Dr. Antwan “Amadeus” Thompson Sr., Ph.D. shares how growing up in the Bronx—raised by a church-going mother and a quiet but supportive father—shaped his character, confidence, and commitment to doing life differently. From being mocked for wearing a Catholic school uniform to sitting in rooms with Pharrell, Kanye, and Just Blaze, his journey is a masterclass in self-belief, purpose, and faith.

He opens up about how choosing drums changed everything, why he never smoked or drank in an industry that thrives on image, and how he turned down short-term fame to walk in alignment with what God called him to do.

They talk about:

- What it was like growing up on 169th and Washington Ave in the Bronx

- How being different became his greatest strength

- Playing for legends like DMX and Busta Rhymes—and getting ripped off early on

- Why he never writes speeches, and how he speaks purely from spirit

- The pressure of sharing space with producers like Pharrell, Just Blaze, and Kanye

- The power of faith, discipline, and making music that serves a bigger purpose

- How he's now mentoring youth, speaking at graduations, and using his story to build legacy

This episode is about owning who you are, trusting the gift you were born with, and knowing you don’t need permission—or a co-sign—to walk fully in your calling.

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🔗 Connect with Dr. Amadeus

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amadeuspbm

Follow REAL Mentors Podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realmentorspodcast/

Host: https://www.instagram.com/theseanmartin/

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🔥 About the Guest – Dr. Antwan “Amadeus” Thompson Sr.

Dr. Antwan “Amadeus” Thompson Sr., Ph.D., is a multi-platinum producer, professional drummer, motivational speaker, and the CEO of Platinum Boy Music Inc. He is the music director and touring drummer for Trey Songz, a published author (The Story of Amadeus: And the Beat Goes On), and was recently honored with the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award and inducted into the Bronx Walk of Fame.

Raised in the heart of the Bronx, Amadeus built his career on faith, discipline, and service—working with artists like Chris Brown, J.Lo, 50 Cent, and Lil Wayne, while staying rooted in purpose. He’s now focused on impact—mentoring youth, speaking in schools, and proving you don’t have to compromise who you are to become who you’re meant to be.

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Tags & Keywords:

Dr. Amadeus, Antwan Thompson, Sean Martin, REAL Mentors Podcast, Trey Songz, Platinum Boy Music, Bronx, music industry, producer life, motivational speaker, hip hop producer, faith-based success, confidence, mentorship, real stories, growing up in the Bronx, never smoked, never drank, Christian creatives, God-given talent, legacy building, personal discipline, youth mentorship, graduation speaker, music and purpose, behind the beats, real change, never wrote a speech, servant leadership, real Bronx energy, second chances, influence over fame

#DrAmadeus #REALMentorsPodcast #SeanMartin #BronxStrong #HipHopProducer #LegacyWork #PurposeOverFame #FaithAndFire #PlatinumBoyMusic #RealOnes #BuiltDifferent #MusicThatHeals #RealStories #BreakTheCycle #NeverFolded #MentorshipMatters

Anthony Ruggiano Jr. shares how growing up as the son of a feared Gambino crime family captain shaped his early identity—leading him from neighborhood dice games to violent crime, addiction, and ultimately prison. But after decades in the mob and battling cocaine addiction, a single phone call to a hotline sparked a journey of sobriety and redemption.

They talk about:

- The dangerous allure of the mob lifestyle—and why it feels like a "family" you can’t escape

- How addiction and ego fueled his most destructive years

- The turning point that forced him to choose between life or death

- The challenge of rebuilding his identity after leaving organized crime

- Why service and helping others became his true path to freedom

- How he's now using his story to mentor, counsel, and save lives

This episode is about the power of choice, the courage to walk away from an identity that once defined you, and the belief that no one is too far gone to change—if they’re willing to do the work.

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🔗 Connect with Anthony Ruggiano Jr.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AnthonyRuggiano

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/reformedgangsters

Website: https://www.anthonyruggiano.com/ | https://www.reformedgangsters.com/

Email: anthonyruggianojr@gmail.com

Follow REAL Mentors Podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realmentorspodcast/

Host: https://www.instagram.com/theseanmartin/

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🔥 About the Guest – Anthony Ruggiano Jr.

Anthony Ruggiano Jr. is a former proposed member of the Gambino crime family who turned his life around after decades of addiction and crime. The son of "Fat Andy" Ruggiano, Anthony grew up in the shadows of Brooklyn’s underworld, idolizing mob figures and absorbing a dangerous code of survival.

After years spent chasing fast money, drugs, and street status, he found himself facing long prison sentences—and his own mortality. A call to a cocaine hotline saved his life, setting him on a path to recovery and self-reinvention.

Today, Anthony is a substance abuse counselor, speaker, and host of the Reformed Gangsters Podcast, where he shares raw lessons on transformation, accountability, and hope. His story proves that no matter how deep your past runs, there is always a way forward if you’re brave enough to choose it.

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Tags & Keywords:

Anthony Ruggiano Jr., Sean Martin, REAL Mentors Podcast, Gambino family, mafia, organized crime, addiction recovery, sobriety, redemption stories, second chances, true crime, mentorship, substance abuse counselor, reformed gangster, Reformed Gangsters Podcast, Brooklyn mob, transformation, faith, fatherhood, rebuilding your life, 12 steps, resilience, real stories of change, life after crime, overcoming ego, service to others, living beyond the past, healing generational wounds, New York underworld, mob insiders, personal growth, breaking the cycle, proof you can change

#AnthonyRuggiano #SeanMartin #REALMentorsPodcast #GambinoFamily #ReformedGangsters #AddictionRecovery #SecondChances #MobLife #TrueRedemption #RealOnes #BreakTheCycle #Transformation #ServeOthers #RealStories #FaithAndCourage #BeyondTheMob #NeverTooLate

Tim Kittelstad shares how blowing out his knee ended a soccer dream but opened a door to martial arts—and how a chance meeting with a stunt performer led him into the world of film and live-action storytelling. From showing up on set for free to training under legendary fight masters, Tim built a life rooted in faith, family, and relentless curiosity.

They talk about:

• How to start from zero and build trust in a niche, high-stakes industry like stunts
• Why "never stop being a white belt" is the mindset that drives every part of his life
• The power of humility—and how ego can be your biggest enemy (or your greatest teacher)
• Balancing fatherhood, family, and a career that demands risk and constant travel
• His upcoming Star Wars short film—and why he believes you have to create what you want to see in the world
• How martial arts philosophy translates into business, leadership, and storytelling

This episode is about showing up first, serving before asking, and embracing discomfort as the path to mastery— on set, at home, and in life.

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🔗 Connect with Tim Kittelstad

Instagram: @timkittelstad

🔔 Follow us on Instagram!

🕶️ Podcast: @REALMentorsPodcast

🎙️ Host: @theseanmartin

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⭐️ About the REAL Mentors Podcast

The REAL Mentors Podcast is all about bringing authentic stories, inspiring messages, and valuable lessons straight to you. Our mission is simple: alter lives with real examples and provide actionable advice to empower the next generation of leaders, creators, and visionaries. If you’re looking for real-talk and real impact, this is the place for you.

🔥 About the Guest – Tim Kittelstad

Timothy Kittelstad is a stuntman, fight choreographer, and Wing Chun instructor who believes that humility and service are the keys to growth—whether you’re in front of the camera, running a business, or raising a family.

After a career-ending sports injury, Tim rebuilt himself through martial arts, eventually becoming a head instructor and a sought-after stunt performer. He’s performed live shows in China and Orlando, trained under world-renowned sword masters, and now helps build the next generation of film fighters through community training in Florida.

Beyond stunts, he leads digital marketing initiatives at Torch Designs, mentors young performers, and brings his family into his creative world—turning backyard "action!" calls into lifelong memories.

Tim’s story is proof that when you lead with integrity and stay a lifelong student, you can craft a life far beyond what you imagined.

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Tags & Keywords:

Tim Kittelstad, Sean Martin, REAL Mentors Podcast, stunts, fight choreography, martial arts, Wing Chun, digital marketing, lifelong learning, humility, fatherhood, Star Wars fan film, sword training, action design, community building, never stop being a white belt, purpose-driven storytelling, servant leadership, faith and creativity, mentorship in film, raising strong families, integrity in business, Florida stunt community, entrepreneurship through martial arts, living your passion, building trust, real stories of transformation, from setback to impact, Ip man, jackie chan, star wars, bruce lee, MMA, real fight

#TimKittelstad #SeanMartin #REALMentorsPodcast #StuntLife #WingChun #MartialArts #NeverStopBeingAWhiteBelt #FaithAndFamily #ActionDesign #LeadWithIntegrity #PurposeDriven #Storytelling #FilmIndustry #MartialArtsPhilosophy #RealOnes #BreakTheCycle #ServeFirst...

Coss shares how he ran a multi-million dollar drug business by 19, got sentenced to prison, and lost 70 pounds in a cell using nothing but bodyweight workouts. After getting out with $40 to his name, he started training people in a park with a stick and a fence—eventually turning that hustle into ConBody, a prison-style bootcamp staffed entirely by formerly incarcerated trainers. Then, he did it again—launching ConBud, a legal cannabis dispensary, as someone who was once locked up for selling weed.

They talk about:

- What it’s really like to come home with no money, no help, and no chances

- The moment in solitary confinement that changed his life forever

- Starting a business from nothing—and how to keep going when no one believes in you

- Why he only hires people with records—and why that’s his biggest strength

- Opening three dispensaries in 15 months and beating the system at its own game

- What second chances really look like—and why purpose hits different when you’ve been through hell

This episode is about how you turn rock bottom into a foundation—and prove the world wrong by staying true to who you are.

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🔗 Connect with Coss Marte

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cossmarte

https://www.conbody.com

https://www.conbud.com

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Follow REAL Mentors Podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realmentorspodcast/

Host: https://www.instagram.com/theseanmartin/

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🔥 About the Guest – Coss Marte

Coss Marte is the founder and CEO of ConBody, a New York City fitness studio that employs formerly incarcerated trainers, and ConBud, a cannabis dispensary built on equity and second chances. Once running a $2M drug operation and serving time in prison, Coss turned his life around through faith, fitness, and purpose.

Today, he’s helped thousands transform their lives through his programs, created jobs for dozens of returning citizens, and built multiple businesses from the ground up—all while advocating for criminal justice reform and equity in the industries that once excluded him.

Coss’s story is a testament to what’s possible when hustle meets healing—and when you stop running from your past and start building with it.

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Tags & Keywords:

Coss Marte, Sean Martin, REAL Mentors Podcast, ConBody, ConBud, prison to CEO, formerly incarcerated entrepreneur, second chances, reentry programs, cannabis equity, legal weed NYC, prison reform, redemption stories, ConBody workouts, NYC fitness, criminal justice reform, cannabis licensing, social equity cannabis, passive income, hiring people with records, bodyweight workouts, legacy through impact, prison business ideas, real stories of change, entrepreneurship after prison, faith and transformation, LES success story, from the system to success

#CossMarte #SeanMartin #REALMentorsPodcast #ConBody #ConBud #SecondChances #PrisonToPurpose #JusticeReform #LegalWeedNYC #FitnessAfterPrison #HustleAndHeal #RealOnes #BreakTheCycle #LeadWithPurpose #FromCellToCEO #EntrepreneurAfterPrison #NYCCannabis #OwnYourStory #RealMentorRealTalk

They don't just help survivors rebuild their lives, they help them stay alive long enough to start.

In this episode, Jennifer Hernandez joins Sean Martin for a gripping conversation about abuse, survival, and the frontline fight to protect the most vulnerable, before it’s too late.

Jennifer shares how ECLI-VIBES started from the trunk of her car and grew into a life-saving nonprofit serving over 2,500 survivors each month. She opens up about the real cost of escaping abuse, the dangerous myths around healing, and why her team’s first priority is simple: make sure the people who need them don’t die.

They talk about:

• Why leaving an abuser is the most dangerous moment
• The truth about what survivors actually need first
• How crisis intervention can’t wait for red tape
• Why healing means food, housing, and safety—before therapy
• Building a team that leads with love, not just credentials
• Her vision to make trauma-informed care accessible to every community

This episode is about what it really takes to help abuse survivors—not in theory, but in practice, when every hour could be the difference between life and death.

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💜 Support the Mission

If this episode moved you, don’t just listen—act.

Donate, advocate, or volunteer to support survivors through ECLI-VIBES. Your time, skills, or financial contribution could be the lifeline someone’s been waiting for.

🔗 Donate or learn more: https://www.eclivibes.org

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🆘 If You or Someone You Know Is in Danger

You are not alone. Help is always available.

📞 ECLI-VIBES 24/7 Hope Line (Long Island-based):

(631) 360-3606

📞 National Domestic Violence Hotline (U.S.):

1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

📱 Text “START” to 88788

🌐 https://www.thehotline.org

Your safety matters. Your life matters. Reach out—there’s a whole community ready to stand beside you.

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🔗 Connect with Jennifer Hernandez and ECLI-VIBES

Website: https://www.eclivibes.org

Instagram: @ecli_vibes

Follow REAL Mentors Podcast

Instagram: @realmentorspodcast

Host: @theseanmartin

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🔥 About the Guest – Jennifer Hernandez

Jennifer Hernandez is the founder and executive director of ECLI-VIBES, a Long Island nonprofit that provides trauma-informed services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking,

He didn’t just grow up poor, he grew up feeling left behind.

In this episode, Andrew Sallee joins Sean Martin for a raw conversation about building wealth, surviving abandonment, and redefining what it means to leave a legacy.

Andrew shares how he was emancipated at 15, raised in trailer parks by deeply religious parents who believed wealth was the devil. He opens up about being left alone as a teenager, working three jobs just to survive, and still graduating high school with a 3.6 GPA—before going on to flip over 1,000 properties, build 985 apartment units, and transition into a $100M+ portfolio of medical buildings, grocery stores, and national retail tenants.

They talk about:

• Growing up in poverty—and learning to make peace with success
• The trauma of being left by your own parents and still finding purpose
• Why building wealth isn’t the same as feeling worthy of it
• How he walked away from 985 apartments to chase peace over money
• The secret behind triple net investing and building freedom through commercial real estate
• The long road to healing—and why legacy starts within
• This episode is about what happens when no one believes in you… and you figure it out anyway.

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🔗 Connect with Andrew Sallee

Instagram: @andrewjsallee

🔔 Follow us on Instagram!

🕶️ Podcast: @REALMentorsPodcast

🎙️ Host: @SeanMartinMotiv8 | @theseanmartin

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⭐️ About the REAL Mentors Podcast

The REAL Mentors Podcast is all about bringing authentic stories, inspiring messages, and valuable lessons straight to you. Our mission is simple: alter lives with real examples and provide actionable advice to empower the next generation of leaders, creators, and visionaries. If you’re looking for real-talk and real impact, this is the place for you.

🔥 About the Guest – Andrew Sallee

Andrew Sallee is a real estate investor, entrepreneur, and legacy builder. He flipped over 1,000 properties and developed nearly 1,000 apartment units before transitioning into commercial real estate. Today, Andrew owns a $100M+ portfolio that includes medical buildings, grocery stores, and national retail tenants like Walgreens and Buffalo Wild Wings, specializing in triple net leases that give him income without the stress of management.

But Andrew’s story isn’t just about numbers—it’s about redemption. Emancipated at 15, raised in poverty, and left to figure life out on his own, Andrew built his success brick by brick. After surviving traumatic family experiences and years of grinding, he reached financial freedom—but still felt empty. That’s when he chose peace over pressure and legacy over ego.

Now, Andrew mentors others in real estate, teaches the game behind wealth-building through triple net investments, and uses his platform to help others build lives that last—not just financially, but emotionally and spiritually.

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Tags & Keywords:

Andrew Sallee, Sean Martin, REAL Mentors Podcast, real estate investing, triple net leases, $100M portfolio, abandoned at 15, emancipated teen, apartment flipping, commercial real estate, passive income, wealth and trauma, healing journey, building legacy, from nothing to millionaire, poverty to peace, business and faith, real estate success, investor story, real estate mentorship, nnn investing, grocery store investing, trauma and entrepreneurship, freedom through investing, real estate coach,

We don’t just get denied by the system— we get denied by what we don’t know.

In this episode, Luis Omar Figueroa joins Sean Martin for a raw conversation about resilience, reinvention, and rewriting your story when every door seems shut.

Luis shares how being denied a mortgage— despite having $50K in the bank— lit the fire that pushed him from liquor store owner to real estate powerhouse. With no training, no roadmap, and no mentors, he went from $10K a year to making $80K in 3 months, eventually founding HGRN Capital and Hudson Group Realty Network to help others get the funding they were told they didn’t qualify for.

They talk about:

• Why rejection is often your redirection
• The lessons Luis learned from losing friendships and partnerships
• How he transitioned from street hustle to structured business
• Why “I go get it” became the mantra that built his empire
• Real estate, lending, and ownership when you start with nothing
• Why financial success starts with emotional maturity
• How being raised in the Bronx shaped the way he moves through every room

This episode is about betting on yourself even when no one else does— and knowing that when the bank says no, it’s time to start building your own.

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⭐️ About the REAL Mentors Podcast

The REAL Mentors Podcast is all about bringing authentic stories, inspiring messages, and valuable lessons straight to you. Our mission is simple: alter lives with real examples and provide actionable advice to empower the next generation of leaders, creators, and visionaries. If you’re looking for real-talk and real impact, this is the place for you.

🔥 About the Guest – Luis Omar Figueroa

Luis Omar Figueroa is a Bronx-born entrepreneur, seasoned real estate financier, and the founder of HGRN Capital and Hudson Group Realty Network. With over 15 years of experience in lending and real estate investing, Luis built his business from the ground up after being denied the opportunity to buy his first home. Today, he helps others secure funding and create ownership— especially those who don’t meet traditional requirements.

His story is one of grit, self-education, and never waiting for permission. He’s passionate about mentoring others from underserved communities and proving that your background doesn’t define your ceiling— your actions do.

From street smarts to building a legacy, Luis is living proof that with the right mindset and relentless execution, you can make your own way, no matter where you start.

🔗 Connect with Luis

Guest: @askluisomar

🔔 Follow us on Instagram!

🕶️ Podcast: @REALMentorsPodcast

🎙️ Host: @SeanMartinMotiv8 | @theseanmartin

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Tags & Keywords:

Luis Omar Figueroa, Sean Martin, REAL Mentors Podcast, HGRN Capital, Hudson Group Realty Network, real estate journey, denied by the bank, Bronx entrepreneurship, self-made success, financial literacy, street to structured, ownership mindset, startup hustle, real estate funding, commercial lending, mentorship, emotional intelligence, small business stories, legacy builders, building from nothing, from the Bronx to boardroom, Latino entrepreneur, business with heart, real estate mentor, faith and finance, real talk podcast

#LuisOmarFigueroa #REALMentorsPodcast #SeanMartin #HGRNCapital #FromTheBronx #RealEstateJourney #DeniedToFunded #LegacyBuilding #EntrepreneurMindset...

We don’t just fail because of our mistakes—we fail because we stop taking the shot.

In this episode, Josh Zieglowsky joins Sean Martin for a powerful conversation about risk, faith, relationship capital, and why your biggest breakthrough is often one more conversation—or one more failure—away.

Josh opens up about going bankrupt at 22, starting over with nothing, and building his way into becoming a multi-business entrepreneur and key player behind the $300M success of ERC Specialists. From mortgages to masterminds, from student to partner at Commercial Academy, his journey proves one thing: you don’t need to know everything— you just need to know your people.

They talk about:

• The truth about failure and how to bounce back stronger
• Why "Who Not How" is the secret to scaling anything
• How relationship capital built a multimillion-dollar business
• Lessons from raising four kids while building empires
• What to look for before saying yes to a business opportunity
• Why investing in yourself will always be the best ROI
• How faith, family, and personal belief fuel every level of success

This episode is about learning how to take your shot—even when the scoreboard says you're behind—and trusting that with the right people, mindset, and mission, it’s never too late to win.

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🔗 Connect with Josh Zieglowsky

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejoshz

Podcast: The Flat Bill Investor Podcast

Website: https://ercspecialists.com

🔔 Follow us on Instagram!

🕶️ Podcast: @REALMentorsPodcast

🎙️ Host: @SeanMartinMotiv8 | @theseanmartin

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🔥 About the Guest – Josh Zieglowsky

Josh Zieglowsky is a serial entrepreneur, real estate investor, business mentor, and co-founder of ERC Specialists, the nation's leading firm for Employee Retention Credit funding. He is also a partner at Commercial Academy, a national platform for commercial real estate education, and co-host of The Flat Bill Investor Podcast, where he helps entrepreneurs and visionaries discover their unique edge.

From humble beginnings in Morgan, Utah, to orchestrating multimillion-dollar ventures, Josh credits his success to relationship capital, his commitment to daily learning, and his unshakable faith in God, family, and people. He’s passionate about mentorship, fatherhood, and building legacy—one opportunity and one connection at a time.

Whether he's helping business owners recover funds they didn’t know they were owed, mentoring young entrepreneurs, or investing in the next big venture, Josh is a living example that grit, gratitude, and the right partnerships can transform any life—no matter where you start.

⭐️ About the REAL Mentors Podcast

The REAL Mentors Podcast is all about bringing authentic stories, inspiring messages, and valuable lessons straight to you. Our mission is simple: alter lives with real examples and provide actionable advice to empower the next generation of leaders, creators, and visionaries. If you’re looking for real-talk and real impact, this is the place for you.

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Tags & Keywords:

Josh Zieglowsky, Sean Martin, REAL Mentors Podcast, ERC Specialists, Commercial Academy, Who Not How, relationship capital, entrepreneur mindset, Flat Bill Investor, real estate mentor, from bankruptcy to business, faith and business, taking your shot, business comeback, mentorship, entrepreneurial journey, family and entrepreneurship, parenting and business,...