36 | From Broke to a Billion Dollar Business: The 7 Principles of Perseverance with Author JJ Mazzo

Hey there, Rainmakers! What does it take to go from broke, addicted, and skeptical… to building a hugely successful mortgage business, leading 55 LOs, and writing a book that’s changing lives? In this episode, I sit down with my soul brother JJ Mazzo to talk about Perseverance Principles — and how to fight through the discomfort zone, lead yourself with discipline, and lean into the right support systems so you can thrive in business and in life. JJ opens up about his raw journey through bankruptcy, addiction, and rebuilding from scratch. He’s proof that when you refuse to quit, you can reinvent yourself, scale beyond what you thought possible, and create a legacy rooted in faith, family, and relentless perseverance. 💡 What we cover in this episode: JJ’s personal story of redemption, resilience, and rebuilding How he went from $200k to $2M income in two years The power of discipline (and why you already have it in some area of life) Building a 10-day close reputation that changed his business forever The importance of buckets: top 50, next 100, next 300, and beyond JJ’s 7 perseverance principles — and why discomfort is the key to growth Are you ready to make it rain? Let’s do this! Guest Links: Cross Country Mortgage: https://crosscountrymortgage.com/san-juan-capistrano-ca-4047/joseph-mazzo/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jjmazzo/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jjmazzo_/?hl=en Get JJ’s Book ‘Perseverance Principles’: https://perseveranceprinciples.com/ https://www.amazon.com/Perseverance-Principles-Confidence-Consistency-Pressure/dp/1394377525/ If you liked what you heard, leave me a five-star review and tell me what hit home for you! PLUS—if you’re done chasing the next shiny idea and want real, proven strategies that actually move the needle, then it’s time to join my free weekly newsletter, Rainmaker Insider . Every week, I share one key lesson from my billion-dollar career in mortgage lending—from sales psychology and leadership to mindset and systems that create true freedom. No fluff. Just real-world insights that help you close more deals and lead with confidence. Subscribe now at shaylagifford.com and start leading like the Rainmaker you’re meant to be! Connect with Shayla: Shayla on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaygiff/ Shayla on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shayla-gifford-3019396/ Show Links: Shayla's Website: https://shaylagifford.com/ The Mortgage Rainmaker Podcast: https://shaylagifford.com/podcast/ The Catalyst Coaching Community: https://shaylagifford.com/catalyst/ Guild Mortgage: https://www.guildmortgage.com/