The Florida Forge

The Florida Forge

The Florida Forge is the podcast spotlighting Florida entrepreneurs, business owners, and leaders who are building legacy-driven companies. We dive into real stories of growth, grit, and generational impact, highlighting what it takes to lead with purpose and build a lasting business in the Sunshine State.

Episodes

December 17, 2025 59 mins

Dr. Gil Vega put his intense focus to work for YEARS, only to change courses, go to medical school, and become a doctor.

He finally got the job he wanted, with great benefits, no call, weekends off...DREAM job for a doctor.

But then he got the itch.

After years of grinding...is this what I really want?

So he did something crazy, and left to start his own clinic.

In this conversation, Dr. Gil and Gavin talk about discipline, work et...

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Josh Roberts started a business that he initially thought failed.

He launched it, realized people wouldn't come just because you exist, and went back to get a job.

Then a big life change gave him the push he needed to prove himself, and this time he never looked back.

Now he owns a successful AC business in Florida, but it wasn't an easy path to get there.

In this conversation, we talk about the pitfalls, the trials, and the legacy...

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John Baxter broke his neck. Then healed it on his own...without surgery.

He lost tens of millions of dollars in his 30s. Then decided to respond with goodness anyway.

John is a true Renaissance Man, and we're blessed to have him on the podcast today.

He's a patent-holding inventor, natural health enthusiast, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and author.

In this episode we dive into his background, what drives him to keep building and b...

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Donna Lewis is a mother of 9, grandmother of 1, and owns Guppies 2 Groupers, a business dedicated to ending accidental child drownings.

We talk about her business, life, and faith journey, from wanting to be a fighter pilot, to becoming a mother, to being able to teach kids to navigate water safely (even when they're as young as 1!).

In This Episode:

0:00 Intro

0:44 Guppies2Groupers

5:10 Why focus on teaching water safety

12:38 Don...

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What drives a man to build startups, fund innovation, and still keep faith and family at the center of it all?

Gavin sits down with Spencer Elliott - venture capitalist, founder, and Director at Plug and Play Tech Center - to explore purpose, perseverance, and the power of gratitude.

From humble beginnings in Orlando to leading one of the world's most active VC networks, Spencer opens up about the childhood experiences that forged ...

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Entrepreneur and philanthropist John Chiorando shares his raw and remarkable journey from growing up in violence and poverty to building multi-million-dollar companies, all while keeping one title closest to his heart: Dad.

John opens up about the heartbreak and faith that shaped his life, from losing his daughter to cancer, to raising a son with Down syndrome, to rebuilding his relationship with God after years of anger and loss.

...

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From bailing hay in small-town Michigan to building a multimillion-dollar company in Florida, Matt Mishler's journey is nothing short of remarkable.

In this powerful conversation, Matt opens up about overcoming alcoholism, leaving behind the corporate grind, and discovering a new path through faith, discipline, and entrepreneurship.

He shares how his rock bottom moment turned into the launchpad for Lion Rock Financial Services, and...

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She went from a college student in handcuffs to a trial lawyer who prays with clients, and the moment that changed everything happened in a jail cell.

In this episode Kaysia Early tells the raw story of pleading guilty, being sentenced while four months pregnant, and how a solitary night lit a fire that ultimately put her in court as an advocate for others.

You'll hear how one honest letter from the son she carried helped sway a ba...

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Jordan Goodfellow was sick of being told he was "non-essential" by the state of Colorado, so packed up his family and moved to Florida, where his business has expanded and his faith has impacted a ton of lives.

It's been just one of many chapters of his life where an adventure has brought him the chance to learn, grow, and share ...

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