podcast ·Oct 16, 2025

Building Wealth, Freedom, and Legacy with Jeff Smith

by Drewbie Wilson

In this episode of Call The Damn Leads, I’m joined by my friend Jeff Smith — entrepreneur, investor, author of Operation Wealth, and fellow RV nomad traveling the country with his family.

Jeff’s story is a masterclass in evolving your business and personal life for long-term freedom. After 12 years as a gym owner and nearly two decades in financial services, Jeff realized most small business owners were great at making money… but terrible at keeping it and turning it into sustainable wealth.

Now, through The Tactical Empire, Jeff helps business owners and sales professionals design lives of choice, not obligation. His system — The 7 Levels of Financial Freedom — shows you how to turn today’s income into tomorrow’s passive cashflow so you can work because you want to, not because you have to.

If you’ve ever wondered how to escape the income treadmill, protect your family’s future, and still enjoy your money along the way, this conversation will give you the blueprint.

🔥 Episode Highlights

From Gym Owner to Wealth Architect – How Jeff’s time in the fitness industry revealed a major gap: entrepreneurs making money but with no plan for the future.
The Owner-Operator Trap – Why most service-based business owners (and many sales pros) get stuck working for their business instead of letting their business work for them.
Lifestyle Creep Dangers – Why increasing your expenses every time your income goes up is the fastest way to chain yourself to the grind forever.
Life of Choice, Not Obligation – Jeff’s definition of freedom isn’t about early retirement — it’s about having the option to take a Tuesday off or work only on projects you love.
The Bare Ass Minimum (BAM) – How to calculate the minimum income you need to cover essentials — and why hitting this number with passive income is the first step to real freedom.
Infinite Banking Explained – How properly structured high cash value life insurance can allow your money to grow in three ways at once, fund your investments, and protect your family with a seven-figure death benefit.
Why Most People Get Infinite Banking Wrong – The #1 mistake people make when setting up policies and how to avoid it.
Optionality Is Everything – Whether it’s allowing your spouse to leave a job or choosing to scale back without financial stress, Jeff shows how intentional planning creates choices.
The 7 Levels of Financial Freedom – A step-by-step framework for building wealth in as little as 2–7 years depending on your starting capital.
Legacy Beyond Money – Why Jeff wrote Operation Wealth not just for entrepreneurs, but for his own kids — so they’d have the tools to create their own success stories.

💡 Key Takeaways

Income is temporary; systems create lasting freedom.
Don’t wait until a crisis to start building your financial foundation — set it up while things are good.
Lifestyle creep can silently destroy your future options; peel off profits early to invest.
Infinite banking isn’t just a tax-efficient savings tool — it’s also a built-in legacy and security plan for your family.
Passive income covering your BAM is the game changer — it turns “have to” work into “want to” work.
Define your own version of success and build toward it with intentionality.
You don’t have to actively operate real estate or a business to profit from it — choose the asset class that fits your lifestyle.
Options reduce stress — when your finances aren’t dictating your choices, you can focus on what matters most.
The systems that build wealth are simple but require discipline and consistency.
Legacy isn’t just about what you leave behind — it’s about equipping the next generation to thrive.

🔗 How to Connect with Jeff Smith

📖 Grab Jeff’s book Operation Wealth:
🌐 Website: https://thetacticalempire.com/
📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realjeffsmith

📱 Follow The Tactical Empire on all platforms

🎯 Call to Action

Call The Damn Leads

"By sales professionals, for sales professionals - Tales of your wildest sales stories and tactics to succeed in your sales career across various industries."

Join Drewbie Wilson, a sales veteran with over 20 years of experience, as he brings you insider stories, humor, and actionable strategies to excel in your sales journey.

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