At 17 years old, Michael Rebelo’s mom sat him down for a talk he thought was "the end of the line"—but instead of a reprimand, she handed him a lesson in financial illiteracy that would spark a 216-unit real estate empire by age 20. In this episode, Michael shares how he stopped trying to master every skill and started mastering the "fellowship" of his network to accelerate his growth. This is a masterclass in the "Ever Forward" mindset—a commitment to never looking back and always building y...

What happens when you lose your ability to walk just as your career is taking off? In this episode, Lana Schulenberg takes us inside the high-stakes world of competitive equestrian show jumping and the surprising "magic" of pageantry. Lana shares her "darkest hour" story—a bad riding accident that left her stagnant and questioning her Olympic dreams—and the mindset shift that allowed her to turn an injury into a resource for growth. We explore how she manages an elite schedule, ri...

For 25 years, Angie Mays lived in the cycle of severe depression, relying on increased medication, and sacrificing herself to constant burnout and narcissistic relationships. She learned the hard way that the only path to true self-mastery wasn't a pill—it was mastering her mindset and learning to put herself first. In this incredibly human and values-driven conversation, Angie walks us through her darkest hour, detailing the physical and emotional exhaustion caused by overworking and s...

Jon King spent years flying Blackhawks into hostile territory to save lives, but his hardest battle didn’t happen in a cockpit—it happened in his own home. From the adrenaline of 300 combat missions to the quiet struggle of "The 22," Jon’s journey is a testament to the power of showing up, even when you want to quit,. In this episode of Dragon’s Gold, Justin sits down with Jon to discuss his transition from military service to entrepreneurship. Jon shares the profound leadership lesson he lea...

Episode Summary: At 15 years of service, Bill Hoopes was just five years away from a guaranteed Navy pension. He was a Chief Petty Officer making $90k a year with a clear path to retirement. Then, he did the unthinkable: he handed in his papers and walked away with nothing but his freedom. In this episode of Dragon’s Gold, Bill joins Justin Mills to discuss the high cost of "golden handcuffs" and the resilience required to rebuild from scratch. From failing his Chief Petty Officer exam six ti...

How does a top patent attorney, trained in high-stakes litigation, manage to build a career of excellence while making profound choices to prioritize family and faith? Frank Bernstein joins Justin Mills to share his incredible journey—from surviving the academic pressure cooker of Caltech at age 16 to achieving partnership in a top firm in just five years. This episode is a masterclass in perseverance, humility, and the critical wisdom of knowing what you can (and cannot) control. Frank...

David You spent three decades as a Sheriff's Deputy navigating high-stakes environments where he quickly learned that respect must be earned, not demanded. He discovered that the most powerful strategy in law enforcement, leadership, and life is consistently adhering to one core philosophy: being firm but fair. In this insightful conversation, David shares how this steadfast philosophy became the bedrock of his greatest professional achievement: running a Drug Treatment Court program that ach...

How do you trade a stable career designing buildings for the high-stakes world of fantasy writing? Graham McNeill, the legendary author of Warhammer 40,000 novels, shares his origin story—which began not with a grand life strategy, but a pivotal choice in a bookstore after encountering The Warlock of Firetop Mountain. Graham opens up about overcoming the generational belief that a creative career was unattainable and why he had to leave the "expected path" of architecture behind. He shares th...

What happens when you pour five years into building a successful team and product, only to have the entire studio shut down due to forces beyond your control? Game designer Patrick Fram (known for X-Defiant and The Division 2) faced this exact "darkest hour," forcing him to reckon with the "golden handcuffs" of a stable role. Patrick shares his journey from a young enthusiast who had ideas for games but didn't know where to begin to mastering the highly competitive game creation industr...

Episode Description: Joe Slack was stuck in the Corporate Hamster Wheel—burned out from a 17-year career and craving more control and strategy. He realized the escape plan wasn't another promotion, but mastering the game of wealth by putting his passion first. This strategic conversation dives deep into Joe’s leap of faith, charting his move from a comfortable salary to the unpredictable world of game design. He shares the critical lessons learned from a failed Kickstarter campaign and the "W...

Episode Description: What happens when you trade a six-figure salary for uncertainty during a market crisis?. Michele Harkov's journey from a high-paying IT role to a top 1.5% ranked realtor reveals the incredible power of intentional decision-making, even when facing massive financial setbacks and personal uncertainty. Michele shares the pivotal moment she realized she was living life for everyone else, the leap of faith that led her from Chicago to California, and the discipline it took to ...

Episode Summary: Greg Fernando realized he was trading his time for someone else’s dream, and he felt caged in a job that used to be fun. He refused to accept the corporate grind and set out to build a business designed for freedom and focused entirely on results. In this powerful episode, Greg shares the tactical moves he made to launch Merge Appraisal in a tough market. We dive deep into why relentless execution and a commitment to customer service—doing what others won't (like 5 a.m. inspe...

Episode Description Every episode on Dragon’s Gold leads to the ultimate question of legacy: the profound message we leave behind when the quest is complete. In this special compilation, join us for a Tour of the Hall of Heroes, where we distill the most powerful, profound, and non-negotiable truths shared by world-class entrepreneurs. We examine the core mandates—principles of persistence, courage, and impact—that our guests have etched into their metaphorical statues. Anchor yourself in thi...

Episode Summary: For years, John Ottman worked 60–70 hour weeks, grinding just to keep the doors open on his San Francisco bar, Holy Water. After 8 incredibly slow years, John had every reason to quit, but his belief, passion, and grit kept him pushing through the hard times, including the crushing financial stress of the pandemic shutdown. John shares his fascinating origin story, how he used the power of relationship and pattern recognition to gain ownership, and why he chose to stick...

Episode Summary: Luke Laurie isn't just a master of game mechanics; he's a true Strategic Game Master who found his Dragon's Gold not in a pile of treasure, but in the enduring joy his creations bring to thousands of players worldwide. Join us as the designer of Dwellings of Eldervale and Andromeda's Edge unpacks the mindset required to build a lasting creative legacy while embracing the "grind" of discipline and finding joy in the journey. Key Takeaways to Level Up Your Mindset: • The Power ...

What if the thing you’re most afraid of is the very thing you’re meant to do? In this episode, Vicki Stephens shares how she went from scared to start to leading a business that’s touched thousands of lives — furry and human alike. Through fear, faith, and a little bit of crazy, she built Vicki’s Little Rascals into a story of courage and community. What You’ll Learn: Why fear is often the sign you’re on the right pathHow confidence comes from action, not before itThe role of faith and suppor...

What do you do when your studio shuts down and your whole life resets? In this episode, game designer and co-creator of a mobile game that’s earned over $1B in revenue, Matt Zimmitti shares the rise, fall, and reinvention of a career that’s anything but typical. From learning to code at 26 to launching his own studio at 40+, Matt unpacks the failures, friendships, and mindset shifts that shaped him. What You’ll Learn: Why he told his first boss: “I’m going to take your QA job and design my wa...

Episode Summary: What do you do when you lose everything? In this powerful episode, Stewart Heath shares the raw truth about building too fast, collapsing too hard, and rising again with a deeper mission. From a $10M portfolio lost in the 2008 crash to a life rebuilt with purpose, this conversation is a masterclass in humility, patience, and legacy. What You’ll Learn: Why he left the CPA path to get “in the game” of real estateThe 2AM infomercial that changed his lifeHow he went from $10M net...

Would you risk everything to save someone you love? In this powerful episode of Dragon’s Gold: The Magic of Mindset, Josh Ketner shares how his mother’s ALS diagnosis pushed him to defy the system and build something from scratch (outside U.S. borders, approval, and conventional wisdom). It’s a story about stem cells, sure. But more than that, it’s about sacrifice, grit, and going all in when most people play it safe. Key Takeaways: Why he launched a clinic in Mexico instead of waiting for FD...

Episode Summary: What if the biggest wins in your life didn’t look like wins at the time? In this heartfelt episode of Dragon’s Gold: The Magic of Mindset, Mike Naughton walks us through a journey marked by unexpected detours, second chances, and the quiet confidence that comes from choosing happiness, even when everything goes sideways. Key Takeaways: The surprising benefit of dyslexia and why he never saw it as a limitationWhat the Navy taught him about showing up, even after failureHow a f...