The Money Mondays – EP 148:

The New Definition of Wealth: Strong Body, Strong Mind, Strong Family w/ Steve Eckert 💪

Host: Dan Fleyshman
Guest: Steve Eckert
Date: November 17, 2025

Episode Overview

This special episode of The Money Mondays pivots from its usual focus on money, investments, and business to explore a holistic definition of wealth. Host Dan Fleyshman sits down with Steve Eckert — husband, father, Marine veteran, entrepreneur, and relentless advocate for personal discipline — to discuss how true “wealth” extends far beyond financial assets. They dive into the power of building a strong mind, body, and family, and how disciplined, values-driven living can positively ripple out to communities and society at large.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Redefining Wealth: Family, Fitness, and Integrity

• Steve's Core Belief: True wealth isn't financial, but lies in taking care of oneself and one's family.
  • "That’s the ultimate currency right there. Taking care of myself, taking care of my family — that is wealth." (02:11)
  • Steve positions himself as perhaps the "least rich, but the wealthiest" guest ever on the podcast, due to his prioritization of his family and values.

2. Unbroken Discipline & Family Bond

• Daily Family Training: Steve's family (including children) have exercised together every single day for 4–5 years, no days off.

  • "We don’t take a day off. We just — it’s a daily win. It’s a guaranteed win every day." (02:55)

• The discipline isn't negotiable; it's a family culture. Consistency through injuries, COVID, all obstacles.

• Modeling Behavior for Kids: Steve credits constant parental involvement and role modeling as the key to inspiring children, rather than just telling them what to do.

  • "He wants to be like his father because I’m there hanging out, we’re having fun, we’re doing everything together." (04:17)

• High Standards: Steve’s hope is to set a high bar for his children’s future relationships.

  • "Be the type of man that my daughter would one day want to marry...she’s going to have pretty high standards." (04:42)

3. Origin of Discipline: Breaking the Cycle

• Childhood Adversity: Steve grew up with no fatherly connection or guidance, which drove him to do the opposite and break generational cycles.
  • "I literally never had a single conversation with my father… I knew something wasn't right… So I decided to break the cycle." (05:47)
• "Aha" Moment: The birth of his first son was the major turning point, realizing that building an empire meant little if he was absent at home.
  • "Even though I’m trying to build this empire, all my kid knows is there’s neglect… So that moment … was like that snap, that aha moment." (07:02)

4. Operation Black Site and Experiential Training

• Why Operation Black Site? For the community, camaraderie, and unique environment that fosters real-world competence, confidence, and leadership.
  • "You show up here, it has like that gravitas feeling... my kids can feel that. They know, ‘this is how a man operates, this is how successful people operate.'" (07:54)
• Women in Training: 50% of Operation Black Site attendees are women. Steve outlines why training for awareness, defense, and competence is important for everyone, especially as family roles shift.
  • "Men in general have gotten weaker and softer and the women have to become the man...But I think as a family unit like we do, we try to show them this is possible for a family." (09:09)

5. Presence over Presents: Earning Family Respect

• Time & Attention: Earning family’s respect is an ongoing process, never a given, regardless of financial status.
  • "You have to earn the right to be a husband every day. You have to earn the right to be a father every day." (11:07)
• Rejects the “20 minutes a day is enough” approach.
  • "If I only spent 20 minutes with my kids a day, it makes me sick to my stomach… Are you kidding? They want to hang out all day." (11:36)
  • "Attention is the new currency. Our time and attention is more powerful than any money." (12:26)
• Presence > Assets: He would trade all material status for real connection.
  • "F.Y.P.J. Fuck your private jet... If it means having to only spend 20 minutes a day with my kids, fuck your...You could keep your private jet. I don’t want it." (13:09)

[Memorable Quote]

• "Presence is a currency with your kids." (12:45, Steve Eckert)

6. Advice for Women: Motivating Their Men

• If a woman feels her husband lacks discipline or masculinity, Steve urges honest, direct communication about the loss of respect.
  • "She needs to be straightforward, direct and honest with him about the losing respect that she’s having...And if he doesn’t do something about it, then that kind of gives your answer right there." (15:36)

7. Why Morning Discipline Matters

• Motivation at 4:15am: Steve never misses because he knows his kids are watching. He cites George Patton: "You’re always on parade."
  • "When you’re a father, you’re on parade 24/7... Even if they’re not with me, I’m going to get up and do the same thing…That’s what integrity really is." (16:52)

8. Philanthropy & Teaching Adversity

• Family Must Witness Philanthropy: Exposing kids to service and adversity builds gratitude and resilience.
  • "If all they have is an awesome life and they don’t know about adversity...they’re going to be entitled little brats like the majority of people out there." (18:33)
• "We’re doing a 24-hour workout...for a fundraiser...It’s to show them you must suffer and appreciate, and not just be entitled." (19:00)

9. Manufacturing Adversity & Building Grit

• Make kids earn what they want, have them participate in family business decisions and see both success and failure.
  • "If you can have a business entrepreneurship with your spouse and also get your kids involved, I think that is a superpower." (20:45)

10. Squire Program: Building Father-Son Bonds

• Father-son experiential weekends to foster understanding, discipline, and connection.
  • "They think they’re bringing their sons there for their son... It’s just as much for the fathers as the sons." (22:37)

11. Tangible Family Practices for Mindset

• Weekly date nights with his wife; one-on-ones with each child; dedicated family meetings every Sunday.
  • "If I go do things like Black Site by myself...and don’t take the family along for the ride, I’m going to start out-developing them." (24:08)
  • "Have a family meeting every freaking Sunday with the family...Show up with presence, with energy, with the same passion you put in the business." (25:03)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "That’s the ultimate currency... Taking care of myself, taking care of my family — that is wealth."
  Steve Eckert (02:11)

• "We don’t take a day off. We just — it’s a daily win."
  Steve Eckert (02:55)

• "He wants to be like his father because I’m there hanging out, we’re having fun, we're doing everything together."
  Steve Eckert (04:17)

• "I decided to break the cycle and do everything the opposite [of my father]."
  Steve Eckert (05:52)

• "Attention is the new currency. Our time and attention is more powerful than any money."
  Steve Eckert (12:26)

• "Fuck your private jet... I spend more time with my kids than anyone I know and still am able to come to events like this, run my business from home."
  Steve Eckert (13:09)

• "If he doesn’t do something about it, then that kind of gives your answer right there."
  Steve Eckert on a woman motivating her partner (16:01)

• "When you’re a father, you’re on parade 24/7... It’s that same mentality thinking, if I’m not doing the things I’m telling my kids to do… the universe will change the trajectory of our relationship."
  Steve Eckert (16:48)

• "Presence is a currency with your kids."
  Steve Eckert (12:45)

• "If all they have is an awesome life... they’re going to be entitled little brats like the majority of people out there."
  Steve Eckert (18:33)

• "If you can have a business with your spouse, and also get your kids involved, I think that is a superpower."
  Steve Eckert (20:45)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00 – Episode intro, Dan introduces Steve; purpose shift from money to mind, body, family.
• 02:08 – Steve's 2-minute bio and definition of wealth.
• 02:48 – Family workout streak: 4–5 years, no days off.
• 03:55 – Inspiring Steve’s son to participate; breaking negative cycles.
• 05:41 – Steve’s origin story of discipline and fatherhood.
• 07:24 – Why Steve chooses Operation Black Site.
• 08:39 – Importance of women training alongside men.
• 10:46 – Earning family’s respect vs. financial focus.
• 14:32 – Dan shares personal story on parental presence.
• 15:01 – Advice for women with uninspired partners.
• 16:25 – Motivation and integrity in daily discipline.
• 18:01 – Philanthropy and teaching adversity to kids.
• 19:10 – 24-hour workout charity events.
• 20:29 – Preparing kids for real life amidst privilege.
• 22:27 – Squire program for father-son connection.
• 23:57 – Family meetings and actionable mindset shifts.
• 28:58 – Steve’s final words: self-mastery and family-centered living.

Actionable Takeaways

• Redefine Wealth: Prioritize physical health, mental discipline, and deep family connections as core components of true wealth.
• Be Present: Invest targeted, intentional time in your family every single day; presence is more valuable than presents.
• Model Behavior: Your actions, discipline, and integrity as a parent set the example for your children’s standards — in all aspects of life.
• Manufacture Adversity: Teach resilience by exposing children to discomfort, responsibility, and real-world challenges.
• Integrate Family into Everything: Family meetings, business involvement, shared goals, and joint philanthropy strengthen bonds and skills.

Closing Thoughts

This episode delivers a raw and heartfelt blueprint for prioritizing what matters most: family, discipline, and character. Steve Eckert challenges listeners to overhaul their definitions of success and invest as much intention in loved ones as in business or financial pursuits. The result? A legacy of strength, resilience, and joy that transcends bank accounts.

For more on Steve Eckert, Operation Black Site, and business with heart, be sure to check out their social channels and operationblacksite.com.