Investing in Your Body for Business Longevity: Hector Maradiaga on Why Vitality is an Asset
In this episode of Founder2Founder, Aaron Spivak sits down with Hector Maradiaga, founder and CEO of Infinity Delta. Hector has spent over a decade optimizing human performance for NFL athletes, Fortune 500 executives, and high-performing founders through data, science, and AI. Now, he's on a mission to make vitality the world’s most valuable asset.Hector shares how his journey started by helping his immigrant father build a business from scratch, why he walked away from taking it over, and how that decision led to years of internal conflict. He opens up about the real cost of trying to prove people wrong, losing millions, and ultimately finding clarity through faith and a renewed sense of purpose. For founders pushing to scale while trying to stay grounded, this conversation gets into what actually sustains long-term performance.Chapters00:02 – Intro to Hector and Infinity Delta02:08 – Born in Honduras, Raised in Hustle04:03 – Running Excel Estimates at Age 805:39 – Launching a Candy Business in Grade School06:50 – Building a Team and Learning Profit Split08:17 – Keeping Business Quiet at Home10:16 – The Candy Empire Collapses12:34 – Working With His Dad Every Weekend14:03 – Struggling With Financial Discipline Early On15:50 – Spending Tomorrow’s Money17:24 – Business Was Sport, Until It Wasn’t18:52 – Stepping Away From the Family Business19:52 – The Unspoken Guilt of Changing Paths22:31 – The Day He Dropped Out24:49 – Going From Comfortable to Survival26:38 – Feeding His Younger Brother During the Crash28:26 – Hearing “I’m Proud of You” For the First Time30:02 – Rebuilding Connection With His Father33:26 – Planning the Costa Rica Surprise35:23 – Shifting From Proving People Wrong to Living With Purpose38:37 – Focused Scaling and Clear Vision40:08 – Killing Ego to Build Longevity42:33 – The Final Boss: Inner Conflict44:58 – You Can’t Fix Home With Money46:56 – Choosing the Vehicle to Your Vision48:34 – Entrepreneurs Are Modern Day Athletes51:28 – Why Founders Don’t Prioritize Their Health53:18 – Know Thyself: Performance Starts With Data56:11 – It's About Better Years, Not Longer Life58:34 – What Founders Miss by Waiting to Focus on Health1:01:47 – Health as an Asset, Not an Expense1:02:59 – The Last Decade to Invest in Your Future1:03:31 – Your Life Is Worth More Than a Billion1:04:00 – What He’d Tell His Younger SelfGuest Links:Website: Infinitydelta.io sportssciencelabs.comInstagram: @coach_hmThe Founders Club: The premier community for founders pursuing excellence in the mind, body, and business.Stay Connected!Aaron Spivak:Instagram @SpivakLinkedinThe Founders ClubInstagram @TheFoundersClubWebsite www.foundersclubofficial.com Founder2Founder:TikTok @Founder2FounderPodcastYoutube @Founder2Founder.Podcast
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Loaning $1M to His Campaign, Then Putting It All in Bitcoin with Michael Carbonara
In this episode of Founder2Founder, Aaron Spivak sits down with entrepreneur and now congressional candidate Michael Carbonara, committed to serving the people of Florida’s 25th District. Known for building fintech and blockchain companies that processed over $20 billion a year, Michael made headlines when he left it all behind, loaned his campaign a million dollars, and put it entirely into Bitcoin.Michael shares how growing up in a single-parent household shaped his hunger for success, what it took to become a pioneer in crypto banking, and why he believes the American dream is fading unless people like him step up. From building global infrastructure in blockchain to running for office against a 20-year incumbent, this episode covers business, politics, family, and legacy in a way few founders ever do.Chapters: 01:46 – Where His Entrepreneurial Spirit Started 03:19 – Dropping Out Before It Was Cool 04:47 – The Turning Point From School to Self-Education 06:14 – How Rich Dad, Poor Dad Changed His Worldview 08:16 – Starting a Payment Gateway While Holding a Day Job 09:43 – Why Working With Older Partners Changed Everything 11:13 – Becoming a Blockchain Pioneer Before the Hype 13:05 – Why He Still Believes 50% of the World Will Use Blockchain 14:38 – Web3 Is Coming Whether You Understand It or Not 16:31 – The Reality of Building in an Unproven Industry 17:42 – Pivoting Without Quitting: His Approach to "Failure" 18:41 – The Mentors Who Shaped His Entrepreneurial Mindset 20:14 – Why We All Thrive in Different Systems 22:28 – Childhood Lessons That Still Shape His Drive 24:19 – Why He Decided to Run for Office 26:09 – How a Documentary Sparked His Political Awakening 28:28 – Going Up Against a 20-Year Incumbent 30:35 – Restoring Safety, Slashing Waste, and Defunding 32:17 – What He’d Ask Under Oath 34:05 – Family, Risk, and Running With No Fear 35:16 – Why He Invested Campaign Funds Into Bitcoin 37:06 – Making Bitcoin Accessible for Real Wealth Creation 38:35 – Solving the Security and Simplicity Gap in Crypto 40:56 – Taking a Pay Cut to Serve the Country 42:44 – What Happens Without Police and Structure 44:25 – School Choice, Indoctrination, and Fixing Education 47:03 – His Vision for the Next 24 Months 48:30 – Why He Had to Become a Reluctant Social Media Influencer 50:04 – How 7 Million Views Landed Him in the White House 52:57 – How the Dream Is Still Possible, but Not Guaranteed 54:33 – Advice to His 12-Year-Old Self 56:56 – How His Wife Became His Most Trusted Advisor59:25 – Why He Believes the Time to Act Is NowGuest Links:Website: https://michaelcarbonara.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/mcarbonaraflX (Twitter): https://x.com/MCarbonaraFL LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelcarbonara/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578435752040Stay Connected!Aaron Spivak:Instagram @SpivakLinkedinThe Founders ClubInstagram @TheFoundersClubWebsite www.foundersclubofficial.com Founder2Founder:TikTok @Founder2FounderPodcastYoutube @Founder2Founder.Podcast
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Inside The Founders Club: Vision, Vulnerability, and What’s Next
In this episode of Founder2Founder, Aaron Spivak sits down once again with Chris Meade to talk about the evolution of Founders Club and where it's headed next. With nearly 700 members and over 120 events planned for the coming year, they share how they’re scaling intentionally while keeping the community tight and valuable.They break down lessons from the Puerto Rico offsite, the LA chapter relaunch, and why success today means supporting founders beyond business, into relationships, parenting and personal growth. It’s a real look at what it takes to build something that lasts.Chapters:01:24 – Kicking off our LA Chapter02:22 – Puerto Rico offsite and club planning03:19 – Improving Member Quality and Filters04:38 – Redefining Success Beyond Business05:56 – How Money Doesn’t Solve the Hard Stuff06:48 – The Missing Support For Personal Relationships07:56 – A New Lens On What Makes A Founder Successful08:58 – Member Anthony’s Shift From Brand Growth To Marriage10:03 – Learning From Founders Ahead Of You11:19 – What Really Got Discussed At Female Founder Day12:15 – What Motivates Founders After Kids12:57 – Why Peer Networks Matter More Than Ever13:27 – 2026 Events And Picking The Right Venues14:53 – Founders Club Is Not An Events Company15:56 – Forums As The Foundation Of Deeper Value16:48 – Members As Speakers, Not Hired Talent17:28 – Booking Dream Speakers For The Community18:28 – Keeping It Fun Or Shutting It Down19:33 – Why This Is A 30-Year Vision21:00 – A Goal To Be Part Of Global GDP21:34 – The Club As The First Call When You Need Help23:11 – Removing The Wrong Energy24:40 – Events That Spark Action25:25 – When The Club Drives Real Business26:46 – Unlocking Perks And Member-Only Access27:57 – Why Founders Need Better Tools And Support28:50 – What FD Chat And The App Will Offer30:18 – Creating Better Matches Through Data30:52 – How Many Real Connections You Can Have31:24 – Focus On 5 People A Year32:46 – One Billionaire’s Honesty Changed The RoomGuest Links: Instagram:@chrismeadeKintsugi: The AI-powered tax compliance platform trusted by over 3,000 companies worldwideStay Connected!Aaron Spivak:Instagram @SpivakLinkedinThe Founders ClubInstagram @TheFoundersClubWebsite www.foundersclubofficial.com Founder2Founder:TikTok @Founder2FounderPodcastYoutube @Founder2Founder.Podcast
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Breaking Into Steel: Kinga Strogoff on Owning Her Place in a Man’s World
Kinga Strogoff is the President & CEO of Second Street Iron & Metal, Chairman & Creative Director of Balmoral Defender, and a Board Member at Basalt International. She runs a third-generation scrap metal business, reshapes luxury automotive design, and drives innovation in sustainable materials, all while raising her son as a single mother.In this episode, Kinga shares how she moved to the U.S. from Poland as an au pair, eventually took over her husband’s steel business, and led it through collapse and revival. She talks openly about loss, building resilience, and why she believes obsession, not balance, is key to building anything meaningful. Her story spans legacy, grief, and the discipline it takes to keep moving forward.Chapters: 02:23 – From Polish Village to the American Dream 04:32 – The Power of Dreaming Beyond Logic 06:00 – When Manifestation Goes Wrong 07:44 – Leaving Home Against All Odds 08:40 – Becoming an Au Pair to Escape Limitations 09:47 – The Family That Waited a Year for Her 10:26 – Feeling Called to America at Age 6 12:28 – Entering the Workforce and Loving Money 13:24 – Childhood Hustle: Scrap Metal and Sneakers 15:31 – Her Grandfather’s Influence and Deep Bond 17:04 – The Story Behind the Name “Kinga” 19:51 – Building Kinga Steel from the Ground Up 21:42 – Visualizing Life as a Painting 22:37 – No Plan B: Betting on Herself 23:13 – Meeting Her Husband and Building a Life 25:53 – Taking Over the Business During Crisis 27:25 – 24 Months of Full Obsession 28:38 – Earning Respect in a Male-Dominated Industry 32:39 – Advice to Women in Male-Dominated Fields 34:34 – When She Knew the Business Would Thrive 35:59 – Leading Through Legacy and Empowering Her Team 36:56 – The Loss of Her Husband and the Aftermath 39:12 – Rebuilding While Raising Her Son Alone 41:44 – Jump Rope Therapy: Turning Pain Into Purpose 42:51 – Fitness, Discipline, and Mental Strength 46:06 – Obsession Over Balance: Her Success Philosophy 47:51 – What’s Next? Learning to Sit in the Unknown 49:12 – What She’d Tell Her 6-Year-Old Self 52:32 – Creating Heaven on Earth, Every Day 54:40 – The Role of Social Media and Building Brand Authentically 56:03 – Protecting Her Son and Living in Silence 56:45 – Sharing Her Story to Help Others HealGuest LinksInstagram: @kingasteel @ssimrecycleKintsugi: The AI-powered tax compliance platform trusted by over 3,000 companies worldwideStay Connected!Aaron Spivak:Instagram @SpivakLinkedinThe Founders ClubInstagram @TheFoundersClubWebsite www.foundersclubofficial.com Founder2Founder:TikTok @Founder2FounderPodcastYoutube @Founder2Founder.Podcast
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How Keida Dervishi Built Soulmate Customs Into A 7-Figure Brand at 19 With No Ads, and 40 Posts a Day
In this episode of Founder2Founder, Aaron Spivak sits down with Keida Dervishi, the 23-year-old founder of Soulmate Customs, a custom embroidery brand that hit $1 million in revenue in under 11 months without spending a dollar on ads. What started as a hoodie gift for her mom’s birthday quickly turned into a viral business powered by emotional storytelling and relentless content creation.Keida shares how growing up in an immigrant household shaped her drive, how she transitioned from child star in Albania to business builder, and what it’s like leading a fast-scaling brand at such a young age. From hiring mistakes, to burnout, staying grounded, to posting 40+ times a day, this conversation is a real look at what it takes to scale with zero shortcuts.Chapters:02:08 – Growing Up in an Entrepreneurial Household03:47 – From Child Star to Burnout on Stage05:43 – Accidentally Entering Entrepreneurship07:00 – The Hoodie Gift That Started Soulmate Custom09:58 – Viral Launch and Selling Out Within Days11:32 – No Strategy, Just Action: Early Days of Posting12:37 – Moving Out of Her Bedroom to Scale Fulfillment13:02 – First TikTok Lives and Learning to Sell14:22 – Hiring Challenges and Missteps15:45 – The Family Business Breakdown: Who Does What16:37 – Discovering Her Why: The Fear That Fuels Her18:01 – A Breakthrough Moment at Founders Club19:04 – The Realities of Building While Your Parents Age21:10 – Navigating Burnout, Routines, and Sleep Struggles23:10 – Posting 40+ Times a Day: Pressure and Purpose25:12 – Why Consistency Is Her Superpower27:21 – Leading a Team as the Youngest in the Room30:44 – Building Confidence and Letting Go of Limiting Beliefs34:11 – Embracing Embarrassment to Achieve Greatness35:27 – What Keeps Her Going: Live Calls with Customers38:47 – Giving Credit Where It’s Due and Admiring the Work41:38 – What’s Next for Soulmate Customs44:45 – Learning to Let Go as the Business Grows49:28 – Curating Her Circle and Protecting Her Environment54:25 – Working With Her Brother and Navigating Family Tension57:22 – What She’d Tell Her 9-Year-Old SelfGuest Links: Website: https://soulmatecustoms.com/Instagram: @SoulmateCustoms@Keida02Kintsugi: The AI-powered tax compliance platform trusted by over 3,000 companies worldwideStay Connected!Aaron Spivak:Instagram @SpivakLinkedinThe Founders ClubInstagram @TheFoundersClubWebsite www.foundersclubofficial.com Founder2Founder:TikTok @Founder2FounderPodcastYoutube @Founder2Founder.Podcast
Entrepreneurship isn’t just a career—it’s a relentless, all-consuming way of life.Welcome to Founder2Founder a raw and unfiltered podcast where host Aaron Spivak pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to build something from the ground up. No sugarcoating, no overnight success stories—just deep, honest conversations with some of the most driven, underrated, and game-changing founders of our time. From brutal setbacks to game-changing mindset shifts, Aaron goes beyond the polished success stories to uncover the unglamorous, deeply personal side of building a business.As a seasoned entrepreneur himself, Aaron goes beneath the surface and gets into the nitty-gritty of what it truly takes to succeed. He’ll dive into the habits, behaviors, and routines that set elite founders apart, the tactics and strategies that are working today, and the mindset shifts required to push through the hardest moments. Through raw personal stories, late-night struggles, and breakthrough moments, guests open up about what it really means to grow, not just as a founder, but as a person.Each week, Aaron sits down with visionary entrepreneurs from high-growth startup founders to seasoned CEOs, for real, unfiltered conversations about the highs, lows, and everything in between. Whether you're scaling a company, launching your first venture, or just looking for inspiration, this podcast will give you the insights, motivation, and real-world advice you won’t get just anywhere. If you're ready to strip away the illusion and get real about what it means to build, sacrifice, and thrive, this is the podcast for you. Join us every Wednesday!
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