In this Mindset Monday episode of Properties to Profits, I dive into the power of affirmations—but not the fluffy kind. I break down why most people get affirmations wrong, and how to flip them into a daily tool that actually changes your behavior, mindset, and results. This isn’t about wishful thinking—it’s about commitment, identity, and real action.

You’ll learn how to create affirmations that don’t just sound good, but actually make you better. I walk through a clear framework to align your words with your actions and to stop the internal resistance that arises when you repeat something you don’t believe. If you want to be more consistent, more focused, and more intentional in who you’re becoming, this episode will give you the blueprint.

Episode Timeline

[0:00] Why most affirmations fail—and how to fix them

[1:09] Your subconscious resists vague affirmations like “I’m successful”

[1:33] A better framework: identity, commitment, reason, action

[2:12] What happens when affirmations are tied to real behavior

[2:33] Use affirmations to reduce drifting and increase consistency

[3:08] Example: how I use affirmations to show up as a better dad

[4:08] Replace “I’m in shape” with “I do what’s required to be in shape”

[4:28] Pick one life category for 30 days: money, health, parenting, etc.

[4:56] Why daily repetition programs your subconscious over time

[5:20] Track it: journaling + habit tracking builds belief

[6:03] Affirmations should end the inner battle, not start it

[6:47] Pressure isn’t the enemy—it’s growth disguised

[7:06] Affirmations = identity + action + proof

[7:36] Start small, win daily, and stack evidence for the life you want

3 Key Takeaways

1. Affirmations should be tied to identity, commitment, and action—not just feel-good phrases.
2. Pick one area of life and write an affirmation that drives specific behavior daily.
3. When you act in alignment with your words, you stop negotiating with yourself—and you start changing your life.

Links & Resources

Follow me on Instagram: @realestatemike02

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In this episode of Properties to Profits, I walk through a recent deal we closed in Worthington, Ohio—a classic example of why real estate isn’t always about hitting home runs. Sometimes, it’s about solving a real human problem, creating long-term value, and positioning yourself to win years down the line. This wasn’t the flashiest deal, but it checked every box for us: great location, stable rental demand, and a seller who truly needed our help.

I break down the full numbers, the seller’s situation, and why we kept this property instead of wholesaling it. You’ll hear how we created $60K in equity, got two strong rental applications, and helped a seller walk away from a painful divorce with more money than he ever imagined. This is what real real estate looks like—messy, meaningful, and worth it.

Episode Timeline

[0:45] A single—not a home run—but a long-term win in a great zip code

[1:10] Helping a seller through divorce and creating $60K in equity

[2:22] Full breakdown: purchase price, rehab, refinance, and equity

[3:11] Two tenants lined up at $2,500/month in under 90 days

[3:28] Why we overpaid by $15K—and why it still made sense

[4:04] The seller’s reality: embarrassment, emotional fatigue, and letting go

[5:08] How he found us: TV ad → website → phone call → trust

[6:07] Why we loved the house: minimal rehab, great schools, B+ neighborhood

[6:33] Lender wins too: 10% annual return, full payback in under 90 days

[7:20] Property manager’s dream: clean rehab, low headaches

[7:41] Our Q4 game plan: 15 more just like this, scaling to 30 next year

[8:20] It’s not free real estate—but it’s the kind that compounds

[8:42] Playing the long game and stacking wins

3 Key Takeaways

1. Not every deal is a slam dunk—some are quiet wins that grow over time.

2. Helping sellers with real-life struggles creates trust and long-term opportunity.

3. Playing the long game in the right markets leads to exponential gains.

Links & Resources

Follow me on Instagram: @realestatemike02

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In this episode of Properties to Profits, I share a raw and honest breakdown of how one bad hire led to a one-star Glassdoor review—and nearly caused long-term damage to our company culture. From onboarding and alignment issues to team morale and public perception, I walk you through the real cost of hiring someone who doesn’t match your mission or mindset.

I break down the hiring mistakes we made, how we recovered, and the lessons we’re applying to protect our team moving forward. If you’re building a team, this episode is a must-listen. I explain why alignment is more important than talent, how to screen for red flags early, and the exact steps we take now to hire smarter and fire faster.

Episode Timeline

[0:00] The story behind our first-ever one-star Glassdoor review

[1:33] Why two weeks with the wrong person caused a major shift

[2:16] Reviewing the feedback—and what was actually true

[3:07] Misalignment, expectations, and the danger of ignoring red flags

[4:29] You can’t double your business without high standards and long hours

[5:09] How the wrong hire drains energy, morale, and leadership focus

[6:18] The unseen cost of turnover and missed cultural fit

[7:00] Why we fire fast and hire slow—and what our process looks like

[8:04] The real reason talent without alignment fails

[8:44] The power of letting go—and how our team thrived after

[9:27] Experience doesn’t equal value—beware of bad habits

[10:06] Audit your hiring process and create a 30-day alignment check

[10:45] We now protect our team at all costs—even from one wrong fit

[11:21] How one review doesn’t define your business—but your response does

[12:05] Final reminder: mistakes are okay—just don’t repeat them

3 Key Takeaways

1. A single misaligned hire can damage culture, productivity, and momentum.

2. Hire for alignment first—talent without shared values won’t work.

3. Learn from the pain, improve your process, and protect your team at all costs.

Links & Resources

Follow me on Instagram: @realestatemike02

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If this episode helped you rethink how you hire and lead your team, hit subscribe, leave a five-star review, and share it with someone building a business. Let’s keep turning properties into profits—together.

In this episode of Properties to Profits, I share how one five-star Google review led to a $70,000 equity deal—and why your online presence matters more than you think. When other investors couldn’t see the value, we kept the deal ourselves and turned it into a cash-flowing asset in one of the best zip codes in Columbus. I break down how we bought it, renovated it, refinanced it, and positioned it to multiply in value—all thanks to a strong brand and a simple review.

I also walk through our exact numbers, why we kept the property instead of wholesaling it, and how having a solid reputation helped the seller choose us without hesitation. If you’re not investing in your brand or online reviews, this episode will convince you why it’s one of the smartest things you can do to create long-term wealth.

Episode Timeline

[0:45] Why we chose to keep the deal instead of wholesaling it

[1:05] The power of Google reviews—how we won the seller’s trust

[1:37] Why we couldn’t get a $20K assignment—but kept the deal anyway

[2:01] Full renovation breakdown: windows, appliances, kitchen, deck

[2:49] Our $205K all-in cost turned into a $275K appraisal

[3:11] How we created $70K in equity and monthly cash flow

[4:19] Why the seller chose us: smooth transition, no repairs, total flexibility

[5:21] How private lenders win even if we walk away

[6:20] From rehab to refinance in 40 days—why speed matters

[6:41] This deal could become $300K in profit over the next 10 years

[7:32] Real estate = relationships, reviews, and repeat deals

[7:54] Equity is the real multiplier—not just cash flow

[8:10] The BRRRR model still works—if you build trust and do the work

[8:32] Final thoughts: strong brand + good lender relationships = long-term wins

3 Key Takeaways

1. A strong online presence can win deals without spending extra on marketing.

2. When buyers don’t see the value, keeping the deal can create massive equity.

3. Relationships, reviews, and reputation are your real assets in this game.

Links & Resources

Follow me on Instagram: @realestatemike02

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In this episode of Properties to Profits, I break down one of the most underrated tools in sales—and one of the most powerful ways to build trust with sellers: third-party stories. Instead of telling a seller what you can do, you show them through real examples of people you’ve helped before. I share how a bankruptcy conversation with a seller in Dayton opened the door for deeper trust simply because I shared two real stories of people we helped in similar situations.

I explain why sellers often feel their situation is unique, how stories help them feel seen, and how the right third-party examples can remove fear, lower resistance, and uncover the real reason they need to sell. If you’re in sales, real estate, or any role that requires trust, this episode will teach you how to use storytelling ethically, strategically, and effectively.

Episode Timeline

[0:00] Why third-party stories instantly build trust with sellers

[0:52] Talking with a bankruptcy seller in Dayton—and what opened her up

[1:12] How she felt stuck despite paying into her bankruptcy for years

[1:33] Her equity, her fears, and how selling creates peace of mind

[2:05] Two real stories I shared that changed the conversation

[2:24] Why sellers think their situation is unique—and how to connect through stories

[2:43] How details like names and locations make stories believable and relatable

[3:19] The moment the seller lets their guard down—and how to handle it ethically

[3:38] Why trust leads to better deals for both you and the seller

[4:05] Good deals are easier to fund—why deeper discounts matter

[4:24] Third-party stories as a gateway to uncovering real objections

[4:44] Herd mentality in sales—why people feel safer following others

[5:06] Showing proof of past success to help sellers make confident decisions

3 Key Takeaways

1. Third-party stories reduce fear and show sellers you’ve helped people just like them.

2. Specific details—names, situations, locations—make stories relatable and believable.

3. When sellers trust you, they open up, share real objections, and deals close faster and cleaner.

Links & Resources

Follow me on Instagram: @realestatemike02

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In this deeply personal episode of Properties to Profits, I open up about my long battle with suicidal thoughts and the tools I’ve built over nearly two decades to fight through the darkest moments. This isn’t a business playbook—it’s a conversation about life, loss, resilience, and what it really takes to keep going when quitting feels like the only option.

I share the mindset shifts, habits, and emergency frameworks that helped me rebuild after financial collapse, relationship loss, and severe mental health struggles. If you’ve ever dealt with depression, burnout, or felt like the pressure was too much, this episode offers real tools—not clichés—for getting back on your feet and remembering why your life still matters.

Episode Timeline

[0:00] A close friend’s suicide—and why I’m sharing this now

[1:31] My own experience with suicidal thoughts and attempts

[2:26] Why today’s challenges are different for this generation

[3:37] Unrealistic goals, social pressure, and what we think we “should” be

[4:24] You only lose if you quit—everything else is a lesson

[4:55] A story of recovery from stroke, and the power of belief

[5:33] My lowest financial point: $1 million in debt and ready to give up

[6:38] The safe in my office: a symbol of survival and perspective

[7:25] The truth about success—cars, money, and chasing self-worth

[8:11] The daily protocol I use to combat negative thoughts

[9:24] My emergency rule: 3 people must agree before I act on dark thoughts

[10:34] Emotional thoughts ≠ required action—how to reframe

[11:34] Building a system to stop the spiral and find the lesson

[12:56] You’re not alone—how to support yourself and others

[13:45] Life can and will get better if you don’t quit

[14:44] From -$1M to paid in full—proof that recovery is possible

[15:11] You have more time—as long as you keep going

3 Key Takeaways

1. Negative thoughts are not facts—they’re signals, and you can change how you respond to them.

2. Having a framework for handling emotional lows can save your life.

3. You don’t need to solve everything today—you just need to not give up.

Links & Resources

Follow me on Instagram: @realestatemike02

Subscribe to the Properties to Profits podcast for more than just real estate—this is about real life.

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In this Mindset Monday episode of Properties to Profits, I dive into one of the most important—and overlooked—skills in life and business: mental toughness. It’s not about being born with grit. It’s about training your mind to be unshakeable when things go wrong. Whether you’re facing relationship stress, business setbacks, or personal struggles, I break down a practical framework you can use to build resilience, push through adversity, and raise your baseline.

I share the four core components that define real mental toughness: your baseline, tolerance, fortitude, and resilience. If you’ve ever found yourself reacting poorly to pressure, falling off track, or stuck in emotional patterns that hold you back, this episode will give you the tools to bounce back stronger—and build a life you’re proud of.

Episode Timeline

[0:45] Why mental toughness matters more than motivation

[1:10] What’s your baseline—and how does it shape your default behavior?

[2:06] Tolerance: how long you can endure stress without breaking

[3:18] Fortitude: what happens when your limits are pushed

[4:16] Resilience: how fast you bounce back after falling off

[5:02] Adaptability: did your struggle make you stronger or weaker?

[6:05] How to train mental toughness like a muscle

[7:46] You can’t avoid hardship—but you can control your reaction

[8:45] Consistency matters more than emotional explosions

[9:27] Track, reflect, and build your way to a tougher version of yourself

[10:50] Personal story: how I’ve grown in emotional strength over time

3 Key Takeaways

1. Mental toughness is built, not inherited—train it like a skill.

2. Your bounce-back speed matters more than how hard you fall.

3. Strengthen your baseline, track your patterns, and choose growth over reaction.

Links & Resources

Follow me on Instagram: @realestatemike02

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In this episode of Properties to Profits, I break down the impact of Ohio’s newly passed Senate Bill 155—a law that now officially regulates wholesaling activity in the state. I walk you through what this bill actually says, what’s required moving forward, and how I’m adapting my business to stay compliant without slowing down.

We cover what this law gets right, what it completely misses, and how smart investors can actually use this moment to get ahead. If you’re wholesaling in Ohio—or anywhere else watching what’s happening here—this episode will give you the real insights you need to keep moving deals, stay legal, and win while others panic.

Episode Timeline

[0:00] Ohio Senate Bill 155 is here—what it is and when it goes into effect

[1:14] Why disclosure isn’t the real problem with wholesaling

[1:57] What the new law actually requires in contracts

[2:21] The 5 new disclosures every wholesaler must include

[3:02] Who is (and isn’t) affected—double closes, novations, and direct buyers

[4:03] Our plan: more direct purchases, strategic compliance

[4:35] Why this could be an advantage for ethical, established wholesalers

[5:10] Penalties, fines, and what happens if you don’t disclose properly

[5:46] Why this won’t destroy the industry—but it will shake out the amateurs

[6:06] The change I wish they made: enforceable contract timelines

[6:35] My take on what’s next—and how to stay ahead

3 Key Takeaways

1. Ohio SB 155 requires five key contract disclosures for wholesalers—starting mid-February.

2. This won’t kill the industry—but it will scare off the unprepared and unprofessional.

3. If you’re ethical, proactive, and focused on value, this can actually give you a major edge.

Links & Resources

Follow me on Instagram: @realestatemike02

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If this episode helped you understand what’s changing in Ohio—or what could be coming to your market—subscribe, drop a review, and share it with a fellow investor. Let’s keep turning properties into profits—together.