In this episode of “Y.E.L. 2.0”, host Peter Voogd, Founder of the prestigious ‘Game Changers Academy’ talks with guest Mr. Michael Franzese, one of the only high ranking officials of a major crime family to walk away publicly from the mob and survive. Peter dives deep into Michael’s life, who he was, and how he is an inspiration to a lot of young entrepreneurs, young CEOs, businessmen and women. Episode Highlights:  At one point, Michael was making 6 to 8 million per week, which a lot of people can't get over that, reveals Peter. In 1986, Forbes magazine ranked him as number 18, on the list of the 50 most wealthy and powerful mob bosses. Michael says he was very driven when he was 22 or 23 years old. Not so much to have the greatest of everything but just to be able to survive and have money and do what he wants. Michael reveals that his dad was a very high profile figure and he was convicted of a crime that he never did. He was allegedly masterminded a series of nationwide bank robberies, and it was a frame up. What was it that drove you to become one of the most powerful people in that life at that time? Asks Peter. Peter asks what was it that made someone gain Michael’s respect back when he was 35 or 36? If you ever had a challenge of confrontation with John, you had to know that he would never settle for anyone thinking that he lost an argument. Michael states that even though his father was a famous personality, and had a lot of respect, it didn't matter. Michael was at the same level as any other guy. There were times when Michael would give in a little bit, but not to a point where he had to compromise his position. Peter enquires, is there any tactics that Michael can give on how to be successful at a young age? Kevin Eastman says one of the best things he ever learned that he teaches athletes is big eyes, big ears, and small mouth. Michael gives some of his insights, and tactics in terms of negotiation. He says we are negotiating every day in our life about something. I gained a lot of experience in these negotiations and I never lost my pool, says Michael. Michael says a lot of things that they did were as a result of their political connections as far as law enforcement. He had political connections to get them otherwise he couldn't get licensed. We were bringing in at one point time $6 to $8 million a week in tax money and it just grew. We ran an operation for over seven year. Michael tells that he was the youngest guy at one point in time and now he’s the oldest guy but we shouldn't be worried about that. A lot of young people today are soft; they don't know what it is to come up the hard way. They don't know what it is to really work hard and value. Michael feels so blessed right now that to change anything that went I would say I'm snubbing my nose at the blessings that I have because I'm comfortable in my life. Peter questions, is there any strategies or tools you've used to help people acquire emotional intelligence to not be triggered by one newscast or by one statement? One of the most attractive qualities that I find in people is humility, especially with people who have power, money, and control and they are being humble. Networking really changed my life as well being from a small town, says Peter. Peter asks Michael, did you never have fear because of how you were brought up. There was an article that came out in the newspaper that said that I was becoming powerful enough to bring away from the Colombo family and start my own family. In any organization, when you have a number of people working under you, you got to know how to manage them properly. Peter asks Michael about his favorite and most accurate movie? I think a lot of people are going to be watching Gaudi or Casino or Villas after this, says Peter. Peter mentions that there were some interviews where it was straight mob stuff, but in his head he thinks why he didn’t ask questions that could actually inspire the audience.