Discipline has always been at the heart of my life. Growing up in Brisbane, I was fortunate to represent the State of Queensland in both athletics and golf. At the time, I didn’t realize just how much those years of training, competition, and commitment would shape the way I approach my career today. Looking back, it’s clear that the lessons I learned as an athlete built the foundation for my success as a realtor and brokerage owner.
Lessons from the Track and Course
Athletics taught me the value of hard work. Early mornings, long training sessions, and the constant push to improve weren’t optional—they were necessary. When you compete at a high level, there’s no shortcut to success. You can’t fake preparation.
That mindset carried over directly into my career. In real estate, there are no guarantees. Deals fall through, markets shift, and challenges come up when you least expect them. The discipline I built in sports gave me the ability to stay consistent, even when results weren’t immediate. Just like training for a race, I learned to trust the process and keep putting in the work day after day.
Handling Pressure
Competition also taught me how to handle pressure. Whether I was standing on the starting line of a race or focusing on a critical putt, nerves were always part of the experience. Learning to channel that energy into focus instead of fear has been one of the greatest skills I’ve carried into business.
Real estate can be just as intense. Negotiating a contract, handling multiple offers, or guiding clients through emotional decisions often feels like game day. Clients rely on me to stay calm, confident, and clear-headed, no matter how high the stakes. That’s exactly what athletics prepared me for.
Discipline Equals Consistency
In sports, success doesn’t come from one big performance. It comes from showing up consistently—every training session, every practice, every competition. Consistency builds momentum, and momentum creates results.
In business, it’s the same. I’ve built my real estate brokerage not by chasing quick wins, but by staying consistent in how I serve clients. Returning calls, following up, studying the market, and putting clients first are the daily “training sessions” that lead to long-term success. Discipline makes consistency possible, and consistency builds trust.
The Importance of Goal Setting
As an athlete, goals were everything. Sometimes they were short-term—shaving a few seconds off my time or improving a swing. Other times they were big-picture, like qualifying for a major competition. Having a clear target gave me direction and motivation.
That approach works in real estate, too. I set goals for myself, my brokerage, and my clients. For clients, the goal might be buying their first home, finding an investment property, or selling for the best price possible. For myself, it might be expanding the business or developing stronger community ties. With clear goals, I can measure progress and stay motivated, even when challenges arise.
Adaptability and Resilience
Not every race was a win, and not every round of golf went my way. Sports taught me how to lose gracefully and how to bounce back. You learn quickly that setbacks are part of growth.
In real estate, setbacks happen all the time. A deal might fall through at the last minute, a property might not appraise, or market conditions might change overnight. My athletic background taught me that resilience isn’t about avoiding setbacks—it’s about how you respond to them. That resilience allows me to keep moving forward and find solutions when others might give up.
Teamwork and Leadership
Even in individual sports, there’s always a team behind you—coaches, training partners, family. Success is never truly solo. I carry that same perspective into real estate. Running a brokerage means leading a team, and I know the importance of communication, support, and shared effort.
Clients are part of that team, too. When someone trusts me to help buy or sell a home, we’re working toward a common goal. It’s my job to guide, encourage, and sometimes push when the process feels overwhelming. That leadership comes directly from my years of working with coaches and teammates.
The Long Game
Sports taught me patience. Improvement takes time, and you can’t rush the process. Real estate is much the same. Building a successful business doesn’t happen overnight, and neither does finding the perfect property. The long game requires persistence, focus, and faith in the process.
That perspective has helped me build TDT Realtors into a brokerage where clients know they’ll get honest advice, hard work, and dedication to their goals. It’s not about the quick win—it’s about building something lasting.
Final Thoughts
When I look back at my journey from athlete to realtor, the common thread has always been discipline. It’s the ability to show up, stay focused, and push through challenges that makes the difference—whether on the track, the course, or in the world of real estate.
For anyone chasing success in business, sports, or life, discipline is the bridge between goals and achievements. It’s not glamorous, and it’s not always easy, but it’s the steady force that turns effort into results.
For me, the discipline I built as a young athlete in Brisbane has carried me through every stage of my professional life. And it continues to guide me as I help clients, grow my business, and pursue new opportunities with the same determination that once pushed me to compete for my state.