From Broke to Wealth Builder: $120 Million raised, 1,200 Acres under development, 750 transactions in 2025, & the Mindset That Built It All (ft. Brett Tanner and Dustin Runyon)
Be Wealthy
Debt as the Teacher That Built Discipline
Dustin explains how the crisis forced financial rigor, better accounting habits, and long-term behavioral change.
In this episode of the Be Wealthy Podcast, Brett Tanner sits down with real estate leader Dustin Runyon, who shares his powerful journey from being broke and deep in debt to developing over 1,200 acres and leading one of the top real estate teams in the country.
Dustin opens up about his early struggles with money, lessons from failure, and how he transformed his mindset from scarcity to abundance. Together, Brett and Dustin unpack how discipline, self-awareness, and clear money rules can create real freedom and peace of mind.
This episode dives deep into rebuilding after failure, mastering your relationship with money, and creating a life built on focus, alignment, and long-term wealth.
🔑 TOP TAKEAWAYS
- Financial discipline creates freedom. Lasting wealth comes from structure and habits, not quick wins.
- Active income is your foundation. Keep building before chasing “passive” opportunities.
- Debt is a teacher. Learning from mistakes is the most powerful investment you can make.
- Know your “floor.” Build a savings base that covers your lifestyle for 12–24 months before investing.
- Invest only in what you understand. Simplicity and patience outperform risky, shiny strategies.
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Introduction: Welcome to the Be Wealthy Podcast
01:00 – Meet Dustin Runyon: 1,200 Acres Under Development
02:00 – Money Stories: Scarcity vs. Abundance Growing Up
05:00 – Learning from Early Money Mistakes
09:00 – The Trap of Validation and Image
12:00 – Lessons from a Billionaire Partner
13:00 – Facing $1M in Tax Debt and Turning It Around
15:00 – 16 Months of Focus: Paying Off Debt and Rebuilding
18:00 – Creating Financial Discipline and Systems
20:00 – Establishing Your Floor and Long-Term Wealth Rules
24:00 – The Power of Living Lean and Investing Wisely
29:00 – Active Income vs. Passive Income
33:00 – The Myths of “Getting Rich Quick”
40:00 – Investing Only in What You Know
47:00 – The Freedom of Being Debt-Free
53:00 – Why Work Hard After You’ve “Made It”?
🧭 RESOURCES & MENTIONS
- The Be Wealthy Mastermind – Brett Tanner’s coaching community
- The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss – on freedom and leverage
- The Almanack of Naval Ravikant – principles on wealth and peace of mind
- Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki – rethinking money and mindset
- Gary Keller – teachings on discipline and wealth building
🚨 BE WEALTHY WEBSITE 🚨
👉 www.BeWealthy.com
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🧱 ABOUT THE SHOW
The Be Wealthy Podcast brings entrepreneurs the strategies to grow their business — then teaches them how to think about their money. Because wealth is far more than money — it’s freedom. Hosted by Brett Tanner & co-pilot Katelyn Mitchell.
Mission: Get Free.
📚 Free Resources: https://www.bewealthybrett.com/resources
🏦 Infinite Banking Education: SaveLikeaBank.com
⚡️ Cost Segregation Studies and 45L Tax Credit: SingleFamilyCostSeg.com
💵 Self-Directed IRA: MaxOutRetirement.com
🏢 Trust and Entity Structure: http://setupmyestate.com/
🏘️ Off-Market Deals and Cash Buyers List: TheMagicMailers.com
🛠️ Hard Money Financing: https://www.lendingcashnow.com/get-fu...
📥 Wholesale Deals: getourhousedeals.com
⚠️ Disclaimer:
Be Wealthy and its affiliates do not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for informational and entertainment purposes only, and should not be relied on for tax, legal, or accounting decisions. Always consult your own advisors before taking financial action.
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