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In this episode, we pull back the curtain on what actually makes a service business valuable—from strategic pricing and employee care to operational systems and SBA financing. This isn't theory. It's what we're learning firsthand while taking over a local plumbing company.

We get into the trenches—talking about the hidden leverage of SOPs, why price transparency matters more than ever, and how backend operations determine whether your business can scale or stall.

We also unpack real-world SBA changes, deal structures, and why goodwill might be the most misunderstood piece of small business valuations.

Whether you’re planning to buy a business, currently running one, or just thinking like an owner—this episode will challenge you to stop chasing revenue and start building real enterprise value.

📌 Key Topics:
✅ The three levers that drive business value (and which one is most overlooked)
✅ Why raising prices can actually retain great employees
✅ How perceived quality wins customers—even without changing your product
✅ What FF&E, inventory, and goodwill really mean in a valuation
✅ The latest SBA financing rules and how they impact your deal structure
✅ Why most businesses aren't ready for marketing (and what to fix first)
✅ The hard truth about buying vs. operating—and why finding the deal is just step one

The biggest wins come from the boring, behind-the-scenes work—if you're willing to build it right.

🎬 Chapters:

00:00 Bridging the Gap in Business Understanding
01:05 The Journey to Business Acquisition
08:30 Investing in Education for Business Success
14:56 The Importance of Due Diligence
17:20 Navigating the Underwriting Process
26:04 Understanding Negotiation Dynamics
30:45 Managing Employee Relations During Transition
36:03 Bridging the Gap in Underwriting
37:06 The Journey to Business Ownership
39:20 Understanding Business vs. Real Estate Underwriting
44:01 Investing in Education: The Value of Courses
50:27 The Importance of Community and Support
52:28 Risk Mitigation in Business Acquisition
53:24 Navigating the Due Diligence Process
01:01:40 Negotiating with Sellers: Finding Common Ground
01:07:13 Employee Retention and Transitioning Ownership

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What if the hardship you're facing isn't bad… it’s just asking you to get stronger?

In this powerful episode of Freedom Fighters, we sit down with a former track athlete, high school teacher, and Air Force officer who’s spent decades studying what helps people thrive—not just survive. From running in -20° windchill to parenting with purpose, this conversation unpacks how pain, perseverance, and preparation collide to forge a life worth leading.

It all started with one brutally honest lesson from his old coach: “There’s no such thing as bad weather—just soft people.” That mindset would go on to shape everything: his leadership style, his parenting philosophy, his mission in the military, and his relentless pursuit of raising strong kids in a softening world.

We explore the grind behind growth, the science of post-traumatic growth, and how to train your brain (and your kids’) to get better at hard things. This episode isn’t about parenting tips or motivational fluff—it’s about building a legacy through discomfort, daily reps, and deeply held values.

📌 Key Topics:
✅ Why preparation matters more than conditions
✅ The mental shift from surviving to thriving
✅ How post-traumatic growth is biologically built into us
✅ Why the military is investing in performance psychology
✅ The difference between therapy and thriving
✅ Raising strong kids in a world that avoids struggle
✅ How bedtime stories can literally rewire your child’s brain
✅ Using mission statements to lead yourself and your family
✅ Practical tools for building character through story
✅ The difference between perception and perspective—and why it matters
✅ Why rhythmic breathing isn't about stress relief—it’s about stress mastery
✅ How to “manipulate” your kids (ethically) to teach them better habits
✅ How to apply pressure without breaking your kids
✅ Why choosing your struggle is better than trying to avoid pain altogether

This one’s for the parents, leaders, and freedom-seekers who are done playing soft.
Listen now—and start building the kind of strength that lasts.

🎬 Chapters:

00:00 Education and Early Life Experiences

04:39 Psychology and Performance

10:01 The Shift in Psychological Focus

14:35 Post-Traumatic Growth and Resilience

20:58 Understanding Post-Traumatic Growth

25:57 The Science of Growth Through Struggle

31:11 Raising Resilient Children

36:52 Character Development Through Storytelling

41:25 Navigating Mental Health and Counseling Stigmas

51:15 Understanding Perception vs. Perspective

51:54 New Chapter

56:37 The Importance of Mission Statements

01:01:03 Finding Meaning in Life's Challenges

01:08:18 Ethics in Manipulation and Influence

01:13:29 Navigating Ethical Dilemmas

01:18:09 The Role of Struggle in Growth

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In this episode, we wrestle with a tension every entrepreneur, investor, and freedom-seeker faces: Is this a bold pivot or just another shiny object? The difference isn’t always obvious—especially when everything looks like opportunity and we’re wearing five hats at once.

We unpack our own experiences shifting from real estate to small business, trading short-term hustle for long-term legacy, and figuring out what actually deserves our time. If you're feeling stretched thin, juggling too many ventures, or asking whether you're building something meaningful or just moving fast… this one’s for you.

We also ask the hard questions most people avoid:

Why are we really pivoting?
When does ambition become distraction?
What does it cost to be present in one thing vs. good at many?
This isn’t about theory—it’s about clarity. About aligning how we spend our time with who we say we want to become.

📌 Key Topics:
✅ The real difference between pivoting and chasing shiny objects
✅ How to measure opportunity cost when time is your biggest asset
✅ The four hats of wealth-building: employee, self-employed, business owner, investor
✅ Why cash flow and legacy require different playbooks
✅ The identity shift from doing everything to doing what matters

Freedom isn’t found in the next opportunity—it’s built by owning the ones that truly align with our purpose.

🎬 Chapters:
00:00 The Journey to Business Acquisition
11:44 Investing in Education: The Cody Sanchez Course
17:39 Understanding Due Diligence in Business
20:36 Navigating the Negotiation Process
29:17 The Importance of BATNA in Negotiations
39:43 Strategies for Increasing Business Value

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In this raw and real conversation, we sit down with the man who unknowingly sparked the Freedom Fighters Podcast into existence.

Together, we talk about the pivots that define us—from running nightclubs to running real estate associations, from rebuilding homes to rebuilding identity.

We explore how it’s not about having all the answers—it’s about being resourceful enough to find them. And sometimes, all it takes is saying “yes” to the scary thing.

You’ll hear how faith, family, and community shape the pursuit of freedom—not just in business, but in how we live every day. From structuring partnerships that don’t implode, to setting family-first boundaries, to managing the tension between ambition and presence—this episode is a masterclass in real leadership.

📌 Key Topics:
✅ Transitioning from nightlife to leading a real estate investor community
✅ How to build something better without becoming the “guru”
✅ Time-blocking your life for family, faith, and freedom
✅ Redefining success through accountability and 90-day goals
✅ Lessons from broken partnerships—and how to structure great ones
✅ Real talk about imposter syndrome, identity, and quiet time
✅ Why doing less can sometimes get you more
This episode isn’t about a perfect life—it’s about living a life worth remembering.
Take a breath. Reflect. And ask yourself: What would it look like to actually build the life you say you want?

🎬 Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Podcast Beginnings
02:30 The Journey into Real Estate Investment Associations
05:28 Building a Community and RIA Leadership
08:14 Transitioning from Nightlife to Real Estate
11:06 Family Values and Personal Growth
14:28 Time Management and Prioritizing Family
17:22 Lessons Learned in Real Estate and Business Coaching
29:30 Balancing Family and Work Life
33:22 Setting and Achieving Goals
38:28 The Importance of Quiet Time
43:14 Navigating Family Dynamics
48:27 Embracing Change and Identity
56:07 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
01:00:21 Navigating Commercial vs. Residential Real Estate
01:04:29 Personal Growth and Family Prioritization
01:09:35 Lessons from Partnerships and Business Dynamics
01:14:30 Structuring Successful Partnerships
01:19:42 The Pursuit of Freedom in Real Estate

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Most people want different results—but they’re afraid to live differently. In this episode, we confront that fear head-on and talk about what it really means to be different in today’s world. This isn’t about being quirky for the sake of it. It’s about intentionally going against the grain to live a life of deeper meaning, purpose, and freedom.

We explore the cost of comfort, the danger of fitting in, and the slow drift toward mediocrity that happens when you stop leveling up. We break down how values—not goals—should guide your decisions, and how sticking to your North Star will set you apart in your health, your relationships, your business, and your walk with God.

This is for anyone who’s felt the tension between who they are and who they could be.

📌 Key Topics:
✅ Why being different is the price of real freedom
✅ The invisible influence of your peer group
✅ The myth of comfort—and how it’s keeping you stuck
✅ Choosing your hard: divorce, disease, or discipline
✅ Delegation isn’t laziness—it’s leadership
✅ Understanding risk and building asymmetric upside
✅ Why your values must be louder than your culture
✅ Defining success on your own terms (and no one else’s)
✅ Habits, cold plunges, and becoming the person you were meant to be
✅ Why most people stop at level 10 when the game goes to 100
The world doesn’t need more people playing it safe—it needs more people willing to stand out. Be different. Be free.

🎬 Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Uniqueness
02:07 Pursuing Freedom and Lifestyle Changes
03:06 The Fear of Being Different
05:46 Choosing the Hard Path
09:33 Learning from Failure
13:27 Understanding Risk in Business
15:59 The Importance of Values
19:41 Sticking to Your Values
23:34 Defining Weirdness and Cultural Norms
26:22 Surrounding Yourself with the Right People
30:03 Embracing Discomfort for Growth
34:59 The Journey of Constant Improvement
38:47 The Importance of Goals vs. Values
42:29 Becoming the Person You Want to Be

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In this episode, we sit down with Greg Taylor, a faith-driven tax strategist and founder of Taylor Tax Strategy, to unpack what it really means to steward money with wisdom, not just hustle. We break down the difference between a tax preparer and a strategist, and why real estate investors, business owners, and Kingdom-minded leaders need more than someone to file forms—they need someone who helps them make proactive, principled moves.

But this episode goes far deeper than deductions and depreciation. We talk about defining your number, aligning your business with your personal values, giving with intentionality, raising financially aware kids, and seeking God’s direction in every major decision. From short-term rental loopholes to the Augusta Rule, Greg shares practical strategies you can implement this year—without losing sight of what matters most.

📌 Key Topics:
✅ The real difference between a tax strategist and a CPA
✅ Cost segregation and how to front-load tax benefits
✅ Why defining your “enough” number leads to real freedom
✅ Tithing and generosity from a faith-filled, practical lens
✅ Strategic tax planning (yes, even in December)
✅ Raising kids who steward wealth without idolizing it
✅ The power of saying no to bigger deals that don’t align
✅ Real estate professional status vs. passive investing
✅ How to pay your kids (and keep more money legally)
✅ Why action often follows prayer—and not the other way around

If you're serious about building wealth, giving boldly, and living with clarity, this one’s for you.

Start acting like a strategist—your future self (and community) will thank you.

Would you like a social media promo caption to go with this episode too?

🎬 Chapters:
00:00 Understanding Tax Strategy vs. Tax Preparation
03:21 The Importance of Niche Specialization in Tax Strategy
06:09 Cost Segregation Studies: Maximizing Tax Benefits for Real Estate
09:14 Building a Remote Company Culture
12:23 Generosity and Company Values
15:27 Defining Your 'Enough' Number
18:18 Tithing: Obligations vs. Joyful Giving
21:20 Intentional Parenting and Financial Conversations
24:10 Praying for Guidance in Decision Making
33:51 The Call to Serve: Stepping Up in Community
35:43 Seeking Signs: The Role of Prayer in Decision Making
36:56 Principled Living: Aligning Goals with Values
39:48 Using Talents: Maximizing God-Given Abilities
41:46 Evaluating Opportunities: Balancing Business and Personal Goals
44:53 The Importance of Giving: Aligning Business with Values
46:44 Long-Term Vision: Avoiding the Trap of Bigger is Better
47:14 Analyzing Investments: Strategies in a High-Interest Environment
55:27 Short-Term Rentals: Navigating Tax Benefits and Strategies
01:02:30 Maximizing Savings and Strategic Spending
01:03:11 Defining Freedom: Choices and Limitations
01:04:26 The Importance of Strategic Tax Planning
01:06:33 Understanding Write-Offs and Business Expenses
01:08:16 Navigating Year-End Purchases and Tax Implications
01:12:20 The Augusta Rule: Tax Benefits of Renting Your Home
01:13:30 Leveraging Family for Business Benefits
01:18:05 Debunking Tax Myths and Misconceptions
01:22:38 Timing Your Tax Strategy: Is It Too Late?

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In this episode, we’re breaking down what’s actually holding most people back from wealth, freedom, and flexibility in today’s economy. Spoiler: it’s not taxes, inflation, or lack of opportunity. It’s how we think.

We unpack the hidden psychology that keeps people stuck in the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle—even when they make decent money. We share practical ways to increase your savings rate, gamify your finances, and build the discipline to protect yourself from yourself.

From side hustles and skills to smart investing and cash-flow moves, we map out the real path to financial freedom—without the fluff or false promises.

This isn’t theory. It’s what we’ve lived. And it’s what you can apply today.

📌 Key Topics:
✅ Why the economy feels rigged—and what to do about it
✅ How inflation erodes savings and how to fight back
✅ The mindset shift that separates workers from owners
✅ Why traditional education fails future entrepreneurs
✅ How to hide money from yourself (on purpose)
✅ Building skills in your free time to unlock opportunity
✅ Using your psychology as fuel—not friction
✅ Why gamifying your finances works
✅ From side gig to investor: the path to real freedom
✅ The #1 mistake that keeps most people broke

If you want more—you have to do more. Start where you are. Grow from there.

🎬 Chapters:
00:00 Mindset Shifts for Financial Freedom
03:59 The Importance of Saving and Investing
07:02 Understanding Inflation and Its Impact
09:54 Psychology of Money and Risk Management
12:57 Developing Skills for Financial Growth
15:52 Gamifying Savings and Investments
19:01 Learning from Investment Mistakes
22:02 Risk Tolerance and Smart Investing
24:47 Generational Wealth and Mindset Shifts
27:57 The Flaws of Traditional Education
30:54 Maximizing Free Time for Skill Development
33:50 Creating Multiple Income Streams
37:58 Transitioning from Employment to Entrepreneurship
40:43 Understanding the Rules of the Game
43:47 Investing and Financial Discipline
47:54 The Importance of Flexibility and Action
50:48 Doing More Than Average for Extraordinary Results

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Most of us were told the same thing growing up: go to school, get a good job, buy a house, and you’ll be set. But what happens when you check all those boxes and still feel stuck?

In this episode, we sit down with Mark Lopez—Marine veteran turned builder and real estate entrepreneur—to talk about what it really means to pursue freedom. From crawling through attics in a pest control job after earning his degree to flipping houses and building a thriving construction company out of a minivan, Mark’s journey is raw, relatable, and packed with hard-won wisdom.

We talk about the grind of corporate life, the emotional toll of chasing someone else’s version of success, and how real estate became a vehicle—not just for wealth, but for showing up as the husband, father, and leader he knew he was called to be.

We also get personal. Real personal. Mark opens up about the cracks in his marriage, the weight of unmet expectations, and the spiritual reset that changed everything. If you’ve ever questioned the cost of success—or felt like you’re just surviving instead of leading—you’ll want to sit with this one.

📌 Key Topics:
✅ Transitioning from military life to entrepreneurship
✅ Defining wealth through presence—not possessions
✅ Why flipping sharpened Mark’s business instincts
✅ The power and potential of ADUs in today’s housing market
✅ How asking better questions saved his marriage
✅ Hearing God’s voice in business and family decisions
✅ What real freedom actually looks like

Freedom isn’t just about more money—it’s about more intention. This episode will challenge you to stop chasing and start choosing.

🎬 Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Background
02:21 Military Experience and Transition to Civilian Life
05:19 The Journey into Real Estate
08:12 Lessons from Corporate America
11:26 The Shift to Entrepreneurship
14:21 Defining Wealth and Freedom
17:18 Personal Reflections on Wealth
20:29 Real Estate Strategies and Insights
22:46 Navigating Real Estate Challenges
23:39 Diversifying Investment Strategies
25:04 The Buy and Hold vs. Flipping Debate
26:31 Lessons Learned from Flipping Properties
28:50 Identifying Focus and End Goals
31:43 The Risks of Diversification
34:37 The Importance of Focus in Business
37:30 The Rise of ADUs in Real Estate
39:24 Building ADUs: A Smart Investment
43:04 The Flexibility of ADUs
45:15 The Stability of Home Ownership
48:32 Personal Growth and Relationship Reflections
54:45 Health and Family Dynamics
56:40 Navigating Relationships and Communication
01:01:02 Seeking Help and Understanding
01:05:12 The Importance of Mentorship
01:09:39 Hearing God's Guidance
01:18:41 Defining Freedom and Control