REAL Mentors Podcast

Tim Kittelstad shares how blowing out his knee ended a soccer dream but opened a door to martial arts—and how a chance meeting with a stunt performer led him into the world of film and live-action storytelling. From showing up on set for free to training under legendary fight masters, Tim built a life rooted in faith, family, and relentless curiosity.

They talk about:

• How to start from zero and build trust in a niche, high-stakes...

Coss shares how he ran a multi-million dollar drug business by 19, got sentenced to prison, and lost 70 pounds in a cell using nothing but bodyweight workouts. After getting out with $40 to his name, he started training people in a park with a stick and a fence—eventually turning that hustle into ConBody, a prison-style bootcamp staffed entirely by formerly incarcerated trainers. Then, he did it again—launching ConBud, a legal cann...

They don't just help survivors rebuild their lives, they help them stay alive long enough to start.

In this episode, Jennifer Hernandez joins Sean Martin for a gripping conversation about abuse, survival, and the frontline fight to protect the most vulnerable, before it’s too late.

Jennifer shares how ECLI-VIBES started from the trunk of her car and grew into a life-saving nonprofit serving over 2,500 survivors each month. She opens ...

He didn’t just grow up poor, he grew up feeling left behind.

In this episode, Andrew Sallee joins Sean Martin for a raw conversation about building wealth, surviving abandonment, and redefining what it means to leave a legacy.

Andrew shares how he was emancipated at 15, raised in trailer parks by deeply religious parents who believed wealth was the devil. He opens up about being left alone as a teenager, working three jobs just to su...

We don’t just get denied by the system— we get denied by what we don’t know.

In this episode, Luis Omar Figueroa joins Sean Martin for a raw conversation about resilience, reinvention, and rewriting your story when every door seems shut.

Luis shares how being denied a mortgage— despite having $50K in the bank— lit the fire that pushed him from liquor store owner to real estate powerhouse. With no training, no roadmap, and no mentors,...

We don’t just fail because of our mistakes—we fail because we stop taking the shot.

In this episode, Josh Zieglowsky joins Sean Martin for a powerful conversation about risk, faith, relationship capital, and why your biggest breakthrough is often one more conversation—or one more failure—away.

Josh opens up about going bankrupt at 22, starting over with nothing, and building his way into becoming a multi-business entrepreneur and key...

We don’t just get boxed in by others. We box ourselves in.

In this episode, Jade Simmons joins Sean Martin for a real conversation about race, labels, stereotypes, and the silent pressure to conform—especially for people of color.

Jade opens up about being judged for showing up “too Black” after growing up being told she was “too white.” Together, she and Sean break down how respectability politics, cultural expectations, and interna...

From navigating the complexities of higher education to revolutionizing student engagement, Dr. Angelina Carvalhal is reshaping how we think about learning and investing in education.

In this episode, Dr. Carvalhal shares her inspiring journey from an immigrant child in Brooklyn to becoming a thought leader in higher education. As the founder of ANC Consulting, she is on a mission to transform the higher education landscape, focusin...

From planning celebrity-packed events to launching innovative virtual experiences, Jeff Krauss is at the forefront of experiential marketing and event production.

In this episode, Jeff shares his journey from a party promoter to the founder of IE Group NYC, a leading event production company that works with top-tier celebrities and influencers. He dives into the challenges of building relationships in a high-stakes industry and how ...

From producing Emmy-winning shows to advocating for better maternal healthcare, Sasha Mitchell-Fuller is on a mission to create change.

In this episode, Sasha shares how her journey in television led her to become a passionate advocate for natural birth and women’s health. After learning about the challenges women, especially women of color, face during childbirth, Sasha co-founded Birth Pods, a project designed to offer mothers a s...

In this episode, Sean Martin sits down with Jaime Santana Jr., Esq.—a Bronx-born attorney, former prosecutor, and the first Latino judge in Orange County, NY. From the crowded hallways of Castle Hill to the courtroom bench, Jaime’s journey is proof that purpose, persistence, and pride can break any cycle.

Known for defending both the innocent and the guilty with unmatched integrity, Jaime opens up about the hard truths of criminal l...

From surviving childhood abuse, trafficking, and deep spiritual conditioning, Jennelle Gordon’s journey is not just about overcoming — it’s about redefining what healing, holiness, and feminine power really look like.

In this raw and real conversation, Jennelle shares how she reclaimed her body, her spirit, and her purpose through Tantra, somatic healing, motherhood, and radical truth. She opens up about escaping the life by faking ...

In this special return episode, Violeta Galagarza—the founder of KR3TS (Keep Rising To The Top)—joins Sean Martin once again, not just as the podcast’s very first guest, but now as a partner and soul-sister in purpose. As KR3TS celebrates its 35th anniversary, this episode unpacks the real story behind the legacy, the hustle, the breakthroughs, and the new chapter: finally finding a home after 35 years.

What’s inside this episode:

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From growing up in New York City to becoming a voice for change, Aaron Frager’s story is a full-circle moment of mentorship, purpose, and community impact. Once a “Little” in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC program, Aaron now serves as their Vice President of Recruitment and Outreach, championing initiatives that connect youth with mentors—especially in underserved areas like the Bronx.

In this powerful episode, Aaron opens up a...

From surviving a near-fatal shooting to serving time behind bars twice, Jason Abreu's journey is one of extraordinary resilience and transformation. Now the founder of Made Up North NYC, Jason is using his past experiences to help formerly incarcerated individuals break the cycle of recidivism and successfully reintegrate into society. In this powerful first-time interview, Jason candidly shares his complete story - from his days a...

From growing up in a home filled with addiction and violence to becoming a transformational coach, Jaymie Lee Gerena’s journey is one of incredible resilience and empowerment. She helps individuals break through personal and emotional barriers to live their most authentic and fulfilling lives.

In this episode, Jaymie opens up about her traumatic upbringing, overcoming abuse, and how she turned her pain into her greatest power. She s...

Imagine being able to tap into this connection so deeply that you could read blindfolded. Sounds impossible? Well, Jitesh Vaswani argues that it's not just possible — it's a glimpse into the untapped power of your mind.

In this episode of the REAL Mentors Podcast, Jitesh takes us on an incredible journey where the microcosm meets the macrocosm — how the stars, the universe, and the frequencies we vibrate at are all intricately conne...

From being arrested at 17 to serving 18 years in prison, John Jackson’s journey is one of extraordinary transformation. Now the Executive Director of Defy Ventures Utah, John is using his past experiences to help incarcerated individuals rebuild their lives through entrepreneurship.

In this episode, John shares his story of resilience, redemption, and how he turned a life of crime into a life of purpose. After serving nearly two dec...

From a youth shelter worker to the President & CEO of EAC Network, Neela Lockel has dedicated her career to empowering communities and transforming lives. With over 25 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Neela shares how she’s guided vulnerable populations through some of life’s toughest challenges—whether that’s overcoming human trafficking, criminal justice issues, or navigating complex social systems.

In this episode...