From Private Jets to Pushups: Smart Moves in Finance and Fitness

Success isn’t just about how much money you make—it’s also about how wisely you manage it, and how well you take care of yourself along the way. That was the theme as Ric Edelman, Anderson Wozny, and fitness icon Denise Austin covered everything from private jets to IRAs to pushup routines that build wealth and wellness at the same time.

Anderson Wozny opened with a breakdown of the private jet market, explaining that a medium-sized Citation jet costs between $10 to $12 million to purchase, with operating expenses clocking in at around $3 million per year. But you don’t have to own a jet to fly like a CEO. Private charters can now be booked by the hour, like hailing a limo. Yes, it’s expensive—but time is money, and for many business executives, the productivity gained from skipping layovers and flying direct more than makes up for the cost.

That same mindset—balancing cost, time, and opportunity—applies to mortgages too. One attendee, Victor, asked if he should pay off his $33,000 remaining mortgage early. Ric Edelman explained that at the end of a mortgage term, most of the monthly payment is principal, meaning there’s little interest left to deduct or save on. Instead of paying it off early, Ric suggested refinancing to restart the interest cycle. That could reduce the monthly payment and increase the interest deduction, keeping more cash flowing each month.

But finance isn’t just about tactical moves—it’s about long-term vision. Ric addressed the challenge of staying focused on big goals like retirement or college savings while the financial media screams about market volatility. He compared long-term investors to sailors, calmly navigating the tides, while short-term thinkers are like surfers chasing the next wave. He called the media hype “financial pornography”—entertaining but unproductive. The key? Ignore the noise and stick to your plan.

That’s especially important if you don’t have access to employer-sponsored retirement plans. One attendee asked how to save for retirement while working part-time. Ric recommended opening an IRA, which requires as little as $25 to start. He also encouraged seeking full-time roles with benefits since up to 40% of total compensation often comes from retirement contributions, healthcare, and other non-cash perks.

Then came the perfect parallel—discipline in finance meets discipline in fitness. Denise Austin shared her journey, from training under Jack LaLanne in the early ‘80s to becoming a national fitness expert. She described cold-calling NBC’s Steve Friedman 35 times before finally landing her big break on the Today Show. That kind of persistence, she said, is exactly what it takes to build lasting wealth. Small, consistent actions—whether saving $50 a month or walking 30 minutes a day—lead to big long-term results. Denise even offered tips on simple exercises you can do at your desk. Isometric muscle contractions during conference calls? Why not. It’s the same logic Ric applies to money: make it easy, make it consistent, and make it work for you.

Together, Ric and Denise emphasized that wealth and health aren’t separate goals—they’re intertwined. Just as skipping a day at the gym won’t destroy your fitness, missing a month of investing won’t ruin your retirement. But do it consistently—ignore it regularly—and the damage compounds. The good news? So do the gains.

In a lighter moment, the group tackled a trivia question: when did federal income tax begin? Most guessed the 1920s or 1930s. The real answer? 1913. Proof that financial literacy requires more than just watching CNBC—you’ve got to study history too.

And of course, Ric brought the humor. From clients naming their cars after financial advisors to stories about psychics and nonprofits that raise alpacas for mental health awareness, Ric reminded us that finance, like life, should never be taken too seriously.

In the end, whether you’re chartering jets, refinancing a mortgage, opening an IRA, or squeezing in a set of pushups between meetings, the formula is the same: be strategic, be consistent, and don’t let the noise distract you from your goals.

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