500 gym sessions in under two years.

What started as convenience turned into identity.

In this episode of The Number, Wendy and Kelsey break down what it really takes to move from interested to committed.

Kelsey did not wait for motivation.

He built structure.

A gym across the street.
A non negotiable calendar block.

No decision fatigue.

And then something shifted.

500 sessions later, he does not try to work out.

He trains.

This conversation connects fitness, money, and business. Because whether it is your health or your wealth, results come from systems, not bursts of inspiration.

Join The Freedom Files
Tired of money advice that feels complicated or out of touch?
Discover Freedom Files from Black Star Wealth — a bi-weekly dose of smart financial insights and real stories about building a life on your own terms.
Because freedom isn’t someday — it’s something you design.
Subscribe now at blackstarwealth.com/freedomfiles

Twenty years.

That’s the number that launches The Number.

In this first episode, Wendy Brookhouse and Kelsey MacAulay introduce the podcast and the concept behind it: beginning every conversation with a number and uncovering the story that sits behind it.

The milestone number 20 marks Wendy’s twentieth year in the financial industry. What began as business consulting evolved into an independent financial planning practice grounded in curiosity, education, and doing what is right—not what is easy.

Wendy and Kelsey discuss what has changed over the past two decades, from pandemic‑driven digital acceleration to the rise of AI and faster approval processes. They also explore what has stayed constant: every client brings their own story, fears, aspirations, and definition of success.

With fewer than 17 percent of independent financial advisors being female, Wendy reflects on the importance of empathy and emotional intelligence in modern financial planning—skills that she believes will matter even more in the years ahead.

They also outline the three core planning pathways at Black Star Wealth:

• The One Number Solution
• Retirement Planning
• Total Wealth Blueprint for Business Owners

You’ll hear why the firm is shifting toward fixed‑fee models to offer greater transparency and clarity for clients.

This episode sets the tone for what The Number is all about: clarity, empowerment, and real conversations about the numbers that shape your life.

Join The Freedom Files
Tired of money advice that feels complicated or out of touch?
Discover Freedom Files from Black Star Wealth — a bi-weekly dose of smart financial insights and real stories about building a life on your own terms.
Because freedom isn’t someday — it’s something you design.
Subscribe now at blackstarwealth.com/freedomfiles

This episode takes a turn.
Wendy’s not in the host chair.
I slide in to interview her and Kelsey as we wrap up 2025 and look straight into 2026.

We cover what surprised them about business owners this year, where owners are getting stuck, why so many people are tired, and why resilience and action suddenly matter more than ever.

We dig into the myths that refuse to die, the habits that make a business sellable, and the blind spots that can wipe out value overnight.

We also talk about life after the sale.
The identity stuff.
The what now moment.

If you’re planning to sell in five years or you’re nowhere near ready but want the option, this one will get you thinking.

Join The Freedom Files
Tired of money advice that feels complicated or out of touch?
Discover Freedom Files from Black Star Wealth — a bi-weekly dose of smart financial insights and real stories about building a life on your own terms.
Because freedom isn’t someday — it’s something you design.
Subscribe now at blackstarwealth.com/freedomfiles