VoQuest Podcast

From $-300 to a PE Firm w/ $15M AUM at 26: Samuel Popa's VoQuest

You don't need money to start. You don't need a mentor. You don't even need a plan... at least, not at first. What you need is the willingness to get uncomfortable and keep going when nothing is guaranteed. If you've ever looked at the path ahead and thought "I don't have what it takes to build something real" this episode is a direct answer to that thought. Today's guest knows what it feels like to stand at that crossroads with nothing but potential. Samuel Popa went from earning $200 every two weeks as a hospital worker (with a bank account that rarely climbed above zero) to building and running a portfolio of companies under a private equity firm, all by age 26. He didn't have investors, a business degree, or a family safety net. He had a very small stimulus check, a co-working space, and an idea he got from watching James Bond. Today, he's pulling back the curtain on exactly how he got there and what he'd tell his younger self if he could go back. What You'll Learn: * How Samuel brokered his first container deal with negative $300 in the bank and what that taught him about starting before you're ready * What "vertical integration" actually means and how it quietly became the engine behind his entire empire * Why chasing money makes it harder to get and what to focus on instead * The mindset and discipline habits Samuel credits for his growth (and why he compares business failure to lifting at the gym) * How to define success before you start building so money doesn't become the destination that leaves you empty Key Moments: * The James Bond movie that sparked the whole idea (~8:30) * The ghost ad that made his first $200 with nothing in the bank (~9:30) * The half-million-dollar supplier crisis that almost ended his company — and created his best business relationship (~16:30) * "If you're the smartest person at the table, you're at the wrong table" (~29:00) * His definition of success — and why it's more than money (~19:30) Resources Mentioned: * Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink (mentioned by C.W.) * The Immigrant Edge by Brian Buffini (mentioned by C.W.) * Samuel Popa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-popa-542352314/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-popa-542352314/] * BuiltBox Containers: https://www.builtboxcontainers.com/ [https://www.builtboxcontainers.com/] Enjoyed this episode? We want to know what's resonating with you. What topics or guests would you love to hear on VoQuest? Tell C.W. directly on Instagram → @voquestpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/voquestpodcast/] 🎙 Listen on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/voquest-podcast/id1746735093] | Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1Y91ce23Fk5QMiS0BHSAT5] | YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7d8v8pk2L7DhNoKLwkjQfQ]

Fitness, Faith, and Finding Your Path | Kase Kilchrist on Business, Purpose, and Health

In this episode of VoQuest, I sit down with Kase Kilchrist to talk about fitness, faith, business ownership, and what it looks like to find your path when life does not unfold in a straight line. Kase shares how he went from studying child and family development and working as an autism specialist to becoming a trainer and eventually building an online coaching business. Along the way, he explains what people do not see behind the scenes of working for yourself: client check-ins, programming, taxes, KPIs, lead flow, ad spend, content scripting, and the constant pressure of wearing multiple hats. We also talk about the emotional side of the journey: being a people pleaser, taking criticism from people who do not understand your goals, learning how to filter feedback, and refusing to let other people’s expectations dictate your future. For young people interested in health and performance, Kase shares practical advice on avoiding shortcuts, staying natural, learning the basics of nutrition, and understanding why more is not always more in the gym. He also explains why real coaching and accountability still matter in a world full of apps, generic advice, and AI tools. Toward the end, the conversation shifts to faith, surrender, and learning to trust God with your future. If you are trying to figure out your next step, build discipline, or make wiser decisions about work, health, and calling, this episode is full of honest perspective and practical encouragement. Find Kase on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quesolifts/  Follow VoQuest Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voquestpodcast/

What I Wish I Knew About Money at 18 | Mark Schroeder on Saving, Investing, Debt, and Financial Planning

In this episode of the VoQuest Podcast, I sit down with financial advisor Mark Schroeder to talk about the money habits most people wish they had started much earlier. We discuss why character, work ethic, vision, and decision-making come before tactics, then move into practical advice on saving, investing, avoiding emotional decisions, managing debt, and protecting what you build.  Mark gives a grounded look at what financial planning actually involves: helping people clarify their goals, understand their options, and make wise long-term decisions instead of reactive short-term ones. The conversation covers compound interest, why starting early matters even with small amounts, the difference between Roth IRAs and 401(k)s, why ETFs can be a simple starting point for beginners, and how some people think about tools like life insurance as part of a broader financial plan.  A few simple definitions for listeners:  compound interest is when your money earns returns, and then those returns begin earning returns over time; an ETF is a basket of investments that helps you diversify instead of relying on one stock; a Roth IRA is a retirement account funded with after-tax money, where qualified withdrawals can later be tax-free; a 401(k) is an employer-sponsored retirement account, often funded with pre-tax contributions; and indexed universal life (IUL) is a type of permanent life insurance that can include a cash-value component in addition to a death benefit. This episode is for general education and reflection, not individualized financial advice.  Whether you are a student, a young adult, a parent trying to prepare your kids better than you were prepared, or someone who simply wishes they had started sooner, this episode will challenge you to think differently about money, planning, responsibility, and the kind of life you want to build.  Highlights *  Why character and work ethic are foundational financial assets  *  What financial advisors really do beyond “picking investments”  *  Why starting with a small amount still matters  *  Roth IRA vs. 401(k) in simple terms  *  Why ETFs can be a practical beginner option  *  Why trying to time the market often backfires  *  Good debt vs. bad debt  *  How life insurance fits into long-term planning  *  Why health, family, and enjoying the journey still matter  *  What Mark would tell his 17-year-old self

From Fitness to Occupational Therapy: Trevor Thompson's Vocation Quest

In this episode of the VoQuest Podcast, we unpack what OT really is with occupational therapist Trevor Thompson, how it differs from physical therapy, and why it can be such a meaningful and flexible career path. Trevor shares his journey from business studies and fitness work to discovering a passion for helping people with complex medical needs, eventually earning his doctorate in occupational therapy and serving veterans in Arizona. Along the way, Trevor explains what a day in the life of an OT looks like, from ICU and emergency room work to adaptive recreation, prosthetics, and helping patients regain the skills they need for everyday life. He also shares how shadowing helped clarify his direction, why continual learning matters long after school ends, and how his career has adapted with different stages of life. Trevor also shares his testimony and the lessons he would share with his younger self: keep trying things, give major decisions time, and trust that God can guide your path even through confusion and pain. Highlights *  What occupational therapy actually is and why many people misunderstand it  *  Trevor’s path from fitness and business into the medical world  *  How working with clients with MS, ALS, and other conditions changed his direction  *  Why OT stood out in med school   *  What OTs do in the ICU, ER, and hospital setting  *  How occupational therapists help patients with daily life skills after injury or surgery  *  The difference between OT and PT in practical terms  *  Education requirements for OT, including the shift toward doctoral programs  *  A lower-debt bridge path from OTA to OTD that students should know about  *  Why shadowing is one of the best ways to clarify career direction  *  Trevor’s framework for a fulfilling day: exercise, purpose, and relationships  *  How OT can flex with changing life stages, family needs, and long-term goals  *  The value of reading physical books and creating space for self-reflection  *  Trevor’s advice to young people: keep jumping in, keep trying things  *  Why “time is a great filter” for major life decisions  *  Trevor’s personal testimony of faith, suffering, and learning to trust God again

Setting the Record Straight on Physical Therapy with Cole Denton

What does a physical therapist actually do, and what does it take to become one? In this episode, I sit down with physical therapist Cole Denton to talk about the real world of PT: what outpatient orthopedics looks like day to day, how physical therapists help people recover from injury, and why the job is much more consultative and problem-solving oriented than many people realize. Cole shares how he found his way into physical therapy, what PT school was really like, and what students should consider before committing to the time, cost, and return on investment of the profession. They also dive into pain science, why pain doesn’t always mean structural damage, the challenge of getting patients to do their at-home exercises, and how curiosity and continued learning shape long-term success in any career. Along the way, the conversation opens up into bigger themes that fit the heart of VoQuest: enjoying the journey, counting the cost, staying curious, and learning to grow through the hard seasons instead of only focusing on the destination. In this episode, you’ll hear about: * What a day in the life of an outpatient physical therapist looks like * The different settings physical therapists can work in * How Cole discovered PT was the right fit for him * What PT school requires and what it’s like once you graduate * Why pain is often more complex than people think * The role of biomechanics, movement, and nervous system regulation in recovery * Common frustrations in healthcare, including insurance limits and patient compliance * Why physical therapy can be a powerful alternative to overmedication * How to think about ROI when choosing a career path * Why enjoying the journey matters just as much as reaching the destination Resource mentioned in the episode: Does College Pay Off? A Comprehensive Return on Investment Analysis [https://freopp.org/whitepapers/does-college-pay-off-a-comprehensive-return-on-investment-analysis/]