In this episode of Men of Influence, Tim Holloway sits down with financial strategist Nathan Sylvester, founder of Access Wealth Strategies, to unpack the mindset shifts men need to make to build true, sustainable wealth. Nathan shares his journey from playing music in college to becoming a Certified Financial Planner, and how his calling evolved into helping business owners and families create financial confidence through clarity and structure. They discuss the common male resistance to asking for help, the shame surrounding disorganized finances, and why so many entrepreneurs try to “clean up their money mess” before letting anyone in.
Nathan walks through the essential steps to start building real wealth: get brutally honest about your spending, automate your savings, and protect your income before chasing big investment returns. He explains how most people jump ahead to stocks and real estate before securing their financial foundation; like emergency savings, life insurance, and disability coverage. From practical advice on passive vs. active investing to building legacy wealth through life insurance strategies, Nathan emphasizes the power of awareness, automation, and accountability. Whether you’re just starting out or preparing for retirement, this episode will reframe your relationship with money; and help you move from financial stress to financial strategy.
Key Takeaways:
Awareness is Step One: Track where your money is going; most people are shocked by the reality.
Stop Flying Solo: Financial shame and pride keep men from getting help. A good advisor makes it easier, not harder.
Automate to Win: Set up automatic savings so discipline isn’t optional; it’s built into your system.
Protect Before You Grow: Build emergency savings and insurance coverage before diving into risky investments.
Make Work Optional: The real win is freedom; getting to a place where work is a choice, not a necessity.
“If you don’t know where your money is going, there’s no way you can direct where it should go.” - Nathan Sylvester
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