
About this episode
Most people think failure is the end. I thought that too — until I got rejected from every Ivy League school, barely scraped into Arizona State, and watched my career implode over and over again. In this raw episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on every spectacular failure that built my empire: the boss who said I'd leave dead bodies behind to get ahead, the million-dollar payout to a bad partner, and the moment I almost lost everything with weeks of cash left.
From getting pushed out of companies to navigating a brutal divorce in front of my entire firm, these aren't just war stories — they're the blueprint for turning your biggest losses into your greatest wins. I share why the chip on your shoulder is worth more than a pat on the back, how to know when you're made of paper versus walls, and why your bank account is a direct reflection of the difficult conversations you're willing to have.
If you've ever felt like you're drowning while trying to look calm on the surface, or if you're tired of playing it safe while watching others win big, this episode will show you exactly why failure isn't just the entry price to success — it's the only currency that matters.
___________
00:00:00 Introduction
00:00:36 Welcome to the "Lowlight Reel"
00:00:59 College Rejection and the Arizona State Advantage
00:01:58 No Job Offers and the Vanguard Breakthrough
00:03:48 The Brutal Feedback at Vanguard
00:06:12 Breaking Into Goldman Sachs
00:07:50 Learning From Goldman's Elite
00:09:57 The State Street Hustle
00:11:52 First Time Firing Someone
00:15:52 Building a Billion Dollar Business
00:16:29 Divorce and Professional Attacks
00:18:18 Side Hustles During Corporate Drama
00:19:34 The CEO's Walking Warning
00:20:50 The Partnership Power Play
00:22:30 The Dinner Confrontation
00:25:27 Going Solo and Million Dollar Mistakes
00:28:06 Near Financial Collapse
00:30:49 Lessons on Failure and Growth
___________
MORE FROM BIGDEAL
🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@podcastbigdeal
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigdeal.podcast
📽️ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@big.deal.pod
MORE FROM CODIE SANCHEZ
🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@codiesanchezct
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/codiesanchez
📽️ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@realcodiesanchez
OTHER THINGS WE DO
🌐 Our community: https://contrarianthinking.typeform.com/to/WBztXXID
📰 Free newsletter: https://contrarianthinking.biz/3XWLlZp
📚 Biz buying course: https://contrarianthinking.biz/3NhjGgN
🏠 Resibrands: https://resibrands.com/
💰 CT Capital: https://contrarianthinking.biz/4eRyGOk
🏦 Main St Hold Co: https://contrarianthinking.biz/3YfGa8u
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Get every episode summarized
Each time BigDeal publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from BigDeal

5 Habits Constantly Draining Your Energy | Yung Pueblo
BigDeal
Sep 8, 202655:05failed

The #1 Reason Your Life Stays Small (And How to Fix It)
BigDeal
Aug 31, 202621:34pending

The Psychology of Cheaters (According To A Divorce Lawyer) | James Sexton
BigDeal
Aug 26, 20261:31:54pending

The #1 Investing Habit That Made Me a Billionaire | David Adelman
BigDeal
Aug 24, 20261:06:23pending