Episode 84

Fighting for the Future: Sam Lionelli’s Story of Grit & Giving (Part 2)

Published on: 21st August, 2025

Welcome back to Part 2 of our inspiring conversation with serial entrepreneur and founder of Combat Syndicate, Sam Lionelli. In this episode of Beauty & The Brain, hosts Dr. Chris Croley and Jerry Drinkard go even deeper into Sam’s personal story of resilience, transformation, and purpose-driven business.

🎙️ After sharing his entrepreneurial journey and the founding of Combat Syndicate in Part 1, Sam now opens up about his difficult childhood—including time spent in a homeless shelter—and how those early struggles shaped his passion for mentoring troubled and underprivileged youth through martial arts and community.


🧠 In Part 2, You’ll Learn:

  • Why mentorship matters more than material support
  • How Sam is creating safe spaces for youth through martial arts
  • Real stories of teens whose lives were transformed at Combat Syndicate
  • How to scale a mission-driven business while preserving its culture
  • Behind-the-scenes insight into Sam’s experience on The Blox
  • Sam’s advice to those who feel stuck, overlooked, or unsupported


Whether you’re a parent, entrepreneur, coach, or simply someone who believes in second chances, this episode will light a fire in your soul.


🔗 Missed Part 1?

Watch it here → https://youtu.be/b7gx4JG7wUo?si=eELikMNlOIrsinMu


🔗 Connect with Sam Lionelli & Combat Syndicate

Instagram: @hobosam_ @combatsyndicate

Facebook: / samuel.lionelli

https://combatsyndicate.org


🧠 Beauty & The Brain brings you honest conversations at the intersection of aesthetics, entrepreneurship, and emotional intelligence. Hosted by Dr. Chris Croley and Jerry Drinkard, we spotlight thought leaders, disruptors, and real people making real impact.


📌 Subscribe for weekly episodes.

👍 Like, Comment, and Share to help amplify Sam’s mission.

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About the Podcast

Beauty & The Brain®
A Deep Dive into Medical Aesthetics
Welcome to Beauty & The Brain, the podcast where we take a deep dive into the fascinating world of medical aesthetics! I'm Dr. Chris Croley, and I'm joined by my co-host Jerry Drinkard, a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner. Together, we co-own Skin & Tonic, a medical spa that's passionate about providing the latest and greatest treatments to help our clients look and feel their best.

We started this podcast out of our love for medical aesthetics and our desire to share our knowledge and insights with others. Every week, we'll be discussing new trends, sharing our thoughts on controversial topics, and keeping you up to date on the latest technology in the industry. But we won't just be talking to ourselves! We're excited to bring in experts and industry leaders to share their perspectives and insights with our listeners.

Our goal is to provide a podcast that's authentic, informative, and genuinely helpful for anyone who's interested in beauty and wellness. Whether you're a beauty enthusiast or a medical professional, we hope you'll tune in every week to learn something new and join us on this journey of discovery.

So, if you're ready to dive into the world of medical aesthetics, join us on Beauty & The Brain, and let's explore this fascinating industry together!