EP 186 – Betting on Yourself: How Chuck Cuda Turned Prison into Purpose

🎧 Betting on yourself when the odds are against you — that's Chuck Cuda's story. In this episode John Suzuki sits down with Chuck Cuda, author of Ego Strength: Betting on Myself, to unpack how one life-altering choice led to prison and ultimately became the catalyst for a purpose-driven life, entrepreneurship, and legacy-building. Chuck walks us through the raw moments of accountability, the hustle of rebuilding (vending routes, UPS nights, bartending), and the strategic moves that turned small wins into businesses in real estate, physical therapy, and cannabis. This is practical, no-fluff advice for anyone facing setbacks.

Inside this conversation, you’ll learn:

How a single Thanksgiving moment of accountability changed Chuck’s trajectory. The mindset shift from “victim” to owner of your choices. Tactical steps Chuck used to re-enter the workforce, rebuild income, and scale businesses. How curiosity and willingness to do “whatever it takes” unlock new opportunity channels. Real examples of asset-first thinking — buying, fixing, and flipping to build capital. Leadership lessons on legacy, employee development, and scaling people as well as companies.

💡 Key Takeaways: Accountability is the power switch — stop blaming, start acting. Do the work: temporary, humble jobs can fund the comeback and teach resilience. Create repeatable plans and rinse + repeat — consistency wins. Capitalize on small, local, distressed opportunities; parlay returns into bigger plays. Fear is the main limiter — manage risk, experiment early, and learn fast.

Connect with Chuck: [e-mail] https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-cuda/ https://www.chuckcuda.com

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