#396 Chad Marx: Creating the Life You Actually Want

Chad Marx is an entrepreneur, veteran, and the operations specialist behind the Meat Mafia Podcast. After graduating from JMU, Chad made the unconventional choice to enlist in the Army infantry, serving in Alaska and later transitioning through the Army’s Career Skills Program. Chad's diverse experiences—from startup internships to military service and launching his own brand, SPRKL—have shaped his disciplined approach to business, fitness, and life. In this episode, Brett sits down with Meat Mafia Podcast’s behind-the-scenes ace, Chad Marx. From his early days interning at startups in NYC, his surprising decision to enlist as an infantryman despite having a degree, to launching his own brand SPRKL, Chad shares valuable lessons on discipline, entrepreneurship, and forging a non-traditional career path. Packed with insights on building brands, transitioning from military life, and cultivating relentless discipline, this episode offers a real-world blueprint for anyone striving for personal and professional growth. What we cover:- How sending a DM landed Chad his role with Meat Mafia Podcast and Noble Origins- Chad’s unconventional journey: From fraternity president to Army infantry enlistment - The importance of placing yourself in the right environments to unlock opportunity - Why Chad launched SPRKL and the lessons learned from starting a direct-to-consumer business - Chad’s experience moving to Austin and quickly building a community from scratch - The power of discipline and routine cultivated from military service Timestamps: (00:00) Chad’s transition from Army infantry to Meat Mafia Podcast (07:00) How a 2 AM DM turned into a career opportunity (14:00) The uncommon decision to enlist after college graduation (21:00) Lessons learned from working closely with high-performing military leaders (28:00) Moving to Austin, building community, and embracing discomfort (35:00) Balancing ambition, burnout, and sustained productivity (42:00) Starting SPRKL and navigating early-stage entrepreneurship (49:00) Optimizing diet, sleep, and routine for peak mental clarity *** LINKS***Check out our supplement company - Noble Origins- 100% grass-fed beef protein with added collagen, colostrum and organs- Use code MAFIA25 for 25% OFF your orderCheck out our Newsletter - Food for Thought - to dramatically improve your health this year!Join The Meat Mafia community Telegram group for daily conversations to keep up with what’s happening between episodes of the show.Connect with Chad:InstagramXSPRKL WipesConnect with Brett:InstagramXConnect with Harry:InstagramXConnect with Meat Mafia:Instagram - Meat MafiaX - Meat MafiaYouTube - Meat MafiaConnect with Noble Protein:Website - Noble ProteinX - Noble ProteinInstagram - Noble ProteinAFFILIATESLMNT - Electrolyte salts to supplement minerals on low-carb dietThe Carnivore Bar - Use Code 'MEATMAFIA' for 10% OFF - Delicious & convenient Pemmican BarPerennial Pastures - Use CODE 'MEATMAFIA' 10% OFF - Regeneratively raised, grass-fed & grass-finished beef from California & MontanaFarrow Skincare - Use CODE 'MEATMAFIA' at checkout for 20% OFFHeart & Soil - CODE ‘MEATMAFIA’ for 10% OFF - enhanced nutrition to replace daily vitamins!Carnivore Snax - Use CODE 'MEATMAFIA' Crispy, airy meat chips that melt in your mouth. Regeneratively raised in the USA.Pluck Seasoning - 15% OFF - Nutrient-dense seasoning with INSANE flavor! Use CODE: MEATMAFIAWe Feed Raw 25% OFF your first order - ancestrally consistent food for your dog! Use CODE 'MEATMAFIA'Fond Bone Broth - 15% OFF - REAL bone broth with HIGH-QUALITY ingredients! It’s a daily product for us! Use CODE: MAFIAMaui Nui- 15% OFF. Use CODE: MEATMAFIA