Surviving the Storm: Matt Sapaula’s Secrets to Thriving as a Purpose-Driven

How the right enemy can push you to the next level

In this episode of the King’s Code Podcast, the guest speaker is Matt Sapaula. Matt is the author of several books, including “Faith Based Millionaire.” He is best known for being the business partner and running mate for Patrick Bet-David. Here is what you can expect from this episode:

Effective Leadership through Exemplary Action

In an era where words and declarations often overshadow genuine action, Raul and Matt emphasize the irreplaceable power of leading by example. Raul observes, “If you want your guys to be in the arena, you got to be in the arena.” Authentic leadership means being present in the trenches, illustrating strategies, not just relaying them.

Matt reinforces this idea by highlighting the importance of consistency between words and actions: “The only way I know how to really build a team is a man to lead by example.” This principle is critical for entrepreneurs aiming to gain and maintain the trust of their teams. Leaders must exemplify the behaviors they wish to see in their organizations.

Both leaders agree that success in leadership isn’t confined to financial achievements; it involves nurturing relationships and cultivating an environment where team members thrive alongside their leaders. Such environments foster commitment, loyalty, and resilience, particularly in today’s unpredictable market landscape.

Harnessing Faith and Gratitude in Business

In the pursuit of success, entrepreneurs often encounter hurdles that challenge their resolve. During such times, Matt and Raul advocate for grounding oneself in faith and gratitude. Raul notes a transformative shift in his prayer life, from beseeching for help to seeking “strength and wisdom,” grounding his ambitions within a framework of gratitude and resilience.

Matt echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the necessity of constant connection with one’s faith as a guiding compass. By maintaining a prayerful life and expressing gratitude for both victories and challenges, entrepreneurs can find clarity and motivation. As Matt articulates, “When you find out those leaks… you start addressing them to improve, and that requires a level of faith.”

This integration of faith and gratitude not only sustains individual leaders but also inspires teams, creating a cohesive workforce motivated by shared values and long-term vision rather than immediate gains.

The Transformative Power of Purpose

Underlying all entrepreneurial endeavors is the pursuit of purpose—an often elusive yet crucial element for meaningful success. Throughout their discussion, both Raul and Matt stress the importance of aligning one’s actions with a deeper sense of purpose. As Raul reflects on his journey, he acknowledges that beyond the monetary aspects of business, “being driven by purpose” ensures that every effort contributes to a grander, more fulfilling narrative.

Matt, recalling his experiences, advocates for seeking purpose first and allowing the journey to unfold from there. “Find purpose, and then find how,” he advises, suggesting that clarity in purpose simplifies the process of navigating life’s complexities and challenges.

The resonance of purpose surpasses individual ambition, fostering a legacy of impact and achievement that extends beyond immediate business success. Purpose-driven leaders not only steer their organizations towards sustainable growth but also inspire their communities by embedding their ventures with a sense of collective good.

Recapping the Journey

The conversation between Raul Villacis and Matt Sapaula is a robust dialogue, encapsulating powerful insights on leadership, faith, and purpose in today’s challenging environment. By integrating these principles, entrepreneurs can elevate their personal and business endeavors, navigating the storms of uncertainty with courage and strategic insight.

Their focus on leading by example, embracing gratitude and faith, and pursuing purpose offers a roadmap for modern entrepreneurs striving not only for survival but prosperity in unforeseen economic landscapes. Embodying these lessons ensures resilience and growth that withstand temporal challenges, poised for lasting success in a volatile world.

Go to KingsCodeBook.com to buy my book and learn how to get THE EDGE
and go to NextLevelLeadershipSummit.com to register for our next live/streaming event.

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September 30, 2024September 30, 2024

How the right enemy can push you to the next level

We all have enemies in life. If you don’t have any enemies, it’s a sign that you aren’t working hard enough. A worthy enemy can bring out the best in you. A worthy enemy will sharpen your EDGE. A worthy enemy will help you raise your standard.

At the same time, the wrong enemy can drain your energy. You could be spinning your wheels and not getting anywhere if you waste your energy fighting the wrong enemy.

To succeed, you need to be a fearless competitor. It requires emotion and logic. Sadly, some people lose their drive to compete when they become successful. When you started your business, you did it from a place of emotion. You had a drive within you to prove that you could make it. It wasn’t a logical decision, after all, 90% of businesses fail. When you find the right enemy, you’ll work harder. An enemy will create that emotion inside of you that will help you get to the next level.

The problem is you stop competing when you become successful. When you stop competing, you become complacent. You want everyone to “get along,” and you stop looking for enemies. You are no longer the game of life to win, you are only playing not to lose. When a man plays not to lose, he loses his EDGE At this point, you are relying on logic and lack emotion.

That’s when enemies come in handy. Your enemies will make you stronger. You have to find the right enemy. This is the subject of Patrick Bet-David’s new book, which I highly recommend. I created this list based on the book Choose Your Enemies Wisely.

How do you choose your enemies wisely?

1 – Find a mission that is worth fighting for
A lot of people have dreams and aspirations and a vision board, but they don’t have a mission. When you have a mission worth fighting for, it will help you find that drive. This is where you ask yourself, what is the legacy you want to create? What do you want to be remembered for? What do you want people to remember about you? What do you stand for?

When you start asking questions like that, you find your mission. What is the cause that is so big you are willing to get on the battlefield and fight and die for?

2- Get clear on who you must become to complete that mission
Most men don’t embark on a mission because they are too afraid to fail. They worry about just surviving. If you’re crazy enough to think you have a vision, you must become clear on who you have to become to make this vision a reality. This is where emotion drives you to become better. You tap into the fire inside of you that knows it’s better to die trying than stay on the sidelines.
Now you have clarity.

If your mission comes from a higher version of yourself, it will pull you. If you’re basing your vision on who you are right now, you’re playing too small, and that’s also why you don’t have any enemies. But if you create a vision based on a higher version of yourself, it will pull you to become better.

3- Who will be impacted by your mission?
Go deeper into your emotions. See who will be affected by your actions. If you take on this mission, who will benefit? Who will suffer if you quit? You want to find emotional leverage to keep you going when things get tough. Life is hard. Life will punch you in the face. In those moments, you must remember who you are, what you stand for, and who will suffer if you give up.

4- Make a list of what can get in your way
Actively look for what can stop you from achieving your mission. Are there any habits getting in the way? Are there any negative beliefs getting in your way? Are there any people who doubt you or may get in your way? Those things/people are your enemies.

5- Pick an enemy who will drive you and give you energy
An enemy can give you energy or waste your energy. Don’t waste your time with enemies who drain your energy. Not every enemy is worth your time and focus. Not every battle is worth fighting. Become strategic and choose enemies who will help you sharpen your EDGE. A worthy enemy will help you grow. The problem is that most men don’t want to pick an enemy who will drive them because they’re no longer playing the game to win. If you’re playing not to lose, you’re afraid to pick the right enemy.

A worthy enemy will unify your team. Now you can tell your team it’s us vs. them. They doubt us, they laugh at us, but because we’re on a mission, we are going to show them what’s possible. A worthy enemy will create the fire you need to figure out the strategy to win. You need that fire inside of you to figure things out. That is the only time you’re going to be able to use your enemy to get to the next level instead of having your enemy drain your energy.

But emotion is not enough. A worthy enemy will bring out your emotions, but you also need to have logic. You need to have the skills to fight the enemy. Otherwise, you’re going to lose. You need to have the skills – marketing, sales, systems, raising capital, etc.

Your will to win can lead you to create the skills to win. This is the pull and the push. The pull is the vision, the mission, the emotional connection to win. The push is the discipline necessary to continue to sharpen your skills and keep learning. Most men stop learning. They just want to be complacent. The push is to continue to be a student of the game. The push is to continue to drive forward and sharpen your EDGE every day.

My enemy is any negative force that stops me from completing my mission in life. My mission is to help men find their code to the EDGE so they can live with purpose and fulfill their destiny. I know their families are at risk if they don’t find the EDGE. Their employees are at risk if they don’t find the EDGE. Every day, I must face my enemy and commit to fighting another day. That emotion inside of me keeps me doing what I’m doing. I know exactly who I am and who I need to become to lead.

Most men don’t have a mission in life; they don’t have a vision of who they need to become. When I lost my EDGE, I lost that vision. I had enemies before, I knew who I needed to become. I once had a competitor in my real estate business send me a letter telling me I’d never make it. I read that letter every day. It drove me to succeed. I even bought her business from her. But once I was on top, I lost that EDGE. I started becoming complacent. When the market crashed, I became a victim of my circumstances.

To have the EDGE, you must balance emotion and logic. Find the enemy who will drive, you, but at the same time, have the push every day to execute. If you don’t face your enemy every day, you’re going to lose the battle. It’s your job every day to identify your enemy. When you get to the next level, find a new enemy. Be grateful that you can find these enemies who will push you to grow and expand.

Being a leader is not easy. Most days you will wake up with doubt, fear, and anxiety. The enemy is whispering in your ear that you’re not good enough. It’s up to you to listen to the higher version of yourself. Choose to tell the enemy, “Not today, mother fucker!”

Choose your enemies wisely. That will make the difference between being complacent, playing the game not to lose, or pushing yourself every day to sharpen your EDGE.

Go to KingsCodeBook.com to buy my book and learn how to get THE EDGE
and go to NextLevelLeadershipSummit.com to register for our next live/streaming event.

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September 25, 2024

What kills a man’s EDGE?

Losing your EDGE means you’ve lost your competitive drive. It’s easy to have the EDGE for one day, one week, or one month. It’s hard to consistently keep your EDGE sharp. Anybody can get lucky. Mastery requires you to do hard shit. In order to become a master, you have to do the hard shit that most men don’t do because most men are relying on luck. But luck is not a sustainable option. You can’t count on luck. You can’t predict luck.

The reason most men don’t have the EDGE is because they associate the EDGE with perfection. Having the EDGE doesn’t mean that everything is perfect. It means being committed to improving, not just one day, but every day. Can you commit to improving every area of your life 1% every day? Having the EDGE is not chasing perfection but pursuing progress. Fuck perfection, pursue progress.

You can’t improve what you don’t measure. Every day, you have to ask yourself where you can improve. And every week, look back and see where you’ve improved or haven’t.

What kills a man’s EDGE?

To improve, you have to identify the leaks. What is keeping you from sharpening your EDGE?

1- Comfort/boredom
The moment you think you’ve arrived, you’ve lost. If you think you’ve got it, you’re losing it. If you stop growing, you start dying. The energy of a man who is going somewhere is contagious. You have to keep that energy. If you don’t have that positive energy, you have the energy that drags people down.

2- Guilt & Shame
Guilt and shame is the lowest level of energy. It’s just a matter of time until you will begin to blame others for your circumstances. When you start living in guilt and shame, you attract people who will validate that story. It’s impossible to build momentum if guilt and shame are dragging you down.

3- Playing the comparison game
Men play the comparison game to make themselves feel good. You play the comparison game because you want to make yourself feel better because someone else has it worse than you. But at the same time, if you compare yourself to people who are doing better than you, you feel worse. Either way you lose; playing the comparison game kills a man’s EDGE.

4- Sedating pain/stress
When you are being consumed by pressure, it’s easier to sedate the pain instead of facing your pain. It’s easier to tell yourself you aren’t stressed and ignore the pain or drown it in alcohol or distract yourself with porn. Anything that takes you away from facing your current reality and doing something about it is sedation. You’re not dealing with the pain, you’re only putting band-aids on it. If you only put on a band-aid, the wound will eventually get bigger. It’s impossible to have the EDGE if you continue to sedate. Eventually, you will become numb to to the pain and think there is no pain. You disconnect the pain so you feel nothing.

5- Setting/playing small
When you feel numb, you settle for what you have. Settling is a sign that you are afraid of failure. Your fear of failing is keeping you at this level. Settling for less than what you know you can do is a way of giving up. You tell yourself the story that this is as good as it gets. You tell yourself you don’t have to push yourself. Appreciate what you have, but also look for where you can go to the next level.

6- Lack of purpose
This is what happens when you settle. A man’s purpose is to lead and level up. When you stop leading, you’ve lost your purpose. Most men don’t want to lead. Most men want other people to lead for them. They don’t want to take the responsibility of being the leader. You’re either part of the problem or part of the solution.

When you understand what kills the EDGE, then you can anticipate what threats kill the EDGE before you lose it.

What leaks and threats can make you lose your EDGE?

1- Betrayal.
How would you show up if people betrayed you? Who would cause you pain if they betrayed your trust? You have to put in the work so they don’t betray you. The reason we don’t talk about this is because we’re afraid it will happen if you talk about it. Have the conversations it takes to keep those people happy with you so they never betray your trust.

2- Sickness
How are you taking care of yourself? If you know that getting sick will cause you to lose your EDGE how are you going to take care of yourself?

3- Failure
What if you fail? What will you do? How would you react if you had to start over?

4- Ego
What prevents you from listening to a higher voice?

All of those conversations are based on fear. The Devil is whispering all these failures in your ear, according to Napoleon Hill’s Outwitting the Devil.

What opportunities do you have to sharpen your EDGE?

1- Connection
How can you connect to a deeper cause? How can you connect to a higher power?
Every time you feel connected to a deeper cause, you get the energy of certainty that you know you can figure shit out.

2- Contribution
We all have opportunities to contribute. To show your failures and successes. When you take the focus off yourself and focus on how you can help others, the game changes. You start realizing that there is perspective.

3- Vision
How can you sharpen your vision? Who are you working on your vision with? What are you doing to get closer to your vision? You have the opportunity to start dreaming bigger. When you are around other people who have a big vision, that energy is contagious.

4- Get around dreamers
Get around other men who have a vision, a purpose, a dream. That energy is contagious. If you feel like you’re losing your EDGE, you have to be around people who have the EDGE. Who are you spending time with?

You may lose your EDGE unconsciously. Sharpening your EDGE requires you to find the leaks, threats and opportunities. It also requires you to take advantage of opportunities that you have in front of you. If you don’t take advantage of opportunities, you’re going to be running in circles hoping and wishing for someone else to save you.

Go to KingsCodeBook.com to buy my book and learn how to get THE EDGE
and go to NextLevelLeadershipSummit.com to register for our next live/streaming event.

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September 17, 2024September 17, 2024

5 ways to manage pressure

Very few people will ever understand the pressure that men feel when they are leading. They have no idea how leaders continue to keep going against all odds. Just because you make it look easy doesn’t mean that it is. Just because you are holding it together does not mean you know how to deal with the pressure that comes with being an entrepreneur.

A leader pays the price daily and is happy to do it. Because they know they’re going to figure shit out eventually. There is a price to pay every day for your organization to stay in business. There is a price to pay for your family, for your purpose. If you don’t pay the price, people will suffer. It takes courage to lead and take risks. It takes courage to stand against all odds. It takes balls to keep on going all in when people doubt you. It takes courage to step onto the battlefield when you don’t know whether or not you’ll make it out alive.

The common denominator of successful leaders is knowing how to manage pressure. The difference between men who fold and men who succeed is knowing how to manage the pressure you feel on a daily basis. Very few men can understand what it takes to lead. That’s why they’d rather watch other people lead. They stay on the sidelines or make excuses. Most men will only dream about one day; it takes courage to stand up and say “I am going to lead. I will figure shit out.”

If you learn how to manage pressure, you’re ahead of the game. Pressure is part of being a leader, so if you expect it, you’re already a better leader than most men.

5 ways to manage pressure

1- Kill the story before it gets bigger
The mind is a meaning-making machine. It always creates stories to make meaning out of what happens. Your job is to kill the story before it gets out of control. When you feel pressure, you have to identify what the story is that you keep telling yourself. Is it the story that you’re not enough? Is it the story that you’re too old, or too late? What story do you tell yourself when you feel pressure? Tell yourself the truth to kill the story. Whatever it is that you think you don’t have enough of, the truth is that you do.

We tend to make things bigger than they are. That’s why you have to kill the story when it’s small because otherwise, you’ll create a bigger story. Kill the story that is draining your energy and increasing the pressure. Kill the story of doubt; kill the story of fear; kill the story of not having enough or not being enough. When you identify the stories that keep you from going to the next level, you can interrupt the patterns that make the story bigger than it is.

2- find perspective to release pressure
When shit happens in your life and you feel pressure, you have to find perspective. When you use contrast, you will feel better. Shit could always be worse. Look at your situation and instead of feeling sorry for yourself, ask yourself how could shit be worse. There is somebody out there right now praying to have the pressure you have instead of his own. When you have perspective, you realize that it’s not as bad as you think it is.

The contrast will release the pressure and you can find a solution, and instead, use that pressure to

3- Learn to love what is
This is a great framework to stabilize pressure. Good times don’t last forever. Bad times won’t last forever. Nothing lasts forever, so enjoy it when it’s good, and prepare for when it’s going to be bad. You have to enjoy the present moment, otherwise you will dwell in the past or be afraid of the future. Enjoy the present moment. But even if things aren’t going well, can you love what is?
Fall in love with the process, not the outcome. Can you fall in love with the grind? Who you become under pressure is more important than an easy outcome. When you love what is, it releases the pressure and you can become stronger. When you argue with reality, you add unnecessary pressure to yourself.

4- Appreciate how far you have come.
Don’t beat yourself down or feel guilt and shame about things you did/should’ve done. Become your own biggest raving fan. Constantly tell yourself how far you’ve come so you can tell yourself that every day, you’re getting better. You’re not the same man you were a year ago. You’re not even the same person you were a month ago. Give yourself the credit you deserve for how far you’ve come. Don’t expect others to appreciate you if you don’t appreciate yourself. People won’t see what you don’t see in yourself. If you want to appreciate the journey, you have to appreciate how far you’ve come.

You didn’t come this far to stay here. Life is a journey, enjoy the journey. Don’t stay comfortable. Look back for appreciation and look forward to inspiration. Where are you going? What’s the vision and the mission? When you realize that you’re here for a cause, you know who you are becoming. There is a bigger purpose for you. But you have to believe in yourself first. The pressure will lie and whisper in your ear that this is it; this is as far as you can go. The pressure will entice you to stay comfortable. Listen to the voice of expansion, not the voice of fear.

5- Remember why you are here.
This is the most important part of managing pressure. The pressure is there to expand your capacity. Why do you want to expand? Why is it a must to create an impact? You wanted this pressure. When you said you were ready to lead, that pressure is the answer to your prayer. This is how you lead. This is how to expand. This is what it means to be a leader: do the shit that most men are not willing to do. Go into the battlefield when most men are running away from the battle. Show up when most men are not willing to show up. Do the work when you don’t feel like it. Leadership is not convenient. It’s hard as fuck. But this is what you asked for.

Manage your pressure, don’t fold under pressure. When you fold under pressure, that’s giving up

Go to KingsCodeBook.com to buy my book and learn how to get THE EDGE
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September 13, 2024September 13, 2024

5 Ways to Create Momentum

In life, you don’t get what you want, you only get what you’re committed to doing. Everything in life is about commitments; you have to go all in, you can’t go halfway. Nothing happens if you only wish, hope, and pray for it.

Starting is easy, but committing is the hardest part of every journey. When you commit, then things start to happen. Most men don’t commit because it’s easy to dwell on the what-ifs. What if this happens, what if I fail, what if people judge me? It’s hard to keep on trying when it’s hard and you don’t see the results you want. The reality is that you may fail. You may get punched in the face. People may talk shit about you because they don’t believe in what you do.

Commitment alone is not enough. Every time life gets hard, there’s a little voice in your head that tells you to quit. When your current reality doesn’t match your expectations, your mind wants to create a story that validates your feelings. The first feeling that shows up is the urge to blame. You look for someone or something to blame because you don’t want to take ownership of where you are. When you start blaming, you start creating excuses. Excuses for why you didn’t get the results you wanted. When you blame and point fingers, you become committed to your excuses rather than committed to results.

The key is creating momentum. You must create momentum every time you commit. It doesn’t matter how fast or slow you are going, momentum will keep you going.

5 ways to create momentum:

1- Get clear on where you are.

Most men lie to themselves. They tell themselves the story that their life is not as bad as it is, or more accurately, the problem is not as urgent as they think it is. They tell themselves the story that this is as good as it can get. Don’t lie to yourself about your situation. The worst thing to do is to lie to yourself and tell yourself the story that it’s okay to be where you are. You have to see how things are, not as you want them to be.

Get clear on where you are and ask if you like where you are. That pain can fuel you to create momentum. If you don’t like where you are, use the pain for fuel.

2- Take extreme ownership.
The victim mentality is contagious. Avoid it like the plague. When you stop blaming other people, you take back your power. Now is the time to own your power. Nobody is coming to save you. The government won’t save you; it’s up to you to get shit done. But if you don’t get shit done, you’re always going to blame someone else for your situation.

3- Create a compelling future.
You have to create a compelling future in your mind first. Visualize your compelling future to get yourself excited for the future. If you can’t imagine the possibility of winning, it’s going to be hard to play the game. You have to visualize the wins. If you can’t feel the possibility of winning, you can’t get excited. You have to see the light at the end of the tunnel, or eventually, you will crash.

Your job is to see that light at the end of the tunnel. Create a compelling future based on the impact you want to create. The compelling future is not just for business, it’s for every area of your life. Statistics show that people who have something to look forward to work harder than those who don’t. This is when you start raising your standard and step into your purpose.

None of us are where we want to be, but we are all exactly where we need to be.

4- Know the possible nightmare.
You have to ask yourself, what is the nightmare scenario if you don’t succeed?
Visualize the worst-case scenario. When you are clear on what can go wrong, then you can either be scared of your nightmares or use them to motivate you. To drive you. To pull you. When it isn’t easy to do the work, the threat of your nightmare scenario will give you the discipline to do the work when you don’t feel like it. When you are present to who will suffer the consequences if you don’t get your shit together, the game changes.

5- Measure your progress.
Most men fail because they don’t measure their progress. What you don’t measure doesn’t get done. Have a system that will measure success. How will you know you’re winning if you don’t keep score? Measure the base hits so you can hit home runs. Most men only celebrate home runs. But if you celebrate building your momentum with the goal of getting 1% better every day, you will be 300% better every year.

When you commit to doing something, the challenge will be creating momentum at the start. You may get punched in the face, but at least you know you’re in the arena. Your mantra to create momentum is fuck excuses, focus on results. You will always have excuses. There is always a distraction. You have to ignore the noise and focus on the signal.

In life, you can be committed to your excuses or results, but you can’t be both. You have to choose. It all comes down to you. What can you commit to? Unless you commit to something greater than yourself, you’ll spend every day wondering what if. Regret is hell.

The victim mentality is contagious. Victims create more victims. You attract more victims into your life. The opposite of a victim is a creator. Your job is to be a creator. Create solutions. Create results. Create opportunities. Create love and compassion. Don’t judge victims, have compassion for them. No one is coming to save you, you have to create a compelling future.

What is the excuse that you’re going to stop making today and focus on your results?

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August 29, 2024

Turning Passion into Profit: The Risks and Rewards of Entrepreneurship

In this episode of the King’s Code podcast, host Raul Villacis sits down with guests with Richard Crane and Edwin Farrow to explore the role of purpose in achieving success. Richard Crane, an AI expert and co-founder of a successful AI company, shares his journey from an executive at Microsoft and what drove him to strike out on his own, pioneering AI-driven solutions for businesses. He emphasizes the transformative power of AI in enhancing productivity and creating growth opportunities, urging individuals to embrace technology to stay competitive by sharpening their value proposition. Edwin Farrow, a seasoned attorney turned leadership coach, discusses his transition to empowering young people. His shift was fueled by a passion for leadership development and helping others realize their full potential. Both guests highlight the importance of living one’s dream, taking risks, and pursuing a career aligned with personal purpose. Click here to watch this episode of the King’s Code podcast.

Go to KingsCodeBook.com to buy my book and learn how to get THE EDGE
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