Aug. 4, 2025

From Trailer Court to Billions - Marissa Nehlsen's Blueprint for Living Life Rich

Pre-order "Live Life Rich" before August 19th and get exclusive bonuses worth $2,500: Visit: LiveLifeRichBook.com

What does it really mean to live a "rich" life? Our guest today, Marissa Nehlsen, went from picking up cans and bottles in ditches for $30 a month while living in a trailer court to managing billions in assets and partnering with leadership legend John Maxwell. But her definition of "rich" might surprise you.

 

In this powerful conversation, Marissa breaks down her five-pillar framework for building true wealth - and it's not just about money. She shares the exact "Freedom Plan" that helped her escape financial struggle, reveals how she built eight streams of income, and explains why the world needs YOU to be rich.

 

Whether you're just starting your entrepreneurial journey or looking to take your success to the next level, this episode delivers both inspiration and practical tactics you can implement immediately.

 

Key Topics Covered

The Five Pillars of a Rich Life

  • Emotional : How you feel about yourself when you look in the mirror
  • Relational : Building rocket ship relationships that compound your success
  • Spiritual : Connecting to something bigger than yourself
  • Physical : Taking care of your health to serve at the highest level
  • Financial : Creating the resources to solve problems in the world
 

The Freedom Plan Framework

  • Freedom Number : How much you need to maintain your lifestyle
  • Freedom Sources : All the ways money can flow to you
  • Freedom Date : When your sources will cover your number
  • Practical worksheets and calculations included in Marissa's book
 

The Eight Streams of Income

  • Why most people only have one stream (earned income)
  • How to systematically build multiple income sources
  • Marissa's newest stream: royalty income (and how she got it without being Taylor Swift)
 

Mindset and Personal Development

  • The power of "silent mentors" through books and podcasts
  • Why consistency beats perfection every time
  • How to read people and energy quickly (survival skills from tough backgrounds)
  • The importance of protecting your "Fab Five" inner circle
 

Powerful Quotes from This Episode

"If you help enough people get what they want, you can have your heart's desire." - Zig Ziglar quote that changed Marissa's life

 

"The world needs you rich, because if you think like I do, I'm a problem solver, I'm gonna go solve some problems."

 

"You don't create a rich life by sitting in your house just reading all day. You gotta take the idea and you gotta apply the idea."

 

"Small actions over time will lead to great change in your life. You will not see it today. You will not. But small actions over time will lead you to great change."

 

"What at the end of your life would you regret not having given your all to?"

 

Guest Bio

Marissa Nehlsen is a financial strategist, entrepreneur, and author who has spent over 30 years in the finance industry. Starting from humble beginnings in a trailer court, she built multiple seven-figure businesses and now manages billions in assets for her clients.

Marissa is a certified John Maxwell leadership coach and speaker, and has traveled the world mentoring entrepreneurs and business leaders. She's passionate about helping others build what she calls a "rich life" - one that's abundant in all five key areas: emotional, relational, spiritual, physical, and financial wealth.

Her new book "Live Life Rich" features a foreword by John Maxwell and provides a practical roadmap for entrepreneurs to build, protect, and multiply their wealth while living with purpose.

 

Resources Mentioned

Books Referenced

  • "Live Life Rich" by Marissa Nehlsen (releasing August 19th)
  • "Today Matters" by John Maxwell
  • "The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership" by John Maxwell
  • "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill
  • "Awaken the Giant Within" by Tony Robbins
 

People Mentioned

  • John Maxwell (leadership expert, wrote foreword for Marissa's book)
  • Mike Kim (encouraged Marissa to write her book)
  • Andrew Manzano (mutual connection)
  • Zig Ziglar (foundational influence)
  • Tony Robbins/Anthony Robbins (early influence)
  • Jim Rohn (personal development mentor)
 

Action Steps from This Episode

  1. Calculate Your Freedom Plan

    • Determine your Freedom Number (annual lifestyle cost × years until retirement)
    • List all your Freedom Sources (current and potential income streams)
    • Set your Freedom Date (when sources will cover your number)
  2. Audit Your Inner Circle

    • Identify your "Fab Five" - the five people you spend the most time with
    • Remove or limit time with "anacondas" who drain your energy and dreams
    • Invest in relationships with other big thinkers and entrepreneurs
  3. Start Your Investment in You

    • Commit to reading one business/personal development book per month
    • Replace Netflix time with podcasts or educational content
    • Join a mastermind or entrepreneurial community
  4. Create Your Side Hustle

    • Set up a side LLC for tax advantages
    • Identify one additional income stream you can start this month
    • Focus on serving others and solving problems
  5. Journal Your Dreams

    • Write down what you want to have, do, and become
    • Ask yourself: "What if?", "What for?", and "What's next?"
    • Review and update your vision regularly
 

Special Offer

Pre-order "Live Life Rich" before August 19th and get exclusive bonuses worth $2,500:

  • Private Q&A sessions with Marissa
  • Comprehensive workbook with Freedom Plan templates
  • Behind-the-scenes video series
  • Access to exclusive book club community

Visit: LiveLifeRichBook.com

Marissa Nehlsen Profile Photo

Marissa Nehlsen

Author / CEO / Mom

Nehlsen is the founder and CEO of an eight-figure, debt- freefinancial firm, managing over $1 billion in assets across forty- sixstates.

Marissa’s journey began on a North Dakota farm where she learnedthe value of hard work and resilience. For the past thirty years, shehas founded five self-managing companies and coached thousandsof entrepreneurs, helping them make money their best employee.

Marissa is the author of the book Live Life Rich and a dynamickeynote speaker, using her special blend of practical, tactical, andIntentional 30+ years of experience to help people move forwardfrom where they are to where they want to be.

Beyond business, Marissa is a global impact leader. She cofoundedThe Foundation of Latin America, which mobilizesentrepreneurship with the purpose of eliminating poverty throughthe building of sewing schools for women in Costa Rica, developingsustainable energy projects, forestry, and organic farms.

A mother, grandmother, and visionary leader, Marissa lives in St.Petersburg, Florida, raising her family while continuing to inspire,educate, and lead. Marissa is most excited about the launch of herhealing and retreat center on her mountain in Costa Rica, set toopen January 2026.