Brutal Lessons Every Entrepreneur MUST Learn Before They Go Broke

I recently had an amazing, deep conversation with Marx Acosta Rubio that opened my eyes to how mindset, strategy, and stress impact business growth and personal health. Marx brings a unique perspective, blending his experience as a successful entrepreneur with lessons from bodybuilding and martial arts. This article breaks down some of the best takeaways from our chat, and I'm excited to share them with you.

The Myth of the Midas Touch and Staying Focused

Marx shared a powerful story about the "Midas touch" — the idea that everything you touch turns to gold. He said…

"I went bankrupt the first time because I thought I could make money in every niche." 

It's a trap many successful people fall into, thinking success in one area means success everywhere. But business isn't like lifting weights — you can't just do the same thing and expect the same results in every situation.

The key? Keep your business focused on your core strengths. Marx reminded me of the old saying, "All roads lead to Rome." For your business, every new product or service should lead back to your core mission. For example, my main business is Keto Brick, and everything I do should support the goal of improving health and body composition.

What is Keto Brick Really Doing?

Marx and I talked about my company, Keto Brick, and how it's more than just a nutrition bar. As Marx put it…

"It's solving a problem for quality, convenient nutrition."

But it's really about helping people achieve better health and look good naked. Whether you're bulking, cutting, or just maintaining, Keto Brick is a tool to help you feel your best.

I love that idea because it ties into the bigger picture: products and services should support optimal health and body composition. That's the enemy we fight against — poor nutrition and lack of results. When you focus on that, everything else falls into place.

Strategy: Who's the Enemy and How Do You Win?

One of the biggest takeaways was Marx's simple but powerful definition of strategy: 

"Who is the enemy and how do we win?"

Whether in business, sports, or life, you have to clearly identify what you're up against and plan your moves accordingly.

For Keto Brick, the enemy is "lack of results." It's not the competition or other products — it's the failure to help people get the health and body they want. The battlefield? Your customer's pantry and refrigerator. That's where the fight really happens. So winning means making sure Keto Brick is the go-to choice when someone reaches for a healthy snack.

Winning the Battle in Your Home

Marx shared a brilliant insight…

"The terrain isn't online, it's their desk or pantry."

In our business, we use online marketing to get attention, but the real win is when the product is right there in your home, easy to grab and use. Imagine having a branded food scale or a special Keto Brick container in your kitchen — little reminders that keep you on track.

This kind of strategy builds loyalty and makes sure customers keep coming back. It's about being present in their daily lives, not just online ads or social media hype.

Stress and Business Growth: The Mind-Body Connection

Marx and I also dove deep into stress and how it affects growth. He said…

"I'm so used to stress that I feel less comfortable when I'm not stressed."

But here's the twist: growth doesn't come from constant stress. It's like lifting weights — you work hard for an hour or so, then rest and recover. The mind works the same way.

He explained the brain has three parts: the caveman brain (fight or flight), the thinking brain, and the librarian brain (memory and processing). When stress activates the caveman brain, the thinking brain can't work well. That's why constant stress hurts productivity and decision-making.

The solution? Calm the caveman brain by writing down your worries. Marx calls this "cognitive distribution." When you write things down, your brain knows you'll deal with them later, so you can focus on the task at hand. This simple habit reduces stress and improves clarity.

Mindset Shift After Failure

Marx shared a personal story about going bankrupt after making millions. At his lowest, he thought about giving up and getting a job at McDonald's. But his wife said something that changed everything: "If what you're doing isn't working, why don't you just do the opposite?"

That moment made Marx flip his priorities. Instead of putting money first, he put family and health at the bottom of his pyramid and focused on what really mattered. This mindset shift helped him rebuild his business and life with less stress and more success.

Using Bodybuilding as a Business Metaphor

One of the coolest parts of our conversation was how bodybuilding and business are alike. Just like in the gym, you don't lift weights all day — you work hard for a bit, then rest. In business, you need bursts of focused effort followed by time to think and recover.

Marx said…

"If you treat your business like you treat your body, you'd do better."

This means focusing on quality over quantity, being consistent but not overworking yourself, and always aiming for progress.

Handling Negative Emotions and Panic Attacks

We also talked about how to handle tough emotions. Marx explained that trying to block out fear or anxiety only makes it worse. Instead, you should "welcome the pain" and say, "Do your worst and be done with you." This approach helps emotions pass quickly instead of lingering and causing damage.

He shared a powerful personal story about being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and how he cried but then moved on. This mindset of feeling the pain fully but briefly helps you bounce back stronger.

The Power of Freedom and Letting Go of Ego

Toward the end of our talk, Marx explained how true freedom comes from not caring too much about things that don't matter. He used the example of samurai who "died before battle" — they had nothing to lose, so they fought fearlessly.

In business, letting go of ego and fear means you can make better decisions and perform at your best. Stress often comes from ego — fear of looking stupid or failing. When you detach from that, you unlock your full potential.

Recommended Books to Fuel Your Growth

Marx gave me some great book recommendations to help shift your mindset and sharpen your strategy:

• Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach — a short story about growth and flying beyond limits.
• Outwitting the Devil by Napoleon Hill — explores how fear and limiting beliefs hold us back.
• Mastermind by Napoleon Hill — teaches the power of collaboration and ideas.
• The 80/20 Principle by Richard Koch — how to focus on the vital few things that bring the most results.

These books helped Marx and can help you too in growing your business and personal life.

Wrapping It Up: Mindset, Strategy, and Stress

The biggest lesson I learned from Marx is that success comes from a clear mindset, smart strategy, and managing stress, not from working harder or longer. Focus on what truly matters, fight the right battles, and take care of your mind and body as you would your business.

If you want to learn more about how to build your best body and mindset, I invite you to join my Free Bodybuilding Masterclass!. It will show you the exact system I use to get shredded and stay healthy without wasting time or money on gimmicks.

Remember, it's not about working harder; it's about working smarter and living better.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the "Midas touch" in business?

It's the false belief that success in one area means you'll succeed everywhere. This can lead to risky decisions outside your core strengths.

How should I handle stress when growing a business?

Manage stress by writing down your worries to clear your mind and focus. Avoid constant stress and allow time for rest and recovery, just like in physical training.

What's the enemy in a health-focused business like Keto Brick?

The enemy is a lack of results — poor nutrition and failure to improve health and body composition.

How can I win the battle for customers?

Win by making your product easily accessible in customers' homes and connecting it to their goals. Use reminders like branded tools or loyalty programs to stay top of mind.

What mindset shift helped Marx rebuild his business?

He flipped his priorities to focus on family and health first, and money last. This reduced stress and led to greater success.

How are bodybuilding and business similar?

Both require focused effort followed by rest. Progress motivates you, and consistency beats overwork.

How do I handle negative emotions like fear or anxiety?

Don't fight or ignore them. Feel the emotion fully but briefly, then let it pass. This helps you recover faster and stay productive.

What does freedom mean in business?

Freedom means detaching from ego and fear, so you can make clear decisions and perform at your best without stress.

Ready to Level Up?

If you're serious about transforming your body and mindset, don't wait. Join my Free Bodybuilding Masterclass today and learn the 7-Phase System that helped me lose 30+ pounds, drop to 3.9% body fat, and earn my WNBF Pro-Card.

This masterclass is perfect for driven individuals ready to take ownership and discover their full potential, without wasting time or money on programs that don't work.

Let's unleash the savage within together!

Episode Chapters:

0:00 Lesson 1: Early Success Can Lead to Self-Sabotage

3:45 Lesson 2: The Danger of Diversifying Too Soon

7:34 Lesson 3: Why Diet and Fitness Must Be Sustainable

11:29 Lesson 4: Niche Marketing is the Key to Stand Out

17:02 Lesson 5: Identify Your Enemy to Stay Ahead

22:05 Lesson 6: The Importance of Product Visibility

27:24 Lesson 7: Build Loyalty Through Brand Consistency

34:08 Lesson 8: Transition from Hard Work to Smart Growth

42:48 Lesson 9: Managing Stress to Maximize Productivity

50:05 Lesson 10: Overcoming Wealth's Hidden Challenges

58:30 Lesson 11: Turning Panic and Failure into Progress

1:08:40 Lesson 12: The 80/20 Rule for Smarter Success

1:19:10 Lesson 13: How Adversity Fuels Growth and Opportunity

1:24:22 Stoicism and Staying Emotionally Resilient

1:33:53 Building Daily Positivity and Long-Term Resilience

1:43:43 Freedom, Ego, and Embracing Growth

1:54:14 Using Business Principles to Raise Strong Kids

2:01:40 Personalizing Fitness and Business for Long-Term Success