Building True Wealth: An Interview with Chad Free, Author of The Wealth Revolution

Author of The Wealth Revolution

In a world obsessed with financial tactics and investment strategies, Chad Free dares to ask a different question: What if 80% of wealth building happens on the inside?

For over two decades, Free has designed financial models for the ultra-wealthy, gaining intimate access to how the top 1% truly think about and move their money. But his journey through the corridors of extreme wealth revealed something the financial industry doesn't advertise—you can architect the perfect portfolio and still be spiritually bankrupt.

That revelation sparked what Free calls a "mindset revolution," which he captures in his book The Wealth Revolution. As the founder of Black Diamond Money Moves, he's on a mission that extends far beyond balance sheets and tax strategies. While he still teaches the sophisticated "Money Moves" of millionaires—the tax-efficient strategies, protected growth models, and wealth optimization techniques that accelerate financial freedom—he's discovered that none of it matters without internal transformation.

Free's approach challenges everything conventional wisdom teaches about wealth building. He operates from a revolutionary premise: everyone is created on purpose, for a purpose. The problem? Outdated mindsets and financial misconceptions keep most people trapped on what he calls "the hamster wheel"—accumulating wealth while losing themselves, their presence, and their peace in the process.

His Protected Growth Maximizer offers market-like returns with zero downside risk. His tax strategies help clients legally minimize liabilities and retain more resources. But these external tools, he insists, only work when paired with internal alignment. True financial success, he's learned, begins within.

In this candid conversation, Free opens up about his own journey from empty success to what he calls "true wealth"—sharing the framework that transformed not just his bank account, but his entire life. It's wealth building that doesn't cost you your soul.

Every entrepreneur is trying to invest their money and build wealth. But before we get into specific strategies, I want to ask you something foundational: What does it mean to build wealth? How should we even think about wealth building and money before we pick a specific way to do it?

I talk about this differently than most people in the wealth space. True wealth is an abundance of anything that you value. You've got to get that right first before you start building wealth.

Here's what I've learned: ambition will take you to a point, but surrender will get you to your purpose. And this is critical—80% of wealth is inside. Yes, I've put together all these wealth plans and been very fortunate and blessed in my career, but why do all of that and be empty inside?

I found myself on the hamster wheel, and I kept telling myself it was for the benefit of my family. That's what kept me going because that's what I'm supposed to do, right? But when I'm throwing the football with my kids and I'm thinking about whether the deal is going to close tomorrow or if the strategic partnership will work out for me in a couple of months, I'm not present.

We've got to get the foundation first—the foundation of purpose. And what is purpose? It's not necessarily a destination. It's a direction in becoming who God created you to be every single day. That's true wealth. We have to start there.

That's powerful. Let's talk about habits and rituals. You work with successful people, you run businesses—what's one breakthrough habit or ritual that you do daily or regularly that has really moved you forward?

I think it's maintaining my alignment the best that I can. Let me give you an analogy. You can have a Lambo or whatever your favorite car is, and it's fast, it runs great, but if it's got a flat tire, you can still go, but you're not going to go as fast. And if you ignore it, it'll start tearing things up, right?

I learned that I was living my life with my Jesus tab open, but when my heart broke, my eyes opened, and now He's my operating system. When you get those four parts of your nature right—the spirit, confidence in knowing that you are pursuing your purpose—that feeds your heart, and it gives you the desire to be what God created you to be. And that makes you want to learn that knowledge and practice your skill.

Can you share more about how you view true wealth building?

Absolutely. I have what I call the True Wealth Building Pyramid. I believe wealth is built from the inside out, not the outside in.

When you pursue your purpose, God will unlock that potential inside of you. And for many of you reading this, you may not know what that potential is yet. I didn't know that I would be standing in front of audiences speaking. That gift is something that's not learned, earned, or even deserved. But He unlocks your potential.

Once that happens, you become very present. That is super important to me, and I get emotional every time I think about those years that I've missed—not being where my feet are, not being fully there with my family and the people I love.

Then you become profitable. You stop chasing because you're your authentic self, and you just start attracting. Let me tell you something—that's when it leads to peace. So I try to make sure that my alignment is right where it needs to be.

That's a powerful framework. Any final thoughts on this approach to wealth?

Here's your verse: Proverbs 19:21. If we're Christians and believers, this verse says that man has many plans, but God's purpose will prevail. Why not throw the sails up and go with Him?

Remember this: 80% of wealth is internal. If you have all the money in the world but no peace and no purpose, what good is it? True wealth starts from within. Get your purpose right, let God unlock your potential, become present in your life, and then you'll become profitable in a way that leads to lasting peace.

That's the revolution—it's not just about mindset and money, it's about aligning both with your divine purpose.