From Underdog to Servant Leader: Turning Grit into Connection with Ron Marvo

“I don’t care how big the obstacle is — if your why is strong, you’ll find a way to win.”

What if your greatest setbacks are your secret weapons?
In this episode of Doing Business with a Servant’s Heart, Steve sits down with Ron Marvo — boxer‑turned-business coach, founder of Academy 365, and host of Great American Underdog — to unravel how the rites of discipline, humility, and grit create a foundation for service in business.

Ron takes us from that moment in a high school science classroom when he defended himself, to winning Golden Gloves in New Jersey, to dominating automotive sales by leading with empathy. Through every pivot, Ron discovered that success isn’t about being loud — it’s about showing up with a servant’s heart.

You’ll hear:

Why underdogs carry more upside than perceived weakness

How boxing discipline translates into daily business execution

The three pillars Ron teaches: relationship, curiosity, and clarity

The MOAT framework (Margin, Opportunity, Advantage, Total market)

How to shift from pitching to pulling people toward you

If you’ve ever felt like the odds were stacked against you, this episode is a reminder: your why and your service can tilt the game.

P.S. Today’s your homework: Serve someone — even a stranger — in a small way. Then hit reply and tell me what you did. Small acts ripple.

Guest Bio

Ron Marvo is a coach, entrepreneur, and podcast host whose mission is to help underdogs become outstanding leaders. A former Golden Gloves boxing champion, Ron learned early that discipline, grit, and self‑respect shape the way we serve others. He went on to become a top‑rated brand specialist in the automotive world, and now leads Academy 365, where he teaches entrepreneurs and selling professionals to build real relationships, not just transactions. Ron also hosts Great American Underdog, a podcast spotlighting human stories of courage, resilience, and transformation. Connect with him at RonMarvo on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn — his life’s work is to leave people better than he found them.
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https://www.youtube.com/@Greatamericanunderdog

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