In this episode of Properties to Profits, I unpack the first and strongest of my saboteurs—the Controller—and how it’s shaped (and limited) my business, relationships, and leadership. This is part of my ongoing journey with the insights I’ve gained from the book Positive Intelligence, and if you’re the type who feels the need to do it all yourself, you’ll definitely relate.

I get vulnerable about how control has helped me hit early milestones but held me back from scaling, building trust, and creating a sustainable team. You’ll hear practical steps I’m using to shift from controlling to empowering—and how it’s already making a massive impact.

Episode Timeline:

[0:00] - Why Positive Intelligence is a must-read for personal and professional growth

[1:00] - Breaking down my top saboteur: the Controller

[1:44] - How controlling behavior creates burnout and breaks trust

[2:21] - The shift from fear-based control to purpose-driven leadership

[3:06] - Practical ways I’m rewiring my reactions—starting with breathwork

[4:27] - Empowerment over micromanagement: flipping the internal script

[5:32] - Real stories from my team where letting go led to growth

[6:30] - The truth: controllers don’t scale—and why it matters

[8:05] - Personal reflection: how my upbringing shaped this saboteur

[8:39] - Daily practices to reduce control and activate the Sage mindset

3 Key Takeaways:

1. Control is often rooted in fear and chaos. Recognizing where it comes from is the first step in transforming it into something productive.

2. Micromanagement stunts growth—for you and your team. Real leadership is about empowerment, trust, and allowing others to fail forward.

3. Small daily practices create massive mindset shifts. Breathwork, reflection, and sensory exercises help build mental resilience and self-awareness.

Links & Resources:

• Learn more and take the Saboteur Assessment: positiveintelligence.com

• Connect with me on Instagram: @realestatemike02

If you found value in this episode, don’t forget to rate, follow, and share the podcast. And if you’re working on taming your own saboteurs, shoot me a message—I’d love to hear your story. Let’s keep turning properties into profits!

In this episode of Properties to Profits, I dive deep into the mindset shifts that are reshaping my business, leadership, and personal life. Inspired by the book Positive Intelligence, I explore how becoming aware of internal saboteurs—and learning how to quiet them—has drastically improved my ability to connect with people, close deals, and lead with empathy and clarity.

Whether you’re a real estate investor, team leader, or just looking to grow personally, this episode offers a raw and practical look at how understanding your mental chatter can unlock your potential. I share the real-time strategies I’m using to shift from self-sabotage to empowered action and how you can start doing the same.

Episode Timeline:

[0:00] - Why mindset matters more than skill in sales and leadership

[1:13] - Identifying the mental blocks that sabotage deals and relationships

[2:20] - Introducing the concept of saboteurs and the power of self-awareness

[3:06] - The role of the “controller” saboteur and how it affected my business

[4:05] - Learning to lead with empathy instead of control

[5:07] - How shifting thoughts in real-time builds authentic relationships

[6:00] - The battlefield of sales starts in your mind

[7:02] - A key takeaway: your internal judge is always lying to you

[7:20] - Action step: take the free saboteur assessment and start your mental fitness journey

3 Key Takeaways:

1. Your Mind Can Be Your Greatest Ally—or Your Biggest Obstacle. Recognizing the internal saboteurs like the “judge” or “controller” helps you shift into a more productive and empathetic mindset.

2. Real-Time Awareness Changes Everything. Learning to pause and replace negative thought patterns with clarity, empathy, and curiosity can dramatically improve your leadership and sales outcomes.

3. Mental Fitness Is a Daily Practice. Just like physical fitness, developing positive intelligence requires consistent reps—but the results are worth it.

Links & Resources:

• Take the free Saboteur Assessment: positiveintelligence.com

• Connect with me on Instagram: @realestatemike02

If today’s episode sparked something in you, make sure to rate, follow, and review the podcast. Share it with someone who needs a mental edge in real estate or life—and let’s keep turning properties into profits!

In this episode, I sit down with Ian Ross, host of the Closed More Sales podcast and a powerhouse behind Sales Disruptors. Ian brings a fresh and authentic perspective on what it really takes to succeed in sales—not just scripts or tactics, but deep personal development, mindset mastery, and a relentless commitment to the process.

We talk about why high active income is key to building passive wealth, how to break free from the “commission breath” trap, and what it looks like to truly embrace sales as a craft. Ian also shares how focusing on process over outcome helped him through one of the toughest periods of his life—and led to his best performance. If you’re in sales or managing a team, you don’t want to miss this one.

3 Key Takeaways

1. Sales is personal development in disguise – The better you become at listening, asking the right questions, and staying present, the more money you’ll earn.

2. Celebrate the process, not the result – Focusing on daily execution, not just wins, is the key to consistency and growth.

3. Coaching closes the gap faster – Investing in coaching or mentorship accelerates learning, performance, and clarity—especially for team leaders.

Timeline Summary

[0:00] - Ian Ross shares why sales is the best path to financial freedom

[1:40] - The real power of active income and personal development in sales

[3:31] - Why most people don’t like sales—and how to change that

[5:40] - Misconceptions about extroverts in sales

[9:00] - Ian’s breakthrough moment during personal loss

[12:03] - Celebrating the process over the outcome to avoid burnout

[14:11] - Avoiding “commission breath” and staying process-focused

[18:11] - Advice for new salespeople in survival mode

[22:06] - Education without implementation is just entertainment

[24:14] - How coaching changed everything for Ian—and why it matters

[30:13] - Why investing in your team pays long-term dividends

[33:44] - What Sales Disruptors does and who they serve best

[38:08] - Ian’s final advice for anyone in sales or leadership

Links & Resources

• Ian Ross on Instagram: @vividselling

• Closed More Sales Podcast: Listen here

• Free Sales Review with Ian: Text “REVIEW” to 33777

If you found value in this episode, take a second to rate, follow, and share the podcast. Your support helps us keep bringing on amazing guests like Ian. Let’s keep turning properties into profits—together.

In this episode, I dive into a game-changing book that’s had a major impact on me—Positive Intelligence by Shirzad Chamine. As I’m nearing the final chapters, I wanted to share some powerful insights that have already reshaped how I approach sales conversations, leadership, and even parenting. If you’re in sales, lead a team, or simply want to perform better in any area of life, this episode is for you.

We explore how mental interference—those inner saboteurs like the Judge, Controller, or Pleaser—can hold us back more than any external obstacle. I unpack how recognizing and managing these voices through daily mental fitness can help us show up with more empathy, confidence, and clarity. Whether you’re dealing with tough clients or navigating challenging conversations at home, you’ll find something in this episode that resonates and helps you grow.

3 Key Takeaways

1. Mental interference is the real deal killer – Most sales aren’t lost to lack of skill, but to internal saboteurs like fear, control, or judgment.

2. Sage powers unlock peak performance – Empathy, curiosity, and innovation aren’t just buzzwords—they’re mental muscles we can build daily.

3. Awareness is the first step to growth – Labeling your saboteurs and shifting your mindset gives you clarity, calm, and stronger connections in both sales and life.

Timeline Summary

[0:00] - Why Positive Intelligence is a must-read for anyone growing a sales team

[1:48] - The real reason we lose sales—and it’s not skill

[2:45] - How shifting from judgment to empathy changes everything

[3:26] - Meet your saboteurs: the internal voices killing your confidence

[4:10] - Unlocking your Sage powers for better connection and creativity

[5:36] - Labeling your saboteurs to regain control and calm

[6:29] - Real impact: from smoother sales calls to better parenting moments

[8:11] - Using Positive Intelligence to check in and grow as a team

[9:11] - Final thoughts and why I’m re-reading the book with my team

Links & Resources

• Take the free saboteur assessment: positiveintelligence.com

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, follow, and share the podcast! It helps us reach more listeners and keeps the conversation going. Let’s keep turning properties into profits—together.

Are you wondering if now is the time to buy or sell in Columbus real estate? In this May Market Update, I break down the latest stats and trends shaping the 2025 Columbus market. Inventory is up 36% year over year, days on market are rising, and some properties are seeing significant price drops—but median prices are technically up. Confusing? You’re not alone. I unpack what these conflicting signals mean and share my candid thoughts on whether it’s the right time to buy, sell, or hold.

Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, seasoned investor, or someone considering flipping, I lay out actionable advice on how to navigate today’s shifting landscape. From why higher-priced homes are lingering longer to how rising credit card defaults could impact housing demand, this episode helps you make sense of what’s really happening—and what might come next.

[0:00] – Market overview: inventory up 36% but prices also up—what’s going on?

[1:25] – Flipping in today’s market: risks and what to watch for

[2:08] – Shocking example: a luxury home selling for $500k below cost

[2:59] – Three key factors: price trends, market movements, and buyer vs. seller dynamics

[3:19] – How buyers now have time to negotiate better deals

[3:55] – Median price data and why it may be misleading

[4:38] – Higher-end homes are lingering with big price cuts

[6:11] – The lingering impact of Covid on buyer confidence in flips

[6:41] – Deep discounts available for cash buyers—but longer selling times expected

[7:49] – Why the next three months could be the best opportunity for buyers

1. Buyers have leverage again – Rising inventory and longer days on market mean buyers can negotiate better deals and terms.

2. Flippers need caution – Flips are staying on the market longer, and shortcuts taken during Covid still haunt buyer confidence.

3. Credit card debt signals caution – Rising defaults could pressure sellers and create more opportunities for buyers, but also hint at broader economic stress.

• Follow me on Instagram: @realestatemike02

• Stay tuned for an upcoming deep dive on how the new tax bill may impact real estate investors

Thanks for tuning in! If you enjoyed the episode, please rate, follow, share, and leave a review so we can help more people turn their properties—and lives—into profits. See you next time!

Are you halfway through the year and feeling stuck, wondering why your goals still feel out of reach? In this episode, I get real about what it takes to actually change your trajectory. I break down the powerful mindset shift from letting your feelings dictate your actions to building unshakeable discipline. You’ll hear practical strategies I use daily to ensure I’m always moving forward—even when life gets tough or motivation fades.

We’ll talk about why feelings are unreliable, how systems and discipline lead to success, and the small but critical habits that make the biggest difference over time. Plus, I share insights from mentors like David Goggins, Ed Mylett, and Andy Frisella, and give you a step-by-step blueprint for turning your second half of the year into your most productive yet. If you’re tired of ending up in the same place year after year, this is the episode for you.

[0:00] – The hard truth: feelings don’t win, discipline does

[1:17] – Why we delay action and how it traps us in cycles of regret

[2:41] – The perfect moment to reset: why the second half of the year is your blank canvas

[3:19] – Building a system to act like the person you want to become

[4:13] – Lessons from David Goggins, Andy Frisella, Alex Hormozi, and Ed Mylett on discipline

[6:20] – My personal non-negotiables and morning routine that anchor my day

[8:18] – Attaching pain to inaction: the hidden cost of skipping your commitments

[9:11] – Long-term thinking: how today’s decisions shape your future and your family’s

[10:39] – Stacking wins: why consistency over years, not days, is the secret

[11:18] – Discipline grows confidence: how structure transforms chaos

[13:09] – How to set up your own discipline stack and track your progress

[14:12] – Accountability and finding people who push you to reach your goals

1. Discipline beats motivation – Motivation fades, but discipline keeps you moving forward, especially when you don’t feel like it.

2. Structure kills chaos – Having a consistent routine creates mental clarity, resilience, and momentum, even in tough times.

3. Small, consistent wins compound – By stacking daily wins over months and years, you’ll transform your life and achieve goals that once seemed impossible.

• David Goggins’ philosophy: Do the thing you don’t want to do to callous your mind

• Andy Frisella’s Power List: Five critical tasks each day to win

• Alex Hormozi on discipline over motivation

• Ed Mylett’s “one more” mindset

Let’s win the second half of the year together! If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, follow, share, and leave a review so we can help more people turn their properties—and lives—into profits. See you next time!

Hey guys, Michael here with the Properties to Profits podcast! In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into a hard truth: if you want to rise in your career — especially into leadership — you’ve got to embrace the suck. I share my candid thoughts on why so many people hit a plateau in their professional lives, what it really takes to break through, and why avoiding the tough stuff is the biggest mistake you can make if you’re serious about success.

Whether you’re looking to step into a leadership role, start your own business, or just take your income to that next level, this episode is a wake-up call. I break down why being willing to do the hard, uncomfortable work — even when it’s not fun — is the only way to achieve something extraordinary.

[0:00] – Welcome and intro: my journey from a six-figure job to real estate success

[0:37] – Why “embracing the suck” is non-negotiable for anyone who wants to lead

[1:15] – The harsh reality: most people aren’t willing to do what it takes

[2:18] – The fantasy of skipping the grind and why it sets you up for failure

[3:11] – The sobering statistics on business success rates — and what they mean for you

[4:07] – Why stepping back temporarily can catapult you forward

[5:19] – Emotions aren’t facts: mastering your mindset to do the hard things

[6:10] – Final encouragement to take the leap and put in the work for the next decade

Embrace the suck — Success demands doing hard, uncomfortable things most people avoid.

Leadership is earned — To lead, you must first prove you can do the work yourself.

Success takes longer than you think — Sustainable achievement requires patience, resilience, and a willingness to grind for years.

Thank you for listening to the Properties to Profits podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, follow, and share it with others who need to hear this message. Your support helps us reach more people and keep bringing you valuable content. Let’s keep turning properties into profits — together!

Hey guys, it’s Michael here with a powerful mid-year check-in! We’re halfway through 2025—are you crushing your goals or coasting along? In this episode, I challenge you (and myself) to reflect on the past six months: Did we really do what we said we would? Did we let emotions, excuses, or bad habits derail our progress? Or are we stepping up to the plate and moving the needle in our lives and businesses?

I share my own honest audit—where I fell short, what I’ve learned, and the big commitments I’m making right now to turn this year around. We’ll dive into why most people keep repeating the same year over and over, how to reset your goals for the second half of 2025, and the practical daily habits you need to dominate Q3 and beyond. If you’re ready to stop pretending and start achieving, this episode is for you.

[0:00] - Introduction

[0:36] - Kicking off the mid-year reset: the harsh truth about whether we’re truly on track with our goals.

[1:00] - Reflecting on the gap between our January intentions and June reality.

[1:44] - Why most people keep reliving the same year—and how to break the cycle.

[2:40] - Key reflection questions to get brutally honest about your progress.

[3:17] - My personal confessions: where I missed the mark on health and leadership.

[4:34] - The commitments I’m making to change my trajectory in Q3.

[5:54] - Tracking daily habits and setting higher standards to finish the year strong.

[7:19] - Encouragement to set goals across personal, family, fitness, financial, and faith categories for true balance.

[9:03] - Why your past six months don’t have to define the rest of your year—and how to reclaim your momentum.

[10:24] - Final call to take control, reset, and stack wins to make 2025 your best year yet.

1. Audit Your Actions Honestly – Regular self-reflection is crucial to identify where you’ve slacked and where you can improve.

2. Reset and Recommit – Even if you’ve fallen short, it’s never too late to set new goals and take disciplined action to turn your year around.

3. Balance All Life Buckets – Success comes from setting and pursuing goals in personal, family, fitness, financial, and faith areas—not just focusing on one.

• Follow me on Instagram & Facebook – Stay connected, share your goals, and let’s hold each other accountable.

• Opal app – The tool I use to block distractions and stay focused (highly recommend for anyone serious about reclaiming their time).

Thanks for joining me on this mid-year check-in. If you’re ready to level up, take a hard look in the mirror, and finish 2025 stronger than you started, now’s the time to recommit. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast—sharing this episode could help someone else reset and crush their year, too. Let’s keep turning properties into profits together.