Digital Social Hour: Invest Like a Pro with Claudia Gadelha

Episode: Invest Like a Pro: Claudia Gadelha's Winning Strategies | Claudia Gadelha DSH #777
Release Date: October 3, 2024
Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: Claudia Gadelha, former UFC Fighter and Entrepreneur

1. From Humble Beginnings to the UFC

Early Life in Brazil

Claudia Gadelha opens the conversation by sharing her challenging upbringing in the Northeast region of Brazil. Raised in a humble, traditional family with five siblings, she witnessed her parents struggle to provide for the family. This environment fueled her determination to change her life's trajectory.

"I saw my parents struggling to raise five kids... I decided at a very young age that I was gonna go through that path." [00:35]

Introduction to Jiu-Jitsu and MMA

At 14 years old, Claudia became fully committed to Jiu-Jitsu, recognizing it as a potential avenue to alter her family's circumstances. However, due to the limited financial prospects in Jiu-Jitsu, she pivoted to Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), seeing it as a more viable path to success.

"I decided to go fight MMA, and I'm talking about a time where women was not in the UFC yet. So I made that decision right there. So I'm a pioneer in the sport of MMA." [01:15]

2. Balancing Education and a Demanding Athletic Career

Pursuing Higher Education

Despite the rigorous demands of a UFC career, Claudia emphasized the importance of education. She earned a law degree while competing at the highest level in MMA, a feat that set her apart from many of her peers.

"No, I actually went. I went to college. I have a law degree." [04:26]

Facing Criticism and Staying Committed

Balancing two demanding careers was no easy task. Claudia faced skepticism and teasing from friends and fellow fighters who doubted her ability to manage both. However, her unwavering commitment and discipline saw her through, allowing her to excel both in the octagon and academically.

"They were all making fun of me because I was doing both... But I was fully committed to that. No distractions, no addictions, no partying with friends." [04:38]

3. Transitioning from Fighting to Life After MMA

The Athlete's Dilemma

Claudia delves into the psychological challenges athletes face when retiring. She poignantly states, "athlete dies twice, you die the day you retired, and then you die later in life when you physically die," highlighting the loss of identity and purpose that can accompany retirement.

"Athlete dies twice, you die the day you retired, and then you die later in life when you physically die." [00:00]

Overcoming Personal Struggles

Having navigated this transition herself three years prior, Claudia emphasizes the importance of resilience and finding new purpose. Unlike many retired athletes who fall into depression or financial hardship, Claudia leveraged her education and mindset to forge a new path.

"I try to be very strong because it is very hard... I was, you know, trying to be very strong because it is very hard." [05:19]

4. Financial Acumen and Investment Strategies

Early Investment Education

Claudia acknowledges that most athletes lack financial education, a gap she proactively addressed by learning to invest early. Her investment journey began with real estate and the stock market, later expanding into creating businesses with the guidance of mentors like Derek Moneyburg.

"I learned how to invest my money, which is one thing that most athletes don't learn throughout their career." [03:11]

Mentorship and Growth

Meeting Derek Moneyburg was a pivotal moment for Claudia. She credits him with elevating her investment strategies beyond basic real estate and stocks, enabling her to build a diversified portfolio and multiple income streams.

"He really taught me how to make money in America... he just gave me a whole idea of what to do next and how to create businesses." [12:14]

Current Financial Ventures

Claudia now owns multiple properties and has developed an Airbnb business. She has transitioned some of her investments to the stock market, seeking higher returns and greater flexibility.

"I have nine houses, nine properties, and I built an Airbnb business. And I started selling my houses this year because I fell in love with the stock market." [16:18]

5. The Power of Personal Branding in MMA

Influence of Ronda Rousey

Ronda Rousey is cited by Claudia as a trailblazer who revolutionized branding for female fighters. Rousey's emphasis on being not just a fighter but also a marketable product inspired Claudia to develop her own personal brand.

"Rhonda just changed the game... she showed everybody that in order to be a good athlete in MMA world, you have to be a product, not just a good fighter." [13:48]

Strategic Branding Over Trash Talk

While acknowledging the effectiveness of aggressive marketing tactics used by fighters like Conor McGregor and Sean O'Malley, Claudia prefers a more humble and philosophical approach. She believes in respecting the art of MMA and maintaining professionalism.

"I am more humble, philosophical. I respect the art. So I don't like the trash talking too much." [15:03]

6. Achieving Financial Success and High Performance

Goals and Milestones

Claudia aims to become a DECA millionaire and already boasts a substantial net worth through strategic investments. Her disciplined approach to wealth-building serves as a model for financial independence.

"I'm working on my. On being a DECA millionaire. Now I have a couple million already." [15:48]

Core Values for Success

She emphasizes four core values essential for a high-performance life: wealth, health, relationships, and career. Balancing these areas ensures overall happiness and fulfillment.

"I really focus on the four core values in life, which are wealth, health, relationships, and career." [17:15]

Financial Education Advocacy

Claudia advocates for early financial education, encouraging young individuals to invest in index funds like the S&P 500 to harness the power of compound interest.

"I think school should teach kids about, you know, investing like putting some money in S&P 500 funds." [28:06]

7. Building a Coaching Empire

Launching a Coaching Business

Transitioning from fighting to coaching, Claudia has developed a high-performance coaching business. She conducts weight loss challenges and works with a diverse clientele, including athletes, business leaders, and high performers seeking to enhance their physiques and mindsets.

"I built a coaching business and I'm doing weight loss challenges... I help them to build their physique and to have a strong mindset." [24:13]

Comprehensive Approach to High Performance

Her coaching philosophy integrates fitness, recovery, nutrition, personal finances, and mindset training. Claudia believes that achieving excellence in one area necessitates growth in others, promoting a holistic approach to personal development.

"Everything wraps around choosing to live a high-performance life because you have a purpose, you have a motivation." [27:12]

8. Embracing Continuous Growth and Learning

Importance of Coaching and Mentorship

Claudia emphasizes the value of having coaches across different aspects of life—financial, mental, and physical—to accelerate personal growth and achieve goals more efficiently.

"I love coaches. I think coaches need coaches... having people that have done what you want to do and just have them in your life to help you to go where you want to." [30:27]

Commitment to Lifelong Learning

Even after retirement from MMA, Claudia continues to train in Jiu-Jitsu and seeks to refine her skills, demonstrating her commitment to continuous improvement and resilience.

"I still train a lot. And I have a coach for Jiu-Jitsu. I have a coach for my finances, I have a coach for my mind." [30:48]

Conclusion: Inspiring High Performance and Financial Independence

Claudia Gadelha's journey from a challenging upbringing in Brazil to becoming a UFC pioneer and successful entrepreneur is a testament to her resilience, discipline, and strategic thinking. Her emphasis on education, strategic investments, personal branding, and holistic coaching offers valuable insights for listeners aspiring to achieve high performance and financial independence.

For more insights and to follow Claudia's ventures, listeners can connect with her on Instagram.

Notable Quotes:

• "Athlete dies twice, you die the day you retired, and then you die later in life when you physically die." — Claudia Gadelha [00:00]
• "I have to learn English. I have to go talk to fans. Like, I have to learn how to be a product that the UFC can sell." — Claudia Gadelha [13:48]
• "If you're not assessing, you're guessing in any area of your life." — Claudia Gadelha [27:35]
• "Most people think, oh, they guess about what's going to be next or what the future will look like, but it's not going to be like the way they thinking if they just keep doing the same things and don't change things around and don't look at the numbers." — Claudia Gadelha [27:35]

Connect with Claudia Gadelha:

• Instagram: [Claudia's Instagram Handle]