery industry, recovering over $600M for healthcare providers
• The influence of Tony Robbins, including spending 15 days in Tony’s bedroom
• The creation of Unblinded and the Results Formula
• Why everything in life comes down to your ability to create a “yes”
• The balance between business success, family, faith, and philanthropy

This episode is about resilience, influence, and leading with both heart and strategy. Sean’s story will challenge you to see beyond your limitations and recognize the power of integrity-based influence to transform business and life.

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🔗 Connect with Sean Callagy

Website: https://callagylaw.com

Unblinded: https://unblindedmastery.com

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@seancallagy

Follow REAL Mentors Podcast

Instagram: https://instagram.com/realmentorspodcast/

Host Sean Martin: https://instagram.com/theseanmartin/

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🔥 About the Guest – Sean Callagy

Sean Robert Callagy is a keynote speaker, attorney, entrepreneur, and philanthropist who has built multiple enterprises while navigating life legally blind. He is the founder of Callagy Law, a multi-state firm with more than 100 team members, and the co-founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Unblinded, a training company focused on integrity-based human influence and business growth.

He is one of only two attorneys in the United States to achieve two Top 100 National Jury Verdicts between 2014 and 2016, and the only one to do so while legally blind. He is also credited with pioneering the medical revenue recovery industry, helping healthcare providers recover over $600 million.

A former Division I baseball captain at Columbia University, Sean is now a sought-after speaker and trainer, having delivered over 2,000 talks in just two years to audiences of up to 15,000 people. He has shared the stage with Tony Robbins, Grant Cardone, Daymond John, and Kevin O’Leary. A former Trustee of the American Foundation for the Blind and founder of the Callagy Christian Foundation, Sean continues to use his story, strategies, and faith to help people create more money, time, and impact through the power of integrity-based influence.

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Tags & Keywords

Sean Callagy, Callagy Law, Unblinded, Sean Martin, REAL Mentors Podcast, integrity-based influence, Sean Callagy blind attorney, Top 100 Jury Verdicts, medical revenue recovery pioneer, influence mastery, sales training, leadership, personal development, Tony Robbins, keynote speaker, entrepreneur, resilience, business growth, self mastery, Jersey success stories, motivational podcast, Sean Martin podcast

They ride in leather. They look intimidating. But behind the image is something deeper. Bikers Against Child Abuse (B.A.C.A.) is an international nonprofit of riders who stand guard for kids who’ve survived abuse — escorting them into courtrooms, surrounding them with love, and showing them they’re stronger than the people who tried to hurt them.

On this episode of the REAL Mentors Podcast, Sean Martin sits down in-studio with Scout (Vice President & New York State Secretary) and Uprizer (Public Relations Director/Secretary/Road Captain) from the B.A.C.A. Long Island Chapter, to reveal how bikers are flipping the script on stereotypes and using their presence to turn fear into courage.

This episode explores:

• The origins of B.A.C.A. and why it was founded by a child therapist in 1995
• Breaking the biker stereotype
• How 30–40 bikers escorting a child into court changes everything
• The strict vetting and training process (FBI checks, 60+ modules, 1–1.5 year probation)
• Why B.A.C.A. is structured like a corporation but runs 100% on volunteers
• How community, presence, and love are breaking cycles of abuse worldwide

This episode is about shattering stereotypes, standing up for the voiceless, and proving that presence can heal what pain tried to destroy.

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🔗 Learn more about B.A.C.A.

Website: https://bacaworld.org

Instagram: @bikersagainstchildabuseintl

🔗 Connect with REAL Mentors Podcast

Instagram: https://instagram.com/realmentorspodcast/

Host: https://instagram.com/theseanmartin/

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🔥 About the Guests – B.A.C.A. Long Island Chapter

Scout is the Vice President of the B.A.C.A. Long Island Chapter and the newly appointed New York State Secretary for the organization. A U.S. Army veteran who served 7.5 years active duty and 7 years in the reserves, Scout has also spent 27 years at Connection Network, a nonprofit supporting individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Previously, he served as acting director of a domestic violence organization. A lifelong servant-leader, Scout discovered a new mission in his 60s: empowering children to live without fear.

Uprizer is the Public Relations Director, Secretary, and Road Captain of B.A.C.A. Long Island. Joining in 2019 before the pandemic, Uprizer has become a primary contact for multiple children, often going above and beyond — from late-night phone calls to personal mentorship. He embodies the B.A.C.A. creed: bikers are not here to intimidate, but to empower the most vulnerable by standing with them through their healing journey.

Together, Scout and Uprizer represent how B.A.C.A. blends brotherhood, discipline, and compassion into a powerful force for child protection.

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Tags & Keywords:

Bikers Against Child Abuse, BACA Long Island, Scout BACA, Uprizer BACA, Sean Martin, REAL Mentors Podcast, child abuse prevention, child advocacy, biker community, nonprofit Long Island, Emagine Awards, motorcycle club stereotypes, child trauma recovery, courtroom escorts, volunteer bikers, community impact, grassroots nonprofits, second chances, biker brotherhood, people who hate child abuse, child empowerment

#REALMentorsPodcast #SeanMartin #BACA #BikersAgainstChildAbuse #ChildAdvocacy #BreakTheCycle #GuardiansOnWheels #PeopleWhoRide #StopChildAbuse

Saddiq Ali went from running “distribution” in high school — with 9th and 10th graders selling for him and pulling in $600 a day — to becoming a former NYPD officer who walked away from the badge to build something bigger: Drive Forward Academy, a Bronx-based training program that helps underserved and justice-impacted communities earn their CDL licenses and second chances.

This episode explores:

• Running a school “distribution” network at 16 and making $600 a day
• Choosing responsibility young, inspired by his younger brother and hustler mom
• Going from criminology degree → NYPD → walking away from the force
• What cuffing a 16-year-old taught him about purpose and systems
• Sleeping in his car for a year while out-earning his NYPD salary
• From fitness entrepreneur to dump trucks to Drive Forward Academy
• How DFA trains formerly incarcerated and underserved communities tuition-free (government funded)
• Why he believes mentorship + financial literacy + CDL training is the key to breaking cycles
• Building a team, raising standards, and scaling to a $10M vision

This episode is about second chances, resilience, and building purpose-driven systems that transform lives. Saddiq’s journey will challenge you to rethink hustle, leadership, and what it really means to leave a legacy.

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🔗 Connect with Saddiq Ali

Instagram: https://instagram.com/saddiq.al

Drive Forward Academy: https://instagram.com/driveforwardacademy

Website: https://driveforwardacademy.com

Follow REAL Mentors Podcast

Instagram: https://instagram.com/realmentorspodcast/

Host Sean Martin: https://instagram.com/theseanmartin/

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🔥 About the Guest – Saddiq Ali

Saddiq Ali (born Haleem Saddiq Livingston Jr.) is the Founder & CEO of Drive Forward Academy, a Bronx-based workforce training program providing CDL licenses, mentorship, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship education to underserved and justice-impacted communities.

A former NYPD officer who served in the 41st and 43rd Precincts, Saddiq left the badge to become an entrepreneur and educator, building ventures in fitness (Rack-Squad Fitness), trucking (Trace Coalition Logistics), and logistics before launching Drive Forward Academy.

He has already helped more than 150 participants earn their CDL permits and careers, with a mission to impact 10,000 lives by 2027 and grow into a $10M+ organization. Known for turning his early $600-a-day high school hustle into a lifelong drive, Saddiq now focuses on second chances, reentry programs, and economic mobility for Bronx and NYC communities.

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Tags & Keywords:

Saddiq Ali, Drive Forward Academy, Sean Martin, REAL Mentors Podcast, Bronx entrepreneur, NYPD stories, CDL training, second chance programs, resilience, mentorship, community impact, trucking business, $600 a day hustle, Bronx success stories, reentry programs NYC, Sean Martin podcast

#SaddiqAli #REALMentorsPodcast #SeanMartin #DriveForwardAcademy #SecondChances #Entrepreneur #FormerNYPD #Resilience #Mentorship

Jenn Drummond went from surviving a car accident she shouldn’t have walked away from — to becoming the first woman in history to summit the Seven Second Summits, the second-highest peaks on each of the seven continents and some of the most dangerous climbs in the world.

Her story is one of impossible odds transformed into record-breaking achievement. After police rebuilt her crash 50 different ways — every outcome ending in death but the real one — Jenn decided she would no longer wait for “someday.” She committed to living fully, showing her seven children what it means to chase the life you love, and proving that the biggest mountains aren’t just on a map.

From building a multimillion-dollar financial services business in her twenties to writing goodbye letters in a storm at 16,000 feet, Jenn shares how she’s balanced motherhood, business, and extreme adventure while navigating fear, ego, and purpose. She reveals why she walked away from a second world record attempt, the lessons mountains teach that no boardroom can, and how surviving near-death has shaped every decision since.

In this episode, they talk about:

• The car accident that should have killed her — and the moment she decided to start living now
• Going from no mountaineering experience to summiting the Seven Second Summits
• Balancing risk, motherhood, and a purpose-driven mission
• Why climbing the second-highest peaks is more dangerous than Everest
• How business skills helped her survive the mountains (and vice versa)
• The near-death storm on Mount Logan where she wrote goodbye letters to her kids
• Walking away from a second world record attempt after questioning her “why”
• Turning failure into momentum through quick wins and reframing losses
• The lessons mountains teach about leadership, resilience, and humility
• Why she believes showing your kids you love your life is the greatest gift

This episode is about courage, clarity, and the relentless pursuit of what matters most. Jenn’s story will make you rethink what’s possible — in the mountains and in your own life.

🔗 Connect with Jenn Drummond

Website: https://jenndrummond.com/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/thejenndrummond/

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/jenn-drummond/

🔗 Follow REAL Mentors Podcast

Instagram: https://instagram.com/realmentorspodcast/

Host: https://instagram.com/theseanmartin/

🔥 About the Guest – Jenn Drummond

Jenn Drummond is a world record–holding mountaineer, speaker, author, podcast host, and mother of seven. She is the first woman in history to complete the Seven Second Summits — the second-highest peaks on each continent. After surviving a near-fatal car accident in 2018, Jenn committed to living fully and showing her children the power of resilience, courage, and chasing audacious goals. Her story has been featured on Good Morning America, Women’s Health, and in global media.

Tags & Keywords:

Jenn Drummond, Seven Second Summits, Sean Martin, REAL Mentors Podcast, first woman to summit, mountaineering, world record climber, survival story, car accident survivor, motherhood, risk and reward, mountain climbing, Mount Logan storm, near death, resilience, leadership, Everest, Denali, K2, purpose-driven life, balancing family and ambition, mental toughness, adventure inspiration, business and mountains, personal growth, goal setting, overcoming fear, determination, summit success, life lessons from the mountains

#JennDrummond #REALMentorsPodcast #SeanMartin #SevenSecondSummits #WorldRecord #SurvivorStory #Mountaineering #LifePurpose #Resilience #Courage #Adventure #Inspiration