The A Game Podcast: Real Estate Investing For Entrepreneurs

Nick Lamagna: Real Estate Investing Expert
  • 5.0 (97)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to The A Game Podcast, so much more than a self help hour and Real Estate Investing For Entrepreneurs. Discussing what makes people excel in life, music, business, real estate investing for entrepreneurs to live the life they want and chase their dreams. From MMA and UFC fighters, comedians, actors, astronauts and investors who flip residential real estate or have massive passive income through commercial real estate or wholesaling this is the Podcast for you. Discover the mindset and daily habits of some of the most successful people out there as they share their secrets to success and no matter what they do, they ALWAYS bring their A Game!!

  1. 2h ago

    The Hidden Skill That Separates High Performers From Everyone Else | Brandon Mccaghren

    In this episode of The A Game Podcast, Nick Lamagna sits down with Brandon Mccaghren (aka "B Mac") - double black belt under Eddie Bravo of 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu and Carlos Machado, head instructor at 10th Planet Decatur, elite grappling commentator for EBI, CJJ, UFC Fight Pass, and co-founder and commissioner of the Professional Grappling Federation (PGF) - for a conversation packed with mindset gold, business wisdom, and Jiu Jitsu philosophy. Brandon opens up about the blunt conversation with his wife that got him on the mats in the first place, the eight years he spent as a youth minister before finding martial arts, and how a "corny little redneck" from Lawrence County, Alabama became one of the most recognizable teachers and voices in grappling. He shares why he refuses to build his identity around any one title, how his background as a musician shaped the way he teaches and improvises on the mat, and why first principles thinking - not memorizing moves - is what actually creates mastery. Brandon also gets into the real story behind PGF, the league he's building with co-founder Keelan, Five Finger Death Punch's Zoltan Bathory, and Gracie family member Heather to become the first true team-and-season sports model Jiu Jitsu has ever had, and why he believes it's the key to finally giving grapplers a sustainable career path. In this episode you'll discover: ✅Why taking feedback without tying it to your identity is the real key to growth ✅The first principles approach to teaching that makes complex moves simple ✅How his background as a musician shaped his creativity and improvisation on the mat ✅The "document don't create" philosophy that built his personal brand ✅Inside the Professional Grappling Federation and the plan to scale to 32 teams This isn't just a story about Jiu Jitsu. It's about mentorship, reinvention, first principles thinking, and building something built to outlast you.   Connect with Brandon: bjj365.club Brandon Mccaghren on Instagram Brandon Mccaghren on Facebook Brandon Mccaghren on YouTube Brandon Mccaghren on LinkedIn Brandon Mccaghren on Twitter Brandon Mccaghren on TikTok Brandon Mccaghren on Threads   Connect with Professional Grappling Federation: pgf.world PGF on Instagram PGF on Facebook PGF on YouTube PGF on LinkedIn PGF on Twitter PGF on TikTok PGF on Threads PGF on Kick   Connect with 10th Planet Decatur: www.decaturbrazilianjiujitsu.com 10th Planet Decatur on Instagram 10th Planet Decatur on Facebook 10th Planet Decatur on Twitter   --- Connect with Nick Lamagna www.nicknicknick.com Text Nick (516)540-5733 Connect on ALL Social Media and Podcast Platforms Here FREE Checklist on how to bring more value to your buyers

    The Hidden Skill That Separates High Performers From Everyone Else | Brandon Mccaghren

  2. 6d ago

    When Your Biggest Failure Becomes Your Greatest Gift | Elec Simon

    What does it really take to overcome rejection, self-doubt, mental health struggles, and still perform at the highest level? In this episode of The A Game Podcast, Nick Lamagna sits down with Elec Simon - world-renowned percussionist, former STOMP performer, professional event MC, motivational speaker, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitor, and entrepreneur - for one of the most emotional and inspiring conversations we've ever recorded. Elec opens up about growing up watching his mother struggle financially, the audition that got him cut from STOMP just days before opening night, the suicidal thoughts he battled during his darkest moments, and the phone call two years later that brought him back for good. He shares how faith, family, and gratitude pulled him through, why he now speaks in schools nationwide on anti-bullying, and how jiu-jitsu became an outlet for his anger and anxiety. Elec also gets candid about the entrepreneurship hustle culture - why "get rich quick" mastermind influencers are misleading people, why there's no shame in working a W-2 while building your dream, and what real mentorship from people like Mark Evans, Bobby Castro, and Lewis Howes actually looks like. In this episode you'll discover: ✅How Elec went from busking in NYC subways to becoming a full-time STOMP performer ✅How he manages anxiety, mental health struggles, and self-doubt while performing for thousands ✅Why authenticity matters more than fame when building your circle of mentors ✅The truth about fake "gurus" and predatory masterminds in the coaching industry ✅How Brazilian Jiu Jitsu became a tool for emotional healing ✅Balancing a 9-5 with a thriving entertainment career This isn't just a story about success. It's about resilience, perseverance, gratitude, faith, discipline, and discovering purpose through life's hardest moments.   Connect with Elec Simon: Elec Simon on Instagram Elec Simon on Facebook Elec Simon on YouTube Elec Simon on LinkedIn Elec Simon on Twitter Elec Simon on TikTok Elec Simon on Threads Elec's ISSA Certified Personal Trainer page   --- Connect with Nick Lamagna www.nicknicknick.com Text Nick (516)540-5733 Connect on ALL Social Media and Podcast Platforms Here FREE Checklist on how to bring more value to your buyers

    When Your Biggest Failure Becomes Your Greatest Gift | Elec Simon

  3. Jul 21

    The Credit Score Myth That's Costing You Money | Merrill Chandler Round 2

    What does it really take to get approved for six and seven figures in business credit - and what happens when life throws you off a cliff, literally? In this episode of The A Game Podcast, host Nick Lamagna sits down with Merrill Chandler, founder of Get Fundable Solutions and one of the only non-FICO employees with direct insider access to how FICO's underwriting algorithms actually work. Merrill survived a horrifying motorcycle accident - driving off a 70-foot cliff - and lived to tell how the exact business credit strategies he teaches his clients are what saved his business, his finances, and ultimately his life during recovery. This isn't your typical "improve your credit score" conversation. Merrill breaks down why your credit score is nearly irrelevant to loan approval, what lenders and banks are really looking for in 2026, and the 150 "borrower behaviors" FICO's decisioning platform actually measures before a human ever looks at your file. If you're a real estate investor, entrepreneur, or small business owner trying to unlock unsecured business lines of credit, this episode is a masterclass in business credit strategy, fundability, and financial resilience. In this episode, you'll learn: ✅ Why an 800+ credit score does NOT guarantee loan approval - and what actually does ✅ The 3 stages every lender uses to approve or deny you (and why your score only matters in stage one) ✅ How real-time credit reporting and utilization thresholds secretly affect your approval odds ✅ The "statement close date" trick most borrowers get wrong - even if they pay their balance to zero ✅ Why business credit cards like Capital One Spark can silently hurt your personal credit profile ✅ How to build $100K-$1M+ in unsecured business lines of credit that never touch your personal credit   If you're serious about real estate investing, business funding, credit optimization, entrepreneurship, financial freedom, or scaling your business, this episode delivers practical advice you can immediately put to work. Connect with Merrill Chandler: www.chandler360.com/ Merrill Chandler on Instagram Merrill Chandler on Facebook Merrill Chandler on LinkedIn   Connect with Get Fundable: www.getfundable.com Get Fundable on Instagram Get Fundable on Facebook Get Fundable on YouTube Get Fundable on LinkedIn Get Fundable on Twitter Get Fundable on TikTok   Join FREE weekly credit solutions Q&A calls Get your FREE 8 Fatal Funding Landmines guide Get your FREE copy of THE NEW F* WORD book Listen The Fundability™ Podcast on Apple Podcasts   --- Connect with Nick Lamagna www.nicknicknick.com Text Nick (516)540-5733 Connect on ALL Social Media and Podcast Platforms Here FREE Checklist on how to bring more value to your buyers

    The Credit Score Myth That's Costing You Money | Merrill Chandler Round 2

  4. Jul 13

    Rental Management Secrets from $35 Billion in Property Data | Ryan Barone

    What separates landlords who scale a profitable rental portfolio from the ones who get buried in tenant headaches and cash flow leaks?  In this episode of The A Game Podcast: Real Estate Investing for Entrepreneurs, Nick Lamagna sits down with Ryan Barone, CEO and co-founder of RentRedi, one of the fastest-growing property management software companies in the country. With more than $35 billion in real estate assets managed on the platform, Ryan shares exclusive insights from millions of rental transactions and reveals what the nation's top-performing landlords are doing differently. Whether you own one rental property or hundreds, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to help you increase profits, reduce vacancies, improve tenant relationships, and streamline your rental business using technology and data. Ryan explains how today's most successful investors use automation, tenant screening, maintenance tracking, financial reporting, and AI-powered organization to eliminate costly mistakes while creating a better experience for tenants. In this episode you'll learn: ✅ How to screen tenants like top real estate investors and avoid costly mistakes ✅ The biggest cash flow killers that reduce rental property profits ✅ How data and automation can simplify property management and grow your portfolio ✅ The maintenance strategies that save landlords thousands in unexpected repairs ✅ The KPIs every rental property owner should track to maximize returns Whether you're a new investor, experienced landlord, house hacker, or real estate entrepreneur looking to grow your portfolio, this conversation is loaded with practical advice you can implement immediately.   Connect with Ryan: Ryan Barone on Instagram Ryan Barone on Facebook Ryan Barone on LinkedIn Ryan Barone on Twitter   Connect with RentRedi: www.rentredi.com/ RentRedi on Instagram RentRedi on Facebook RentRedi on YouTube RentRedi on LinkedIn RentRedi on Twitter RentRedi on TikTok   --- Connect with Nick Lamagna www.nicknicknick.com Text Nick (516)540-5733 Connect on ALL Social Media and Podcast Platforms Here FREE Checklist on how to bring more value to your buyers

    Rental Management Secrets from $35 Billion in Property Data | Ryan Barone

  5. Jul 6

    The Hidden Cost of Playing It Safe | Casey Gregersen

    What if you could build a real estate empire doing hundreds of deals, run your own capital fund, and still never miss a single moment with your kids - because you designed your entire business around being present, not around being rich? Join Nick Lamagna on The A Game Podcast: Real Estate Investing For Entrepreneurs for a fired up, high energy conversation with Casey Gregersen, aka "Capital Casey," founder and CEO of Bighorn Capital Fund, former college quarterback, and family-first investor who went from working oil rigs in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico to running a full scale real estate operation across Montana and Wyoming in under five years. This isn't just another deal-flow episode - it's a real look at what it takes to walk away from a "comfortable" W-2, take the leap into entrepreneurship, and build a business engineered to buy back your time instead of stealing it. Whether you're a beginner trying to land your first rental, a W-2 professional wondering how to get into passive income, or an experienced investor ready to scale into multifamily, capital raising, and creative financing, this episode is loaded with real numbers, real systems, and real talk. Casey breaks down the real game: ✅ Why he believes chasing the single family to multifamily "progression" still matters, and the one shortcut beginners can take instead ✅ The three exit strategy rule every new flipper needs before touching their first deal ✅ How his "Revive Method" lets him partner with motivated sellers, take over distressed high equity properties, and split the profit instead of taking on all the risk ✅ The exact script he gives new investors to source deals for free by working with wholesalers who can't move their contracts ✅ How he scaled from private money loans secured against his own equity into running a full-blown customizable capital fund with debt, equity, syndication, and oil and gas offerings under one roof ✅ Why some of his best capital partners are still W-2 earners, and how they use their balance sheets to win better bank terms on multifamily deals ✅ What it really means to build a business you can run without sacrificing the people you're building it for + more   Connect with Casey: www.caseygregersen.com/ Casey Gregersen on Instagram Casey Gregersen on Facebook Casey Gregersen on YouTube Casey Gregersen on LinkedIn Casey Gregersen on Twitter Casey Gregersen on TikTok   Connect with Bighorn Capital Fund: www.bighorncapitalfund.com/   Connect with Gregersen Properties: www.gregersenproperties.com/ Gregersen Properties on Instagram Gregersen Properties on Facebook Gregersen Properties on YouTube Gregersen Properties on LinkedIn   Connect with Wyohouses: www.wyohouses.com/ Wyohouses on Instagram Wyohouses on Facebook Wyohouses on YouTube   --- Connect with Nick Lamagna www.nicknicknick.com Text Nick (516)540-5733 Connect on ALL Social Media and Podcast Platforms Here FREE Checklist on how to bring more value to your buyers

    The Hidden Cost of Playing It Safe | Casey Gregersen

  6. Jun 29

    The Phase All Entrepreneurs Goes Through But Most Never Talk About | Marcus Whitney

    What if a self-taught coder and waiter became one of the most active healthcare venture capitalists in the country - and could teach you everything about reinventing yourself, embracing the incubation period, and finding massive opportunity in the chaos everyone else is running from? Join Nick Lamagna on The A Game Podcast: Real Estate Investing For Entrepreneurs for one of the most raw, real, and inspiring conversations we've had - Marcus Whitney, co-founder and CEO of Jumpstart Health Investors, 3x IBJJF Masters World Champion, soccer team co-owner, podcast host, hip hop head, and creative rebel who went from broke waiter in Nashville to venture capitalist disrupting the entire healthcare industry. This isn't just a business episode - it's a masterclass on identity, reinvention, critical thinking, and what it really means to build a life worth living on your own terms, whether you're in the grind, on the mat, or in the middle of figuring out what the next chapter looks like. Whether you're an entrepreneur trying to raise capital, a Jiu Jitsu competitor questioning your next move, a real estate investor looking for your edge, or just someone trying to figure out who they are when the title gets stripped away - this conversation will change the way you think about failure, freedom, and what it actually means to bring your A Game. Marcus went from dropping out of college and showing up to a restaurant in uniform asking for a job on the spot, to building, scaling, and selling multiple companies and running one of the most active early-stage healthcare VC firms in the US. Now he's opening up about the lessons, the losses, and the season of life nobody talks about - the incubation period. While most people only talk about the climb, Marcus breaks down the real game: ✅ Why standing still is the riskiest move you can make in today's economy - and what entrepreneurship as "full contact economics" really means ✅ How to separate your identity from your achievements so failure never has the power to break you ✅ The difference between the Hustler and the Hacker - and why you need both to create outsized performance in business and in life ✅ What waiting tables taught him about people skills that no MBA program ever could ✅ Why the incubation period isn't failure - it's the most important season of growth most people never give themselves permission to experience ✅ How surrounding yourself with the right people (and cutting back on the wrong ones) is the single biggest lever you can pull for your future ✅ Why hope is the most underrated weapon an entrepreneur has - and how to use it to survive the seasons when nothing seems to be working ✅ What Jiu Jitsu, venture capital, and going back to white belt in Mexico City all have in common + more Connect with Marcus: www.marcuswhitney.com Marcus Whitney on Instagram Marcus Whitney on Facebook Marcus Whitney on YouTube Marcus Whitney on LinkedIn Marcus Whitney on Twitter   Connect with Jumpstart Foundry: www.jsf.co Jumpstart Foundry on Instagram Jumpstart Foundry on Facebook Jumpstart Foundry on YouTube Jumpstart Foundry on LinkedIn Jumpstart Foundry on TikTok Jumpstart Foundry on Twitter   Connect with Jumpstart Health Ecosystem: Jumpstart Nova Jumpstart Health Investors Jumpstart Capital Jumpstart Insight   Connect with Nashville Soccer Club: www.nashvillesc.com Nashville Soccer Club on Instagram Nashville Soccer Club on Facebook Nashville Soccer Club on YouTube Nashville Soccer Club on LinkedIn Nashville Soccer Club on TikTok Nashville Soccer Club on Twitter --- Connect with Nick Lamagna www.nicknicknick.com Text Nick (516)540-5733 Connect on ALL Social Media and Podcast Platforms Here FREE Checklist on how to bring more value to your buyers

    The Phase All Entrepreneurs Goes Through But Most Never Talk About | Marcus Whitney

  7. Jun 22

    From 100k Loss To Over 100 Deals Investing In Real Estate | Tommy Harr (Re-release)

    Join Nick Lamagna on The A Game Podcast with his guest Tommy Harr, the phenom real estate investor, social media star and host of Zombie House Flipping: Family Busines on A&E! Celebrating the launch of Tommy Harr's new hit tv show with a re-release of our fantastic conversation!  We're beyond proud of Tommy and so happy for the opportunity he has to show people how one of the truly good guys in the business is crushing it with the people he loves.  Tommy went from a D-1 Athlete out of Ohio and climbed his way through the ranks of being a home inspector and Property preservationist.  Tommy Transitioned his drive and discipline from soccer to a career In real estate investing and now even a social media STAR with a tremendous following you need to check out if you have not already! In his 20's Tommy has achieved so much including building a portfolio over 65 rentals worth over 15 million, 25 Short term rentals managed in house, done over 100 wholesale deals and renovated over 150 properties!  He has been featured twice on Business Insider in 2022  and he is now building a community where he is teaching others to find the success he has found called The Real Side Real Estate Education. Don't miss this episode with a lot of great straight forward content on getting your first deals, rehabbing, keeping yourself safe in this dynamic market and scaling your business to financial freedom through real estate investing. Topics for this episode include: ✅ How real estate investors should adjust numbers to stay safe in todays market ✅ Is there too big a budget when flipping houses ✅ Can you cash flow with todays interest rates ✅ How real estate investors should pay your contractors ✅ Quick ways to tell if you have a bad contractor ✅ How to use social media to build your real estate business ✅  Growing your social media in a short amount of time + More! See the show notes to connect with all things Tommy Harr!    Connect with Tommy: www.tommyharr.com Tommy Harr on Facebook Tommy Harr on TikTok Tommy Harr on Twitter Tommy Harr on LinkedIn Tommy Harr on Youtube Tommy Harr on Instagram Tommy's Free Wholesaling Course Watch Zombie House Flipping: Family Business on A&E --- Connect with Nick Lamagna www.nicknicknick.com Text Nick (516)540-5733 Connect on ALL Social Media and Podcast Platforms Here FREE Checklist on how to bring more value to your buyers

    From 100k Loss To Over 100 Deals Investing In Real Estate | Tommy Harr (Re-release)

  8. Jun 15

    From Rock Star to Black Belt: Discipline, People Skills & the Principles of Success | John Keefe of Boys Like Girls

    In this episode of The A Game Podcast: Real Estate Investing For Entrepreneurs, host Nick Lamagna sits down with John "Beef" Keefe, drummer for the multi-platinum rock band Boys Like Girls, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Shawn Williams, coach, entrepreneur, and performer. From touring the world on sold-out stages to overcoming serious injuries and earning a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, John shares the mindset, discipline, and habits that create long term success in any field. John breaks down the lessons he's learned from over 20 years in the music industry, how Jiu Jitsu transformed his approach to life, business, and relationships, and why consistency beats motivation every time. Whether you're an entrepreneur, athlete, business owner, musician, or someone looking to level up personally and professionally, this conversation is packed with actionable insights. You'll learn how to stay calm under pressure, develop elite habits, improve leadership skills, manage ego, build strong partnerships, overcome setbacks, and create a life centered around growth and purpose. In this episode, we cover: ✅ How consistency beats motivation - and why the best performers show up even when they don't feel like it ✅ Pressure management - the self-talk, breathing routines, and mental frameworks that help you perform under bright lights (or in front of thousands of fans) ✅ Why musicians make great grapplers - the surprising connection between drumming with four limbs and flowing in jiu-jitsu ✅ Recovering from a broken neck - how Beef went from being told he'd never train again to earning his black belt ✅ The ego trap - why the best coaches (and bandmates) say "I don't know" and why that builds more trust than faking it ✅ Band dynamics as a business - how to maintain 20-year partnerships, navigate hierarchy, and handle conflict without blowing up what you've built ✅ Smelling the roses - how to stay present and grateful when the grind makes it easy to miss the moment   Connect with John: John Keefe on Instagram John Keefe on Twitter John Keefe on TikTok John Keefe on Threads   Connect with Boys Like Girls: www.boyslikegirls.com Boys Like Girls on Instagram Boys Like Girls on Facebook Boys Like Girls on YouTube Boys Like Girls on TikTok Boys Like Girls on Threads Boys Like Girls on Spotify Boys Like Girls on Apple Music   Connect with Renzo Gracie Nashville: www.renzogracienashville.com Renzo Gracie Nashville on Instagram Renzo Gracie Nashville on Facebook   --- Connect with Nick Lamagna www.nicknicknick.com Text Nick (516)540-5733 Connect on ALL Social Media and Podcast Platforms Here FREE Checklist on how to bring more value to your buyers

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5
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97 Ratings

About

Welcome to The A Game Podcast, so much more than a self help hour and Real Estate Investing For Entrepreneurs. Discussing what makes people excel in life, music, business, real estate investing for entrepreneurs to live the life they want and chase their dreams. From MMA and UFC fighters, comedians, actors, astronauts and investors who flip residential real estate or have massive passive income through commercial real estate or wholesaling this is the Podcast for you. Discover the mindset and daily habits of some of the most successful people out there as they share their secrets to success and no matter what they do, they ALWAYS bring their A Game!!

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