David Befort Show

David Befort

Most podcasts give you the highlight reel. This one goes deeper. The David Befort Show is a weekly conversation with entrepreneurs, leaders, and high-performers who have built something real — and are willing to tell the truth about what it actually took. The victories, the failures, the moments nobody talks about on stage. Every episode is built around three things: finance, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Not the textbook versions. The kind forged in combat zones and corporate collapses, in businesses that almost broke before they figured it out, and in the quiet decisions that most people never see. Guests include a man who co-founded a $20 billion investment firm and then spent a decade going undercover to rescue children from trafficking. A Swiss entrepreneur who turned down a banking career at 22, built a seven-figure fitness business with no backup plan, and now coaches CEOs to perform at the level their businesses demand. A Top Gun graduate and Naval Admiral whose 36-year career taught him that the most powerful leadership tool he ever had was learning people's names. A fighter squadron commander whose approach to leadership is so repeatable he wrote a book about it — and his former wingman is the one who made him come on and explain it. These are people who have done something. And David Befort has the credibility to ask them the questions nobody else thinks to ask. New episodes every Monday.

  1. 2d ago

    Why Your Best Strengths Are Now Your Biggest Blind Spots - With Hacia Artherton

    The habits that built your company may be the reason your meetings have gone quiet. Hacia Atherton has seen this from the CEO’s chair of a plumbing company, from a hospital bed after a horse crushed her, and inside businesses growing from $50 million to $500 million. She and David get practical about it. They cover three questions that show whether your team actually trusts you, how to choose board members who will push back the right way, and an unusual test for finding your real strengths. If you’re building a team, this one is worth your hour. Key Takeaways Audit the strengths that got you here. The speed, determination, and shoot-from-the-hip instincts that built a young company can become the blind spot that holds it back once a board, governance, and a bigger team arrive.Run a three-question huddle. Ask for a win, a challenge (and what support is needed), and a goal, and let people answer personally or professionally. All-personal answers point to disengagement, all-professional answers point to low trust, and a challenge with no request for help points to distrust of teammates. Change when you answer so your team can’t just copy you.Test board candidates with reverse psychology. Pitch an expansion you don’t actually want. If they jump on it, they already have a different vision for your business.Treat silence in meetings as a cost. Quiet rooms cost you innovation, engagement, and rework. Find out what changed: a new hire, a conflict, or something going on in that person’s life.Find your strengths by what you’d defend. Criticism that would genuinely upset you points to a strength. Compliments you enjoy but wouldn’t defend point to comfort zones.Chapters 00:00 - Female Leadership in a Male-Dominated Trade 03:03 - Crushed by a Horse: Discovering Positive Psychology 14:35 - How to Train for Resilience 19:25 - Why Your Strengths Become Blind Spots 27:53 - Founders, First Boards, and Founder’s Love 42:17 - The Hidden Cost of Silent Meetings 50:13 - Find Your Strengths by What You’d Defend Resources Mentioned The Billion Dollar Blind Spot by Hacia Atherton Billion Dollar BlindspotThe Gap and the Gain by Dan Sullivan The Gap and the GainHacia Atherton’s website HaciaAtherton.comHacia Atherton on LinkedIn (biweekly newsletter) LinkedinDavid Befort's website DavidBefort.comGuest Bio Hacia Atherton is a CPA with a master’s degree in positive psychology who grew up in a fifth-generation plumbing family and was later appointed CEO of a plumbing company outside her family’s business. She is the author of The Billion Dollar Blind Spot and works with leaders of companies between $50 million and $500 million in revenue, helping founders lead through the stage when their business starts to outgrow them. If this conversation hit home, send it to a founder who needs to hear it. Hit subscribe and leave a review, because it helps other business owners find the show. For more on finance, leadership, and entrepreneurship, visit DavidBefort.com

    Why Your Best Strengths Are Now Your Biggest Blind Spots - With Hacia Artherton
  2. Oct 19

    She Treated 40 Patients a Day and Hit 300 Pounds - Dr. Kristal Vance

    Dr. Kristal Vance spent nearly 30 years in health and wellness, seeing 40 to 50 chiropractic patients a day — and found herself at around 300 pounds. What finally worked wasn't more willpower, and it wasn't the shortcut she tried in secret first. Kristal shares why she stopped chasing the scale, how accountability did what willpower never could, and why she sold her practice to build an online community she says has grown to nearly 80,000 members — then realized she'd built it on a platform she didn't own. What you'll learn: - Why the scale is the wrong scoreboard - The 80/20 rule that makes healthy habits stick - Why knowledge isn't the problem: accountability is - How to hold your standards without alienating your people - Why building on a platform you don't own is a business risk Chapters: 0:00 She treated 40 patients a day and hit 300 pounds 2:07 Thirty years in health, and her own health was slipping 4:07 Taking care of everyone but herself 6:19 Why she stopped trusting the scale 7:22 Whole food and the 80/20 rule 9:16 Knowledge isn't the problem — accountability is 11:14 When your old friends don't fit anymore 14:02 How to filter health advice: "check the fruit" 16:43 The reunion comment that changed everything 21:12 Why willpower failed — and the end of all-or-nothing 22:46 Outgrowing a marriage and a practice 25:12 Selling the practice and going online 26:52 Why so many chiropractors become entrepreneurs 28:38 Walking out of the victim mindset 32:55 Keeping your standards without losing your people 36:23 Why "challenge" scares people off 39:19 The platform risk she didn't see coming 43:09 Getting your family on the same page 47:48 Fifteen clients, a turnkey program, and building assets 53:16 Nobody to blame but you 59:23 Advice for busy business owners 1:02:46 Bonus: the worst advice she ever took Connect with Dr. Kristal Vance: Website: https://drkristalvance.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrKristalVanceDC Circle of Health: Circle of Health Connect with David Befort: Website: https://davidbefort.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/david.befort/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-a-befort-jr/ X: https://x.com/DavidBefortShow Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidbefort Substack: https://substack.com/@davidbefortofficial IBC Community on Skool: https://www.skool.com/ibc-community-7282 The Wealth Warehouse Podcast: https://wealthwarehousepodcast.com This conversation is for general information and reflects the personal experience of the guest. It isn't medical advice — talk with your own healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine.

    She Treated 40 Patients a Day and Hit 300 Pounds - Dr. Kristal Vance
  3. Oct 12

    Why Most Entrepreneurs Fail (And How to Fix It) with Rob Fajardo

    Winning as an entrepreneur requires more than just grit; it demands a clear understanding of what success actually looks like. Rob Fajardo, founder of Leave Normal Behind, joins us to discuss the reality of building a business from the ground up. We break down the internal shifts needed to move past early struggles, like eviction and instability, and how to align your daily actions with your ultimate destination. This conversation is for anyone who feels stuck in the grind and needs a fresh perspective on what it takes to find real traction. Success mindset is often misunderstood as a simple positive attitude, but true growth comes from the discipline to keep moving when things are hard. We look at the specific habits Rob used to transition from sleeping on couches to working alongside high-level entrepreneurs. If you are ready to stop just surviving and start building, this breakdown will help you clarify your path forward. Drop a comment with the biggest challenge you face when defining success for your own business. Subscribe for more tactical breakdowns on the mechanics of entrepreneurship. LEAVE NORMAL BEHIND https://leavenormalbehind.com/ ROBS INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/leavenormalbehind/ LEARN MORE FROM DAVID BEFORT https://www.davidbefort.com/ BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW https://media.davidbefort.com/contact FOLLOW THE WEALTH WAREHOUSE PODCAST https://thewealthwarehousepodcast.com/ Chapters 00:00 — Meet Rob Fajardo: Defining What Winning Looks Like 07:35 — From Achievement to Impact, Integrity, and Inner Joy 13:40 — Leave Normal Behind: Finding Purpose and Building a Vision 19:22 — Resilience Through Setbacks: Eviction, Risk, and Resourcefulness 24:21 — Solution-Oriented Thinking and Learning From Others’ Mistakes 28:12 — How to Find Mentors: Ask for the Work, Not a Handout 38:23 — Creating Content That Educates, Entertains, and Builds Trust 48:46 — Authenticity, Consistency, and the Lighthouse Strategy 55:55 — AI, Deepfakes, and the Need for Trustworthy Content 63:02 — A Practical Starting Point for Business Content 65:26 — The Worst Advice: Boundaries, Self-Advocacy, and Choosing Your Life 73:24 — Closing Thoughts and Where to Connect With Rob What's your biggest challenge with defining success? Drop it in the comments! Subscribe for more insights on entrepreneurship and personal growth! #Entrepreneurship #SuccessMindset #viralcontent Disclaimer https://www.davidbefort.com/financial-disclaimer

    Why Most Entrepreneurs Fail (And How to Fix It) with Rob Fajardo
  4. Sep 28

    How to Evaluate Commercial Deals Like a Pro (And Avoid Bad Debt) #012

    Private lending isn't just about collecting interest. It is about understanding the mechanics of commercial real estate deals. Most investors look at a property and see a price tag. David Befort looks at the same deal and sees the financial infrastructure underneath. We discuss the current landscape for investment-grade commercial real estate, specifically why office rental properties and strip malls are crossing his desk right now. This isn't theory. We break down how capital flows in these transactions and what it takes to secure your position as a lender rather than just a buyer. If you want to stop chasing retail deals and start understanding how professional lenders evaluate risk, this conversation is the baseline. What is your biggest hurdle when evaluating private lending opportunities? Drop a comment below. Chapters 00:00 – David’s real estate and private lending background 00:19 -- Types of deals David see's 04:10 – Investing in real estate-backed businesses 10:24 – Evaluating commercial real estate deals conservatively 15:24 – Creating diversified, real estate-backed notes 20:59 – How cash reserves protect commercial loans 26:22 – The infinite banking concept and access to capital 31:48 – Using policy loans to fund investments 36:14 – Building financial confidence through cash reserves 41:57 – Policy loan interest rates and how they work Subscribe for more breakdowns on the real mechanics of real estate investing and capital control. Read the article from  @RealEstateProsShow  https://investorfuel.com/blog/infinite-banking-real-estate-investors/ Connect with David Befort: Instagram: / david.befort LinkedIn: / david-a-befort-jr Guest booking: https://media.davidbefort.com/ Wealth Warehouse https://www.youtube.com/@UCh63FAFvpgdMsxdQsvFy85w Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: EFYOUXON7HFCXXRS Disclaimer https://www.davidbefort.com/financial-disclaimer

    How to Evaluate Commercial Deals Like a Pro (And Avoid Bad Debt) #012
  5. Sep 21

    Amazon Selling When Nobody Else Was (What It Took At Its Worst)

    Online sales was something that had to be searched for accross the country on the entrepreneurial journey of Stephen Somers, a successful business owner from Ireland! Discover how he transitioned from a struggling musician to running a thriving online sales business, overcoming challenges along the way. In this episode, Stephen shares valuable insights on: https://marketplacesuperheroes.com/glgp-registration Connect with David Befort: Instagram: / david.befort LinkedIn: / david-a-befort-jr Guest booking: https://media.davidbefort.com/ Chapters 00:00 Intro and greetings 00:30 Life in Ireland and local color 03:41 Talent shortage and business in Ireland 06:06 Early entrepreneurial spark 10:25 Learning from books and finding a mentor 14:10 First warehouse experience and real business lessons 17:01 How friendships and networks changed 20:17 The COVID freight business crisis 25:56 The emotional toll of business failure 30:16 Therapy, ownership, and rebuilding confidence 38:40 Why he teaches online business 46:31 Who succeeds as a student 54:18 How AI is affecting online business 61:14 The most important skill for young entrepreneurs 65:39 Where to find Stephen Somers What's your biggest challenge in starting a business? Drop it in the comments! Subscribe for more inspiring stories and tips on entrepreneurship! Disclaimer https://www.davidbefort.com/financial-disclaimer Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: ZIKREOM3C52MYHKD #Entrepreneurship #OnlineSales #BusinessJourney

    Amazon Selling When Nobody Else Was (What It Took At Its Worst)
  6. Sep 14

    Why He Stopped Relying on Traditional Retirement Accounts

    What if your 401k is not your money at all? Travis Fairbairn makes the case that your retirement funds are effectively "in jail," and that realization changed everything - from liquidating his account, to rethinking how wealth is built, controlled, and deployed. In this conversation with David Befort, Travis shares the moment he tried to access his 401k and hit a wall, how that frustration led him down a path into private lending, and why he now cares far more about the back end of finance than the front end most people obsess over. If you've ever wondered why banks seem to win no matter what, or why passive income in real estate often isn't passive at all, this episode will change the way you think about money. LEARN FROM TRAVIS - https://30west.us/kindling WHERE TRAVIS HANGS OUT https://www.skool.com/ibc-community-7282 You'll discover: Why Travis says a 401k is "money in jail" and what that really means How banks make far more than the interest rate consumers see Why notes can be more powerful, and more passive, than owning property How real relationships and reputation beat cold outreach and social-media hype What it takes to build a team, set up systems, and stop trying to do everything alone David and Travis also unpack the difference between front-end real estate investing and owning the debt structure behind it, plus why the best operators understand both sides of the transaction. Travis breaks down how he got started in real estate, why networking became his unfair advantage, and how he built a private lending community around notes, operators, and trust. This episode is for investors, pilots, entrepreneurs, and anyone who wants more control over their capital and more freedom in how they use it. If you're tired of the same old "buy a house and hope" mindset, you'll want to hear this one. CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro and welcome 02:15 Why the traditional financial system felt broken 05:30 Real control vs. locked-up money 08:30 Getting into real estate and building a network 12:00 Single-family investing and why it wasn’t the end goal 16:00 What notes are and how banks profit 20:30 How banks make money behind the scenes 25:00 How to approach networking the right way 30:00 Why relationships matter more than paperwork 35:00 Leading a team and stepping into leadership 40:00 Flying, business, and time flexibility 45:00 Focus, priorities, and what gets dropped first 50:00 Notes, community, and where to connect What's your biggest challenge with financial freedom? Drop it in the comments! Subscribe for more insights on creating wealth through innovative strategies! Connect with David Befort: Instagram: / david.befort LinkedIn: / david-a-befort-jr Guest booking: https://tidycal.com/davidbefort/david-befort-show-guest-booking https://www.davidbefort.com/financial-disclaimer

    Why He Stopped Relying on Traditional Retirement Accounts
  7. Sep 7

    He Gave Up Flying Fighter Jets to Lead People #009

    Retired Air Force Colonel Langdon Root on military leadership and the hard choices that define a career. Langdon Root spent twenty-six years in the Air Force, rising from the cockpit to leading organizations of nearly three thousand personnel. At the ten-year mark, he made a decision that surprised his peers: he stopped flying. It wasn't because of outside pressure, but a realization that his path needed to change. We discuss what that kind of command experience teaches you about people, the weight of responsibility, and why the most important part of the job is often what happens on the ground. We break down the shift from the rigid structure of the service to civilian transition. Mentorship isn't just about giving advice; it is about empathy and understanding the people you lead. Langdon shares how he navigated six combat deployments while maintaining a focus on the human side of military leadership. This is a conversation about the principles that hold up long after the uniform comes off. Subscribe for weekly insights on leadership and personal development, and let me know your biggest management challenge in the comments. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage03:01 Military Experiences and Leadership Lessons13:03 The Importance of Mentorship and Empathy in Leadership21:02 Transitioning from Military to Civilian Leadership30:06 Leadership in the Civilian World35:19 Biblical Masculinity and Transitioning to Civilian Life36:36 Defining Healthy Masculinity50:26 Raising Boys and Shifting Leadership Styles Connect with Langdon Root https://www.linkedin.com/in/langdon-root-41225720 Connect with David Befort: Instagram: / david.befort LinkedIn: / david-a-befort-jr Substack: https://substack.com/@davidbefortofficial Guest booking: https://tidycal.com/davidbefort/david-befort-show-guest-booking #FinancialLeadership #TheDavidBefortShow Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: BBDNGQBH0L9EUXVM, SKKETRE3CBNBWJDW, D6PD4P8WSB0IHCHE Disclaimer https://www.davidbefort.com/financial-disclaimer

    He Gave Up Flying Fighter Jets to Lead People #009

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Most podcasts give you the highlight reel. This one goes deeper. The David Befort Show is a weekly conversation with entrepreneurs, leaders, and high-performers who have built something real — and are willing to tell the truth about what it actually took. The victories, the failures, the moments nobody talks about on stage. Every episode is built around three things: finance, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Not the textbook versions. The kind forged in combat zones and corporate collapses, in businesses that almost broke before they figured it out, and in the quiet decisions that most people never see. Guests include a man who co-founded a $20 billion investment firm and then spent a decade going undercover to rescue children from trafficking. A Swiss entrepreneur who turned down a banking career at 22, built a seven-figure fitness business with no backup plan, and now coaches CEOs to perform at the level their businesses demand. A Top Gun graduate and Naval Admiral whose 36-year career taught him that the most powerful leadership tool he ever had was learning people's names. A fighter squadron commander whose approach to leadership is so repeatable he wrote a book about it — and his former wingman is the one who made him come on and explain it. These are people who have done something. And David Befort has the credibility to ask them the questions nobody else thinks to ask. New episodes every Monday.

You Might Also Like