From Depressed at 14 to Meeting Trump | David Townshend

The heart attack that turned a broke man into a millionaire | Dan Sachkowsky

Dan “Big D” Sikowski made millions before the age of 24 — and lost it all in the same year. In this episode of Out of the System, Leo Climaco and Dan “Big D” Sikowski discuss entrepreneurship, leadership, discipline, legacy, and the realities of building successful businesses. They discuss: • How Big D built and sold multiple companies after a childhood marked by rejection • The “ignorance on fire” mindset that helped him make millions in construction and direct sales • Why money, status, and external success left him feeling unfulfilled • The heart attack at age 40 that completely changed his perspective on life and business • Transitioning from operator to CEO through systems and processes • Breaking generational cycles and creating a meaningful legacy • The difference between motivation, desire, and discipline • Why authenticity matters more than image in entrepreneurship This episode explores business growth, personal transformation, leadership, and what it truly means to build a life of purpose and impact. Follow Out of the System: Instagram ⁠@leoclimacopodcast⁠ TikTok ⁠@leoclimacopodcast⁠ YouTube ⁠@leoclimacopodcast⁠ Official Website ⁠Out of the System⁠ Dan “Big D” Sikowski: ⁠@_big_dan_official⁠

From Depressed at 14 to Meeting Trump | David Townshend

David Townsend grew up surrounded by addiction, depression, and adversity. At 14 years old, he found himself in a dark place, searching for a way out. Instead of following the path that consumed many people around him, he chose a different direction. Today, he is a journalist, biohacker, entrepreneur, and founder of Soulmatch AI, connecting with presidents, global leaders, and some of the most influential people in the world while helping others build deeper human connections. In this episode of Out of the System, David shares his journey of overcoming depression, building meaningful relationships, and creating a mission-driven company focused on connecting people at the soul level. They discuss: • Healing depression naturally and overcoming adversity at a young age • Growing up around addiction and choosing a different path • His encounter with President Trump and leaders from across Latin America • Building Soulmatch AI and the future of human connection • Biohacking, longevity, and optimizing performance • Open-mindedness and why it is one of the most underrated skills today • Artificial intelligence, prompt engineering, and the future of work • Conscious capitalism and solving global challenges through innovation • The difference between being a human doing and a human being This episode is about resilience, human connection, entrepreneurship, personal growth, and creating a life beyond your circumstances. Follow Out of the System: Instagram @leoclimacopodcast TikTok @leoclimacopodcast YouTube @leoclimacopodcast Official Website Out of the System David Townsend: @davidtownshend1

The Woman Who Built a Vodka Empire for Athletes — No Partners | Grace Gillespie

Grace Gillespie spent four years researching and developing a cleaner vodka after noticing that many of her fitness clients were going to drink regardless of what they were told. Today, she is the CEO of Muscle Vodka, owner of three distilleries, and has expanded into 37 U.S. states and 14 countries—all without investors or business partners. In this episode of Out of the System, Grace shares her journey of building a global spirits brand from scratch, her commitment to discipline and faith, and the mindset that helped her create a company she owns 100%. They discuss: • The four-year research and development process behind Muscle Vodka • Building and scaling a spirits company with no outside investors • The challenges of operating in one of the world's most regulated industries • Private labeling for celebrities, NFL and NBA athletes, and influencers • Sales, persistence, and lessons learned from her father • Her perspective on GLP-1 medications and the pursuit of shortcuts • Faith, fear, and maintaining conviction through adversity • Extreme discipline, fitness, and pushing personal limits This episode is about entrepreneurship, ownership, discipline, faith, and what it takes to build something entirely on your own. Follow Out of the System: Instagram @leoclimacopodcast TikTok @leoclimacopodcast YouTube @leoclimacopodcast Official Website Out of the System Grace Gillespie: @fitnessbygrace1

Child Actress, Hollywood Abuse & Spiritual Healing | Hilary Momberger

In this episode, Leo Climaco sits down with Hilary Momberger-Powers for a profound conversation about childhood trauma, survival, healing, spirituality, and the journey of reclaiming your life after unimaginable adversity. Hilary was the voice of Sally in Peanuts (Charlie Brown), appeared in more than 100 commercials as a child, and later worked as a script supervisor on over 350 productions, including major Hollywood projects such as Fast & Furious and The West Wing. Behind the success, however, was a story of abuse, addiction, neglect, and resilience. They discuss: • Growing up with a narcissistic and alcoholic mother • The hidden realities of being a child actor in Hollywood • Childhood trauma and its lasting impact on identity • The three core trauma responses: people pleaser, loner, and controller • How unresolved trauma quietly shapes adult behavior • The concept of "Trauma Uber Drivers" and subconscious patterns • Addiction, overdose, and hitting rock bottom • Forgiveness, acceptance, and healing family wounds • Spirituality as a path to recovery and transformation • Lessons from Kabbalah, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Sufism This episode is about resilience, healing, self-discovery, and finding meaning beyond even the most difficult life experiences. Follow Leo Climaco: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/leoclimacopodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/leoclimacopodcast/] TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@leoclimacopodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@leoclimacopodcast] YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@leoclimacopodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@leoclimacopodcast] Official Website http://leoclimacopodcast.com [http://leoclimacopodcast.com/] Hilary Momberger-Powers: https://www.instagram.com/hilarymombergerpowers/ [https://www.instagram.com/hilarymombergerpowers/]

I Invested in 70+ Startups. What Nobody Tells You About VCs | Andrew Ackerman

In this episode, Leo Climaco sits down with venture capitalist Andrew Ackerman for an honest conversation about startups, investing, founder psychology, and what really happens inside the world of venture capital. Andrew has invested in more than 70 startups over the last 20+ years, reviewed over 10,000 pitches, and witnessed companies like SeatGeek go from near collapse to becoming one of the largest ticket marketplaces in the United States. They discuss: • Why VCs are perceived as “assholes” • The psychology behind investor decision-making • What “come back with more traction” actually means • How startups can validate ideas with almost no money • Why every startup is only as strong as its weakest link • Coachability and the mindset investors look for • The reality of power law investing • Why market downturns create opportunity • New York vs. Miami and the current startup ecosystem • Politics, culture, and navigating modern entrepreneurship This episode is about venture capital, resilience, founder mindset, and understanding how the startup world really works. Follow Leo Climaco: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/leoclimacopodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/leoclimacopodcast/] TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@leoclimacopodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@leoclimacopodcast] YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@leoclimacopodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@leoclimacopodcast] Official Website http://leoclimacopodcast.com [http://leoclimacopodcast.com/] Andrew Ackerman: https://www.instagram.com/andrewbackerman/ [https://www.instagram.com/andrewbackerman/]