From personal breakthroughs in fitness to cultivating a lifelong love of learning, Dan Cantiana reflects on the habits and choices that shape a life worth living.

Investing Beyond Finances: The Unseen Value of Personal Growth

On the latest episode of the DanCan Show, host Dan Cantiana invites listeners into a candid conversation about what it truly means to invest—in yourself, your well-being, and your future. While much of the show often centers on financial strategies and real estate investment, this episode takes a heartfelt detour into more personal territory: our relationship with food, the habits that hold us back, and the key decisions that set us on a transformative path.

The Wake-Up Call: “You Can’t Outrun the Fork”

Dan gets personal, sharing his own history with fitness and the pivotal moment that catapulted him into meaningful change. Growing up active and athletic, the struggle with weight gain during periods of anxiety and life upheavals was a humbling experience. Tipping the scales at 233 pounds, he realized that even his passion for running couldn’t counteract poor eating habits. As Dan puts it, “You can’t outrun the fork.”

This revelation strikes a chord for many of us—those moments when we grasp that real change won’t come from quick fixes or willpower alone. It starts with a decision. As Dan notes, “To foster change, you first have to decide.”

Building Habits That Last: Atomic Inspirations

Support came in the form of James Clear’s bestselling book, Atomic Habits. Though not a weight-loss book by design, its message about building and sustaining habits offered Dan a blueprint for breakthrough. The principles he learned were simple yet profound: set a clear intention, track your progress, and build accountability.

He introduced practical tools into his journey—a spreadsheet to log daily weights and activities, regular check-ins, and candid conversations with loved ones. There were setbacks (including a two-week hiatus from tracking out of frustration), but the discipline of returning to the plan made lasting results possible.

Dan’s breakthrough wasn’t just about the pounds lost (nearly 30, for those keeping count), but about reclaiming energy, clarity, and confidence. The lesson: real, sustainable change often comes from tiny, repeated actions rather than grand gestures or crash diets.

Learning as a Way of Life: Never Lose Your Love of Learning

Beyond fitness, Dan shares wisdom from a heartfelt family milestone: his twins’ graduation. Of all the advice he could give, one message stands out—never lose your love of learning. Whether it’s reading classics like A Tale of Two Cities or educational guidebooks like A Thomas Jefferson Education, Dan extols the value of continuous growth and curiosity.

Lifelong learning isn’t just for academic success; it enriches relationships, sharpens professional skills, and fosters resilience through life’s transitions. For those contemplating homeschooling or seeking to reignite their own passion for personal development, Dan’s advice is clear: “If you read this book, it very well may start a spark that starts a massive fire of education for you.”

Take the First Step: Invest in What Matters Most

Dan leaves his audience with a practical challenge: consider what it would mean to put your time, energy, and resources into your own growth—physically, spiritually, and intellectually. Are you willing to take the first step toward change?

As Dan reminds us, breakthrough is possible—one habit, one book, one act of courage at a time. For those ready to begin, resources abound, from Atomic Habits to his personal list of top breakthrough books (just email DanCan@wavecapitallending.com for the list).

Remember: love well, do good, and start investing in the life you truly want—today.

Hosted by passionate leader Dan Cantillana, The DanCan Show is where faith, business, and personal growth intersect. With an unwavering belief in living with purpose and running a business rooted in biblical values, Dan empowers listeners to invest wisely—in themselves, in others, and in real estate.

This isn’t just another podcast about success—it’s a journey of self-discovery, intentional living, and building a life you love. Dan shares insights, stories, and strategies designed to help you achieve financial freedom, live with integrity, and make money effortlessly by aligning your work with your faith.

If you believe in loving what you do and doing what you love, you're in the right place.

Protect. Provide. Promote.

Join the movement!

Welcome to a special episode of The DanCan Show, hosted by Dan Cantillana! Dan shares how his team of investors helped a local church in Spokane, Washington reach its financial goals. He reveals creative ways to source off-market properties, the value of strong relationships, and how smart investing creates a positive ripple—boosting finances while benefiting the community. Dan also reflects on optimism, discipline, and generosity, with personal stories and a nostalgic moment from his past. Whether you’re a husband, father, business leader, or seeking to grow wealth while serving others, this episode blends real estate insight, leadership lessons, and uplifting stories that embody “love well and do good.”

1. Introduction – Church investment story and Dan’s philosophy: provide, promote, protect.
2. Story Overview – Church, Dan’s team, a neighbor, the city; focus on off-market deals.
3. Relationships & Origin – Wave Capital connections; golf course referral.
4. The Deal – Church sells rental property; parceling issues; neighbor outbids Dan; he walks away.
5. Resolution – Neighbor’s deal fails; Dan secures better price; all benefit.
6. Investing With Dan – Invitation via website/webinars.
7. Personal Reflection – Birthday and college construction stories; Proverbs 3:3.
8. Applying Lessons – Relationships + optimism drive success.
9. Community Involvement – Sponsoring events; giving first.
10. Final Thoughts – Recap; sign-off: Love well and do good.

Timestamps:
00:00 The Dan Can Show
04:03 Church Selling Property for Funds
06:58 Successful Investment and Renovation
11:07 Optimism Essential for Leadership
16:34 Building Relationships Through Community Engagement
17:35 Networking Success in Real Estate

Discussion Questions:

1. How did relationships impact the Spokane church deal?
2. How does Dan’s off-market sourcing differ from standard methods?
3. What does “make your money on the buy” mean here?
4. How were parceling challenges resolved?
5. How did the neighbor scenario affect Dan’s strategy?
6. How did walking away help him?
7. What lessons came from his college construction story?
8. How does Proverbs 3:3 tie to investing?
9. How does he use community involvement to grow his network?
10. How does being a “giver” fuel his success?

https://investwithdancan.com/
https://wavecapitallending.com/
http://www.bizzybeebookkeeping.com/
https://www.dancanspokane.com/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcWABX1LXk6wSDfndW4PIAQ/

Hosted by passionate leader Dan Cantillana, The DanCan Show is where faith, business, and personal growth intersect. With an unwavering belief in living with purpose and running a business rooted in biblical values, Dan empowers listeners to invest wisely—in themselves, in others, and in real estate.

This isn’t just another podcast about success—it’s a journey of self-discovery, intentional living, and building a life you love. Dan shares insights, stories, and strategies designed to help you achieve financial freedom, live with integrity, and make money effortlessly by aligning your work with your faith.

If you believe in loving what you do and doing what you love, you're in the right place.

Protect. Provide. Promote.

Join the movement!

https://investwithdancan.com/
https://wavecapitallending.com/
http://www.bizzybeebookkeeping.com/
https://www.dancanspokane.com/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcWABX1LXk6wSDfndW4PIAQ/

Welcome to The DanCan Show! In this episode, host Dan Cantillana reflects on how his first job as a 10-year-old paperboy in Keyport, Washington taught him key life and business lessons—hard work, customer service, collections, and referrals—that now fuel his real estate success. From humorous grocery store stories to flipping high-end homes and building referral networks, Dan shares insights to help you provide, protect, and promote in business and life. If you're a husband, father, or leader wanting passive income through real estate (especially in Spokane), this episode is filled with practical takeaways and reminders that relationships and trust are vital to financial growth.

1. Introduction and Podcast Purpose
Dan’s motto: “love what I do and I do what I love”
Focus: using early skills to build wealth
Audience: husbands, fathers, leaders
Mission: provide, protect, promote
2. Dan’s First Job & Referrals
Paper route at age 10 via friend’s referral
Learned service, collections, and reliability
Power of referral trust
3. Real Estate Referrals
Finding off-market deals
Working with wholesalers
Closing fast with private money
4. Market Activity
July recap, focus on starter homes
Courthouse buying, tenant care
5. Direct Mail Leads
New campaigns and old-school strategy
6. Dan’s Musings
Grapes, berries, and integrity
7. Lessons & Relationships
Early work ethic, community kindness, building strong connections
8. Final Takeaways
Lead sources + reminder to provide, protect, promote

Timestamps
00:00 Paper Route Start
04:29 Referral Power
08:13 Rottweiler Notice
11:01 Produce Check
13:59 Donut Theft
17:19 Referral Business

Discussion Questions:

1. What lessons did Dan learn as a paperboy?
2. Why are referrals central to his success?
3. What is “transfer of trust”?
4. How does Dan maintain his network?
5. What are pros/cons of courthouse deals?
6. Why does direct mail still work?
7. What does the grape story teach?
8. How does Dan strengthen relationships?
9. How do market shifts impact strategy?
10. What habits helped Dan succeed?