CO-HOST | Make Money by Striking While the Iron Is Hot

Summary

Episode Overview

Theme:
In this episode of Travis Makes Money, host Travis Chappell is joined by producer Eric to explore the idea that making money—by seizing opportunities when they’re hot—is more impactful than simply trying to save your way to a dream life. The duo dives into how reality TV personalities, namely "Big Ed" from 90 Day Fiance, leveraged fleeting fame into substantial income, mainly through platforms like Cameo. They then reflect on the broader "strike while the iron is hot" philosophy, offering actionable insights on maximizing momentum to improve your financial standing.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Anatomy of Reality TV Fame & Monetization

• Eric introduces Big Ed, a notorious 90 Day Fiance participant, and explains the structure and appeal of the show and its numerous spin-offs (04:00–05:47).
• How reality TV pays:
  • First-time cast members typically earn $1,000–$1,500 per episode, often totaling $10–$15k per season. (14:34–15:52)
  • More controversial or popular personalities can receive higher pay and be invited back for spin-offs or "Tell All" reunions (15:50–16:16).
• True income comes from exposure: Many reality stars, like Big Ed, make most of their money from external brand deals, personal businesses, and apps like Cameo rather than the show itself (16:16–16:55).

Quote [16:16]
"Obviously, the biggest value comes from the exposure. If you can make the most of the moment. Which sounds like he did...to draw in that much on Cameo is crazy work." — Travis

---

2. Big Ed’s Cameo Windfall (06:18–08:31)

• Cameo earnings breakdown:
  • Big Ed started charging $25 per video, eventually reaching $150.
  • At his peak, he claimed 75–100 requests per day for four months straight.
  • Estimated gross: $7,500–$10,000+ per day, up to $50k per week. (06:44–07:18)
• Platform cuts: Both Cameo and app stores take a substantial percentage, leaving the creator with about $0.55 on the dollar after fees (07:20–08:31).
• Tax considerations: Final earnings are further reduced by taxes, but the net result is still hundreds of thousands—or even over a million—of new income during his hot streak.

Quote [07:06]
"This is me when I try to do math. Yeah, you’re making...what is that, nine figures?" — Eric

Quote [07:18]
"You’re making $50 grand a week in Cameo, possibly." — Podcast Guest

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3. The Power—and Pitfalls—of Authenticity (12:36–14:34)

• Reality fame is most potent when personalities are genuine; Big Ed’s initial charm came from being "unfiltered" and "quirky," but some fans lost interest as his performance became more calculated (14:20–14:33).
• Eric’s insight: Reality TV’s magic fades as cast members become self-aware and start acting for the camera and social media.
• The takeaway: Long-term success from a "moment" requires realness; manufactured personas typically don’t sustain interest.

Quote [20:55]
"You can only keep up the appearances for so long." — Eric
"The minute you start being phony, like, people start tapping out. The authenticity can take you a long way." — Eric

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4. Leveraging Momentum: “Strike While the Iron Is Hot” (22:09–23:27)

• Travis’s core advice:
  • When you experience a run of luck or momentum—whether in business, content, or even blackjack—you should double down on effort or investment, not relax.
  • Use times when results come easily to build reserves for inevitable dry spells.
• Analogy to blackjack: In gambling, you raise your bets when you’re winning and lower them when you’re losing. In business or personal finance, you should also press your advantage when opportunity arises (22:09–23:27).

Quote [22:09]
"A lot of people when the iron is hot, they don’t strike enough ... when everything’s going well is when you should be working your face off to take full advantage of the crazy momentum that you have." — Travis

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5. Broader Implications for Listeners

• Diversification: Don’t rely on one revenue stream—capitalize on exposure to launch side businesses (e.g., real estate, personal brands).
• Long-game thinking: Use windfall periods to "store acorns for the winter," preparing for inevitable downturns or slow periods.
• Modern exposure opportunities: Social media has greatly amplified post-reality TV possibilities, making it vital to act fast when visibility spikes.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [06:18] Big Ed on Cameo:
  "I was doing 75 to 100 [Cameos] a day for four months straight."

• [07:18] Podcast Guest on earnings:
  "You’re making $50 grand a week in Cameo, possibly."

• [14:20] Eric on reality TV personas:
  "You can tell that after people watch the season and then they're on season two or three, they're trying to talk in sound bites..."

• [20:55] Eric’s lesson:
  "You can only keep up the appearances for so long...The minute you start being phony, people start tapping out."

• [22:09] Travis’s main takeaway:
  "When you have the momentum, when you have the energy, when you have ... the energy of the universe on your side ... you should be working extra hours during that time."

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Important Sections & Timestamps

| Topic | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------|-------------| | Introducing Big Ed & 90 Day Fiance | 01:12–05:47 | | Reality TV Payouts & Monetization | 14:34–16:16 | | Big Ed's Cameo Earnings Breakdown | 06:18–08:31 | | Authenticity vs. Persona on Reality TV | 12:36–14:34 | | The “Strike While Hot” Mindset | 22:09–23:27 |

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Episode Summary & Actionable Takeaways

• Don’t just rely on saving: The potential to transform your financial life is rooted in finding—and exploiting—your unique moments of leverage and exposure.
• Capitalize quickly: Fame, momentum, and opportunity are often fleeting. When things are going well (whether on TV, in business, or with an audience), double your efforts, diversify income, and save for leaner times.
• Stay authentic: Audiences and opportunities respond best to the real you—manufactured personas lose staying power in the long run.
• Modern success means more than one hustle: Use your 15 minutes wisely by building side businesses and new streams of residual income.

“Work really hard to make sure that you can fully take advantage of that season. Because...there will be a season around the corner where...everything...is the opposite of that.” — Travis (23:27)

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For listeners:
If you’re chasing success, remember: Transformative money-making isn’t about guilt, deprivation, or waiting decades to live well. It’s about leveraging the moments, being ruthlessly yourself, and playing the long game—so when luck or exposure arrives, you know how to strike.

Transcript

[Movie Trailer Announcer]

Focus features in Blumhouse Obsession.

[Big Ed]

When I have a crush on a guy no one knows, Be careful.

[Travis]

I wish Nikki loved me more than

[Big Ed]

anyone in the entire world.

[Movie Trailer Announcer]

Who you wish for? Obsession is 96% fresh on rotten Tomatoes.

[Big Ed]

I love you so, so, so, so much.

[Movie Trailer Announcer]

It's blood soaked nightmare fuel.

[Travis]

What kind of spills you put on her?

[Movie Trailer Announcer]

You have been warned. Obsession. Rated R under 17, animated without parent only. Theaters May 15 with special engagements in Dolby.

[Travis]

You're listening to the Travis Makes Money podcast presented by GoHighLevel.com for a free 30 day trial of the best all in one digital marketing software tool on the planet, just go to gohighlevel.com travis. What's going on, everybody? Welcome back to the Travis Makes Money podcast where it's a mission to help you make more money. On this episode, my producer Eric is in studio. What's up, man?

[Eric]

I was going to do that. I'm sore opening again.

[Travis]

Yeah, but. But then we just talk about.

[Eric]

I'm just actually just sore. You really beat the crap out of me today. Literally in the parking lot before we even start working. It was very weird.

[Travis]

But anyway, that's just for mental resilience.

[Eric]

Do you watch, you watch a lot

[Travis]

of reality tv, Travis, you know me,

[Eric]

that's you big reality guy. You ever watch Night Day Fiance?

[Travis]

No.

[Eric]

I do. And I want to talk a little bit about 90 Day Fiance because I saw a clip and I was like, oh, it's about 90 day fiance and money. Sweet. So I want to watch where our two worlds collide. Where her two worlds collide. If you watch Night a Fiance, you would be familiar with the phenomenon known as Big Ed. Okay, let me show you Big Ed. I'm going to show you a couple clips of Big Ed just so you know who this is. And then we're going to talk about how much money Big Ed was making from the show because I was actually dumbfounded when I found out. Okay, so here's. Here's Big Ed.

[Big Ed]

Oh my God. Ooch.

Ouch.

Nice. I'm Ed.

I'm 54 years old. People know me as Big Ed.

I'm from San Diego, California.

[Eric]

It's funny because he's small.

[Big Ed]

I am a professional photographer. Oh my God.

Right there, right there.

[Eric]

Beautiful.

[Big Ed]

That's perfect. Oh my God. Nice, nice.

[Eric]

So this is Big Ed icon.

[Travis]

Does he work on the show or something for her?

[Eric]

Easy.

[Travis]

What is he one of the contestants or does he work on the contestants?

[Eric]

Travis, the premise stars the premise of do you know what 90 fiance is no. Dear God.

[Travis]

I've heard rumors. So it's basically like rumors you have to. You get engaged to somebody very quick. Is basically the premise.

[Eric]

Okay, Travis, let me explain. When somebody is dating somebody outside the country, they get what's called a K1 visa. Okay. To get the K1 visa, after you get it, you have to get married within 90 days.

[Travis]

Okay.

[Eric]

Okay. So it's not a reality show, like, where you do a contest. He's in San Diego. He's got a girl in the Philippines, and basically he's going to go over and see if he wants to get a K1 visa with her, which will. Then they have to get married in 90 days.

[Travis]

I see.

[Eric]

Okay.

[Travis]

Okay.

[Eric]

So that's the premise, you know. Contestant.

[Travis]

Okay.

[Eric]

Anyway, here's big Ed. Here's some highlights. This is big Eddie's.

[Big Ed]

Have been dying my hair and irritates my scalp. So I found out that mayonnaise makes it smoother.

[Eric]

So he puts mayo in his hair. He was. This guy was like, a fan favorite

[Big Ed]

of my physical appearance because a viral meme for a minute is 31 years younger than me.

[Eric]

Yeah, that's a little crazy.

[Big Ed]

And then salad sandwich.

[Eric]

You know, he can have a kiss. I can't believe you didn't watch this.

[Big Ed]

Really?

[Travis]

Yeah.

[Eric]

I was so absorbed in this season.

[Big Ed]

Okay, here's the deal.

What?

Don't be mad at me, but

last

night when I noticed that your legs were kind of like mine, they were hairy. So I'll make you do it if you shave your legs. I'll shave my beard. Why? They shaved my legs.

[Eric]

High drama. So. So this was Ed. He got. And then he got super popular.

[Big Ed]

Yeah.

[Travis]

I don't.

[Big Ed]

I don't like.

[Eric]

Because there was a scene where they're sitting out by the.

[Big Ed]

The.

[Eric]

Like this pool at the View. She's like. She's like, do you like the View? And he says, you're my best view. And that was like a meme for a long time. And they broke up, and they're not doing. But. True story.

[Travis]

Is this, like one episode or is. It's like. Do they follow?

[Eric]

Here's the thing, Travis. 90 Day Fiance. It's a season, okay?

[Travis]

And it's one.

[Eric]

And there's no. There's multiple people. We alternate between all of them.

[Travis]

Okay.

[Eric]

Then there's 90 days the other way. That's where they're coming to the U.S. there's before the 90 days, which is like the period before they do the K1 visa, and then there's 90 Day Fiance. Tell all where they all gather around and watch clips from the show and talk about it. There's 90 Day Fiance, I think it's called Couples. I forget where they take all the couples that are married and having trouble and they go take them and put them in houses in a couples retreat. Then there's 90 fiance diaries where that self shot, they film it on their phones. They milk this show, just so you know. But anyway, there's a clip though. So he, he became like a mega superstar on the show.

[Travis]

Okay.

[Eric]

And seriously was like probably the most popular.

[Travis]

Okay.

[Eric]

As far as like people know. A lot of people hate him like myself. But I. Okay. I liked him a lot in the beginning and then I was like, oh, this guy's insane. But not in the fun way. I thought so anyway, so he's ended up being now on like four different seasons of various 90 day spin off shows.

[Travis]

I see. Okay.

[Eric]

And anyway, he was on Adam Corolla show and talked about the Nick vile

[Travis]

of the 90 Day Fiance world.

[Eric]

No.

[Travis]

Oh, okay, wait, wait. By the fact that he like figured out a way to be on a bunch of different.

[Eric]

Oh yeah. I thought he met Adam Corolla and was like. Cause he's interviewing. He has nothing to do with 90 fiance.

[Travis]

Yeah. Big Ed. Yeah.

[Eric]

The woman that does all those interviews is Sean Robinson. Duh. All right, so here's a clip of Big Ed talking about money he made from the, from being on the show.

[Travis]

Okay.

[Eric]

I was gobsmacked.

[Podcast Guest]

Are they paying? Okay?

[Big Ed]

They are. Most of my money I've made around the show. You heard a cameo, right?

[Eric]

Yeah, sure, yeah.

[Big Ed]

So I was number one in the world for a while.

[Podcast Guest]

Oh, you were.

[Big Ed]

Yeah. Not the most expensive, but.

[Podcast Guest]

How much were you charging a cameo?

[Big Ed]

I started at 25. I. I topped out at 150.

[Podcast Guest]

150. But you're doing multiple ones a day.

[Big Ed]

I was doing 75 to 100 a day.

[Podcast Guest]

75 to 100 a day for four months straight. 75 to 100.

[Eric]

He's doing math.

[Podcast Guest]

So at 100 bucks, that's 7,500 a day.

[Big Ed]

Yeah.

[Podcast Guest]

Or more.

[Big Ed]

Yeah.

[Travis]

Just on camera.

[Podcast Guest]

I mean, somewhere a little cheaper, but sometimes you did more. But I mean you're making. You're making.

[Eric]

This is me when I try to do math. Yeah, you're making.

[Travis]

And Jesse Waters, you're making. What is that? What is that? Nine figures.

[Podcast Guest]

You're making 50 grand a week in cameo. Possibly.

[Big Ed]

Yeah.

[Podcast Guest]

Crazy, right?

[Big Ed]

Yeah. Nuts. And they told me unfortunately though when

[Travis]

the producers first show, unfortunately, cameo takes a percentage and Apple Podcast or Apple Pod.

[Commercial Narrator]

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[Travis]

Learn [e-mail] trading guess the app store takes a percentage. Yeah, as well. So like, because I talked to, I talked to a friend who's like the top who. Who also had a year where he was the number one earner on Cameo. Yeah, my buddy John. And that's what he was saying. He was like, that's the most frustrating part. But the most frustrating part was that he was like, yeah, I'm like I'm doing well and I make but like I make about $0.55 on the dollar for every dollar that comes.

[Eric]

Yeah, but I mean it's also like when people say, oh, if you're in the lottery, most of that's taxes.

[Big Ed]

Like.

[Eric]

Yeah, but you still have money started.

[Travis]

That's pre tax.

[Eric]

I'm saying, I'm saying it's the same thing.

[Travis]

No, I know, but I'm saying like,

[Eric]

why are you on this guy? Because you don't. Because you can't sell a cameo.

[Travis]

That'd be cool. I mean, 7,000 a day.

[Eric]

Would you record 75 to 100 cameos?

[Travis]

Absolutely. Yeah.

[Eric]

All right, here we go.

[Travis]

For sure.

[Big Ed]

Still, by the way, you're going to be known him everywhere. And you think they're feeding you a line.

[Eric]

He said when the producers first reached out, they said you're going to be known everywhere if you do this show and all that stuff. And.

[Big Ed]

Yeah, and they weren't.

[Eric]

Dude, when I did, I was actually kind of sad because when we did, when our show came out on hbo, which, you know, ended up in the top seven between Megan Thee, Stallion show and Sleep.

[Travis]

You've never told me, I've never told you that before.

[Eric]

I only say it now because I know it annoys you. But it was really cool when it first happened.

[Travis]

Yeah.

[Eric]

You would say it too.

[Travis]

Of course. Anyway, you should say it a lot.

[Eric]

I'm gonna say it more actually because

[Travis]

you said that it's like me talking about door to Doors like you know it. So it annoys you.

[Eric]

But anyway, so we had a meeting with the producers right before the show came out. We had a meeting with the producers and I said just, you know, this going on hbo, Max, you know, people might recognize you in the grocery store, blah, blah, blah. You know. How many times have been recognized from the show? Zero. Goose egg.

[Travis]

So far.

[Eric]

So far. So it was kind of. But. But it is a reality and TVD show. It could blow up and you could be, you know, maybe if we're in number six, people would recognize me.

[Travis]

I would. I would assume that a lot of people who did 90 Day Fiance did not have nearly the type of experience that he had.

[Eric]

There's a lot that are pretty popular, really. But he was kind of like a. He was just a personality that like, people love to hate or love to,

[Travis]

you know, sort of like the dinner for schmucks type.

[Eric]

Yeah. Character. Yeah, yeah.

[Travis]

The guy, the guy that you'd bring to the dinner that's like, it's just an eccentric.

[Eric]

He's just a weird dude. He had a little moped with his dog in his backpack and he's putting mayo in his hair and he's like, yeah, saying like, hey, can you shave your legs and brush your teeth and like, you know, a reality television producer. Yes. Like, they're drooling over this guy.

[Travis]

Right.

[Eric]

So anyway, they weren't.

[Big Ed]

They're like, I became so short story long, the show comes out, it didn't work out, obviously with Rose. And so I come back to the Philippines.

[Podcast Guest]

Was she heartbroken?

[Big Ed]

I think she was financially heartbroken. I think she wanted the golden ticket.

[Eric]

This is so funny to me though, I have to say about Nighty Fiance is like, Ed actually, I think was making decent money. Like, he was a photographer when the show started and he was living in a little house in San Diego, which is like, still not home. But it is funny cuz like, he also was driving on a little scooter with his dog. Like, it like, he wasn't. I would doubt that he was like, oh, I don't have to work again. You know what I mean? But it's so funny when he watched the show because, like, there's so many guys that live in like the crappiest house and have the worst jobs. And then they're like, she just wants that golden ticket, man. And then they'll like, go to like, Poland, like where they live. Like their situation was a little bit. It was a lot different. But like, there was one where they were doing that and then they like go to visit. I'm like, her House is nicer than his house. Yeah. Like, I don't think they're looking for the meal ticket, but it's all. Every guy, no matter how broke they are, is like, she just wants me for my money. She just wants that green card. It's like, first of all, she's better looking than you. Second of all, like, she lives in a better place than you. Like, it's just funny they always say that.

[Travis]

Yeah.

[Eric]

Especially if it doesn't work out. It's like, I think she was financially heartbroken. Yeah. But anyway.

[Big Ed]

Yeah.

[Podcast Guest]

And by the way, San Diego's beautiful.

[Big Ed]

Oh, my God. Yeah. So I think she was more heartbroken about that. So I come back alone, and I'm like, that was the dumbest thing I've ever done. I said all the. I like the view. Like, I. You know, which, by the way, was the highest trending meme in the world for, like, through Covid. And the way I acted, I just wasn't happy. So I just dug myself into work and just forgot about the show. Well, then the. The.

[Podcast Guest]

You don't think you came across well on camera?

[Big Ed]

I didn't like the way I looked.

[Podcast Guest]

But did they cook it or did you just make up to say stupid shit?

[Big Ed]

Just. I mean, I didn't try to say. I. And I had a producer tell me this. I went on. I think I was on my second or third season after the. Before the 90 day.

[Eric]

And.

[Big Ed]

And he's like, look, what made you famous is that you didn't. You didn't know what you were doing. Like, you weren't. You're just being who you were.

[Podcast Guest]

Right.

[Big Ed]

And.

And by the way, so was Rose. And that's why Rose became such a phenomenon, because in the Philippines, she's like, this is my house. This is my pig farm. She wasn't ashamed of who she was. And that made her an instant.

[Podcast Guest]

Did she get snapped up by somebody else?

[Big Ed]

I don't. Maybe she was actually.

[Eric]

Anyway, this. Then it just goes into their more love relationship talk.

[Travis]

But I was gonna say that's just from Cameo. Do they pay them to. I assume maybe the first. The first season, they pay them too.

[Eric]

Let me pull this up, actually. But I was gonna say I. I did think it was interesting, the two. Two things. One, that he makes most of the money outside of the show. Because I was like, I kind of figured that was the case. And then I also liked what he said where it's like. Because this is actually why I stopped liking Big Ed. A little inside baseball here for the 90 Day Fiance fans. No. The reason I stopped liking Big Ed is because I could tell this is my biggest pet peeve with reality TV is like a lot of reality TV shows, the first season is so pure and like perfect. And then you can tell that after people watch the season and then they're on season two or three, they're trying to talk in sound bites and like this happened in Secret Lives of Mormon Wives with Jesse.

[Travis]

They like start getting better at being

[Eric]

on reality where it's like, it's like you know that they're saying because they know people are gonna be in the comments, right? Going like, yes, Queen. You know, you just said it's like, what do you actually think about this? Right? And Ed was very much like that

[Travis]

where it becomes less and less real.

[Eric]

You could tell he was just like, I'm famous. I'm gonna do this thing that's quirky because it'll be funny, right? And it's like what was funny when you didn't know it was quirky and it was like that was kind of the magic. So here's the structure for Night a fiance. And again, whenever you look up this stuff, there could be discrepancies and differences and stuff. So first time couples on 90 Day Fiance commonly report about 1,000 to $1,500 per episode.

[Travis]

It's not bad.

[Eric]

And the series is about 10 to 14 episodes. So you're making 14 grand, you know that's not bad. And you're already doing. You're just living your life and exposure and all that stuff. So a first time cast member who appears in every episode, Mike Gross EW around 10,000 to $15,000 for the season before taxes and expenses. The reunion and tell all usually pays a separate one time fee, often reported in the 1500-2500 range. And then one former cast member said they received about half upfront and half at the end of the season with final payment held back to enforce the NDA. If you break it, you risk not getting the remainder. And there's for before the 90 days, 500 to $1000 per episode. Happily ever after. Returning couples get pay bumps. I sure there's some that get a lot to come back depending on how

[Travis]

much of a draw they are at that point.

[Eric]

Because when they did the episode where they all go to the island, they had back a couple really fiery cast members. I know they paid a lot to bring them back. And then one ex cast member described their total season pay as like 10k. And then some can get relatives and friends that are recurring can get like 250 bucks a filming day. So it's not bad money to do something like that. And then you get a lot of exposure.

[Travis]

But obviously, yeah, the begging, the. The biggest value comes from the exposure. If you can make the most of the moment. Which sounds like he did like to draw in that much on cameo is crazy work.

[Eric]

Yeah, that's. It's crazy.

[Travis]

A million bucks a year doing cameo.

[Eric]

Right.

[Travis]

I mean, more than that. More than that. That's like. I mean, if he did that for. He said he did that for like four or five months where he's doing 75 to 100 a day.

[Eric]

Yeah.

[Travis]

It's like, I mean, you're. You're. Yeah. You're clocking in over a million top line, you know.

[Eric]

Yeah.

[Travis]

And then obviously subtract cameo fees, app store fees.

[Eric]

Yeah.

[Travis]

And a lot are like taxes and you end up. But you end up with a few hundred grand from just like filming videos for people.

[Eric]

Yeah. And I'm sure, you know, a lot of them are. Some of them have been real estate agents, some of them are fitness influencers, some of them are chefs, you know. So, like, it's all good for them, you know, because, like, I'm sure there's people. It's like welcome to Plato, another reality show I love. It's like Olivia's a photographer, so it's like people book.

[Podcast Guest]

Right.

[Eric]

Her. Because you're meeting her and she's your photographer and you saw her on the show and you know, so it's. It's a lot with what you do with it, you know.

[Travis]

Absolutely. Yeah. Definitely is that. I feel like for most reality TV at this point, which is the advantage now to getting on reality tv, that didn't exist pre social media. Was. I talked to Ben about this when he came on the show, who was the Bachelor for a while or was. Was actually the bachelor for a season and then was on the show and stuff. And one of. One of the most well liked, you know, people that been on the show and. And did a good job sort of like milking the exposure at that time. But even then, like, social wasn't huge. So it was interesting talking to him about like the. The difference in people that go on it now and what potentially they can do with that afterwards.

[Eric]

Well, yeah, this is another piece Go deeper in the weeds on reality tv. This is the other thing I think is that's almost killing reality TV as a genre is now. It's like the snake eating its tail where producers are going for people who Are already well known.

[Travis]

Yeah.

[Eric]

Like, they're looking for a big Ed who's already well known, or they're looking for a Ben, you know, who already has a social presence. But, like, the issue is so, like, again, Secret Lives of Mormon Wives kind of had this issue where it was like, season one, it introduced us to all of them in a way that was like, we hadn't really seen before. And then you go, you watch the show. If you're like me, you follow everybody, you know. You know how you do that when you watch that. So I followed everybody, and then there's a delay in production, obviously. So, like, you've seen. You've been following their life on social media. So then when season two comes around, you're like, when are we gonna get to. This thing I already saw on social Kardashians is like, this too. Where it's like, you know, you'll be watching it and you're like, wait a minute. This is the fashion show they were at six months ago.

[Travis]

I hate that.

[Eric]

And I have to wonder what that, like, they have to make me feel drama, but I'm like, I already know how this pans out.

[Travis]

Yeah.

[Eric]

Yeah. So I think that's. That's another issue too. That's like, they'll have to overcome as a hurdle is like chicken or egg. Yeah.

[Travis]

It's like, get people who nobody knows.

[Eric]

Yeah. Or like, do you get someone famous? Well, like, yeah. Where do you get somebody famous for? People are already following their life. Are you discovering those new people? But that's so risky. But it's also risky to, you know, have a storyline where everybody already knows all the intricate details.

[Big Ed]

Yeah.

[Eric]

It's just a weird because some people,

[Travis]

like, literally do reality TV for their career.

[Eric]

Yeah.

[Travis]

Like. Like, that's all they, like, you know, they got on one show, like the challenge or something.

[Eric]

Yeah.

[Travis]

Fifteen years ago, and then they went from the challenge to the Bachelor, and then they went to Love island or that, you know, I mean, like, some people you see in the we watch Beast Games and like, one of the finalists was because they brought in Jeff Probst to do an episode, like a Survivor themed episode. And one of the people that was in the final whatever was on Survivor had been on Survivor. You know, it's like. Like you're just basically going and auditioning for reality TV as a way to make a living.

[Eric]

Yeah.

[Travis]

Or that one that Zach did on Netflix. The reality show that Zach did on Netflix. A couple of the people there were from other reality TV shows.

[Eric]

They just do well on camera. Yeah. Right. Yeah. I think the big takeaway is when I saw it was one just being yourself. Because, like, and I want to be more specific than that, but, like, in terms of content, I always like the. I don't know if you put this in my brain, so if I'm quoting you to yourself, but, like, you can only keep up the appearances for so long.

[Travis]

Yeah.

[Eric]

You know? Is that you?

[Travis]

Yeah.

[Eric]

I mean, that's not. But I. Yeah, it's.

[Big Ed]

I mean,

[Eric]

that's me, actually.

[Travis]

I probably didn't come up with that

[Eric]

concept, but this idea, though, of you can only pretend to be quirky, or you can only pretend to be the hothead, or you can only pretend to be the lovey dovey dude, like, whatever. Whatever your Persona is for so long. And I think, like, the. The minute you start being phony, like, people start tapping out, like, it's. The authenticity can take you a long way. And again, if you're doing podcasting, like, I think about this with my show. We were talking about this last night. At a certain point I just said, like, I'm not gonna really couch what I actually think. I'm just gonna say it because sooner or later they'll find out and then they'll bounce.

[Travis]

Yeah.

[Eric]

If they don't like that thing.

[Travis]

Yeah.

[Eric]

And then the other piece I was gonna say is when you do have an opportunity that blows up, like, it's good to put your eggs in multiple baskets where it's like, I'm not just going, I'm making $15,000 from this show, but I don't have an Instagram or I don't. I didn't. Like. Ed started a real estate business after the show, and I'm sure does fine just because, like, oh, it's him, you

[Travis]

know, made a few extra hundred grand doing that.

[Eric]

Yeah. So, I mean, that's. That's the other piece there for sure.

[Travis]

I was saying my biggest takeaway is that is more like the strike while the iron is hot thing. And. And this, this, to me is, again, I like the. When you. When you can. When you can do something in a siloed arena, that extrapolates to other things. I. I think about this with the way that I play blackjack or the way that you should play blackjack for most people anyway, if you're not counting cards or stuff, you're just playing basic strategy. Like when you're hitting well, you should be increasing your bets tremendously. And then when you're losing, you should be pulling your bets and betting the minimum and When. When you're winning and you're playing blackjack, you increase your bet.

[Eric]

Let me say more and more. Wait, before you give this advice, let me just say I took Travis's advice at the blackjack table last night, and I lost a lot.

[Travis]

Nope.

[Eric]

Until the end. And then I won back a lot. Exactly how much did we get up yesterday?

[Travis]

You ended up down 20 bucks total, but I ended up 225, so.

[Eric]

Yeah, we did.

[Travis]

I mean, we did. Well, we only played for, like, 20

[Eric]

minutes because I pulled out 200.

[Travis]

Yeah.

[Eric]

And then you gave me 200. Or you gave me 150.

[Travis]

Yeah.

[Eric]

And then you ended up.

[Travis]

Because I shoot 20. I've got a good. I got a good couple of doubles in a row, and I ended up with 225.

[Eric]

That's crazy.

[Travis]

After I paid you your 100. All right, you know, gave you an extra 50 to play with.

[Eric]

Listen to his advice. Go ahead.

[Travis]

But my. My point is just to say, like, the. When you can't just be like, ah, I haven't had a good hand in a while. The odds have to be turning. Let me bet more. You know what I mean? And the opposite is true. Like, oh, I haven't lost in four hands. I better draw my bet. It's just like, if. When you're winning, you should increase your bet. And then when you're losing, you should play the minimum and understand that, like, there's ebbs and flows, there's ups and downs, and a lot of people when. When the iron is hot, they don't strike enough. Like, they. They go like, hey, everything's working well. I can sort of. I can. I can take a beat. It's like, actually, no, when everything's going well is when you should be working your face off to take full advantage of the crazy momentum that you have. Because just know that inevitably, it's not always going to be like that. So you gotta. You like. That's why I like the example of blackjack is, like, when things are going well, you have to. I have to increase my bet so that I can withstand the storm that I know is going to come in just a few hands where I. Doesn't seem like I can win anything. And the dealer's hitting 211 against my 20. It's like, I know I. I have to build up a bank of chips so that I can withstand the. The winter that's going to come inevitably. And that. That's. That's. I think it's a great example for, like, for what this guy did when it came to striking. While Aaron's out with his cameo and stuff, it's like, you don't have to do those additional things. He probably was making decent money just doing all the stuff that he was doing. But it's like, while things are going well, that's when you should be working even more, not when you should be like, hey, things are going well, I can take a back seat now. And it's like, no, no, no. Push, push, push, push. When you have the momentum, when you have the energy, when you have. When you have the. The. The energy of the universe on your side. You know what I mean? Like, you should be. You should be working extra hours during that time, not being like, oh, well, things are going well. And they seem everything's easier right now for some reason. Well, if everything's easier right now, then work really hard to make sure that you can fully take advantage of that season. Because there's going to, like, winter is going to come. There will be a season around the corner where it sort of is the opposite of that and everything. It doesn't mean that. It doesn't mean that you're going to lose everything. It just means that it's not. It's no longer going to be as easy as it was. Like, it's just as like, oh, now there's more obstacles or seemingly, seemingly, I'm trying to. It seems like I'm trying to force this or I'm not getting as much results for the work that I'm putting in. It's like, that's the time where you can maybe be like, okay, let me take a beat, take a step back and sort of do again, bet the minimum here. While things seem to be like, the tide seems to be turning against the things that I'm working on. Hedge my bets now and then wait for that next period where, like, things start picking up and things seem to be easy. Let's work really hard during that time. So I, I like the. I like the idea of just like, if something's working well, then just keep doing that thing for as long as you can stand doing that thing and then store up your acorns for the winter, you know, so. But that's it for this episode of the show. Thanks so much for tuning in. Remember, money only solves your money problems, but it's easier to solve the rest of your problems with money in the bank. So let's start there here on the Travis Makes Money podcast. Catch you on the next one. Peace.