You’ve seen them together on stage. The high-energy real estate mogul and the hyper-focused biohacker. For a few years, Grant Cardone and Gary Brecka were the poster boys for the "10X" lifestyle, promising to optimize your blood, your business, and your life. But honestly, the honeymoon is over. It didn't just end; it imploded.
Now, the legal documents are flying faster than a private jet.
When Gary Brecka sues Grant Cardone—or more accurately, when both sides start firing off lawsuits like tactical missiles—it’s about more than just a "disagreement." We’re talking about a $100 million defamation claim, allegations of siphoning business, and a nasty public breakup that involves their wives and a controversial video featuring Sean "Diddy" Combs.
The Day the 10X Dream Died
It basically all came to a head in November 2024. That’s when 10X Health Ventures officially gave Brecka the boot. According to court filings, the termination wasn't a "mutual parting of ways." It was a firing. Grant Cardone and his partner Brandon Dawson pulled the plug on Brecka’s role as the face of the brand, and that’s when the gloves came off.
The timing was brutal. Right after Christmas 2024, the lawsuits started dropping.
Brecka and his wife, Sage Workinger, didn't hold back. They filed a massive $100 million defamation lawsuit in Miami-Dade County. But they didn't just go after Grant. They went after his wife, Elena Cardone.
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Why?
It's kinda wild. Elena shared a video on Instagram of Brecka with Sean "Diddy" Combs. In the caption, she added "boy bye!" Brecka’s legal team argues this was a calculated move to link him to the headlines surrounding Combs at the time, effectively "smearing" his reputation just as he was exiting the 10X ecosystem.
Why Gary Brecka Sues Grant Cardone: The Meat of the Lawsuit
The core of Brecka’s argument is that Cardone Ventures and Brandon Dawson engaged in "predatory efforts" to take over 10X Health. He basically claims they tried to squeeze him and Sage out through "nefarious means" and contract breaches.
Brecka’s side of the story goes like this:
- They built the brand.
- They provided the "magic" (the biohacking expertise).
- The Cardone group used their massive marketing machine to scale it and then tried to keep the whole pie.
But wait. There's another side.
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The Cardone Counter-Strike
Grant Cardone and Cardone Ventures didn't just sit there. On the same day Brecka filed his suit, Cardone Ventures filed a federal lawsuit against Brecka and Workinger. They aren't just looking for an apology; they want a "clawback" of tens of millions of dollars.
The allegations from the Cardone camp are pretty heavy:
- Siphoning Business: They claim Brecka was secretly funneling 10X Health clients to a side business run by his daughter, Madison Brecka.
- Trademark Infringement: They allege Brecka was selling competing products under his "Ultimate Human" brand while still under contract.
- Massive Fraud: One filing even describes a "premeditated and massive fraud" perpetrated over 18 months, claiming Brecka and Sage were planning their exit while using 10X resources to build a competing empire.
The "Ultimate Human" Conflict
One of the biggest sticking points is the "Ultimate Human" brand. Brecka’s podcast and personal brand exploded while he was with 10X. Cardone’s team argues that this brand—and the data behind it—actually belongs to the venture.
It’s the classic "Who owns the influencer?" dilemma.
If you're an expert who joins a massive platform, do you own your face and your catchphrases, or does the company that paid for the ads own them? In this case, Cardone Ventures claims Brecka used 10X Health assets and personnel to build "The Ultimate Human" secretly. They even alleged he was using a trademark that belonged to a doctor 10X had introduced him to.
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Where Does the Case Stand Now?
Things moved fast in early 2025. For a while, it looked like we were headed for a trial in February 2026. However, by April 2025, reports surfaced that the two parties had reached a settlement on some of their "dueling" state lawsuits.
But don't think they're buddies again.
Settlements in cases like this usually involve a lot of non-disclosure agreements and a "walk away" fee. The voluntary dismissals filed in Florida didn't give away the juicy details of who paid whom. Each side was left to pay their own legal fees.
Even if the court cases are quieted, the brand damage is done. 10X Health is moving forward without its most famous "biohacker," and Brecka is out there building his own ecosystem under the "Ultimate Human" banner.
Actionable Insights for Entrepreneurs
This mess is a masterclass in how NOT to handle a partnership. If you're looking at this and thinking about your own business, here’s what you need to take away:
- Define IP Ownership Early: If you have a personal brand, you need to be crystal clear about who owns what. If your podcast grows by 1000% while you're at a company, does the company own the RSS feed? Get it in writing before the first episode airs.
- Non-Competes are Real: Even if you think a non-compete is "unenforceable," the legal fees to prove that can ruin you. Cardone's team alleged Brecka spent 18 months planning his "non-compete litigation" before he even left.
- Social Media is Evidence: Elena Cardone’s "boy bye!" post became the center of a $100 million lawsuit. Every "like," "share," and snarky comment from a business partner (or their spouse) is a potential exhibit in court.
- Audit Your "Side Hustles": If you're a partner in a firm, check your "Devotion of Time" clause. Cardone’s lawsuit hinged on the idea that Brecka wasn't giving "substantially all" of his time to 10X Health.
The fallout between these two giants shows that no matter how much "blood work" you do or how many "10X" goals you set, a bad contract can still kill the vibe.
Keep your eye on the "Ultimate Human" trademark filings and Brecka's new ventures. The legal battle might be settling, but the competition in the longevity space is just getting started.