The Backyard Trend That’s Replacing Pools in 2026

This episode was sponsored by Cardiff

LightSpeed VT: https://www.lightspeedvt.com/
Dropping Bombs Podcast: https://www.droppingbombs.com/

Today's Dropping Bombs episode features Brian Fitzsimmons — a kid who dug a hole at 12, became the #1 koi importer in America, survived a fire that should have ended him, and now sells $300K fish to the likes of Jake Paul.

Brian reveals the mindset shift that took him from cleaning ponds to scaling a multimillion-dollar operation, why a single koi can go from $100 to $10,000 as it grows, and why the backyard swim pond is quietly making the swimming pool obsolete.

This is what it looks like when someone goes all in on the thing everyone else ignored — and gets filthy rich doing it.

00:00 - Intro
01:23 - The most expensive koi ever sold
02:59 - Brian's start in the fish industry
04:06 - Creating swimmable backyard ponds
09:07 - Viewing koi as financial investments
13:38 - Overcoming the business warehouse fire
20:25 - Lessons on scaling and replacing oneself in business
23:33 - Opportunities for contractors to partner with Fitz's Fish Ponds
29:14 - Sponsored segment (Cardiff)
36:31 - Client success story with Jake Paul

🔗 Connect with Brian
Personal IG: https://www.instagram.com/brian._fitz
Fish Ponds IG: https://www.instagram.com/fitzfishponds
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Fitzfishponds

✅ Additional Resources
Fitz's Fish Ponds Website: https://www.fitzfishponds.com
Fitz's Fish Ponds Linktree: https://linktr.ee/FitzFishPonds

Watch the full-length video version of any Dropping Bombs episode here on YouTube.

Brad Lea is a self-made entrepreneur who turned small-town grit into a multi-million-dollar empire. With over 25 years dominating sales and leadership, he’s mentored thousands to outsmart, outwork, and out win their competition. His top-rated podcast, Dropping Bombs, brings raw, game-changing insights from the biggest names in business.

LightSpeed VT is Brad’s brainchild—the world’s leading interactive training platform. It’s built to make your team sharper, faster, and more effective, without wasting time or money. Whether you’re a startup or a Fortune 500, LightSpeed VT is how you scale success and dominate your industry. Curious? Check it out:
https://www.lightspeedvt.com/

Brad’s also behind Closer School, the go-to program for mastering sales and closing deals like a pro. Want to 10x your income? This is where you start. His book, The Hard Way, lays out the brutal, honest lessons he learned building his empire—your blueprint to winning the game. Get it here: https://bradlea.com/product/the-hard-way/

This isn’t just a video. It’s a wake-up call. Watch it. Share it. Act on it.
Closer School: https://www.closerschool.com/cs