Podcast Summary
Sharing your home or experiences with others brings value: Transforming a home into an Airbnb or sharing experiences can bring extra income and positively impact guests' lives, while stories of resilience and creativity inspire
Turning your home into an Airbnb not only brings in extra income but also allows you to share a piece of your world with others. Jen and her partner, inspired by their travels, transformed their home into an Airbnb with personal touches to make their guests feel welcomed. Cas Marte, on the other hand, shares his story of scaling up a drug business in New York to $5 million a year, but eventually finding redemption through fitness and entrepreneurship with ConBody, a fitness studio that hires formerly incarcerated individuals. Both stories illustrate the power of creativity, resilience, and the desire to make a positive impact on others' lives. Whether it's through sharing your home or your experiences, there's value in opening up your world to others. For more insights from Cas Marte, check out the episode and the accompanying worksheets at jordanharbinger.com/podcast.
Cas Marte's upbringing in a drug-infested neighborhood influenced his perspective on selling drugs: Cas Marte's family members were dealers, making selling drugs seem normal. Despite knowing it was harmful, he saw police as the enemy and felt backed up by society.
Cas Marte's upbringing in a heavily drug-infested neighborhood in New York shaped his perspective and influenced his desire to make money, leading him to get involved in selling drugs. His family members were often the dealers he saw, making it seem like a normal job rather than a harmful activity. Despite knowing it was wrong and causing harm to people, he felt backed up by society and saw the police as the enemy. Even after turning his life around and starting a successful business, Cas still feels uneasy around police and is cautious of his actions to avoid being drawn back into the system. This background provides valuable context for understanding Cas Marte's motivations and experiences.
Growing up in a challenging environment can lead to risky choices: Recognizing the root causes of poverty and inequality can help prevent some individuals from turning to criminal activities
Growing up in a challenging environment can lead some individuals to make risky choices, like selling drugs, in order to meet their needs and desires. The interviewee shared his personal experience of starting to sell drugs at a young age due to feeling poor and wanting more than what he had. He moved up in the organization by being dedicated and relentless, eventually taking over the corner from his mentor. However, the pressure and potential consequences of this lifestyle were always present, even after his success in business. It's important to recognize that individuals in difficult circumstances may make choices that seem irrational to others, and addressing the root causes of poverty and inequality can help prevent some from turning to criminal activities.
From the drug trade to a successful delivery service: Transforming your image and hustle can lead to unexpected success, even in risky industries. Innovative branding and communication are essential.
Transforming one's image and hustle can lead to success, even in the most unexpected industries. The speaker shares his personal experience of being a teenager involved in the drug trade, but instead of continuing down that path, he decided to change his appearance and start a formal delivery service. He used 10,000 business cards, hired drivers and dispatchers, and even used text messaging codes and Nextel radios for communication. His business became so successful that it was featured in a significant case in New York City in 2009. However, the branding of his business cards was crucial, and they started with "Happy Endings," which led to some unintended inquiries for other services. The story illustrates the power of adapting and innovating to build a successful business, even in a risky and illegal industry.
From Illegal Drug Dealing to Legal Entrepreneurship: Entrepreneurship, whether legal or illegal, can bring immense wealth and success, but it also comes with risks and consequences. Saving and planning for the future is crucial.
Starting a business, even an illegal one, can lead to immense wealth and success, but it comes with risks and consequences. Cas Marte, a former drug dealer, shared his story of how he used business cards to expand his drug operation and profit over $2 million annually. He spent his money on luxury items, trips, and even brought friends on extravagant vacations. However, he acknowledged that the lifestyle was hard to escape and the money kept coming in, leading to more spending. Despite making his money illegally, he didn't feel any guilt and enjoyed the ego boost and material possessions. But, eventually, he was arrested, and now, with a kid and a legit business, he realizes he could have retired earlier if he had saved more. This story serves as a reminder of the risks and rewards of entrepreneurship, whether legal or illegal.
Running a business is more complex than it seems: Starting and running a business involves significant resources and challenges, from employees to overhead to risks, and the glamour portrayed in media is often misleading.
Running a seemingly simple business involves more than meets the eye. Contrary to popular belief, it requires a significant amount of resources, including employees, overhead, management, and logistics. The speaker's experience of operating a cannabis business involved around 25 people, and it was far from a 2 or 3-person operation. Moreover, the risks and challenges were substantial, including being robbed and tied up. The speaker emphasized that the glamour often portrayed in media is misleading, and the reality is much more complex and demanding. Despite the hardships, the speaker felt trapped and a product of their environment while growing up, but they have since started their own legal business and are now taking advantage of the opportunities in front of them.
Racial bias and betrayal in the criminal justice system: Black and Hispanic individuals are overrepresented in prisons, and the speaker's conviction resulted from a betrayal and racial bias, despite lack of direct evidence against him.
The prison system is disproportionately populated by Black and Hispanic individuals, and the speaker's experience with the criminal justice system involved being set up by a trusted associate, leading to a long prison sentence for a large-scale drug operation, despite lack of direct evidence against him. The speaker's business was taken over by a traitor, who distributed drugs using the speaker's personal number, which was being tapped by federal agents. The speaker was unaware of the tap and continued to operate, leading to his eventual arrest in a sting operation. Despite the lack of concrete evidence against him, he was convicted on conspiracy charges due to the testimony of a traitor. The systemic issues of racial bias in the criminal justice system and the betrayal by a trusted associate contributed significantly to the speaker's lengthy prison sentence.
From Drug Dealer to Fitness Entrepreneur: Realizing the importance of health and fitness saved Cas Marte's life and inspired him to start a business helping others transform through calisthenics and bodyweight exercises in prisons.
Cas Marte's experience of being a drug dealer and getting arrested led him to a turning point in his life when he realized the importance of health and fitness. After being told he had high cholesterol levels and could die within 5 years, he started working out in prison to improve his health. Later, after his release, he founded ConBody, a fitness company that offers workouts based on calisthenics and bodyweight exercises, which he started teaching in prisons to help others make similar positive changes in their lives. This experience of transformation and helping others has become a driving force for him.
The Power of Determination, Camaraderie, and Creativity in Personal Growth: Even in challenging circumstances like prison, determination, camaraderie, and creativity can lead to personal growth and improvement. Maintain fitness through running, working out, and healthy eating, and find opportunities for camaraderie and resourcefulness.
Despite the challenges and hardships, including being in prison, the power of determination, camaraderie, and creativity can lead to personal growth and improvement. The speaker shares how he kept going by running and working out, even in prison, and how he started a workout routine with a larger inmate, leading to a sense of camaraderie. He also discusses the importance of diet in maintaining fitness, even in prison where the food is unhealthy. Despite the rejection he faced after being released, he started his own business to provide opportunities for individuals with criminal backgrounds. Through creativity and resourcefulness, he was able to eat healthily in prison and maintain his fitness goals. Overall, the speaker's story highlights the importance of staying focused on personal growth and finding ways to overcome obstacles, no matter the circumstances.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle in prison: Focus on fruits, veggies, protein, especially fish, to eat healthy in prison. Stay positive and seek help when needed.
Even in the most challenging circumstances, like being in prison, it's possible to maintain a healthy lifestyle and stay positive. The interviewee shared his experience of eating healthy by focusing on fruits, vegetables, and protein, particularly fish. He also emphasized the importance of staying positive despite being in solitary confinement, which he entered after being falsely accused and punished by an officer. The experience was incredibly difficult, with long hours in the heat with no AC or fan, limited showers, and no way to communicate with family for help. However, he was able to write a letter and realize he needed a lawyer to get out of the situation. Despite the adversity, he remained determined and focused on the end goal of going home.
The power of unexpected guidance and redemption: Unexpected guidance from a letter and a Bible verse led a man to seek redemption, reflect on his past actions, and start a business to help others.
Even in the darkest moments of life, there can be a glimmer of hope and guidance. The speaker shares a story of how he received a letter from his religious sister, which included a Bible verse and a stamp he needed to send a letter. Despite his initial skepticism towards religion, he felt a strange connection when he read the verse and found the stamp. This experience led him to reflect on the impact of his actions on others and to seek redemption through helping others. He started reading the Bible regularly, realized the far-reaching consequences of his drug dealing, and prayed for forgiveness. He then used his passion for fitness to give back to society and start his business, Combody. This story illustrates the power of finding meaning and purpose in unexpected places and using past experiences to make amends and make a positive impact.
Consistency is key to business success, whether in criminal underworld or fitness industry: Kenny 'Killer' Jackson's ConBody empowers formerly incarcerated individuals, breaking the cycle of recidivism and changing societal perceptions with a 100% recidivism-free workforce
Consistency is key to running a successful business, whether it's selling drugs or providing fitness classes. Killer Body founder, Kenny "Killer" Jackson, emphasized the importance of showing up every day with a great product and delivering excellent customer service, whether it was in the criminal underworld or in the fitness industry. Jackson also shared his experience of the challenges faced by those leaving prison, including lack of resources and societal stigma. He emphasized the importance of breaking the cycle of recidivism by providing opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals and changing societal perceptions. Jackson's company, ConBody, not only empowers individuals coming out of prison but also changes the perspectives of those who have never experienced the prison system. With a 100% recidivism-free workforce, ConBody is a shining example of the transformative power of consistency, community, and second chances.
The unintended consequences of our systems set people up for failure: Society's systems, including the prison system, can perpetuate cycles of poverty and incarceration, limiting opportunities for personal growth and success. It's crucial to recognize these issues and strive for a more equitable system that supports individuals in breaking free from these cycles.
Our society's systems, particularly the prison system, can unintentionally set people up for failure despite their intelligence and hard work. The documentary "13th" sheds light on this historical issue and its modern-day implications. Many corporations profit from prison labor, with inmates earning extremely low wages to accumulate funds for their release. This cycle of poverty and incarceration can limit opportunities for personal growth and success. It's essential for society to recognize these issues and work towards creating a more equitable system that supports individuals in breaking free from these cycles. The inspiring stories of individuals who have defied their circumstances and turned their lives around, both inside and outside of prisons, serve as a reminder of the potential for change and the importance of second chances.
Building and maintaining relationships is crucial: Authentically connect, nurture relationships, start networking now, use systems and tiny habits, share the show, apply lessons, and live what you learn.
Building and maintaining relationships is crucial for personal and professional growth. Cas Marte, the founder of ConBody Fitness in New York, emphasized the importance of authentic connections and consistently nurturing relationships. Jordan Harbinger encourages listeners to start building their networks now, using systems and tiny habits, rather than waiting until they need them. The Advanced Human Dynamics level 1 course offers free resources to help listeners learn these skills. Additionally, Jordan emphasizes the importance of sharing the show with others and applying the lessons learned to live what you listen. As a reminder, the fee for this show is to share it with friends and family. Stay tuned for more valuable insights from interesting guests on the Jordan Harbinger Show.