Living The Red Life

What happens when a U.S. Marine survives war, multiple brain surgeries, a life-changing diagnosis, and the loss of his ability to walk?In this episode of Living The Red Life, John Patricio shares the mindset, leadership principles, and relentless resilience that helped him build Patricio Systems into a successful government contracting company while navigating challenges that would stop most people in their tracks.From serving in Desert Storm and leading Marines in combat to becoming a paraplegic and launching a thriving veteran-owned business, John reveals how the Marine Corps philosophy of "Improvise, Adapt, Overcome" became the foundation for both his personal and professional success. He breaks down the realities of leadership, government contracting, project management, overcoming failure, and building a mission-driven company that delivers results.This episode is a masterclass in resilience, accountability, entrepreneurship, and turning adversity into opportunity.Key Takeaways• Why successful people become solution-driven instead of problem-focused• How military leadership principles translate into business growth• The mindset shift that helped John overcome becoming paraplegic• Why celebrating small wins creates momentum for long-term success• How "Improvise, Adapt, Overcome" can be applied to entrepreneurship and lifeNotable Quotes• "You are not a result of what happens to you. You're a result of how you respond to what happens to you."• "Since you can control your response, you can control your result."• "Every person who's successful wasn't just successful and it wasn't easy."• "I focus on what I can control and what I can do to make this world a better place."• "The difference between those who succeed and those who don't is how they respond to failure."Connect with Rudy Mawer:LinkedInInstagramFacebookTwitter

Austin and Hannah Rief are proving that entrepreneurship doesn't have to come at the expense of family. In this episode of Living The Red Life, the founders of Midwest Outlaw Garage and Lil' Grease Monkey Childcare reveal how they transformed a small-town dream into two thriving businesses while raising three children side by side. From overcoming difficult childhood experiences and criticism from others to building a 22,000-square-foot operation from humble beginnings, they share the mindset, work ethic, and relentless determination that fuel their success. This conversation dives into small-town entrepreneurship, family business growth, automotive innovation, leadership, and the realities of building companies together as husband and wife. Their story is a powerful reminder that success belongs to those willing to embrace discomfort, solve problems, and keep moving forward.Key TakeawaysWhy being comfortable with discomfort is essential for entrepreneurial growthHow Austin and Hannah built two businesses while raising three children togetherThe power of solving real-world problems instead of chasing trendsWhy self-belief matters more than other people's opinionsHow small-town entrepreneurs can compete through reputation, integrity, and hard workNotable Quotes"You got to be comfortable being uncomfortable.""If you say we're going to do something, we're going to do it.""Don't sit there and ask somebody what they think about your idea. Just do it.""You have to have that self-love that you are worth it, you are strong enough, and you can succeed.""Failure teaches you more than success ever will."Connect with Rudy Mawer:LinkedInInstagramFacebookTwitter

Most companies say people come first, but few truly build their culture that way. In this episode of Living The Red Life, Tracy Jackson, founder of My HR Confidant and HR E-Z, shares the mindset, leadership principles, and bold decisions that helped her become one of the most respected voices in human resources. From being the first woman and person of color on an executive leadership team to launching innovative HR technology for small businesses, Tracy reveals why loving people more than rules creates stronger organizations. She discusses leadership, workplace culture, entrepreneurship, employee engagement, and the importance of building trust at every level. Through powerful stories, faith-driven values, and practical business lessons, she challenges conventional HR thinking and offers a blueprint for creating workplaces where both companies and employees thrive.Key Takeaways• Put people before policies to build stronger organizations and healthier cultures.• Great leaders learn to distinguish between mistakes and intentional defiance.• Trust, honesty, and accountability create long-term employee loyalty.• Entrepreneurship begins when you identify problems others overlook.• Faith, resilience, and mentorship can shape career-defining decisions.Notable Quotes• "I consider HR to be resources for humans."• "You have to love people more than you love rules."• "Mistakes should be opportunities to learn."• "The company is the humans who work there."• "When you don't know what to do, do the right thing even if it's not easy."Connect with Rudy Mawer:LinkedInInstagramFacebookTwitter

Luxury interior designer and entrepreneur Jaque Bethke joins Living The Red Life to reveal how some of her greatest challenges became the foundation of her success. As the founder of a nationally recognized interior design and design-build firm, she shares the mindset that helped her transform discomfort into growth, build a business centered on emotion and experience, and create environments that influence how people think, feel, and connect. From leadership and entrepreneurship to luxury design and personal development, Jaque explores the power of frequency, presence, creativity, and resilience. This conversation dives into what separates good design from unforgettable experiences and why the most successful entrepreneurs learn to thrive outside their comfort zones.Key TakeawaysGrowth happens when you intentionally embrace discomfort.Great design is about creating emotional experiences, not just aesthetics.Entrepreneurs must learn to recharge and manage energy intentionally.Stillness and self-awareness are skills that require consistent practice.Alignment with clients and values creates stronger long-term success.Notable Quotes"Growth only comes from being uncomfortable.""I lived in uncomfortable for so long, it became the place I was most comfortable with.""It's not what it looks like. It's about how it makes you feel.""You have to evoke all five senses in design.""Being in that stillness opens up parts of us that we never knew existed."Connect with Rudy Mawer:LinkedInInstagramFacebookTwitter

Manuel Aragon spends his days helping entrepreneurs keep more of what they earn, but his path to becoming a respected tax strategist was anything but conventional. After facing 17 felony charges as a teenager and navigating years of personal challenges, Manuel refused to let his past define his future. In this episode of Living The Red Life, he shares how resilience, financial education, and relentless self-improvement helped him build Aragon Tax Return Services into a growing tax planning and advisory firm. He discusses tax strategy, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, implementation versus information, and why many business owners unknowingly leave money on the table. Through powerful lessons from the streets, the boardroom, and his upcoming book, The Tax of Life, Manuel reveals the mindset shifts that changed everything.Key TakeawaysYour past mistakes do not have to determine your future success.Tax strategy can be one of the most powerful wealth-building tools for entrepreneurs.Information alone is not enough; implementation creates results.Financial literacy is a skill that can transform families for generations.Building assets and long-term wealth matters more than simply accumulating cash.Notable Quotes"Give me a corner and a calculator and I'll hide behind the scenes.""Taxes can make or break a company.""My goal is to make taxes fun, informational, and educational.""You made a bunch of money. Now let's shelter it, move it, or invest it.""We have the freedom to change this perception of how people look at taxes."Connect with Rudy Mawer:LinkedInInstagramFacebookTwitter

She was told dance wouldn’t last. That it wasn’t a “real career.” But instead of walking away, she rewrote the rules of the industry. In this episode, a former professional dancer turned entrepreneur, Menina Fortunato reveals how she built a global platform and seven-figure business by combining talent with strategy, branding, and bold reinvention. From performing with icons to mentoring the next generation, she breaks down the real business of dance, the mindset required to stay relevant, and how to create opportunities instead of waiting for them. This is a masterclass in turning passion into profit, navigating industry shifts, and building a sustainable creative career in a digital world.Key Takeaways• Talent alone isn’t enough. Business skills, branding, and marketing create real career longevity• The dance industry has shifted from auditions to social media driven opportunities• Building a sustainable career requires learning how to package and sell your skillset• Reinvention is essential when industries change or setbacks happen• Passion becomes powerful when it’s paired with strategy and monetizationNotable Quotes• “Talent is only a part of the equation.” • “You have to learn how to package and market yourself.” • “There’s no other you on the planet.” • “Life is a dance. When you hit a roadblock, pivot.” • “You can build a seven-figure business doing what you love.”Connect with Rudy Mawer:LinkedInInstagramFacebookTwitter

Most entrepreneurs build businesses that trap them instead of freeing them. In this episode Rocco Cozza, a seasoned business attorney and entrepreneur, reveals how to systematize, scale, and structure companies for high-value exits. Drawing from decades of experience working with companies of all sizes, he breaks down why most founders wait too long to think about selling and how to build a business that runs without you. From SOPs and leadership gaps to mergers and acquisitions strategies, this conversation uncovers the real playbook behind building a sellable company and maximizing valuation.Key TakeawaysBuild your business to sell from day one, even if you never exitSystems and SOPs are the foundation of scalable companiesLeadership and operational gaps are the biggest value killersThe best time to plan an exit is 5 to 7 years in advanceAcquisitions can accelerate growth faster than organic scalingNotable Quotes"Set your business up to sell, even if you never exit.""If you fix the people problem, you fix the process problem, profit takes care of itself.""Build the company from the start without you.""Most people think about selling when it's too late.""If it's listed for sale, there's probably a reason why."Connect with Rudy Mawer:LinkedInInstagramFacebookTwitter

Timeka Washington goes from food stamps and survival mode to building multiple businesses and becoming the first millionaire in her family. In this episode of Living The Red Life, Timeka Washington shares the mindset, strategy, and emotional resilience behind her rise. From navigating motherhood at 17 to leading an empire through faith, discipline, and vision, she reveals how the “Bossy Blueprint” was born. This conversation dives into women in power, leadership identity, and building legacy-driven businesses while staying true to yourself. It is not just about success. It is about becoming the version of yourself that can hold it.Key TakeawaysSuccess starts with identity before strategyTurning pain into purpose creates unstoppable driveBuilding systems is the key to scaling a businessWomen must own their power unapologeticallyReal success is peace, alignment, and legacyNotable Quotes“If I wasn’t much, I wouldn’t have much.”“I didn’t just build a business. I built a blueprint.”“You have to channel in your inner beast.”“Success is peace in my spirit and power in my presence.”“I became the blueprint I never had.”Connect with Rudy Mawer:LinkedInInstagramFacebookTwitter

After years of narcissistic abuse, trauma bonding, and survival mode, this holistic trauma healer now helps others reclaim their power. In this episode, Sherry Lou Canino breaks down the truth about narcissistic relationships, how childhood trauma shapes partner choices, and why most people unknowingly repeat destructive patterns. Through her journey of arrest, emotional awakening, and rebuilding her life, she reveals the mindset shifts and healing strategies that changed everything. From equine therapy to holistic healing, her unconventional approach challenges traditional methods and offers a new path forward. This is a raw, unfiltered conversation about boundaries, identity, and breaking free.Key Takeaways:• Why people unknowingly choose narcissistic partners• The difference between healthy and malignant narcissism• How childhood trauma shapes adult relationships• Why healing requires more than just talk therapy• The role of boundaries in reclaiming personal powerNotable Quotes:• "We’re picking them. They’re not picking us."• "They want you to think you have nothing without them."• "We all have to have healthy narcissism."• "Just because someone calls you something doesn’t make it true."• "Burn the boxes. Nobody puts you in one again."Connect with Rudy Mawer:LinkedInInstagramFacebookTwitter

Dr. Clara Scott starts with less than $500, no backing, and a vision to redefine veterinary care. Today, she leads a thriving ecosystem built on mindset, resilience, and relentless execution. In this episode, a veterinarian and founder of My Family Vet shares how intuition, leadership, and an unshakable standard for excellence helped her scale through failure, loss, and industry pressure. From building culture-driven teams to mastering energy, communication, and client trust, she reveals the real strategies behind sustainable growth in veterinary business and beyond. This is a raw look at what it takes to win when the odds, the market, and even your own mindset are working against you.Key Takeaways• Start before you're ready. Resourcefulness beats capital in early-stage growth• Failure is feedback. Every setback is a system for improvement• Culture is your competitive edge. People and energy drive performance• Eliminate victim mentality. Ownership accelerates results• Intuition is a business skill. Awareness and presence create better decisionsNotable Quotes• “Overnight success doesn’t mean you knew what you were doing.” • “If you don’t learn and get better, you’re an idiot.” • “Animals don’t play victim. They adapt and move forward.” • “We built a legacy on treating animals like they deserve.” • “When you remove the noise, you operate on a different level.”Connect with Rudy Mawer:LinkedInInstagramFacebookTwitter

What does it take to turn real-world trauma into a scalable business and movement? In this episode of Living the Red Life, a veteran paramedic and law enforcement professional, Shawn Soler reveals how years on the front lines shaped a mindset built for resilience, leadership, and impact. From responding to life-or-death emergencies to launching Medicine in Bad Places, he breaks down the unconventional decisions that fueled his growth. When COVID shut down his training business, he pivoted fast, turning crisis into opportunity through brand expansion and innovation. This conversation dives into first responder training, mental resilience, and the mindset required to adapt, scale, and lead when everything is uncertain.Key Takeaways • Stop second-guessing yourself and take decisive action • Timing plays a critical role in business success and growth • Adapting fast during кризis creates new opportunities • Mental resilience is essential for leadership and longevity • Your mindset determines how you respond to adversityNotable Quotes • “Stop second guessing yourself. Get out of your own way.” • “Timing is everything.” • “If you fail today, it doesn’t mean you won’t succeed tomorrow.” • “You can’t control the cards, but you can change how you play the game.” • “It’s okay to not be okay—and to seek help when you need it.”Connect with Rudy Mawer:LinkedInInstagramFacebookTwitter

She didn’t just build a healthcare business—she scaled a multi-location ecosystem while learning how to step out of the day-to-day. Amy Bogue, founder of Allegro Family Clinics, shares the real strategy behind building a healthcare brand, leading high-performance teams, and trusting others to execute.From trauma nursing to running clinics, pharmacies, and a med spa, she breaks down the mindset shifts required to move from operator to visionary. This episode dives into leadership, delegation, and scaling without losing purpose—while navigating the complexities of healthcare entrepreneurship and building a people-first culture.Key TakeawaysWhy most entrepreneurs stay stuck inside their businessThe real strategy behind scaling teams you can trustHow to transition from operator to visionary leaderWhy healthcare entrepreneurship is uniquely complexThe importance of purpose-driven leadership and givingNotable Quotes"Surround yourself with people smarter than you and trust them.""I'm trying to work myself out of a job.""It's a privilege when people choose us.""Probably only 10% of my ideas are good.""Dreams take time, energy, and effort."Connect with Rudy Mawer:LinkedInInstagramFacebookTwitter

In this episode, Christina Thomas and Charles Patti, the founders of MY Self Wellness, reveal how ketamine therapy and psychedelic healing are reshaping mental health, helping people overcome depression, PTSD, and addiction at the root level. What started as personal survival becomes a fast-growing wellness movement built on purpose, frequency, and transformation. As they expand into advanced psychedelic research and a global healing model, they share the mindset, risks, and unconventional strategies behind scaling impact in a controversial space.Key Takeaways• Healing at the root cause creates lasting transformation, not symptom relief• Personal trauma can become the foundation for a scalable business mission• Psychedelic therapy is redefining mental health treatment models• Raising internal state and mindset directly impacts external success• Building a purpose-driven brand requires risk, belief, and unconventional thinkingNotable Quotes• “Psychedelic medicines gave me the ability to love myself enough to change my life.” • “If I heal myself, I heal the world.” • “Nothing ever worked for me, except psychedelic therapy.” • “We don’t put people in boxes. We meet them where they are.” • “It’s never too late to redeem yourself.”Connect with Rudy Mawer:LinkedInInstagramFacebookTwitter