The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex

Episode: From Homeless to 9-Figure Real-Estate Mogul Saving Children Around the World: William Fonseca
Date: December 9, 2025
Host: Paul Alex Espinoza
Guest: William Fonseca

Episode Overview

This episode features the extraordinary true story of William Fonseca, a Miami-born real estate developer who overcame homelessness, addiction, and childhood trauma to become a 9-figure mogul—and now dedicates his resources and energy to saving and uplifting children impacted by neglect and abuse around the world. William shares his harrowing lows, his path to faith, and how unconditional love and second chances transformed his destiny. The discussion centers on perseverance, redemption, purpose, and using success to “plant seeds” in the lives of others.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. William’s Background and Real Estate Career

• Early life in Miami (Wynwood/Alapata area): Born into a middle-class family; struggled with school but excelled at hands-on work.
  • “I am a developer, born and raised in the Alapata area. Developed about a thousand doors... focused my career in neglected areas.” (02:31)
• Started as an electrician at 17 via apprenticeship; graduated night school.
  • “Just to say that I graduated, I like that. It doesn't make any sense to me.” (05:19)
• Transition to Real Estate Development:
  • Learned construction from a local builder (“Vincent”); struck a barter deal to learn the ropes hands-on (07:02).
  • Used skills and contacts to scout and develop undervalued land in neglected Miami neighborhoods.

2. The First Major Setback and Hitting Rock Bottom

• Early 20s: Lost everything due to a failed land deal scam; friends/lawyers stole his upfront money.
  • “That's where the success starts, when disaster starts occurring in your life.” (09:08)
• Coped with disaster by descending into addiction: Smoked cocaine, lost his business, became homeless.
  • “That was the beginning of the successful story. But... it involves drugs. And I started to smoke cocaine.” (10:18)

3. Homelessness & The Turning Point

• Three years on the street: Survived by any means, often unsafe, and recounts a terrifying and lonely existence.
  • “You can mimic it, but it's so dangerous and so dark. And you meet humans... I call them the gremlins. Come out at night.” (15:23)
• Formative encounter: A stranger handed him a piece of paper with an address and John 3:16 on it, leading to a church.
  • “I’m a result of a piece of paper with an address and a biblical verse. It didn’t make sense to me... I'm hungry. I don't care who John is, I don't care about 3:16.” (19:27)

4. Faith, Community, and Unconditional Love

• At the church: Fed, cared for, and introduced to genuine, life-changing kindness.
  • “If you give me a year of your life, I guarantee you that God will restore you a hundred percent and then more.” (22:49)
• Breakthrough moment: After months of being cared for, he began to see unconditional love as transformative.
  • “Never seen human beings so loving. They took me into the shower, they bathed me... it just broke me down. I started to cry and I said to myself where am I at?” (24:13)
• Mentorship from Bobby Cruz, a famous Puerto Rican salsa singer:
  • “He took me under his belt and he made me an offer that transformed my life forever.” (26:46)

5. Climbing Out, Rebuilding, and New Purpose

• Transitioned out of church rehab by working small jobs. A chance meeting at a Wendy’s led to his first builder opportunity in years.
  • “I wrote my phone number, my name on the napkin. And three months later, he called me.” (28:37)
• Back into development via neglected neighborhoods:
  • Used a creative partnership to accumulate assets.
  • “And that fifth lot took me to a thousand doors.” (30:09)

6. Revolutionizing Access & Social Impact

• Created pathways for low-income homeownership: Leveraged banking connections and community development funds.
  • “I revolutionized what the homeownership program was... let me allocate that CRA money for first time buyers.” (33:41)
• Met and married Maria: Key pillar and support through his climb and mission.
  • “The pillar of my life... there’s only two things in my life that have occurred throughout this whole story: Jesus and Maria.” (34:28)

7. The Power of “The Hump” (Rock Bottom)

• Redefining failure: Sees adversity and personal lows as the foundation of strength and understanding.
  • “Crashing and burning is one of the most beautiful things it has that has happened in my life. That's where I got my strength from.” (41:27)

8. Redemption Work: Fighting For Neglected & Abused Children

• Deep involvement in social programs:
  • Feeds/educates 650+ children a day in Honduras.
  • Funded and operates two schools/daycares in Miami for abused and neglected kids.
  • “What attracted me to Honduras? An invite... human trafficking, what they do to these kids, how they prostitute them... So I've used that hump to define who I really am today.” (46:40)

9. Philosophy on Wealth, Generosity, and Living by Purpose

• Allocates wealth to serve “fallen men” and children: Rejection of material excess for genuine fulfillment and spiritual return.
  • “You talk about interest rate... this particular action has a return that'll blow your mind.” (57:24)
• Fulfillment over material wealth:
  • “Wealth didn’t take me out of the hump. That’s one thing it could not solve.” (64:39)
• Calls on listeners to ‘give yourself the opportunity’ to reflect and step into your purpose, without fear or pride.
  • “If there’s something that I’m going to tell you, stop, think and give yourself the opportunity. That’s the biggest leap of faith you can take.” (64:41)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On being handed a lifeline:

  “I’m a result of a piece of paper with an address and a biblical verse. It didn’t make sense to me... I'm hungry. I don't care who John is, I don't care about 3:16.”
  — William (19:27)

• On unconditional love:

  “If you give me a year of your life, I guarantee you that God will restore you a hundred percent and then more.”
  — Unknown Pastor, as recounted by William (22:49)

• On redefining failure:

  “Crashing and burning is one of the most beautiful things it has that has happened in my life. That's where I got my strength from.”
  — William (41:27)

• On his philanthropic focus:

  “I serve humans for the benefit of just one investment that was done on me. They planted a seed. So... I help kids. Now I'm involved with kids.”
  — William (48:11)

• On giving yourself opportunity:

  “The opinion of others doesn't define the final product. Who defines the final product? It's the designer. It's God himself.”
  — William (59:47)

• A reminder of the power of small kindnesses:

  “Frank bought me a Wendy's hamburger... that $10 investment moved my heart to building him a brand new house and telling him, here are the keys.”
  — William (62:34)

Important Timestamps

• [02:31] – William introduces himself, his background, and development focus
• [09:08] – The first major business disaster, loss, and start of addiction
• [15:23] – Survival as a homeless person and the dangers faced
• [19:27] – The life-saving moment: receiving the church address and Bible verse
• [22:49] – The transformative promise of unconditional love and acceptance
• [26:46] – Mentorship from salsa singer Bobby Cruz
• [28:37] – The chance encounter at Wendy’s leading to his re-start
• [33:41] – Revolutionizing low-income home ownership and banking pressure
• [34:28] – Meeting Maria, his “pillar,” and the start of family stability
• [41:27] – Philosophy on the role of adversity and the “hump”
• [46:40] – The lifelong impact of childhood trauma and commitment to fighting abuse
• [57:24] – His view on fulfillment and the “return” of investing in people
• [64:39] – The limitations of wealth to heal spiritual trauma
• [64:41] – Final advice: stop, reflect, give yourself the opportunity to change

Key Takeaways for Listeners

• The power of second chances and faith: An act of kindness and offering unconditional love can redirect a life—even from its lowest point.
• Resilience forged in adversity: William sees his trauma and setbacks as essential to understanding others and fueling his lifelong mission.
• Social impact over personal wealth: Lasting fulfillment comes not from material achievements but from investing in the lives of others.
• Modeling generosity: From reinvesting his real estate wealth in schools, to tackling child trafficking and supporting at-risk youth, William walks the talk.
• Finding purpose: It starts with self-honesty and willingness to ask, “Where am I? Where do I want to be? How can my experience serve others?”

Where to Find More / Get Involved

• Schools: Wynwood Daycare, Miami, FL
• Email: As mentioned by William, Paul will share his email for those seeking to connect or collaborate.

“Living life by design, living with your core values— that’s a powerful thing, man.”
— Paul Alex (59:34)

This episode is rich in testimony, transformation, and practical wisdom for anyone seeking hope or purpose beyond adversity. William’s radical transparency and humility create a moving, actionable blueprint for personal and community level “leveling up.”