Every once in a while, I have a conversation that shifts something in me—and this one did. Andrew Marino didn’t just show up on the podcast with a resume or a brand. He showed up with lived experience, bold decisions, and leadership wisdom that you can’t fake.
I left our conversation thinking differently about ambition, freedom, and what it really means to build a fulfilling life.
“The chaser that takes the talent over the top into success is hunger.” — Scott Galloway
That quote set the tone. Andrew has hunger—but not the kind that’s desperate for titles or approval. It’s the kind that’s laser-focused on meaning.
1. Define Success on Your Own Terms
Andrew shared how a single book changed his entire life trajectory: How Will You Measure Your Life? by Clayton Christensen. At the time, he was doing door-to-door sales, chasing income like most of us do early in our careers.
But something clicked.
“I realized I didn’t care about money for its own sake. What I cared about was the freedom it gave me to create experiences with the people I love.”
That idea stuck with me. Success isn’t always a bigger job or a higher income—it might be creating time to hike with your friends, launch a business, or show up for your family. Andrew helped me realize that freedom is the goal.
2. Make Decisions Based on Experiences
He doesn’t pick paths based on prestige. He picks them based on potential experiences.
Whether that’s moving to Hawaii for a summer, hitting three music festivals in a year, or cold messaging an executive at the Utah Jazz—his decisions are filtered through one lens: “Will this create a memorable experience?”
This reframing made me rethink a few things I’ve been hesitant about. What would change if we chose opportunities that made for better stories, not just better LinkedIn bios?
3. Don’t Take Things Personally
One of Andrew’s earliest jobs was in commission-only door-to-door pest control. Talk about rejection therapy.
He learned quickly not to internalize the no’s.
“They’re not saying no to you—they’re saying no to the product. And even if they slam the door, they’re just projecting their own frustration.”
That perspective is a game-changer, especially if you work in sales, creative fields, or leadership. We don’t control other people’s responses—but we do control how we respond to them.
4. Boundaries Build Stronger Leaders
We went deep on the power of saying no—and Andrew didn’t sugarcoat how hard that lesson was for him to learn. Like so many of us, he used to tie his value to how helpful he could be to others.
Therapy helped him separate his priorities from everyone else’s.
“Once you define your boundaries, ‘no’ becomes the only option to anything that doesn’t align.”
That’s a leadership skill we don’t talk about enough. Boundaries aren’t walls—they’re doors that only open for the right reasons.
5. Build Systems That Support Your Freedom
Andrew’s business, Royal Guard, is built around a value he lives by: freedom of time.
He doesn’t try to do everything himself. He creates systems—hiring social media editors, delegating tasks, and automating where possible—so he can focus on what truly matters to him.
“Build systems to automate the things you hate, so you can focus on the things you love.”
It’s a reminder that leadership isn’t just about doing more—it’s about doing less, but better.
6. Lead with Authenticity
This one hit hard.
Andrew shared how he never quite fit in—too Hispanic for some groups, not Hispanic enough for others. For years, he felt stuck between identities until he realized he didn’t need to fit into anyone’s box.
“You don’t need to fit in anywhere. Just be yourself, and the right people will come.”
As leaders, we often try to mold ourselves into what’s expected. But the real power comes from showing up exactly as we are—and letting our people find us.
7. Invest in Relationships
It’s not just a nice thing to do—it’s smart business. Andrew’s first customers were friends. His brand grew through relationships. His biggest opportunities came from classmates and connections who believed in him.
“Your network really is your net worth. And it starts in the rooms you’re already in.”
This is something I try to embody in my own life. Relationships are the most valuable asset any of us can invest in—and the ROI is always exponential.
8. Let Go of What You Don’t Need
Maybe my favorite line from our entire conversation was this:
“Happiness is letting go of what I don’t need.”
We carry so much—old expectations, fears, narratives that don’t serve us. Letting go isn’t easy, but it’s liberating.
Andrew reminded me that freedom doesn’t come from getting more. It often comes from carrying less.
The Good Old Days Are Happening Right Now
Before we wrapped, Andrew said something that’s been ringing in my head ever since:
“The good old days are happening right now.”
What a challenge. To be present. To live fully. To build our lives in a way that makes us proud—not five years from now, but today.
If you want to support Andrew’s work, check out his brand RoyalGuardCo.com—natural, essential oil-based personal care products designed to help men feel confident.
Or connect with him on LinkedIn. He’s the kind of guy who’ll actually take the time to respond, because that’s just who he is.
Thanks for reading.
If any of these ideas resonated, I’d love to hear from you.
And if you’re navigating your own “pathless path,” know this—you’re not lost. You’re leading.
On your own terms.
Noah Cisneros 
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