The Wrong Trainer, The Right Lesson (and What It Taught Me About Real Estate)
by Richard Valdez - www.RichardValdezRE.com
At 61—I did something even I couldn’t quite believe: I hired a personal trainer.
Now, gyms are a lot like dating apps. There’s a type for everyone: the drill sergeant, the zen yogi, the cardio bunny who lives on protein shakes, and then… the beautiful ones. And of course, if I was going to be incentivized to actually show up, I went for the beautiful one. Think: Dolce & Gabbana runway, Tom Ford campaign, jawline so sharp it could cut glass.
Even though I’m happily married to my husband, I’ll admit it—I looked forward to our sessions. The first week was like a first date: lots of talking, not much sweating. By the second week, there was a little more movement, and by the third, I was sore in muscles I forgot I had. By week four, he was pushing me so hard I felt like I was auditioning for Magic Mike: The AARP Edition.
And then came week eight—our last session. He looked at me with those model-perfect eyes and said, almost sadly, “This is our last week together. Do you want to extend for another eight?”
Before I answered, I replayed everything: the exhaustion, the soreness, the feeling that I was chasing something that didn’t belong to me anymore. And it hit me—I chose the wrong trainer. Not because he wasn’t good. He was. But because he wasn’t the right fit for me. I wasn’t 25 trying to bulk up. I was 61, wanting freedom, strength, and the ability to tie my shoes without pulling a hamstring.
So I thanked him, said goodbye, and hired someone who understood what I truly needed at this stage in life.
And isn’t that the same with real estate?
We often choose with our eyes—the biggest house, the flashiest condo, the trendiest neighborhood—without asking: is this really the right fit for me now?Just like my trainer, a property can be gorgeous, impressive, and full of promise… but if it doesn’t match your lifestyle, it’ll leave you sore, tired, and wondering why you signed up in the first place.
The right home, like the right trainer, understands where you are in life and where you want to go. Maybe that means downsizing to a condo with zero-maintenance living. Maybe it’s finding a home close to the grandkids. Or maybe it’s finally investing in a property that frees up your time instead of eating it alive.
Because at this stage in life, I’m not interested in six-pack abs—or a six-bedroom house I don’t need. I’m interested in strength, freedom, and doing the occasional “grandpa burpee”—in exercise, in real estate, and in life.
And I couldn’t help but wonder… maybe the secret isn’t about buying the biggest or flashiest property, but about choosing the one that actually keeps you moving forward.
Looking for the right fit for your next chapter? Whether you’re an OFW planning retirement or a couple rethinking the empty nest, I can help you find the property that’s more than just beautiful—it’s right for you. Contact me today and let’s find your perfect match.
