Journeys to the Summit

Ilya Zlotnik
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Journeys to the Summit is your gateway to the private stories of entrepreneurs who have navigated their way to the top. Hosted by Ilya Zlotnik. Each episode explores adventures of the people who built great businesses and are living fulfilling lives. From their initial struggles to masters of their craft, our guests share candid experiences, challenges faced, and invaluable lessons learned along the way. Whether you're a successful entrepreneur or seeking inspiration, this podcast offers a compass to guide you along your journey.

  1. 1D AGO

    A Conversation on Building & Selling a Successful Business and Transitioning into Retirement

    What does it take to build a $100B business from scratch, without raising a single dollar?In this episode, Byron Udell shares the full story behind building AcuQuote into one of the largest life insurance brokerage firms in the country. And selling it in 2021 at exactly the right moment, just before markets shifted.From starting as a solo operator in 1986 to scaling a company with 250+ employees and 250,000 clients, Byron breaks down:-How he grew the business organically-Why he ignored conventional advice-The real reason most venture-backed competitors failed-How rising lead costs crushed margins across the industry-The unconventional way he sold his company -Why timing the sale made all the differenceHe also shares powerful insights on entrepreneurship, discipline, and why life insurance, often overlooked, is one of the most impactful financial tools in the world.If you're a founder, investor, or operator, this episode is packed with hard-earned lessons you won’t hear anywhere else.

    42 min

  2. MAY 12

    The Synergy of Health and Wealth Insights from Ilya Zlotnik and Daniel Chille

    What if true wealth isn’t money—but your health?In this conversation, Ilya Zlotnik sits down with Daniel Chille, founder of TBD Fitness & Holistic Health, to explore the powerful intersection of health, longevity, and wealth.Daniel shares his journey from D1 athlete and professional soccer player to holistic health practitioner, and breaks down how optimizing your body can completely transform your life. From gut health and genetic testing to sleep, stress, and personalized nutrition, this episode dives deep into what it really means to pursue optimal health—not just “normal.”Key topics include:-Why “health is wealth” is more than a cliché-The SPEND framework: Sleep, Stress, Sunlight, Nutrition & more-How gut health impacts everything from immunity to mental clarity-The truth about diets (vegan vs. omnivore)-Why genetic testing is a game-changer for personalized health-The biggest mistakes people make when trying to get healthyIf you want more energy, better performance, and a longer, healthier life—this episode is for you.

    50 min

  3. MAY 5

    Navigating Today's Real Estate Market Insights from Scott Ottenheimer

    Buying or selling a home right now isn’t easy, and that’s exactly why this conversation matters.In this episode of Journeys to the Summit, Scott Ottenheimer, a top real estate team lead at Baird & Warner, breaks down what’s really happening in today’s housing market—and what buyers, sellers, and investors often get wrong.With interest rates soaring and inventory still tight, many buyers feel stuck. But according to Scott, the reality is more nuanced and full of opportunity if you know how to navigate it.We cover:-Why this is one of the toughest environments for buyers-The truth behind “marry the house, date the rate”-Why refinancing isn’t always the best move-Hidden strategies like mortgage recasting-The biggest mistakes buyers and sellers make-How pricing strategy can make or break a sale-Why terms matter just as much as price-The future of real estate commissions and transparency-How technology is changing (but not replacing) agentsScott also shares how he built his business, from side hustle to full-time, by focusing on long-term relationships, transparency, and actually acting as a fiduciary for clients.Whether you’re buying your first home, investing in real estate, or just trying to make sense of today’s market, this episode gives you a clear, data-driven perspective.📩 Want more conversations like this? Subscribe and follow Journeys to the Summit.

    46 min

  4. APR 28

    Private Placement Life Insurance A Broader Investment Platform RE

    What is Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI) and why is it gaining traction among high-net-worth investors?In this episode of Journeys to the Summit, Ilya Zlotnik sits down with Jordan Katz, CEO and Founder of JR Katz, to break down one of the most powerful (and often misunderstood) tools in wealth management.Jordan explains how PPLI works as a tax-efficient investment “location”, not just an insurance product—unlocking access to alternative investments like private equity, hedge funds, and private credit inside a tax-advantaged structure.They cover:-What PPLI actually is (and who it’s for)-How it compares to traditional variable life insurance-The three major tax advantages driving adoption-Why tax-inefficient assets (like hedge funds & private credit) belong inside PPLI-Cost structure vs. long-term tax savings-How wealthy families use PPLI for multi-generational wealth transfer-Key risks, limitations, and why patient capital is criticalIf you're an investor, advisor, or business owner thinking about advanced tax strategies—this conversation is a must-watch.Key Insight: PPLI isn’t about insurance; it’s about minimizing taxes and maximizing long-term compounding.

    30 min

  5. APR 27

    From Bootstrapped to Exit: How a Father & Son Built and Sold Their Business to a Fortune 200 Company

    Kyle Therriault didn’t set out to build a massive e-commerce company, but that’s exactly what happened.Starting with overstock auto parts sold on eBay, Kyle and his father, Steve, built Auto Accessories Garage from scratch during a time when most people believed “no one would ever buy auto parts online.”They faced rejection from vendors, banks, and even their own industry. But through persistence, early adoption of SEO, and a willingness to reinvest everything back into the business, they turned a scrappy startup into a dominant player in automotive e-commerce.In this episode, Kyle shares:-How they bootstrapped the business (and took on real risk)-Why Google was both a big asset and a big threat-The brutal impact of algorithm changes (and how they recovered)-The strategic decision to partner with, and eventually sell to, NAPA (GPC)-How COVID accelerated their growth-Why the future of commerce may eliminate shopping entirelyThis is a masterclass in timing, resilience, and long-term thinking.Whether you're building, scaling, or exiting, this episode is packed with lessons you won’t want to miss.

    1h 2m

  6. MAR 10

    A Conversation on Portfolio Management with Ilya Zlotnik and Michael Grayson

    What if you could invest in top private companies before they go public, and at a significant discount?In this episode, Michael Grayson, Portfolio Manager at First Trust Capital Management, breaks down two of the most powerful (and misunderstood) strategies in private markets: co-investments and secondaries.We explore:-The key difference between fund investing vs. co-investing-How investors can avoid high management and performance fees-Why secondaries can offer 40–50% discounts on high-quality companies-Real-world examples, including investments in Reddit and SpaceX-How smaller, nimble investors can outperform large institutions-The importance of alignment and avoiding adverse selection biasThis conversation pulls back the curtain on how sophisticated investors access private equity deals—and why structure matters just as much as the opportunity.Whether you're new to private markets or looking to sharpen your edge, this is a must-watch.

    27 min
  7. The Psychology of Elite Trading: Sleep, Stress, Tilt, and Staying in Your Lane

    JAN 7

    The Psychology of Elite Trading: Sleep, Stress, Tilt, and Staying in Your Lane

    Elite trader Lance Breitstein joins Ilya Zlotnik for a raw conversation on what it actually takes to become a top performer in prop trading, and what it costs. Lance shares his journey from obsessing over the Market Wizards books as a college student to grinding through a brutal first year with no profitable months, to ultimately becoming the #1 trader at Trillium, setting records and leading/mentoring other traders. This episode goes deep on the psychological game of handling stress, avoiding tilt and FOMO, surviving the comparison trap, and why Lance found that sleep quality was one of the strongest predictors of his daily P&L. He also opens up about massive drawdowns, including a $2.3M loss in ~15 minutes, and the frameworks that helped him recover and improve long-term expected value. We also cover the “Super Bowl” period of trading during 2020–2021, including the mania around GME/AMC, and why Lance ultimately stepped away from trading full-time to pursue philanthropy, health, and building what he calls “the greatest free trading course ever created.” Topics include: -Why prop trading attracts entrepreneurs (and why it breaks most people) -The real learning curve: 6+ months just to have a clue -Process vs. P&L and why early success is dangerous -Sleep, stress, identity, and performance under pressure -Tilt, FOMO, and the comparison game -GME/AMC volatility and “in-play” stocks -Leaving at the top: fulfillment beyond the scoreboard Subscribe for more conversations on performance, mindset, investing, and building a life that actually works. #journeystothesummit #entrepreneurialinsights #podcast #entrepreneurship

    48 min
  8. From Physics to Financial Planning: Craig Lemoine on Building Careers, Curriculum, and Talent

    JAN 6

    From Physics to Financial Planning: Craig Lemoine on Building Careers, Curriculum, and Talent

    In this episode of Journeys to the Summit, Ilya Zlotnik sits down with Craig Lemoine, Director of Financial Planning at the University of Illinois, to talk about the real evolution of wealth management and why the next generation of talent is entering the profession differently than ever before. Craig shares his unconventional path from physics major to financial planning, his early career inside a high-volume planning team, what the old GDC “grid” sales culture taught him about incentives, and why today’s students can build a real career in planning without starting in pure sales. They also break down how Illinois grew its program from 82 students to ~240, why Craig pushed to make estate planning required (“everybody dies, not everybody retires”), and how electives like Money & Happiness are preparing students for the human side of advice. Plus: why firms increasingly prefer candidates who have already passed high-stakes exams like the SIE/Series 65. If you’re building a firm, hiring advisors, or starting your career in wealth management, this one is packed with practical insight. #FinancialPlanning #WealthManagement #FinancialAdvisor #UniversityOfIllinois #AdvisorRecruiting#EstatePlanning #Leadership #JourneysToTheSummit

    46 min
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About

Journeys to the Summit is your gateway to the private stories of entrepreneurs who have navigated their way to the top. Hosted by Ilya Zlotnik. Each episode explores adventures of the people who built great businesses and are living fulfilling lives. From their initial struggles to masters of their craft, our guests share candid experiences, challenges faced, and invaluable lessons learned along the way. Whether you're a successful entrepreneur or seeking inspiration, this podcast offers a compass to guide you along your journey.

Information

  • Creator
    Ilya Zlotnik
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Ilya Zlotnik
  • Show Website
    Journeys to the Summit