Very Caliente

The Cancer Was a Blessing - Faith, Exits & Success Without Stress with Carlos Malatesta

Episode Summary

Carlos Malatesta, entrepreneur, philanthropist and author, joins Pablo and Jennie to unpack how surviving stage three lymphatic cancer with a 30% survival rate rebuilt the way he works and lives. He traces his path from a childhood in Venezuela after his father’s abandonment, watching his mother work five jobs to keep the family afloat, through building APEX Energies out of a BP Solar subsidiary. After his relapse, Carlos traded an all-hours hustle for one priority a day, daily yoga and the school run, and still doubled revenue three years running before selling the company in 2022 for over 100 million euros. He closes on the deal he made with God during radiotherapy, Fundación Carlos Malatesta, and why he now believes the cancer was a blessing.

Episode Notes

Summary

Carlos Malatesta, entrepreneur, philanthropist and author, joins Pablo and Jennie to unpack how surviving stage three lymphatic cancer with a 30% survival rate rebuilt the way he works and lives. He traces his path from a childhood in Venezuela after his father’s abandonment, watching his mother work five jobs to keep the family afloat, through building APEX Energies out of a BP Solar subsidiary. After his relapse, Carlos traded an all-hours hustle for one priority a day, daily yoga and the school run, and still doubled revenue three years running before selling the company in 2022 for over 100 million euros. He closes on the deal he made with God during radiotherapy, Fundación Carlos Malatesta, and why he now believes the cancer was a blessing.

Main Topics

• Growing up in Venezuela after his father’s abandonment
• His mother working five jobs to raise three kids alone
• Building APEX Energies out of a BP Solar subsidiary
• First cancer diagnosis in 2015 and a false sense of “cured”
• Stage three relapse and a 30% survival rate
• The deal made with God during radiotherapy
• Trading an all-hours hustle for one priority a day
• Doubling revenue three years running while working less
• Selling APEX Energies in 2022 for 100+ million euros
• Fundación Carlos Malatesta and feeding street kids in Venezuela and Colombia
• Success Sin Estrés: helping entrepreneurs grow without burning out
• His book ¡Feliz!

Intriguing Quotes

• “Looking back, I can tell you that cancer was a blessing.” – Carlos Malatesta
• “Dios está conmigo y nada me va a pasar.” – Carlos Malatesta
• “I never imagined that working less could earn more.” – Carlos Malatesta
• “Never, never give up. Even if you only have a drop of energy left, move forward with that drop.” – Carlos Malatesta

Key Moments

• [01:53] - Growing up after his father’s abandonment and his mother’s five jobs
• [05:59] - Faith as the anchor: “Dios está conmigo y nada me va a pasar”
• [07:58] - Why, looking back, the cancer was a blessing
• [09:33] - Choosing family and health over the hustle after the relapse
• [10:56] - The daily non-negotiables: school run, yoga, one priority a day
• [13:57] - Life after the exit: five new ventures and Success Sin Estrés
• [15:11] - The deal made with God and the promise to help street kids
• [17:47] - Fundación Carlos Malatesta, the book ¡Feliz! and where the funds go
• [19:15] - Closing message: never, never give up

Notable Guests / Resources

• Carlos Malatesta, entrepreneur, philanthropist and author of ¡Feliz!
• Find Carlos on Instagram @carlosmalatestaoficial
• CarlosMalatesta.com
• Fundación Carlos Malatesta, partnered with Hogar Bambi and Fundación Niños de los Andes
• Success Sin Estrés mentorship program