Today’s episode is part nervous system reset, part soul-aligned success strategy—and 100% what every real estate investor needs to hear. I’m sitting down with the radiant Erin Wallen, a stress and freedom coach who helps high-achieving women create extraordinary success without sacrificing their sanity, relationships, or health.

We met at a Cathy Heller retreat (because of course we did), and I knew immediately—this woman gets it. Erin blends science, energy work, and lived experience to help you thrive without the hustle hangover.

In this episode, we dive into what it really means to be regulated, how to spot hidden stress signals before you hit burnout, and why your best results come right before you tip into overwhelm. You’ll walk away with tangible tools like the “physiological sigh,” a deeper understanding of your body’s wisdom, and maybe even a brand-new relationship with your to-do list.

If you’ve ever felt like you're carrying the weight of the world (or a portfolio of properties) on your shoulders—this one’s for you. Here are the top takeaways from today's show:

1. Stress is Not a Badge of Success—It's the Block

Many investors equate hustle with results, but Erin reminds us that success without stress is not only possible—it’s optimal. Chronic stress isn't a prerequisite for achievement. In fact, it decreases your ability to perform at your best.

2. Regulation Equals Peak Performance

This flips the hustle narrative on its head. Instead of pushing through stress, Erin explains that pre-stress is actually the most productive zone. By tuning into your nervous system and staying in regulation, you’ll get better results in less time.

3. Simple Tools Can Create Big Shifts

A quick body scan or Erin’s favorite tool—the physiological sigh (a double inhale + long exhale)—can move you out of fight-or-flight in moments. These practices don’t require hours; they’re accessible, free, and proven to lower stress.

4. Nervous System Work is Compound Interest for Your Energy

Just like real estate investing builds wealth over time, working with your nervous system builds resilience. Small daily practices pay off exponentially—creating more energy, clarity, and peace of mind.

5. Your Regulation Influences Everyone Around You

Whether you're a team leader, parent, or partner, your state of regulation impacts others. Erin calls this a ripple effect—and it’s one of the most powerful (and overlooked) tools for empowered leadership in real estate and life.

Want to learn more about real estate investing? Follow me on IG @annreedandco where I share daily musings on real estate, mindfulness, being an almost empty nester, and more.

Looking for additional support, community, and accountability to help you build your real estate portfolio? Hop on the waitlist for the Soulful Investor Society, a community membership for real estate investors and those who'd like to get in the game. Once on the waitlist, you'll be the first to know when the doors open AND you'll get lots of amazing freebies, including a FREE 1:1 coaching session with me, where we'll map out your plan from start to finish, so you can finally buy that investment property and scale your portfolio.

Be sure to check out all of the ways you can learn more from Erin and stay connected:

Erin Wallen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joybyerin/

Erin Wallen FREE Stress Quiz:

If you've ever told yourself, “I don’t have time to invest,” or “I should already know how to do this,” this minisode is your wake-up call. Chelsea Wright—coach, speaker, Realtor, and real estate systems ninja—drops truth bombs on the stories that hold us back, the identity work required to break through, and why building wealth starts with boundaries and belief.

In just a few minutes, you'll hear why you don’t have to do it all alone and how one aligned action can create three ripple effects. This clip barely scratches the surface of our full conversation, where we dive even deeper into self-leadership, emotional resilience, and real estate strategy.

If this lights a fire in you, do yourself a favor and go listen to the full episode; Season 1, Episode 1, “How to Build a Real Estate (investment) Business and a Life you Love with Chelsea Wright”

Because empowered investing isn’t about doing more—it’s about becoming more of who you really are.

Here are the takeaways from today's show:

1. Don’t go it alone—build your support system.

Success doesn’t happen in isolation—build your team early. Behind every powerful entrepreneur is a strong support system—success isn't meant to be solo.

2. Make every action serve multiple purposes.

Work smarter by stacking wins—one aligned action can move multiple goals forward. If you're doing one task, make it count in three ways—maximize every move.

3. Examine the stories holding you back from investing.

Your stories are either your excuses or your fuel—get curious about them. The stories you believe about money, risk, and your past may be the biggest blocks to building wealth.

4. Redefine your identity around learning and abundance.

Your identity is your blueprint—build one that’s rooted in abundance and capability. The fastest way to expand what's possible is to shift who you believe yourself to be.

5. If you say you want to invest, prove it.

Time isn’t the problem—priorities are. When someone says they don’t have time to invest, it’s rarely about time.

6. People-pleasing robs you of peace and progress.
People-pleasing keeps you broke and burnt out—choose aligned service instead. People pleasing might look selfless, but it’s often a fast track to burnout and bitterness.

7. Boundaries are for you, not them.

Boundaries are a form of self-trust—use them to protect your peace and your power. Boundaries aren’t walls—they’re sacred containers for your well-being and alignment

8. Progress is more important than perfection. Show up and be consistent.
Momentum matters more than perfection—create a sustainable rhythm. The myth of overnight success keeps too many people stuck—start where you are and build forward.

9. Failure isn’t identity—it’s feedback.

Mistakes are not failures—they’re feedback loops for growth. Failure doesn’t define you—your ability to learn and stay curious does.

10. Invest like a business—it takes time to profit.
Real estate investing is a long game—treat it like the business it is. Wealth-building through real estate isn’t fast—but it is transformational if you commit.

Want to learn more about real estate investing? Hop on the waitlist for the Soulful Investor Society, a community membership for real estate investors and those who'd like to get in the game. Once on the waitlist, you'll be the first to know when the doors open AND you'll get lots of amazing freebies, including a FREE 1:1 coaching session with me, where we'll map out your plan from start to finish, so you can finally buy that investment property and scale your portfolio.

You can also find me on IG

Today, I’m talking to Erin Bradley, of Pursuing Freedom Official. She’s a speaker, a coach, an author, and a podcaster, as well as a successful real estate investor. Erin is high vibe, and down to earth all wrapped into one, and her message resonates so much with me. Like so many in real estate, as a lender, Erin followed the roadmap to success, and while her numbers indicated she was successful, her life felt anything but. So, she got clear on what success in life meant to her, and took action. Now, she teaches other realtors and lenders how to truly live a life of freedom that leads to financial success. Here are the top takeaways from today’s show.

1. Real Estate Is a Path to Lifestyle Freedom, Not Just Income

Erin’s story of retiring her husband (2016) and herself (2022) through real estate investing proves the point: real estate is a tool for designing your life, not just hitting financial goals.This reinforces the belief that it is possible to exit unaligned careers and reclaim your time.

2. Burnout Is Not the Price of Success—Alignment Is the New Strategy

Erin debunks the old model of hustling for GCI and volume at the cost of health and joy? For those who’ve checked the traditional boxes but feel unfulfilled, this episode is a wake-up call that burnout is not required to build wealth.

“I didn't feel like I had any freedom and flexibility because I had no money. Then I was making more money than I ever expected, but I had no time.”

3. You’re Allowed to Redefine Success on Your Terms

Success isn’t just “deals done” or “money in the bank”—it’s peace, fun, energy, and meaning. Erin encourages listeners to get honest about whether they’re truly living or just performing success.

“None of that matters if you’re not living, right? Like none of that matters.”

4. Morning Rituals & Mindset Work Aren’t Woo—They’re Strategic

The Miracle Morning, energy check-ins, and intentional routines are Erin’s go-to tools for cultivating clarity, confidence, and flow. The inner work is just as important as spreadsheets and numbers.

“The more I take care of myself, the more opportunities find me.”

5. Fear is Just a Story—And You Don’t Have to Believe It

Whether it’s buying your first property, quitting a job, or raising your prices, fear is inevitable—but not final. Erin reframes fear as a signal, not a stop sign, and urges listeners to act in spite of it.

“If you say, ‘I can’t because…’, all you're doing is getting intimate with your fear.”
“Our clients deserve better. Our families deserve better. And we deserve better.”

Want to learn more about real estate investing? Hop on the waitlist for the Soulful Investor Society, a community membership for real estate investors and those who'd like to get in the game. Once on the waitlist, you'll be the first to know when the doors open AND you'll get lots of amazing freebies, including a FREE 1:1 coaching session with me, where we'll map out your plan from start to finish, so you can finally buy that investment property and scale your portfolio.

You can also find me on IG @annreedandco where I share daily musings on real estate, mindfulness, being an almost empty nester, and more.