In this episode, I’m joined by Dean Rogers—former NFL player turned real estate investor, coach, and community builder. Dean opens up about the moment he walked away from the NFL, the painful identity loss that followed, and how real estate became the path to financial and personal freedom.

We explore the mental, emotional, and financial rollercoaster Dean went through—from blowing $250K early in his career to now leading a thriving real estate business and coaching program. He shares how discipline from football translated into real estate, why trying to do it all alone almost destroyed him, and how collaboration and mentorship ultimately led to success. This episode is packed with hard-won wisdom and real talk on what it takes to build a life and business you love.

Episode Timeline

[0:00] – Introduction

[2:15] – Dean’s college football career and how it led to the NFL

[3:40] – The physical price of professional sports and the decision to walk away

[5:00] – Wrestling with identity loss after leaving football

[7:25] – Starting over financially and emotionally—with no plan B

[9:12] – How a podcast episode opened Dean’s eyes to real estate investing

[10:45] – Getting obsessed with learning: YouTube, books, and mentors

[12:00] – First wholesale deal and the adrenaline of closing it

[14:20] – Scaling fast—and the traps that come with early success

[17:00] – Partnering with Sean Terry and stepping into mentorship

[18:45] – The $250K mistake that nearly destroyed the business

[20:00] – How asking for help saved Dean’s career and shifted everything

[22:05] – Finding faith, focus, and freedom through accountability

[23:30] – Creating the “Friends with Benefits” model for JVs

[26:10] – Coaching others through the same transformation he lived

[28:30] – Why community, mindset, and financial structure go hand in hand

[30:00] – Final thoughts on taking control of your time and your money

5 Key Takeaways

1. Discipline beats motivation. Dean’s training in the NFL gave him the consistency to succeed even when results weren’t immediate.
2. Ego can cost you everything. Trying to figure it out alone led to massive losses—collaboration brought the breakthrough.
3. Mistakes are tuition. The $250K lesson taught Dean more than any win ever could.
4. Real freedom requires real systems. From financial structure to JV partnerships, sustainable growth depends on structure.
5. Surround yourself with winners. Community and mentorship accelerated Dean’s transformation from stressed out to scaling up.

Links & Resources

• Connect with Dean: DeanRogers.com
• Learn more about Profit First for REI: SimpleCFO.com

If Dean’s story moved you or motivated you, be sure to rate, follow, and leave a review for the podcast. And share this episode with someone who’s ready to stop playing small and start building something bigger—with structure, purpose, and profit.