Summary3 min read

The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex

Episode Summary: How to Build Confidence When You’re Starting From Zero

Host: Paul Alex Espinoza
Date: September 18, 2025

Episode Overview

In this concise but hard-hitting solo episode, Paul Alex—ex-cop turned 8-figure entrepreneur—dives into the foundational topic of building confidence from scratch. Speaking directly to aspiring entrepreneurs and anyone feeling stuck at “the bottom,” Paul reveals his personal philosophy: confidence isn’t something you wait for; it’s something you create through action.

The episode blends tough love, motivation, and hands-on steps drawn from Paul’s journey from 100-hour weeks in law enforcement to financial freedom and business leadership.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Confidence Doesn’t Precede Action—It Follows Action

Paul dismantles the myth that you have to “feel ready” to start.
“When you’re getting started, you don’t feel like the expert. You don’t have the money, the experience, or even the wins yet. But guess what? That doesn’t matter.” (Paul, 00:44)
Insight: The first and most crucial step is doing something, even if you don’t know what you’re doing yet.

2. Messy, Imperfect Action is Required

People often “sit around waiting to feel ready.” Paul argues, “You’ll never feel ready. The only way to build confidence is to take messy action, imperfect action, fail, learn and improve.” (Paul, 01:00)
Insight: Failing is not a roadblock but a necessary building block.

3. Stack Small Wins to Build Momentum

“You don’t go from zero to millionaire overnight. You build confidence by setting small achievable goals and actually hitting them consistently.” (Paul, 01:16)
Strategy: Focus on winning the day before trying to win the week or month.
“Win the day, then win the week and soon you'll feel unstoppable.” (Paul, 01:21)

4. Stop Waiting for Approval from Others

Paul emphasizes the importance of internal validation: “No one's coming to tell you that you're good enough. You have to believe it. First, you gotta show up every day.” (Paul, 01:30)
Insight: True confidence is earned from within, not given from outside.

5. Consistency and Grit are Non-Negotiable

“You have to outwork everyone and you have to earn the confidence through results. Bottom line, confidence isn't given, it's actually built.” (Paul, 01:36)
Tactical advice: Consistency trumps talent or perfection.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“Confidence isn’t something that you wait for. It’s actually something that you build.” (Paul, 00:44)
“The only way to build confidence is to take messy action, imperfect action, fail, learn and improve.” (Paul, 01:00)
“Win the day, then win the week, and soon you’ll feel unstoppable.” (Paul, 01:21)
“No one's coming to tell you that you're good enough. You have to believe it... you have to earn the confidence through results.” (Paul, 01:30-01:36)
“You got to take action, you got to stack wins and you got to prove it to yourself that you belong in the game.” (Paul, 01:40)

Timeline & Timestamps for Important Segments

00:30 — Paul Alex begins: his background, today’s topic, and the reality check for new entrepreneurs.
00:44 — The myth of “feeling ready”; where real confidence comes from.
01:00 — Why taking “messy action” beats waiting for perfect plans.
01:16 — The small wins principle: set, hit, and stack achievable goals.
01:30 — Internal validation is a must: you must show up and outwork others.
01:55–02:10 — Episode wrap-up: Paul reiterates action, consistency, and the call to “keep leveling up.”

Final Takeaway

If you want to build confidence when you're starting from zero, don’t wait for permission or try to gameplan perfection—act, stumble, stack small wins, trust yourself before others trust you, and show up every single day.

Paul’s signature sign-off:
“Thanks for tuning in to Level Up Podcast. I'm Paul Alex reminding you that you gotta start now, you gotta stay consistent and as always, keep leveling up.” (Paul, 01:55)

For more resources and weekly entrepreneurial fire, connect with Paul Alex via Instagram (@PaulAlex) or visit OfficialPaulAlex.com.

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Transcript3 lines

[00:00]
A
Olivia loves a challenge. It's why she lifts heavy weights and likes complicated recipes. But for booking her trip to Paris, Olivia chose the easy way. With Expedia, she bundled her flight with a hotel to save more. Of course, she still climbed all 674 steps to the top of the Eiffel Tower. You were made to take the easy route. We were made to easily package your trip. Expedia made to travel flight inclusive packages are atoll protected.
[00:30]
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Welcome to the Level Up Podcast. I'm your host, Paul Alex. I went from being a cop to an eight figure entrepreneur that helps average people like you and me make money every single day. I created this podcast to help you get motivated and to crush your goals. Let's win together. Remember, I have your six. Get ready to level up right now. What's up everybody? Welcome back to Level Up Podcast. I'm Paul Alex and today we're going to be talking about something that every entrepreneur faces. Building confidence. When you're starting from ground zero. Look, let's be real. When you're getting started, you don't feel like the expert. You don't have the money, the experience, or even the wins yet. But guess what? That doesn't matter. Confidence isn't something that you wait for. It's actually something that you build. First, confidence comes from action, not motivation. Two, too many people sit around waiting to feel ready. You'll never feel ready. The only way to build confidence is to take messy action, imperfect action, fail, learn and improve. Second, stack small wins. You don't go from zero to millionaire overnight. You build confidence by setting small achievable goals and actually hitting them consistently. Win the day, then win the week and soon you'll feel unstoppable. And lastly, stop waiting for approval. No one's coming to tell you that you're good enough. You have to believe it. First, you got to show up every day. You have to outwork everyone and you have to earn the confidence through results. Bottom line, confidence isn't given, it's actually built. You got to take action, you got to stack wins and you got to prove it to yourself that you belong in the game. Thanks for tuning in to Level Up Podcast. I'm Paul Alex reminding you that you got to start now, you got to stay consistent and as always, keep leveling up. Thanks for listening up to the Level up podcast. If you enjoyed today's episode, make sure to share with a family friend and everyone you know. Ready to level up. Leave a five star review on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and wherever you tune in it really helps spreading the word. And don't forget to check out officialpaulalex.com for more episodes and resources to kickstart your journey. Let's level up together.
[02:31]
C
Hey JJ Virgin here on my podcast well beyond 40, we ditch the idea of aging gracefully and go all in on aging powerfully. Every week I host powerful experts who can give you powerful insights on building muscle, boosting your energy, and feeling amazing no matter what your age. This is your one life and trust me, being smarter and stronger are superpowers that can turn lifespan into strength span. Listen to well beyond 40 wherever you get your podcasts.