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The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex
The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex•August 24, 2025

From Being Arrested to Becoming a Millionaire Entrepreneur: Jay Awal’s Journey

Here's a two-sentence description for the episode: Jay Awal shares his transformative journey from selling drugs and feeling lost to becoming a successful international entrepreneur and speaker, detailing how a pivotal arrest at 23 became a turning point that motivated him to completely change his life trajectory. Through hard work, mentorship, and personal growth, Jay built multiple businesses, including a software platform called Intellectra, while also finding personal stability through marriage and challenging the negative patterns of his past.
Solo Entrepreneurs
Creator Economy
Career Transitions
Productivity Without Burnout
Habit Building
Paul Alex
Jay Awol
Matt Rosa

Summary Sections

  • Podcast Summary
  • Speakers
  • Key Takeaways
  • Compelling StoriesPremium
  • Strategies & FrameworksPremium
  • Thought-Provoking QuotesPremium
  • Statistics & Facts
  • Additional ContextPremium
  • Key Takeaways TablePlus
  • Critical AnalysisPlus
  • Similar StrategiesPlus
  • Books & Articles MentionedPlus
  • Products, Tools & Software MentionedPlus
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Timestamps are as accurate as they can be but may be slightly off. We encourage you to listen to the full context.

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Podcast Summary

In this candid conversation, host Paul Alex sits down with entrepreneur Jay Awol to explore his remarkable transformation from arrested marijuana dealer to international speaker and software founder. Jay shares his journey through three pivotal phases: his dark period selling drugs and getting arrested multiple times (09:52), his breakthrough moment in jail that sparked his entrepreneurship journey, and his evolution into building a six-figure network marketing business before launching Intellecta, an innovative software platform. The discussion dives deep into the power of mentorship, the importance of following proven blueprints rather than reinventing the wheel (24:17), and how marriage can actually elevate your business performance by providing accountability and peace (35:55).

Speakers

Jay Awol

International speaker and serial entrepreneur who built multiple six-figure businesses after transforming from his troubled past. Founded Intellecta, an all-in-one software platform for employee training and creator content, and speaks to audiences of 1,500-2,000 globally.

Paul Alex (Host)

Former detective turned 8-figure entrepreneur, creator of Level Up podcast (3M monthly listeners, ranked #1 in business category). Went from law enforcement to building successful online companies and helping others achieve financial freedom.

Key Takeaways

Read Your Way to Results

Transform failure into wisdom by reading 30 books yearly—each book condenses decades of million-dollar lessons into 150 pages that cost less than one college textbook. Rich Dad Poor Dad's first chapter teaches that "the rich don't work for money," flipping society's programming on its head. (21:03)

Follow the Blueprint First, Then Add Your Sauce

Intelligent people often fail because they try to reinvent the wheel instead of following proven systems. Copy successful models exactly, see results, then add your personal touch. Don't be prideful—pay for mentorship from those who've already made the mistakes you're about to make.

Network Your Way to Net Worth Through Service

Master the hack: get around successful people without being successful by becoming their videographer, their assistant, their value-provider. (21:28) Within weeks, you'll memorize their playbooks and add your own spice to their proven strategies.

Choose Character Over Cars in Leadership

When selecting mentors, follow character and principles, not just Lamborghini posts. At 23, flashy lifestyles seem appealing, but sustainable success comes from leaders whose lifestyle you actually want to replicate long-term. (03:43)

Win the Day to Build Your Destiny

Focus on daily execution, not the complete picture. Your days are pearls on a necklace—each day links together to create your entire life's masterpiece. Be habit-driven today, disciplined today, hit your goals today. Before you know it, weeks become months, months become years, and your life is completely transformed. (44:39)

Compelling Stories

Available with a Premium subscription

Strategies & Frameworks

Available with a Premium subscription

Thought-Provoking Quotes

Available with a Premium subscription

Statistics & Facts

No specific statistics were provided in this episode.

Additional Context

Available with a Premium subscription

Key Takeaways Table

Available with a Plus subscription

Critical Analysis

Available with a Plus subscription

Similar Strategies

Available with a Plus subscription

Books & Articles Mentioned

Available with a Plus subscription

Products, Tools & Software Mentioned

Available with a Plus subscription

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