Guest: Rafa Conde — Founder & CEO of Man of War, former DEA/Narcotics/SWAT officer, best-selling author, host of the Men of War podcast (35M+ downloads), elite leadership coach, and multimillion-dollar entrepreneur.

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  Early Hustle & Lessons:

  
  
  
  
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    Rafa’s first money came washing cars at age 11, developing a bias for action, self-reliance, and learning to execute before overthinking or overplanning.

    
    
  
  
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    Early entrepreneurship shaped his long-term drive to “just do it” — a theme he now instills in men seeking discipline and legacy.

    
    
  
  
  
  


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  Wall Street to Law Enforcement:

  
  
  
  
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    Spent 12 years on Wall Street, managing nearly $1B in assets, establishing himself as a high-producer and eventually running his own branch.

    
    
  
  
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    Left for a greater sense of purpose, becoming a police officer at age 32 in one of the nation’s most violent cities, later working narcotics, SWAT, and ultimately as a DEA task force officer.

    
    
  
  
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    Rafa describes giving up material wealth and status and embracing “starting from scratch” as crucial for true growth and reinvention.

    
    
  
  
  
  


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  Law Enforcement, Humility, & Adversity:

  
  
  
  
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    Made his mark through work ethic and results—leading felony arrests and serving in specialized units (including undercover work and federal task force roles).

    
    
  
  
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    Learned from major setbacks: lost home, cars, and income in the transition, but rebuilt through tactical training contracts and martial arts instruction, showing lasting resilience and adaptability.

    
    
  
  
  
  


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  Reinvention: Founding Man of War:

  
  
  
  
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    Later transitioned to building Man of War—a movement and business designed to restore “the warrior mindset” and healthy masculinity through high-impact events, masterminds, and coaching.

    
    
  
  
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    His podcast "Men of War" surpassed 35 million downloads by championing direct, honest conversations about discipline, code, and male brotherhood in today’s world.

    
    
  
  
  
  


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  Philosophy on Masculinity & Leadership:

  
  
  
  
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    Key problem: Modern men have grown soft, seeking comfort and avoiding adversity; true growth requires struggle, competition, and camaraderie.

    
    
  
  
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    Emphasizes leading by example—“If you can’t lead yourself, don’t expect to lead anyone else.”

    
    
  
  
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    Rejects “false leadership” based on rank—respect must be earned by character, resilience, and the courage to do hard things.

    
    
  
  
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    Recommends men start with competition (e.g., martial arts) and purposely place themselves in uncomfortable situations to develop confidence, grit, and self-mastery.

    
    
  
  
  
  


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  Programs, Reach, & What’s Next:

  
  
  
  
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    Man of War now provides elite events (“Crucible”), global masterminds (“House of Kings”), and a fast-growing father-son program (“Odyssey”), expanding across the US, Latin America, Europe, and beyond.

    
    
  
  
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    Rafa continues to consult for top companies and help men build modern legacies based on strength, discipline, and honor.

    
    
  
  
  
  

Connect with Rafa Conde & Man of War:

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  Website: https://www.rafajconde.com/

  
  

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