
Against All Odds
The Remarkable True Story of a Street Kid Who Became a Millionaire
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
$0.99/mo for the first 3 months

Buy for $19.95
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Robbie Smith
-
By:
-
Jeff Lestz
About this listen
Over the last decade, Jeff Lestz has emerged as a prominent voice in the area of personal finance. He is a successful CEO, author, and public speaker who works tirelessly to help individuals and families become financially free. The honesty, wisdom, and expertise with which he does this is truly a breath of fresh air. In this autobiography, a raw and heartbreaking piece of storytelling, Jeff invites listeners along on the “rags to riches” journey of his life.
From what seemed to be a perfect childhood, things quickly spiraled out of control: from his father’s suicide and years spent in foster care to his mother’s untimely death and being orphaned at age eight. Along the way, Jeff shares details of the tumultuous years spent as a homeless teenager and the life-altering decision to change the negative trajectory of his journey.
With remarkable candor and the inclusion of eyewitness accounts, Jeff tells the story of his incredible transformation and quest for financial freedom. After rising through the ranks of the financial industry, he shares the principles which helped him become a millionaire at age 31.
Against All Odds is a deeply moving account about one boy who had all the odds stacked against him, but through grit, hard work and determination, defied the statistics to become a success. Each chapter includes valuable life lessons and will inspire listeners from every walk of life to look beyond their circumstances, take responsibility for their choices, and move into the life they’ve always wanted.
©2020 Jeff Lestz (P)2020 Jeff LestzListeners also enjoyed...
-
Walk Through Fire
- A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Triumph
- By: Sheila Johnson
- Narrated by: Sheila Johnson
- Length: 7 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Filled with sharply drawn, emotionally powerful senses, Walk Through Fire traces the hardships Sheila faced in her marriage and her professional life. Despite her skills as a violinist and music teacher, as well as her obvious entrepreneurial talent, she had to fight to overcome self-doubt and fears of failure. Sheila vividly details her struggles, including battling institutional racism, losing a child, suffering emotional abuse in her thirty-three-year marriage, and plunging into a deep depression with her divorce. And yet, out of that pain came renewed purpose and meaning.
-
-
I am The Salamander
- By Dee Burton on 09-27-23
By: Sheila Johnson
-
Hillbilly Elegy
- A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis
- By: J. D. Vance
- Narrated by: J. D. Vance
- Length: 6 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Hillbilly Elegy is a passionate and personal analysis of a culture in crisis - that of white working-class Americans. The decline of this group, a demographic of our country that has been slowly disintegrating over 40 years, has been reported on with growing frequency and alarm but has never before been written about as searingly from the inside. J. D. Vance tells the true story of what a social, regional, and class decline feels like when you were born with it hung around your neck.
-
-
In Mamaw's Contradictions Lay Great Wisdom
- By Cynthia on 11-20-16
By: J. D. Vance
-
Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun?
- How Reginald Lewis Created a Billion-Dollar Business Empire
- By: Reginald F. Lewis, Blair S. Walker
- Narrated by: JD Jackson, Christina Lewis
- Length: 13 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When six-year-old Reginald Lewis overheard his grandparents discussing employment discrimination against African Americans, he asked, “Why should white guys have all the fun?" This self-assured child would grow up to become the CEO of Beatrice International and one of the most successful entrepreneurs ever. At the time of his death in 1993, his personal fortune was estimated in excess of $400 million and his vast commercial empire spanned four continents.
-
-
Outstanding- inspiring and instructional
- By Gavin S on 09-15-20
By: Reginald F. Lewis, and others
-
The Answer Is...
- Reflections on My Life
- By: Alex Trebek
- Narrated by: Ken Jennings, Alex Trebek
- Length: 4 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Longtime Jeopardy! host and television icon Alex Trebek reflects on his life and career. The book combines illuminating personal anecdotes with Trebek’s thoughts on a range of topics, including marriage, parenthood, education, success, spirituality, and philanthropy. Trebek also addresses the questions he gets asked most often by Jeopardy! fans, such as what prompted him to shave his signature mustache, his insights on legendary players like Ken Jennings and James Holzhauer, and his opinion of Will Ferrell’s Saturday Night Live impersonation.
-
-
AMAZING.
- By Anonymous User on 07-21-20
By: Alex Trebek
-
Nothing Is Missing
- A Memoir of Living Boldly
- By: Nicole Walters
- Narrated by: Nicole Walters
- Length: 9 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Nothing Is Missing is a “sparkling and impassioned story” (Glamour) of what it takes to show up for yourself—and the joy that can come once you do. Raised in a home where food was unstable and anger was the norm, Nicole learned that she needed to take charge of her own safety and security. So she did: She got into an elite private school by talking to a stranger in her dad’s cab, she strategized her way onto Wheel of Fortune to pay for college, she adopted three girls after meeting their mother panhandling, she quit her job to launch her own business, and she struggled.
-
-
Loved it
- By Nikki Lewis on 10-28-23
By: Nicole Walters
-
Walking with My Angels
- A True Story
- By: Keith Leon S.
- Narrated by: Keith Leon S.
- Length: 8 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Thirty years ago, Keith Leon S. received a message from angels. He was told that he would write a book that would change lives. Anyone who held this book in their hands would be raised to their next level of vibration. Finally, here it is. This is the true story of a man whose life was spared over and over again with the help of his angels. He has witnessed miracles. He has witnessed time reverse. The stories of his adventures with his angels are thrilling, as well as being full of humor and wonder. Now, Keith is on a mission to introduce you to your heavenly helpers.
-
-
Highly recommended!
- By B.Dova on 10-17-21
By: Keith Leon S.
-
Walk Through Fire
- A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Triumph
- By: Sheila Johnson
- Narrated by: Sheila Johnson
- Length: 7 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Filled with sharply drawn, emotionally powerful senses, Walk Through Fire traces the hardships Sheila faced in her marriage and her professional life. Despite her skills as a violinist and music teacher, as well as her obvious entrepreneurial talent, she had to fight to overcome self-doubt and fears of failure. Sheila vividly details her struggles, including battling institutional racism, losing a child, suffering emotional abuse in her thirty-three-year marriage, and plunging into a deep depression with her divorce. And yet, out of that pain came renewed purpose and meaning.
-
-
I am The Salamander
- By Dee Burton on 09-27-23
By: Sheila Johnson
-
Hillbilly Elegy
- A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis
- By: J. D. Vance
- Narrated by: J. D. Vance
- Length: 6 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Hillbilly Elegy is a passionate and personal analysis of a culture in crisis - that of white working-class Americans. The decline of this group, a demographic of our country that has been slowly disintegrating over 40 years, has been reported on with growing frequency and alarm but has never before been written about as searingly from the inside. J. D. Vance tells the true story of what a social, regional, and class decline feels like when you were born with it hung around your neck.
-
-
In Mamaw's Contradictions Lay Great Wisdom
- By Cynthia on 11-20-16
By: J. D. Vance
-
Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun?
- How Reginald Lewis Created a Billion-Dollar Business Empire
- By: Reginald F. Lewis, Blair S. Walker
- Narrated by: JD Jackson, Christina Lewis
- Length: 13 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When six-year-old Reginald Lewis overheard his grandparents discussing employment discrimination against African Americans, he asked, “Why should white guys have all the fun?" This self-assured child would grow up to become the CEO of Beatrice International and one of the most successful entrepreneurs ever. At the time of his death in 1993, his personal fortune was estimated in excess of $400 million and his vast commercial empire spanned four continents.
-
-
Outstanding- inspiring and instructional
- By Gavin S on 09-15-20
By: Reginald F. Lewis, and others
-
The Answer Is...
- Reflections on My Life
- By: Alex Trebek
- Narrated by: Ken Jennings, Alex Trebek
- Length: 4 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Longtime Jeopardy! host and television icon Alex Trebek reflects on his life and career. The book combines illuminating personal anecdotes with Trebek’s thoughts on a range of topics, including marriage, parenthood, education, success, spirituality, and philanthropy. Trebek also addresses the questions he gets asked most often by Jeopardy! fans, such as what prompted him to shave his signature mustache, his insights on legendary players like Ken Jennings and James Holzhauer, and his opinion of Will Ferrell’s Saturday Night Live impersonation.
-
-
AMAZING.
- By Anonymous User on 07-21-20
By: Alex Trebek
-
Nothing Is Missing
- A Memoir of Living Boldly
- By: Nicole Walters
- Narrated by: Nicole Walters
- Length: 9 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Nothing Is Missing is a “sparkling and impassioned story” (Glamour) of what it takes to show up for yourself—and the joy that can come once you do. Raised in a home where food was unstable and anger was the norm, Nicole learned that she needed to take charge of her own safety and security. So she did: She got into an elite private school by talking to a stranger in her dad’s cab, she strategized her way onto Wheel of Fortune to pay for college, she adopted three girls after meeting their mother panhandling, she quit her job to launch her own business, and she struggled.
-
-
Loved it
- By Nikki Lewis on 10-28-23
By: Nicole Walters
-
Walking with My Angels
- A True Story
- By: Keith Leon S.
- Narrated by: Keith Leon S.
- Length: 8 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Thirty years ago, Keith Leon S. received a message from angels. He was told that he would write a book that would change lives. Anyone who held this book in their hands would be raised to their next level of vibration. Finally, here it is. This is the true story of a man whose life was spared over and over again with the help of his angels. He has witnessed miracles. He has witnessed time reverse. The stories of his adventures with his angels are thrilling, as well as being full of humor and wonder. Now, Keith is on a mission to introduce you to your heavenly helpers.
-
-
Highly recommended!
- By B.Dova on 10-17-21
By: Keith Leon S.
-
Big Lucky
- Serial Entrepreneur Jim Markham's Secret Formula for Success
- By: Jim Markham
- Narrated by: Jim Markham, Lauren Wild
- Length: 5 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
With five successful companies to his name and over $1.2 billion in combined retail sales, serial entrepreneur Jim Markham has made an indelible mark on the hair care industry. Across six decades, he has built a legacy of innovation that has forever changed how people care for their hair. But the path to success wasn't foregone, obvious, or easy. In his early years, nobody would have wagered on his success. Armed only with sheer determination and an unflappable confidence that he was meant for something bigger, Jim fought to make it from the bottom to the top - more than once.
-
-
Great Book!
- By Jay Markham on 02-25-20
By: Jim Markham
-
Through the Fires
- An American Business Story of Turbulence, Triumph and Giving Back
- By: Robert Owen Carr, Dirk Johnson - contributor
- Narrated by: Sean Pratt
- Length: 4 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Through the Fires is a triumphant comeback story in life and business. Robert Carr reflects on decades of struggle that took him to the brink of financial ruin at age 50. Carr would later make a fortune in the card payments industry only to lose almost everything in 2009 after one of the most devastating data breaches ever.
-
-
AMAZING!
- By Anonymous User on 11-18-17
By: Robert Owen Carr, and others
-
Chronicles of a Fashion Buyer
- The Mostly True Adventures of an International Fashion Buyer
- By: Mercedes Gonzalez
- Narrated by: Mercedes Gonzalez
- Length: 9 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Fashion is a business of smoke and mirrors, notorious for crushing the souls of most who dare to be part of the industry. Go on a global expedition with New York City-based fashion buyer, strategist, and consultant, Mercedes Gonzalez, as she learns that there is no glamour in fashion and that only cutthroat corporate espionage prevails. From politicking with blood diamond dealers and Russian kingpins to living in indigenous villages, she has relied on her street smarts and fear of her uncle in order to outwit the industry tyrants at their own game.
-
-
Very Enagaging
- By Rainbow on 07-31-23
-
I Almost Cancelled
- Showing Up When Fear Tells You to Stay Home
- By: Jessica Bettencourt
- Narrated by: Jessica Bettencourt
- Length: 6 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
How to wipe out self-doubt and step out with confidence. Jessica Bettencourt knows what it’s like to face rejection, feel like she doesn’t belong, and second-guess big decisions. But she also knows that we have to face fear and risk failure to live out our calling. In I Almost Cancelled, Jessica shares how one scary decision after another led to a life she couldn't even imagine.
-
-
Great Book!
- By hammees on 01-05-21
-
Blind Ambition
- How to Go from Victim to Visionary
- By: Chad E. Foster
- Narrated by: Zach Hoffman
- Length: 5 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
While most people were preparing for the adventure of adult life, Chad E. Foster was watching the world he grew up with fade to black. But that didn’t stop him from becoming the first blind person to graduate from the Harvard Business School leadership program and climbing the corporate ladder as a successful finance/sales executive. With determination, ambition, and drive, Chad created what Oracle said would be impossible. He gave millions of people the ability to earn a living by becoming the first to create customer relationship software for the visually impaired.
-
-
Can’t wait to hear him speak!
- By Danielle on 01-31-25
By: Chad E. Foster
-
The Good, the God and the Ugly
- The Inside Story of a Supernatural Family
- By: Kathy Vallotton, Bill Johnson - foreword, Beni Johnson - foreword
- Narrated by: Kathy Vallotton
- Length: 5 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
At just 12 years of age, Kathy met Kris, age 15, and for her it was love at first sight. Before her lay the adventure of doing life with a man who would become an influential prophetic leader; raising children while being part of one of the largest Spirit-filled networks on the globe; and her own position of leadership, sparking a movement with her husband that has impacted much of the world.
-
-
Easily held my attention!
- By Amazon Customer on 07-13-24
By: Kathy Vallotton, and others
-
Beating the Odds
- Eddie Brown's Investing and Life Strategies
- By: Eddie Brown, Blair S. Walker
- Narrated by: Mirron Willis
- Length: 6 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Beating the Odds is the improbable, inspiring autobiography of financial guru Eddie C. Brown, one of the nation's top stock pickers and money managers. It details how Brown skillfully kept Brown Capital Management afloat through the dot-com bust, 9/11, and the Great Recession. Born to a 13-year-old unwed mother in the rural South, this African-American investment whiz created a Baltimore-based financial firm that amassed more than $6 billion under management.
-
-
Inspiring story
- By ryan sims on 02-18-23
By: Eddie Brown, and others
-
Unleashing Your Hero
- Rise Above Any Challenge, Expand Your Impact, and Be the Hero the World Needs
- By: Kevin D. Brown
- Narrated by: Kevin Brown
- Length: 5 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Unleashing Your Hero, renowned speaker Kevin Brown shares how the heroes who transformed his life are people just like you. People who stepped up and used their talents to make a positive difference within the hectic moments of everyday life. The same person your employees are looking to and trusting in for guidance and support.
-
-
Must read for anyone who wants to be a hero or to be reminded who their hero is
- By David M Cohen on 09-07-22
By: Kevin D. Brown
-
Cack-Handed
- A Memoir
- By: Gina Yashere
- Narrated by: Gina Yashere
- Length: 8 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The British comedian of Nigerian heritage and co-executive producer and writer of the CBS hit series Bob Hearts Abishola chronicles her odyssey to get to America and break into Hollywood in this lively and humorous memoir.
-
-
Be prepared to: Laugh. Learn. Get angry. Cry. Research/Fact-Check.
- By Omokhaye Ekhaese on 07-08-21
By: Gina Yashere
-
Pops
- Learning to Be a Son and a Father
- By: Craig Melvin
- Narrated by: Craig Melvin
- Length: 7 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For Craig Melvin this book is more an investigation than a memoir. It's an opportunity to better understand his father; to interrogate his family's legacy of addiction and despair but also transformation and redemption; and to explore the challenges facing all dads - including Craig himself, a father of two young children.
-
-
Close to Home
- By Michael HS on 06-22-21
By: Craig Melvin
-
I Have Something to Tell You
- A Memoir
- By: Chasten Buttigieg
- Narrated by: Chasten Buttigieg
- Length: 7 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Throughout the past year, teacher Chasten Glezman Buttigieg has emerged on the national stage, having left his classroom in South Bend, Indiana, to travel cross-country in support of his husband, former mayor Pete Buttigieg, and Pete's groundbreaking presidential campaign. Through Chasten's joyful, witty social media posts, the public gained a behind-the-scenes look at his life with Pete on the trail - moments that might have ranged from the mundane to the surprising, but that were always heartfelt.
-
-
A common yet inspiring and hopeful story
- By Steph on 09-03-20
-
The Cobbler
- How I Disrupted an Industry, Fell from Grace, and Came Back Stronger than Ever
- By: Steve Madden
- Narrated by: Steve Madden
- Length: 5 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Everyone knows Steve Madden's name and his shoes, but few are familiar with his story. Over the past 30 years, Steve Madden has taken his eponymous shoe company from the fledgling start-up he founded with a mere $1,100 to a global, multibillion-dollar brand. But Madden's mistakes, from his battle with addiction to the financial shortcuts that landed him in prison, are as important to his story as his most iconic shoes. In this raw, intimate, and ultimately inspiring book, Madden holds nothing back as he shares what it took to get here and the lessons he's learned along the way.
-
-
A good story, poorly executed
- By Dre Baldwin on 12-25-24
By: Steve Madden
What listeners say about Against All Odds
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- J.C.
- 12-13-21
One Powerful Story
This is one of the powerful stories that I have ever heard. This should be on the must listen list of all entrepreneurs, especially those who come from the school of hard knocks. In truth, Jeff’s story (background) is all of the hard knock kids’ story. He saw his through and didn’t quit! This book is not singular, it is a blend of self determination, joy and pain, self-examination, self-improvement, accountability, coming to turns with yourself, business education and a lesson in trusting God! I encourage all to purchase and listen to this timeless gem and offering to the human family.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Gawie
- 04-23-22
Beyond Inspiring!!
I came to the book expecting just another business biography but was pleasantly surprised and were so inspired by Jeff’s life. I read loads of biographies and business books and this was really one of the most inspiring books ever..If you enjoyed the likes of Shoe Dog from Phil Knight you will love this!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Laia
- 02-04-21
Remarkable life story! WOW
I could not put down this book. I read it in one day. Incredible real life story. You are going to be inspired by the life of the author, Jeff Lestz and his legacy. I highly recommend it to anyone really. This book is for youth, adults, entrepreneurs, people struggling with debt, loss and anyone in search of purpose and inspiration to live a better and more meaningful life. Powerful and faith building testimony! Very easy read. I loved every page in it!!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Tom
- 01-24-21
Wow! Incredible Story
Thank you Jeff for sharing your story and incredible business principles that will empower any entrepreneur to succeed in life and business!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- J.R. Ellison
- 05-22-21
Great Story
Love the true story as well as the wise counsel contained within Jeff's story.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!