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 naviga...

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. 🌎✨

From hosting one of the largest Latin dance festivals in the world…
→ to building bridges with investors, entrepreneurs, and even billionaires…
→ to breaking into commercial real estate without coming...

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. 💥

TereZa opens up about overcoming diastasis recti, closing an 8-finger ab gap, regainin...

🔥 What do you do when no one believes in you? When people smile to your face but doubt you behind your back? In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we dive into how pressure can either break you — or build you into someone unstoppable.

Paul Alex shares the real story behind leaving law enforcement, walking away from a stable career, and building multiple companies despite the doubts, criticism, and silence from people who didn’t understand his vision. Confidence wasn’t handed to him. It was built in the dark, under pressure, and without a...

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...

🔥 Rejection hurts — but it’s not a dead end. It’s a detour pulling you toward something better. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we break down how rejection becomes one of the most powerful tools for growth, clarity, and resilience in entrepreneurship.

Paul Alex shares how setbacks, ignored emails, closed doors, and lost deals redirected him toward the biggest wins of his life. From early ATM pitches to major partnerships, every “no” sharpened his mindset, improved his communication, and strengthened his discipline.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
💡 Why rejection buil...

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 fami...

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:
🔥 Pivoted from college baseball coaching into recruiting
🔥 Built his entire agency virtually with zero funding
🔥 Leveraged LinkedIn, consistency, and storytelling to attract clients
🔥 Navigated massive life chang...

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

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...

🔥 The hardest step in success isn’t the tenth — it’s the first. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we break down the mindset that separates dreamers from doers — and why your first uncomfortable step matters more than any strategy.

Paul Alex opens up about the key decisions that changed his life, from leaving his 9-to-5 to launching multiple companies from scratch. None of it happened because he had the perfect plan — it happened because he moved before he felt ready.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
💡 Why successful entrepreneurs deci...

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.

🔥 Inside this episode, you’ll learn:

How Seve failed his first business… and why that failure led him to the payment processing gold rush

The exact moment...

🔥 Everyone wants to win… until it takes longer than expected. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we break down why so many entrepreneurs quit before they ever see results — and how you can build the mental endurance to stay the course.

Paul Alex dives into the real reasons people fold early, from chasing hype instead of consistency to misunderstanding what success actually feels like. Launching a business isn’t glamorous in the beginning — it’s repetitive, quiet, and often lonely. But that’s exactly where winners are built.

In this episode, you’ll...

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 thr...

🔥 Fear isn’t your enemy—it’s your roadmap. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, discover how fear can actually become the fuel that drives your biggest breakthroughs.

Paul Alex shares how stepping into the unknown—whether launching CashSwipe, facing high-pressure moments as a detective, or making his first major business moves—revealed one truth:

👉 Fear shows up when you’re close to something important.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
💡 Why fear is often a green light for growth
💡 How to take action while afraid
💡 Why movement beats o...

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:
🔥 How military di...

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.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

Doubt grows in silence—speak your goals out loud. The moment you voice your visio...

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.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

Overthinking is fear wearing a mask. You don’t need more time to plan—you need courage to start messy.

Motion creates confidence. Action builds belief faster than waiting for the “perfect...

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:
💡 How to see setbacks as feedback, not defeat
🔄 Ways to pivot fast and stay focused when plans fall apart
⚡ Why discipline outlasts motivation when it comes to bouncing back
...

In business, everyone’s obsessed with moving faster—but speed without strategy is just spinning in circles. 🚀 In this solo episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we unpack why the most successful entrepreneurs build clarity first and momentum second.

Here’s what you’ll take away:
🔑 How acting without clear strategy wastes more time than it saves
🏗️ Why defining your vision, offer, and team alignment sets the foundation for real momentum
🎯 The hidden power of clarity—it streamlines decisions, strengthens communication, and drives performance
⚡ The proven order that top entrepreneurs follow: clarity before spe...

💰 If your income rises and falls every month, you don’t have a business—you have a gamble. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, I reveal how to transform your hustle into a predictable, scalable system that pays you consistently.

From building recurring income models to automating your sales pipeline and tracking the right numbers, this episode breaks down the exact blueprint I used to turn inconsistent cash flow into steady, reliable revenue.

Whether you’re just starting out or ready to scale, you’ll learn how to replace uncertainty with system...

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. 💡

You’ll learn:
✅ Why glorifying burnout is destroying your growth and creativity
✅ How to schedule your time around priorities that truly matter—family, fitness, and freedom
✅ The power of saying “NO” to protect your focus, energy, and peace
✅ Why success is about working smarter, not harder

If you’ve been stuck in grind mode and feeling drained, th...

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:
🚀 How Tasha built...

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:
🚀 Why waiting to feel “ready” keeps you stuck in the same place
🔑 How fear of failure is secretly robbing you of opportunity
⚡ The mindset shift that turns hesitation into massive action

If you’ve been overthinking yo...

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.

🔑 Key takeaways:

The market doesn’t crown followers—it rewards creators.

Trust your vision before anyone else does.

Your story, your struggle, and your style are your competitive...

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.

🔑 Key takeaways:

Ego says “I’m good.” Humili...

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.

🔑 Key takeaways:

Don’t just look for talent—look for drive and attitude.

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.

🔑 Key takeaways:

Speed doesn’t mean being reckless—it means refusing to wait for perfect conditions.

The market rewards action-takers, not overthinkers.

Every day you delay, someone else la...

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.

🔑 Key takeaways:

Your weakness is only a weakness if you stop learning from it.

What makes you...

🎙️ In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we sit down with Shawn Greene (@official_shawn63) — a former police officer who turned his badge into a blueprint for financial freedom.

After years of living paycheck to paycheck in law enforcement, Shawn realized something had to change. What started as a simple desire for “more” transformed into a multi–seven-figure tax business that now serves thousands across the country. In this powerful conversation, Shawn breaks down how he overcame fear, analysis paralysis, and doubt to build an empire from scratch — and how you can follow the same path.<...

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.

🔑 Key takeaways:

Your weakness is only a weakness if you stop learning from it.

What makes you...

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.

🔑 Key takeaways:

Busyness isn’t progress—intentional action is.

You’ll never “find” time; you must make it.

Master your hours before you scale your business.

Discipline creates freedo...

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.

🔑 Key takeaways:

A true brand is built on trust and proof, not design.

Competitors can copy your offer, but never your st...

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.

🔑 Key ta...

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.

🔑 Key takeaways:

The highest ROI always comes from self-development.

Mentorship, books, and education e...

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.

🔑 Key takeaways:

Passion is fuel—profit comes from solving real problems.

Package your skills, story, and struggles into something that serves others.

Don’t wait for permis...

🙏 In this inspiring episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we’re joined by Seth and Mary Auguste (@growmybiz3) — a powerhouse couple whose journey proves that faith and entrepreneurship can coexist in perfect harmony.

From hitting rock bottom to building a 7-figure remote cleaning company, Seth and Mary share how prayer, perseverance, and purpose became the foundation of their success.

Mary opens up about her darkest moments, the vision from God that saved her life, and how her faith reshaped her identity as a leader and mother. Seth reveals how he built a culture...

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.

🔑 Key takeaways:

Too many vo...

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.

🔑 Key takeaways:

Competing limits creativity—creating sets you free.

Focus on innovation, not imitation.

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.

🔑 Key takeaways:

Your environment influences your habits before your mindset ever does.

Surround yourself with people who talk about building, not com...