What happens when life doesn't hand you safety—but you choose strength instead?

In this powerful episode of The Ownership Game, Gary sits down with Ron Rubin, a successful entrepreneur and financial advisor whose character was literally forged by pressure. From facing antisemitism and domestic abuse in his youth to building a thriving business grounded in integrity, Ron shares how adversity shaped his relentless discipline, his unshakable values, and his quiet—but potent—leadership style.

This isn’t a story about surviving the past. It’s a masterclass in transforming it.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a leader, or someone looking to rebuild from the inside out—this is the episode you didn’t know you needed.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How childhood adversity created the conditions for Ron’s inner grit
• The powerful mindset behind turning trauma into fuel for success
• Why your habits determine your destiny more than your circumstances
• A rare look at character-driven leadership in financial services
• The three things Ron writes down every day to keep him focused
• What it looks like to lead with integrity—even when it costs you
  
  

Chapters:

00:00 Life on High Alert: Ron’s early years facing violence at home and school

03:30 Turning Pain into Purpose: The mindset shift that defined his life

07:40 Education as a Lifeline: The immigrant work ethic and academic ambition

13:00 Resilience, Not Reaction: When bullying teaches self-worth

19:00 Witnessing a Parent’s Downfall: The impact of addiction on identity

25:00 Forging a Career: The bold early years of Ron’s financial services journey

27:15 Lessons from 120 Mentors: What top performers all have in common

30:00 Radical Transparency in Business: Defining values in a shady industry

34:30 Taking Ownership in Crisis: A major betrayal and how Ron handled it

39:50 Fortune Favors the Bold: Risking it all to start his own firm

42:00 Legacy and Mentorship: Serving future generations with integrity

50:00 The Exit Plan: Why Ron sold his company—and what comes next

53:00 Daily Discipline: Ron’s personal system for staying aligned

56:00 Final Takeaway: You’re not what you survived—you’re who you become

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