Welcome back to the Deep Dive.
Today, we're gonna tackle a story that's,
well, it's equal parts inspiring and intriguing.
You know, you sent over this YouTube video
about Anthony Vecino, and he went from
like a staggering $80,000 in debt to a real estate empire.
I mean, like a real empire worth $70 million.
And get this, he did it all in just three years.
That's right, and what's fascinating about Anthony's story
is that it's not just about money, right?
Like it's not just about, oh, look at all this money you made.
It's a masterclass in personal transformation.
It really is.
And we're gonna kinda dissect how he combines self-improvement
with smart financial strategies
and just this relentless drive to completely change his life.
$70 million in three years.
Sign me up.
But seriously, let's rewind to the beginning.
Okay.
Anthony starts his story at what he calls rock bottom.
So picture this, living in a van, fresh off a breakup.
And like drowning in debt.
I mean, talk about a starting point
that makes you sit up and pay attention.
It's a stark contrast to where he ends up.
And that's what makes it so captivating.
It's in this moment of despair
that he discovers the work of Abraham Bazlo.
Now, you're probably already familiar with, you know,
Bazlo's hierarchy of needs.
Yeah, yeah.
But what Anthony really latches onto
is this lesser known quote,
that which we can be, we must be.
This becomes his driving force.
So he's motivated to reach his full potential,
but how does he even begin to tackle
such a massive transformation?
He breaks down his approach
into what he calls the four spheres of influence.
Mindset, health, wealth, and skills.
And he saw these as the pillars he needed
to really strengthen
to become that best version of himself.
Okay, let's start with mindset.
I think we can all relate to the idea
that our thoughts can shape our reality, right?
So how did Anthony approach this?
He credits the Stoic philosophy of Marcus Aurelius,
specifically his book, Meditation,
for helping him kind of shift his focus.
So you see, instead of obsessing over results,
he learns to find peace in the present moment
and focusing on the process.
Now, I've dabbled in Stoicism myself,
but I'm curious,
how did Anthony actually apply these principles
in a practical way,
especially when faced with, you know,
the high stakes world of like business and investing?
That's a great question.
He used Stoic exercises like negative visualization
and premeditatio malorum
to prepare himself mentally for potential setbacks.
He even talks about how Stoicism
helped him stay calm and rational
during like intense real estate negotiations.
Wow, so he wasn't just reading about Stoicism.
He was actively integrating it
into his decision-making process.
That's really impressive.
Exactly, it wasn't just about like reading,
you know, philosophical texts.
It's about putting those principles into action.
Okay, so mindset is a major focus.
Next up is health.
I'm guessing this is where his background
is a professional rock climber comes in handy.
You got it.
He was already in great shape physically,
but what's interesting is he goes
beyond the typical advice of, you know,
exercise and nutrition.
He talks about the importance of sleep optimization.
And even mentions using specific biohacking techniques
to boost his energy levels and mental clarity.
Biohacking, now that's taking things to another level.
He clearly wasn't settling for just the basics.
Right, he was looking for every advantage he could get
and he saw optimizing his health
as a critical part of that.
All right, so we've got a strong mindset
and a finely tuned body.
But let's be honest, when you're $80,000 in debt,
the wealth sphere probably feels
like a pretty daunting mountain to climb.
Absolutely.
Anthony realized that before he could even think about
achieving his higher goals,
he needed to get his finances in order, right?
He had to understand the rules of the money game.
And how did he go about learning those rules?
Did he hire a financial advisor?
He actually cautions against blindly relying
on financial advisors.
Oh, yeah.
He emphasizes the importance of educating yourself
and becoming financially literate, right?
So he devoured books on personal finance,
budgeting and investing.
He even mentions using specific budgeting apps
to track his expenses and automate his savings.
That's a great point.
There's so many resources available to us these days.
It's about taking that initiative
to learn and manage your own money.
Exactly.
Anthony took full responsibility
for his financial education.
And that's a key part of his success story.
Okay, so he's working on his mindset,
his health and taking control of his wealth.
That brings us to the final sphere, skills.
I'm curious to hear what Anthony considered
the most valuable skills to develop,
especially in today's rapidly changing world.
He highlights the importance of investing in skills
that solve valuable problems, quoting Elon Musk.
You're paid in proportion to the magnitude
of the problems that you solve.
So he knew he needed to develop skills
that were in high demand.
So which skills did he prioritize?
He focused on two key areas, discipline and communication.
Got it.
For him, discipline wasn't just about willpower.
It was about creating systems and habits
that would help him stay on track.
Right.
He used techniques like time locking
and accountability partners to make sure
he was consistently taking action towards his goals.
That makes sense.
Systems and habits can be so much more effective
than just relying on willpower alone.
And what about communication?
Why was that so important to him?
He realized that being able to communicate effectively,
that was essential for building relationships,
networking, negotiating deals,
and ultimately building a successful business.
He even talks about taking public speaking courses
and joining Toastmasters to improve his communication skills.
It sounds like he was really committed
to becoming a well-rounded individual,
not just focusing on one specific area.
Exactly.
He saw personal development as an ongoing process,
a journey of continuous improvement
across all areas of his life.
So he's got this solid foundation.
But I'm guessing he didn't just sit around
and wait for success to come knocking.
What were his next steps?
That's where things get really interesting.
He knew he needed to take action
and start generating income,
but he also recognized the value of coaching and mentorship.
He even mentions that while he couldn't afford
a coach at the time, he sought out free resources,
like YouTube videos and online courses
to learn from successful entrepreneurs.
So he was resourceful and proactive,
even when he was starting with limited resources?
Absolutely.
That's inspiring.
He was determined to learn from the best,
even if it meant starting with free or low-cost options.
Welcome back to the Deep Dive.
We're in the middle of unpacking Anthony Vachino's
incredible journey from being buried in debt
to building a multi-million dollar real estate portfolio.
Last time we left off with Anthony
kind of laying the groundwork for his transformation,
strengthening his mindset, health, wealth and skills.
He even mentioned seeking out free resources
like YouTube and online courses
because he couldn't afford a coach at the time.
Talk about being resourceful.
Resourcefulness was definitely one of his key strengths,
but let's dive into how he actually
started generating income.
Remember, he was $80,000 in debt
so he needed to make some serious moves.
Right, he had all this knowledge and a rock solid mindset,
but he still had to put it all into action.
So what did he do?
He decided to launch his own business
and this is where things take an interesting turn.
He chose to start a window washing business.
Window washing.
That doesn't exactly scream path to millions, does it?
I mean, it's not exactly the most glamorous
or high-tech industry.
It might seem surprising,
but he had a very specific reason for choosing this path.
Remember those successful entrepreneurs
he was studying, you know, Charlie Munger,
Felix Dennis, Elon Musk.
Oh yeah, the guys who stressed the importance
of owning a business as a key to wealth creation.
Exactly, Anthony realized that trading his time for money
like he was doing as a professional rock climber
wouldn't get him to where he wanted to be financially.
He needed to create a system that could generate income
even when he wasn't directly working.
So it was less about the specific business
and more of the principle of owning a business.
Precisely, the window washing business was his testing ground.
It was a way to learn the ropes of entrepreneurship,
to build a system and to understand
the dynamics of cash flow.
Okay, so he's washing windows, learning about business,
and hopefully starting to generate some income,
but how does he go from window washing
to a $70 million real estate portfolio?
That's where his understanding of financial principles
and his commitment to avoiding lifestyle creep
come into play.
Now you mentioned lifestyle creep before,
but I think it's worth explaining it a bit more
for our listeners.
What exactly is lifestyle creep
and how did Anthony manage to avoid it?
Lifestyle creep is this sneaky tendency
to increase your spending as your income rises.
You get a raise, you buy a nicer car,
a bigger apartment, more expensive clothes.
Suddenly you're back to living paycheck to paycheck
just by earning more.
It's a trap that catches a lot of people.
Oh, I think we've all been tempted by that trap
at some point.
So how did Anthony resist the urge to upgrade his lifestyle
when he started making more money?
He was incredibly disciplined.
He had a clear vision of his financial goals
and knew that every dollar he spent on unnecessary luxuries
was a dollar that couldn't be invested in his future.
He continued to live frugally, even as his income grew.
So he's washing windows, avoiding lifestyle creep,
and presumably saving like crazy.
What did he do with all that hard earned cash?
This is where his real estate journey begins.
He had been carefully researching
different investment options,
but he kept coming back to multifamily real estate.
Why multifamily properties specifically
what made them so appealing to him?
He saw them as a powerful way to build
both cash flow and long-term wealth.
He could generate rental income from multiple tenants
while also benefiting from the property's appreciation
over time.
Ah, so he was playing the long game looking for investments
that would generate passive income and grow in value.
That's smart.
Exactly.
He understood that true wealth wasn't about
getting rich quick.
It was about creating sustainable income streams
and building assets that would appreciate over time.
Okay, so he's ready to dive into real estate,
but I imagine it's not as simple as just going out
and buying a property.
What were some of the challenges he faced
in this new world of investing?
He had to learn a whole new set of skills
he had to understand property management,
tenant relations, financing options, and market dynamics.
It was a steep learning curve,
but he was determined to master it.
So he didn't let his lack of experience hold him back?
Not at all.
He embraced the challenge and sought out knowledge
from every possible source he attended,
real estate seminars, red books connected
with experienced investors,
and even took online courses to sharpen his skills.
It's amazing how he consistently applied
that growth mindset to every aspect of his journey.
He never stopped learning and never let fear
stop him from taking action.
You're absolutely right,
and that's a key takeaway for anyone listening.
The willingness to learn and adapt is crucial for success
in any field, especially in the ever-evolving
world of investing.
So he's armed with knowledge,
he's avoiding lifestyle creep,
he's saving diligently,
what was his first real estate investment?
His first purchase was a triplex,
which he snagged for $246,500.
Think about that for a second.
This guy was living in a van just a short time ago,
and now he's buying a multifamily property.
That's a remarkable turnaround,
but I'm sure it wasn't all smooth sailing.
What were some of the obstacles he encountered
as a new real estate investor?
He faced his fair share of challenges
dealing with difficult tenants, unexpected repairs,
navigating the complexities of financing.
Wasn't always easy.
So how did he handle those tough moments?
Did he ever feel like giving up?
He talks about the importance of resilience
and perseverance.
He knew that setbacks were inevitable,
but he didn't let them derail him.
He used his stoic principles to stay calm,
focus on what he could control,
and learn from his mistakes.
That's so important.
It's easy to get discouraged when things get tough,
but it's the ability to bounce back
that really separates successful people from the rest.
Absolutely.
And Anthony's story is a testament
to the power of resilience he kept learning,
kept adapting, and kept pushing forward,
even when things got tough.
And that triplex was just the beginning, right?
Yeah.
How did he go from that first investment
to a $70 million portfolio?
That's a story for our next segment,
but let me just say,
his success wasn't about luck or timing.
It was about a combination of smart strategies,
disciplined execution, and an unwavering belief
in his ability to achieve his goals.
Welcome back to the deep dive.
Yeah.
We're wrapping up our exploration
of Anthony Viscino's incredible journey
from $80,000 in debt
to a $70 million real estate empire.
It's been quite a ride.
We've seen how he transformed his mindset,
honed his spills, embraced frugality,
and took that leap into entrepreneurship
with his window washing business.
And let's not forget that first real estate investment,
that triplex he purchased,
for $246,500.
Right.
It's amazing to think that was just
the beginning of his real estate journey.
It really is.
But before we dive into how he scaled his portfolio,
I think it's important to revisit
the personal development aspect of his story.
Remember, Anthony emphasized
that personal growth was his most important job.
Right.
He approached self-improvement
with the same level of dedication and discipline
that he applied to his business and investments.
He was constantly learning, growing,
and pushing himself to become better.
Exactly.
And one of the key principles he embraced
was the stoic philosophy,
particularly the teachings of Marcus Aurelius.
We touched on this earlier,
but I think it's worth exploring further.
Yeah, I agree.
I'm fascinated by how he actually applied stoicism
in his daily life,
especially when faced with the inevitable challenges
of entrepreneurship and investing.
Well, he talks about using specific stoic practices
to manage his emotions and stay focused
on what he could control.
For example, he used negative visualization
to mentally prepare himself for potential setbacks.
You know, he would imagine the worst case scenario
so that if they did happen, he wouldn't be caught off guard.
That's interesting.
It's almost like he was training his mind
to be resilient, to not be thrown off course
by unexpected events.
Exactly.
He was building mental toughness.
He also used a technique called premeditatio malorum,
which is basically anticipating potential obstacles
and planning how you'll respond to them.
So instead of letting fear paralyze him,
he was proactively addressing it
and developing strategies to overcome challenges.
Precisely.
And this stoic approach helped him navigate
the ups and downs of his journey
with a sense of calm and clarity.
He wasn't ruled by his emotions, he was in control.
That's such a powerful concept.
It's a reminder that we can't always control
what happens to us, but we can control how we respond.
And that's where true resilience lies.
Absolutely.
Anthony's story is a testament
to the power of a resilient mindset.
He faced setbacks, he made mistakes, but he never gave up.
He used those experiences as learning opportunities
and kept moving forward.
So he's got this solid foundation of personal development.
He's mastered his finances, he's launched a business,
and he's made his first real estate investment.
How does he go from that triplex
to a portfolio worth $70 million?
Well, it wasn't a sudden windfall or a lucky break.
It was a process of strategic growth and disciplined execution.
He took the profits from his window washing business
and reinvested them wisely.
He acquired more properties focusing on multifamily units
that generated consistent rental income.
So he was leveraging the power of compounding.
He was using the income from his existing assets
to acquire more assets, which generated even more income.
It's like a snowball effect.
Exactly, and he wasn't afraid to take calculated risks.
He understood that leveraging debt
could accelerate his growth,
but he was always careful to manage his debt responsibly.
So it wasn't just about working hard and saving money.
It was about understanding financial principles
and using them strategically to build wealth.
Precisely, he was playing the long game.
He wasn't looking for quick flips or get rich quick schemes.
He was building a sustainable portfolio
of income-generating assets.
That's a really important lesson.
True wealth is built over time through smart decisions
and consistent effort.
Absolutely, and Anthony's story demonstrates
that it's possible for anyone to achieve financial freedom
even if you start with nothing.
His journey is incredibly inspiring.
He took control of his life, faced his fears,
embraced challenges, and ultimately achieved
a level of success that most people only dream of.
It's a powerful reminder that we all have the potential
for greatness within us.
It's up to each of us to cultivate that potential,
to develop our skills, to adopt a growth mindset,
and to take action towards our goals.
So for our listeners out there,
we hope this deep dive has sparked some ideas
and inspired you to take action towards your own goals,
whatever they may be.
Remember, transformation is within reach.
Start today, embrace the journey, and never stop growing.