The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex

In this powerful episode, Paul Alex sits down with health insurance powerhouse Mara Dorne (@maradorne) — a woman who went from losing six businesses, her home, and every sense of stability… to becoming one of the most respected leaders in the health insurance industry, generating over $1 billion in team production. Mara breaks down the real truth behind health insurance sales — the part most people never see. She opens up about failing for six straight months, rebuilding her life as a young mother with no options, and the mindset shift that helped her turn everything around. From navigating a male-dominated field to building elite sales teams across the country, Mara's story proves that you don't need experience — you need resilience, ownership, and the courage to go all in. In this conversation, you'll learn:

What happens when two world-class Latin dancers mix culture, community, and entrepreneurship? You get Lee Edward Smith (@leeelgringuito) & Katherine Aguilar (@kataguilarsmith) — the power couple behind DCBX (@dcbxevents), Rhythm Investor, and one of the strongest relationship-driven networks in real estate today. In this episode, we dive deep into how they transformed their passion for dance into a multi-industry empire built on connection, culture, and elite-level networking.

In today's episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, I sit down with powerhouse entrepreneurs TereZa Lolli (@terezalolli) and Anthony Lolli (@anthonylolli) — a couple who turned their personal battles, health crises, and parenting challenges into a global blueprint for transformation. From becoming a multi-millionaire at 22… To ballooning to 315 lbs and nearly losing his life… To rebuilding his body, mindset, and mission from the ground up… Anthony shares the truth behind one of the most inspiring comebacks ever documented.

In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, Brock McClelland (@thebrockmcclelland) shares the raw, unfiltered truth about overcoming addiction, surviving rock bottom, rebuilding his life through faith, and the mindset that took him from “nothing” to leading multiple successful companies. This is more than a story about entrepreneurship—it's a story about grit, discipline, spiritual alignment, and the belief that your past does NOT dictate your future. Brock breaks down the sacrifices, the 100-hour workweeks, the moment he decided to change his life forever, and the powerful role his wife played in pulling him out of darkness. If you're stuck, lacking direction, needing hope, or trying to achieve your first million… this episode will hit your heart and recharge your spirit.

What does it really take to reinvent your life? To go from a career built on discipline and danger… to becoming a multi-millionaire, global entrepreneur, and high-performance machine? In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, Tomo Marjanovic breaks down the real blueprint behind confidence, discipline, pain, standards, and what it takes to join the top 1% of men. Tomo isn't just successful — he's intentional. From his early days in law enforcement, to bodybuilding, to building elite networks in Dubai, to mastering the balance between wealth, fitness, mindset, and family… his story shows you exactly how to build the strongest version of yourself. Inside this episode, you'll learn:

When life forces you to start over, most people freeze.Drew Lutzke built a business. In this powerful episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, Drew (@andrew_adltalentplug) breaks down how he went from sitting in his mom's garage—unsure of his future—to launching ADL Search & Staffing, a faith-driven recruiting agency now expanding across major U.S. cities. Drew shares how he:

From battling addiction… to facing jail time… to becoming a multi-millionaire in high-ticket sales — Jon Briseno has lived a transformation most people wouldn't believe. In this episode, Jon opens up about the darkest chapters of his life, the moment everything collapsed, and how hitting rock bottom forced him to rebuild with discipline, sales skills, and relentless self-belief. He went from having nothing — no money, no opportunities, no direction — to leading sales teams, closing massive deals, and changing his family's future forever. You'll hear: How addiction and jail shaped his mindset The turning point that pushed him into entrepreneurship How he developed elite sales skills with zero experience The strategy that led him to multi-million-dollar success Why discipline mattered more than motivation How he now helps others earn life-changing income This isn't a highlight reel — it's a raw, real blueprint for anyone who feels stuck, broken, or overlooked. If you've ever doubted yourself or your path, John's story will prove that your past doesn't define your future. Guest: Jon BrisenoInstagram: @realjonbriseno

What would you do if you earned $1.7 million before turning 21… and then lost every dollar? Most people would crumble. But today's guest — Fareed Abedini — used that rock bottom moment as the catalyst for one of the greatest comebacks you'll ever hear. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, Fareed opens up about the brutal reality of losing millions through day trading, the shame of watching it all disappear, and the exact moment he realized he had to rebuild from nothing. What followed was a transformation fueled by mentorship, resilience, and a new vehicle for wealth: Airbnb. From couch-surfing with his mentor… To managing properties he didn't own… To scaling into arbitrage… To building a profitable real estate operation from zero… Fareed breaks down the strategies, mindset shifts, and painful lessons that turned him into the entrepreneur he is today. How Fareed turned $25K into $1.7M in six months The moment everything collapsed — and how he handled it The mentor who changed his life and forced him to level up How he started Airbnb with no money, no credit, and no properties The 20–25% management strategy anyone can begin with Why arbitrage became his turning point The numbers behind his first Airbnb ($6,500 month, $3,000 mortgage) How to rebuild your identity after financial failure Why Airbnb is still one of the most scalable models for new entrepreneurs If you've ever felt stuck, lost, broke, or unsure of your next move — this episode will remind you that you're one decision away from a completely different life. Make sure to add me on all SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS: Instagram: https://jo.my/paulalex2024 Facebook: https://jo.my/fbpaulalex2024 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGhDAD1JyGGzSQUPD9lc9HQ LinkedIn: https://jo.my/inpaulalex2024 Looking for a secondary source of income or want to become an entrepreneur? Check out one of my companies below to see how we can help you:

What if you could build $20K–$50K/month in passive income with no tech background, no prior sales experience, and just pure grit? In today's episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we sit down with Seve Ortale (@seve_ortale_), a 25-year-old entrepreneur who went from 600 straight rejections to building a multi-six-figure residual income stream in payment processing — all in under two years.

What if the lowest point of your life became the foundation of a multimillion-dollar career? In today's episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we sit down with Alex Ruiz (@iamrobertalexruiz) — a young entrepreneur who went from being homeless and lost at 21… to funding over $12 million in credit and business capital by the age of 25. Alex opens up about the adversity he faced growing up with a single mother and nine siblings, how he battled internal doubt, and the exact moment he decided to stop living small and start leveling up. His journey takes us through solar door-to-door sales, barber school, mentorship investments, and ultimately the credit repair and funding business that changed everything. In this episode, you'll discover:

In this powerful episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we sit down with Kassie Kennaugh — Air Force veteran, mother of four, former firefighter, and the entrepreneur who built, scaled, and sold her own insurance agency before becoming President of a major insurance company. Kassie's journey is a raw, emotional blueprint of resilience. From facing trauma, depression, and self-doubt… to losing 150 pounds, rising through the ranks, taking on six-figure debt, scaling her agency 400%, and exiting successfully — her story is the definition of grit, purpose, and transformation. Today, she breaks down:

In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we're tackling one of the biggest killers of progress—self-doubt. You know that voice that says, “You're not ready,” or “You'll embarrass yourself”? Paul has heard it too—especially when he left his secure detective career to chase entrepreneurship. He shares the raw truth: confidence isn't something you're born with. It's built—one uncomfortable day, one bold move, and one tough decision at a time.

In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we tackle one of the most common killers of progress—overthinking. You plan, you research, you talk about it endlessly… but you never actually move. Paul breaks down how overthinking is just fear in disguise—and how to replace hesitation with momentum through courage, clarity, and consistent action.

Every entrepreneur hits walls—failed launches, tough losses, unexpected turns. The real test isn't whether you fall; it's how quickly you rise. The most successful people in business don't escape failure—they elevate from it. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we dive into how setbacks can become your greatest source of strength and clarity. You'll discover:

In business, everyone's obsessed with moving faster—but speed without strategy is just spinning in circles.

Most entrepreneurs hustle nonstop chasing success—but at what cost? In this solo episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, I reveal a powerful blueprint for creating real work-life balance without slowing down your momentum.

From sleeping behind a McDonald's at 16 to being featured on the cover of Forbes Canada, Tasha Antell (@iamtashaantell) is living proof that your past does not define your future. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, Tasha opens up about her incredible journey — escaping an abusive childhood, becoming a single mother of three, and transforming pain into power. Starting with one cleaning job that earned her $300, she went on to build multiple thriving companies across industries — including janitorial services, IT, marketing, biomedical, and chemical manufacturing. You'll learn:

Most people wait for the perfect time to chase their goals — but the truth is, that time never comes. Success doesn't happen by chance; it starts with one bold decision. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we break down how one choice can completely reshape your life and mindset. You'll learn:

In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we break down what it truly takes to lead your market instead of chasing it. Paul reveals how he used to study every competitor—what they sold, how they branded, how they spoke—until he realized one powerful truth: followers chase approval; leaders create direction. The market rewards originality, not imitation.

In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we dig into one of the biggest roadblocks to success—ego. It's the silent killer of growth that blinds you from the lessons and mentors that could take you to the next level. Paul shares how his early wins in business almost cost him everything when pride got in the way. The moment he stopped learning and listening, growth stopped too. But when he embraced humility, everything changed—his mindset, his leadership, and his results.

In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we dive into what separates good teams from great ones—the ability to attract hungry, high-performing people. Paul reveals how, early in his leadership journey, he made the mistake of hiring purely for skill. Over time, he learned that skills can be taught—but hunger can't. Real winners aren't drawn to titles or hype; they're drawn to consistency, discipline, and leaders who embody what they expect from others.

In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we uncover why speed beats everything—talent, money, and even experience. Paul shares how urgency—not funding or credentials—helped him transition from law enforcement to entrepreneurship. While others planned for months, he took messy action and learned by doing. Because in business, hesitation is expensive—and done will always beat perfect.

In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we flip the script on what it means to have weaknesses—and how the very thing you think holds you back might be your greatest strength. Paul shares how not being a “tech guy” early in his career forced him to master communication and leadership, two skills that helped him build multiple 7-figure companies. Instead of hiding weaknesses, he learned to train them into assets.

In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we flip the script on what it means to have weaknesses—and how the very thing you think holds you back might be your greatest strength. Paul shares how not being a “tech guy” early in his career forced him to master communication and leadership, two skills that helped him build multiple 7-figure companies. Instead of hiding weaknesses, he learned to train them into assets.

In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we uncover why most entrepreneurs don't fail because of bad ideas—they fail because they waste time. Paul shares how working 80–100-hour weeks in law enforcement taught him that being busy doesn't mean being productive. True success isn't about doing more—it's about doing what matters most.

In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we dive into how to build a brand so strong that competitors can't copy it—they start to fear it. Paul reveals the truth most entrepreneurs miss: branding isn't about fancy logos or websites—it's about trust. Real branding is built through consistency, reputation, and results. Every message, product, and customer interaction either strengthens or weakens your name.

In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we dive into what it really means to build a legacy that outlives you—because true success isn't just about income, it's about impact. Paul shares how he came from a family that didn't pass down money or connections—only hard work. But he reminds us that legacy isn't what you leave for your family; it's what you leave in them. Every disciplined decision, every standard you raise, and every mindset you change writes a new story for the next generation.

In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we break down why the best investment you'll ever make isn't in real estate, crypto, or the stock market—it's in YOU. Paul shares how his first real return didn't come from Wall Street, but from investing in a mentor. That decision multiplied not just his income, but his mindset. Because while markets can crash, skills don't. Knowledge compounds faster than interest ever could.

In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we break down the truth about turning passion into profit—and why energy alone isn't enough. Paul reveals how his first ATM route started as a side hustle, but his real passion wasn't machines—it was freedom. That passion, when paired with a clear system and consistency, turned into multiple 7-figure businesses.

In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we expose one of the biggest killers of momentum—listening to too many opinions. When Paul left law enforcement to build his first business, everyone had advice: some called him crazy, others told him to play it safe. If he had listened to them all, he admits he'd still be clocking in. Most advice comes from people's fears, not your potential—and if you want to build something great, you have to learn to filter out the noise.

In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we dive into one of the most liberating truths in business—the goal isn't to compete, it's to create. Paul shares how, early in his entrepreneurial journey, he wasted time watching competitors—tracking their prices, posts, and moves—until he realized real winners don't chase markets… they shape them. The moment you stop trying to outdo others and start delivering unique value, your competition disappears.

In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we break down one of the most underrated success factors—your environment. Paul shares how his mindset shifted the moment he left the negativity of his 100-hour-week law enforcement circle and began surrounding himself with entrepreneurs. The people around you either pull you backward or push you forward—and success requires protecting your environment like your future depends on it.

In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we dive into one of the most powerful lessons in sales and business—how to sell value, not price. Paul shares how early in his career he used to pitch clients by focusing on saving money—and why that approach failed. Once he shifted to leading with impact instead of numbers, everything changed. People stopped seeing him as a vendor and started seeing him as a partner in their success.

In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we break down one of the most overlooked success principles in business and life—the power of asking the right question. Paul shares how, as a detective, one bad question could derail an entire case—and how the same principle applies to entrepreneurship. Too many people chase quick answers when what they really need is a better question. The moment you shift your focus from “How do I make money fast?” to “How do I build something that pays me long-term?” your entire trajectory changes.

In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we explore one of the most underrated success habits in business and life—staying laser-focused in a world full of distractions. Paul compares his days on the radio in law enforcement to entrepreneurship: back then, his mission depended on hearing the one call that mattered. Today, success depends on filtering out digital noise, trends, and opinions that pull your attention off target.

In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we dive into the mindset that separates average performers from true visionaries—thinking bigger than your surroundings. Paul shares how his early goals shifted dramatically after learning to ask better questions: not “How can I grow one route?” but “How can I build something that changes lives?” Thinking big isn't about fantasy—it's about practical imagination backed by disciplined action.

In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we explore the one obsession that guarantees long-term success—caring deeply about your customers. Paul reveals how studying customer patterns on his early business routes taught him more than any marketing book could. By learning names, rhythms, and real pain points, he built loyalty that no ad spend could buy. The secret? Curiosity and consistency—not flashy tactics.

In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we dive into one of the toughest lessons in entrepreneurship—making money and keeping money are two completely different skills. Paul shares a real story about his first big month in business—when excitement turned into a reality check once taxes and cash flow hit. The lesson? Wealth isn't about what you make. It's about what you keep, protect, and grow quietly behind the scenes.

In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we break down how to recognize when your effort is aimed in the wrong direction—and how to course-correct fast. Paul shares how chasing the wrong leads as a detective taught him a timeless business lesson: not all work is productive work. Some tasks feel urgent but deliver nothing. The right work may seem simple, but it's the one that actually drives results and impact.

In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we uncover one of the least talked about success traits—patience—and why it's the true multiplier of results. Paul shares a real story from his entrepreneurial journey when a city permit delay tested his limits. Instead of panicking, he stayed steady, honored his word, and when the deal finally went through, the payoff was bigger than expected. The lesson? Patience isn't passive—it's powerful.

Big success doesn't start with massive breakthroughs—it starts with consistent small wins. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, learn how stacking small victories daily creates unstoppable momentum in business and life. Paul shares how his first ATM payout—just twenty dollars—became the proof that built his empire. From that one small win came belief, systems, and eventually, financial freedom. He reveals why entrepreneurs who focus on steady progress instead of viral moments always win in the long run.

What happens when your $147 million empire collapses overnight? In this powerful episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, Eric Cline (@theericcline) opens up about his jaw-dropping journey from building a 9-figure company to losing it all — and how he rebuilt his life, purpose, and wealth from scratch. Eric shares his rise from rock bottom — battling addiction, lawsuits, and betrayal — to leading one of the fastest-growing operations overseas. His story is a masterclass in resilience, mindset, and the power of second chances. If you've ever faced failure, loss, or doubt, this conversation will show you how to turn pain into purpose and rebuild stronger than ever.