Fit Rich Life

Cody Berman hit financial independence at 25 and went from zero to FI in just three years.
In this episode, Cody returns to the Fit Rich Life Podcast to talk about his new book, Retire by 30, and the exact mindset, money strategies, side hustles, real estate moves, and lifestyle decisions that helped him build wealth and gain freedom at an unusually young age.
We talk about the "American Nightmare," why Cody quit his $80,000 corporate banking job after only seven months, how he kept his expenses incredibly low, and why the gap between your income and expenses may be the most important metric on the path to financial independence.
Cody and I also explore cashflow FI versus traditional index fund investing, the power of real estate leverage, why most side hustles fail before one finally works, how mentors and networking can completely change your trajectory, and why financial independence is not about never working again. It is about having the freedom to choose work, projects, relationships, and experiences on your own terms.
This conversation is a powerful reminder that financial independence is possible at any age if you are willing to get intentional with your money, increase your income, control your expenses, invest consistently, and build a life around freedom instead of status.
In this episode, we cover:
How Cody reached financial independence at 25

Why he wrote Retire by 30

The difference between looking rich and getting rich

The "gap" as the engine of financial independence

Cashflow FI versus the 25x rule

Real estate, digital products, and side hustles

Why frugality is a superpower early in your journey

How to think about debt without shame

The role of mentors, networking, and getting in the right rooms

Fitness, money, and life strategies for living a Fit Rich Life

 
Connect with Cody on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/codydberman/ 
Order the "Retire By 30" book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4dnI7at 



Get a FREE copy of my Money Guide: https://fitrichlifecoaching.com/blueprint 
 
Full Show Notes w/ Links to resources: www.fitrichlife.com/podcast/



FIT RICH LIFE NEWSLETTER
Get fit, get rich, and live your best life in 10 minutes a week. Join 4,600+ smart readers who are leveling up their Fitness, Money & Life.
Join here: https://fitrichlife.com/newsletter  
 
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SHOW SPONSORS:
I am incredibly passionate about Fitness and Money & have reached a substantial degree of mastery in these domains, and now I'm looking to help others do the same! Interested in taking your Fitness, Money & Life to the next level? Book your Free Consultation today or drop me a DM on Instagram https://instagram.com/justindavidcarl to coordinate a time to connect with me.
 
From Pre-Workout to Protein, if you desire to lead a happy, healthy, fit life, go to https://vedgenutrition.com/dragon  and grab your plant-based healthy essentials. Use the code DRAGON to save $$! 

 
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Naseema McElroy paid off $1M of debt in just over three years.
While going through an abusive marriage.
While her husband was in jail.
While she was a single mom.
And she did it without a lucky break — just with focus, a debt snowball, and zero-based budgeting.
In this Fit Rich Life Podcast episode, Naseema goes ALL the way in on the stuff most personal finance creators won't touch.
She grew up in Oakland, raised by a single dad who was a converted Muslim and a martial artist. She accidentally applied to USC and got in (true story), and walked into the "University of Spoiled Children" as a broke girl from the hood watching freshmen pull up in BMWs and Lotuses.
She became a top labor and delivery nurse, racked up two master's degrees, bought the house, the Lexus, the look — and still felt broke.
Then she blew it all up.
We get into:
How she paid off $1M in debt (and why she chose the snowball over the avalanche)

"People didn't math their way into debt. They're not gonna math their way out."

Money trauma from childhood — and the double trauma of becoming a woman with no mom around

Being stigmatized at USC as the "affirmative action" girl and crying at her 20-year reunion

Why she got married for the wrong reasons — and what it cost her

The abusive marriage, the jail, the divorce, and paying for her freedom

Looking rich vs. getting rich — and why LA almost ate her alive

How she upgraded her circle virtually through Instagram and the FI community

Why your network is your net worth

And the one thing she wants you to do TODAY if you're at the start of your journey

Naseema is the founder of Financially Intentional and author of Smart Money. She's one of the most honest, vulnerable, and powerful voices in personal finance.
If you've ever felt shame about money, struggled with debt, or got caught up looking rich instead of getting rich — this one's for you.
Follow Naseema on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/financiallyintentional/ 



Get a FREE copy of my Money Guide: https://fitrichlifecoaching.com/blueprint 
 
Full Show Notes w/ Links to resources: www.fitrichlife.com/podcast/



FIT RICH LIFE NEWSLETTER
Get fit, get rich, and live your best life in 10 minutes a week. Join 4,500+ smart readers who are leveling up their Fitness, Money & Life.
Join here: https://fitrichlife.com/newsletter  
 
WANT TO LEARN MORE? 
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justindavidcarl 
Follow me on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@justindavidcarl 
Follow me on Twitter/X: https://x.com/justindavidcarl 
Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justindavidcarl 
 
SHOW SPONSORS:
I am incredibly passionate about Fitness and Money & have reached a substantial degree of mastery in these domains, and now I'm looking to help others do the same! Interested in taking your Fitness, Money & Life to the next level? Book your Free Consultation today or drop me a DM on Instagram https://instagram.com/justindavidcarl to coordinate a time to connect with me.
From Pre-Workout to Protein, if you desire to lead a happy, healthy, fit life, go to https://vedgenutrition.com/dragon  and grab your plant-based healthy essentials. Use the code DRAGON to save $$! 



Thanks for tuning in! 
If you liked my show, LEAVE A THUMBS UP, share, and subscribe!

In this episode of the Fit Rich Life Podcast, I sit down with Matthias Kling and Scarlett Chen, the cofounders of Aireo Sports, to talk about how a Stanford materials scientist and a global trade entrepreneur came together to build one of the most innovative paddle companies in pickleball.
We dive into the story behind Aireo Sports, how Matthias' background in physics and materials science pairs with Scarlett's deep experience in manufacturing and global supply chains, and why they believed they could build better paddles than what was already on the market.
We also unpack the technology behind the Cyclone and Titan Hawk paddles, how top players think about power, spin, control, grit, and durability, and what it really takes to create meaningful innovation in a fast-growing sport.
This conversation is about much more than pickleball. It is about entrepreneurship, following your curiosity, building something around a real obsession, and the power of community.
We also talk about the explosive growth of pickleball around the world, Aireo's sponsored players and ambassadors, and their exciting new partnership as the exclusive sponsor of the Ultimate Pickleball League.
Here's what we get into:
How a German kid obsessed with ping pong paddles ended up running X-ray laser experiments at Stanford

Why Scarlett's trade data showed pickleball growing 300% — and why she flew to Palo Alto to learn the sport before building for it

The actual science behind the Cyclone: pulse foam cores, floating foam suspension, and the nanograph carbon fiber that keeps paddles gritty 4x longer

Why most "titanium" paddles on the market aren't actually titanium — and what Aireo did differently with the Titan Hawk

How they bootstrapped and self-funded the company in an increasingly expensive sport

Their brand new deal as the sole exclusive sponsor of the Ultimate Pickleball League

The pros and ambassadors building with them — Levi Daniels, MJ Greiner, Kelly Chen, Lisa Tang, and more

Why the community around pickleball might be even more valuable than the sport itself

If you play pickleball, you're going to love this one.
If you don't — stick around anyway. Because this is really a story about two people from completely different worlds, betting on their passion, and building something around a community they love.
That's the magic.
Grab an Aireo paddle at https://www.aireo-sports.com/ and use code DRAGON for a discount on the paddle I use every day.
Check out Aireo Sports on Instagram here.
 
Episode Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Aereo Sports and Its Founders
01:16 Matthias Kling's Journey to Stanford and Science
06:15 Scarlett Chen's Background in Global Trade
09:10 The Transition to Pickleball: A Shared Passion
13:25 The Community and Joy of Pickleball
22:02 Innovating Pickleball Paddles: The Aereo Approach
29:02 The Cyclone Paddle: Features and Technology
35:36 Understanding Paddle Technology: Foam Core and Suspension
39:14 Material Science in Paddle Development
41:47 Bootstrapping a Pickleball Company
42:51 Growth Strategies and Brand Awareness
46:58 Innovative Paddle Technologies
51:29 Design and Aesthetics of Paddles
56:55 Understanding Paddle Performance
01:01:35 Player Preferences and Paddle Selection
01:07:17 Sponsorships and Community Engagement
01:13:26 Partnerships and Future Growth
01:17:56 Passion and Entrepreneurship




Get a FREE copy of my Money Guide: https://fitrichlifecoaching.com/blueprint 
 
Full Show Notes w/ Links to resources: www.fitrichlife.com/podcast/



FIT RICH LIFE NEWSLETTER
Get fit, get rich, and live your best life in 10 minutes a week. Join 4,300+ smart readers who are leveling up their Fitness, Money & Life.
Join here: https://fitrichlife.com/newsletter  
 
WANT TO LEARN MORE? 
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justindavidcarl 
Follow me on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@justindavidcarl 
Follow me on Twitter/X: https://x.com/justindavidcarl 
Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justindavidcarl 
 
SHOW SPONSORS:
I am incredibly passionate about Fitness and Money & have reached a substantial degree of mastery in these domains and now I'm looking to help others do the same! Interested in taking your Fitness, Money & Life to the next level? Book your Free Consultation today or drop me a DM on Instagram https://instagram.com/justindavidcarl to coordinate a time to connect with me.
 
From Pre-Workout to Protein, if you desire to lead a happy, healthy, fit life, go to https://vedgenutrition.com/dragon  and grab your plant-based healthy essentials. Use the code DRAGON to save $$! 

 
Thanks for tuning in! 
If you liked my show, LEAVE A THUMBS UP, share, and subscribe!

Welcome to the Fit Rich Life podcast, where we talk about fitness, money, and building a life you truly love.
In this episode, I'm sharing a rebroadcast of an interview I did on The Compounding Project Podcast with my good friend Sathish.
We dive deep into my health and fitness journey, including how I doubled my testosterone levels, how I approach VO2 max training, how I think about longevity and healthspan, and how I went from 18% body fat to 8% body fat and got seriously lean.
We also unpack my WHOOP Age, which is WHOOP's estimate of your physiological age based on fitness and recovery markers. At the time of recording this intro, my WHOOP Age is 31.6, which is 12.3 years younger than my actual age. In the episode, I mention being 10 years younger than my biological age, but that was recorded several months earlier and my markers have improved even more since then.
This is a wide-ranging conversation packed with practical insights and actionable takeaways for anyone who wants to improve their health, fitness, and long-term quality of life.
 
Get a FREE copy of my Money Guide: https://fitrichlifecoaching.com/blueprint 


In this episode: 
[02:00] Designing Your Fitness Journey
[08:38] The Role of Supplements in Health
[15:34] The Importance of Sleep
[44:27] A Day in the Life of Justin
[42:49] Morning Rituals and Meditation
[01:02:21] Self-Care and Physical Wellness
[01:18:18] Daily Life and Work Balance
[01:28:18] Nutrition and Eating Habits
[01:34:05] Actionable Steps for Improvement
[01:40:09] Recommended Reads for Health and Longevity
[01:44:10] Health Hacks for Everyday Life
[01:50:06] Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks



Full Show Notes w/ Links to resources: www.fitrichlife.com/podcast/



FIT RICH LIFE NEWSLETTER
Get fit, get rich, and live your best life in 10 minutes a week. Join 4,300+ smart readers who are leveling up their Fitness, Money & Life.
Join here: https://fitrichlife.com/newsletter  
 
WANT TO LEARN MORE? 
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justindavidcarl 
Follow me on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@justindavidcarl 
Follow me on Twitter/X: https://x.com/justindavidcarl 
Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justindavidcarl 
 
SHOW SPONSORS:
I am incredibly passionate about Fitness and Money & have reached a substantial degree of mastery in these domains and now I'm looking to help others do the same! Interested in taking your Fitness, Money & Life to the next level? Book your Free Consultation today or drop me a DM on Instagram https://instagram.com/justindavidcarl to coordinate a time to connect with me.
From Pre-Workout to Protein, if you desire to lead a happy, healthy, fit life, go to https://vedgenutrition.com/dragon  and grab your plant-based healthy essentials. Use the code DRAGON to save $$! 
 
Thanks for tuning in! 
If you liked my show, LEAVE A THUMBS UP, share, and subscribe!

In this episode, Justin David Carl and Justin Peters (Host of the FI Minded Podcast) delve into the multifaceted nature of endurance, exploring not just physical stamina but also financial and entrepreneurial resilience. 
They discuss the importance of building a community around fitness and how this can enhance motivation and accountability. 
Justin Peters shares his personal journey from being a college soccer player to becoming a dedicated runner, emphasizing the significance of consistency and identity in achieving personal goals. 
The conversation also touches on the concept of financial independence, with both Justins advocating for a life-first approach to business and the importance of pursuing passions that bring joy and fulfillment.
The discussion further explores the idea of creating a 'five bucket list'—a list of experiences and goals to pursue both before and after achieving financial independence. This list serves as a motivational tool, encouraging individuals to incorporate meaningful activities into their lives now rather than waiting for a future that may never come. 
The episode wraps up with practical tips for fitness, wealth, and life, emphasizing the importance of community, planning, and celebrating small wins along the journey to financial independence.
 
Connect with Justin Peters:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fimindedpod/ 
Web: https://fiminded.com/ 
 
Get a FREE copy of my Money Guide: https://fitrichlifecoaching.com/blueprint 
 
In this episode:
[00:00-03:02] Introduction to Endurance and Identity
[03:03-06:44] Justin Peters' Journey to Running
[06:45-10:51] The Importance of Consistency
[10:52-15:22] Choosing Your Identity
[15:23-19:08] Building Community in Fitness
[19:09-29:44] The Role of Community in Happiness
[29:45-32:56] Lessons from Ultra Marathon Training
[32:57-34:12] Starting Slow: The Key to Success
[34:13-36:05] Building Financial Momentum
[36:06-44:49] Breaking Down Goals: The Power of Small Steps
[44:50-45:41] Defining Financial Independence
[45:42-50:10] Stages of Financial Independence
[50:11-58:09] Learning from Financial Mistakes
[58:10-01:03:36] Navigating the Boring Middle of Financial Independence
[01:03:37-01:04:31] The Sweet Spot of Work Hours
[01:04:32-01:06:51] The Freedom Ladder Concept
[01:06:52-01:10:10] Transitioning to a Life-First Business
[01:10:11-01:15:39] Building a Business Around Interests
[01:15:40-01:20:47] The Boring Middle: A Time for Experimentation
[01:20:48-01:21:10] Shifting Priorities Post-Financial Independence
[01:21:11-01:28:34] The Five Bucket List Concept
[01:28:35-end] Practical Tips for Fitness, Wealth, and Happiness
 
Full Show Notes w/ Links to resources: www.fitrichlife.com/podcast/

 
FIT RICH LIFE NEWSLETTER
Get fit, get rich, and live your best life in 10 minutes a week. Join 4,000+ smart readers who are leveling up their Fitness, Money & Life.
Join here: https://fitrichlife.com/newsletter  
 
WANT TO LEARN MORE? 
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justindavidcarl 
Follow me on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@justindavidcarl 
Follow me on Twitter/X: https://x.com/justindavidcarl 
Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justindavidcarl 
 
SHOW SPONSORS:
I am incredibly passionate about Fitness and Money & have reached a substantial degree of mastery in these domains and now I'm looking to help others do the same! Interested in taking your Fitness, Money & Life to the next level? Book your Free Consultation today or drop me a DM on Instagram https://instagram.com/justindavidcarl to coordinate a time to connect with me.
From Pre-Workout to Protein, if you desire to lead a happy, healthy, fit life, go to https://vedgenutrition.com/dragon  and grab your plant-based healthy essentials. Use the code DRAGON to save $$! 



Thanks for tuning in! 
If you liked my show, LEAVE A THUMBS UP, share, and subscribe!