Keep It Real with Nolan Rucker

What happens when you stop overthinking and start taking action? In this episode, I’m joined by Edgar Chavez, a Designated Broker and owner of Momentum Brokers, who has been in the game for 16 years. Despite never having a formal call before this, Edgar and I realized instantly that we operate on the exact same frequency—no fluff, just high-level value.Edgar shares his journey from being a young agent in suits and ties in California to running a brokerage with 27 agents back home in Arizona. We dive deep into the "dummy tax" he’s paid over nearly two decades, the importance of inner alignment, and why time is the only part of the success equation you can't buy back.In this episode, we discuss:The Transition to Brokerage: Moving from a solo agent to a DB and the "forced accountability" of leading a team.Simple vs. Easy: Why most people fail because they overcomplicate the basics like cold calling and showing up.Real vs. Fake Dopamine: How to audit your distractions and trade the "scroll" for real fulfillment in the gym and with family.The Power of Proximity: Why we both prioritize surrounding ourselves with 1-percenters like Dustin Runyon and the Tuesday Growth community.The Bottom Line: You are the creator of your own future, but you have to be intentional with your environment. If you're tired of self-sabotage, it's time to get real about your calendar and who you’re listening to.Connect with Edgar: Follow him on Instagram @EdgarChavez for more on commercial real estate and brokerage leadership.Join the Crew: I host an open Zoom every Tuesday for agents who want to level up. DM me on Instagram to get the link!

How does a new agent go from a 13-year career in plumbing wholesale to landing five active listings in his first year? In this episode, I’m sitting down with Skyler Cantrell to talk about his transition into the industry and his "no-excuses" approach to building a business from scratch.We dive into the reality of joining a team, why we both chose resale over the headaches of house flipping, and the specific ways Skyler is finding business right now through FSBOs, estate sales, and open houses. I also break down my 90-day blueprint for using social media and AI to get $1M+ under contract and why being resourceful is more important than being "experienced."The Bottom Line: Real estate is a relationship-driven business. If you focus on the people and don't stop turning over rocks, the results will follow.Join the Conversation:I host an open Zoom every Tuesday for agents across all brokerages to talk marketing, mindset, and lead gen. DM me on Instagram @nolanrucker to get the invite!

How do you work less while making significantly more? In this episode, I’m breaking down the 3-step blueprint to reclaim your time, protect your peace, and scale your income without the burnout.Most entrepreneurs are "mosquitoes"—they are close-minded about protecting their time. If you want to separate yourself from the hustle and start valuing your dollar-per-hour, this episode is your wake-up call. I’m sharing the intentional tools I’ve learned from billion-dollar mentors to help you audit your meetings, gamify your business, and surround yourself with the right people.The 3 Steps Covered:The Meeting Audit: Converting in-person distractions into efficient voice notes.The ROI of Joy: Why doubling down on "low-friction" leads beats high-stress grinding every time.Proximity Power: Why you must follow someone’s lifestyle, not just their bank account.Join the Community:We host an open Zoom every Tuesday for agents across all brokerages to talk about these exact strategies. DM me to get the link and start plugging in!

In just four years, Naudia Andrescavage has gone from a corporate marketing desk at a civil engineering firm to leading the Selling Sonora Group at Compass, on track for $40 million in production. In this episode, we break down why "corporate grit" is the secret weapon for modern agents. Naudia explains her systematic approach to identifying gaps in the market—including how she’s currently positioning her team to dominate the Old Town Scottsdale brand.We dive deep into the "Doctor/Attorney" analogy of real estate leverage: why the best in the business shouldn't be the ones opening the doors or doing the paperwork. From 2-hour daily "Deep Work" Zoom sessions to utilizing VAs for agent-to-agent networking, this conversation is a masterclass in buying back your time and scaling without losing your peace of mind.

In this episode, the speaker talks with Felipe about his unconventional path into real estate and how he built an 11-agent team. Felipe discusses his background, including his three degrees—biology, premed, and healthcare administration—none of which were geared toward real estate. He initially got his license in 2017 to sell his own properties, but went full-time in 2020 after managing 300 doctors and specialists at Banner Health, a job he "absolutely hated"

I’ve learned that everything we’re taught about “working hard” in real estate can actually keep us stuck. In this episode, I sit down with Kevin Kauffman and Chris Bowers to have a raw, unfiltered conversation about what it really takes to build a business that works without you.This isn’t about hustling harder—it’s about recognizing that being busy is often the enemy of being profitable. We dive into the uncomfortable truths of choosing the right kind of hard, the kind that sets you free instead of trapping you.🔑 What We CoverHow the 80/20 principle reshapes your entire businessWhy staying emotionally neutral helps me manage 10+ pending deals while still taking vacationsThe compound effect of smart decisions vs. daily time drainsBuilding systems that generate revenue without constant interventionThe “mountain climbing” philosophy: supporting others without forcing your methodStrategic counterbalance vs. chasing perfect balanceOvercoming the mental barriers that keep agents from leveraging their business💡 My TakeawayFor me, this conversation was about showing that success doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your life. I’ve proven that you can grow, stay profitable, and still protect your peace of mind. Working smarter—not harder—is the real path to freedom.👉 Ready to design your next-level business strategy? Learn more at nextlevelagents.com/exp. Visit my website: www.soldbyrucker.com.And if you enjoy the episode, please leave us a review at ratethispodcast.com/nla.

What if your best income year came from working fewer hours, not more? Nolan Rucker just closed out 26.5 million in sales—his most profitable year ever—and he did it while taking more vacations, building serious leverage, and never showing half his listings in person. While the industry's hitting back-to-back 30-year lows in transaction volume, Nolan's proving that the old playbook is completely broken.In this episode, we break down the systems, mindset shifts, and tactical strategies that allowed Nolan to increase his dollar-per-hour while actually working less. From turning away nightmare clients to building a social media presence that generated 3 million views in 10 weeks, this conversation challenges everything you think you know about what it takes to win in real estate right now.Key Topics Covered:Why calculating your dollar-per-hour (not just your GCI) changes everything about how you approach your businessThe counterintuitive strategy of turning away clients and how it actually leads to more (and better) businessHow to build leverage in your business without needing a massive teamThe listing appointment strategy that positions you as a leader instead of an order-takerWhy Nolan hasn't met 10 of his clients in person (and why they're still giving him referrals)The green screen video strategy that built 3 million views in 10 weeks using just 20 minutes a dayHow to maximize internet leads by turning them into lifetime clients instead of one-off transactionsWhy peace of mind has ROI and how operating from abundance instead of scarcity attracts better opportunitiesThe importance of surrounding yourself with people who think bigger than you doIf you're grinding 60-hour weeks and still not hitting your income goals, this episode will make you rethink everything. Because the agents winning right now aren't working harder—they're working smarter. And they're willing to challenge every assumption about how real estate "should" work.Ready to level up your business with coaching, community, and mentorship from agents who are actually winning in today's market? Learn more about Next Level Agents and how to join eXp Realty at https://nextlevelagents.com/exp/. Visit my website here https://www.soldbyrucker.com/.​​Please leave us a review at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla⁠⁠⁠

In this quick solo episode, I break down why the gym is way more than just a place to lift weights — it’s the ultimate training ground for discipline, focus, and success. He talks about how the lessons you learn under the bar translate directly into business, mindset, and everyday life. This one’s about rewiring your brain to love effort, not comfort, and why showing up for your workout is the same as showing up for your future.

In this episode, I break down a simple process to actually hit your goals — not just set them.I walk through how to reverse engineer any goal, remove the emotion, and build a daily game plan that makes success nearly automatic. You’ll learn:How to figure out your real “why”What to remove from your life to make room for progressHow to know if your goal is truly worth chasingThe mindset shift that makes follow-through easyThis episode will help you get clear, commit fully, and stop falling short.Subscribe for more real talk on personal growth, business, and faith.#KeepItReal #Goals #PersonalDevelopment

In this episode I sit down with Hector Hernandez, who recently became a solo agent and has continued to grow his business at a rapid pace. Hector shares his story and the lessons he has learned along the way.We dive into how powerful emotional intelligence really is, the way your environment shapes your success, and how daily habits either set you up to win or hold you back. We also talk about how being around the right people can completely change your life, while being around the wrong people can hold you down.This conversation is packed with high-level topics that will challenge the way you think and help you shift your mindset toward more success.

The last two and a half years have been more than fulfilling and rewarding.In this episode I share exactly why I decided to join this company, where I was at when I made that decision, and how far I have come since then.I talk about what has worked for me, what I would do differently, and where I am headed next.I also break down what type of agents I think would benefit from making the same move and which ones probably would not.Along the way I share the pros and cons I have personally experienced so far so you can decide if it is the right move for you.

I just finished 75 Hard. This isn’t a podcast about bragging or checking off a challenge. It’s about what I learned about discipline, mental toughness, and showing up when nobody’s watching. I’ll share what changed in my life, what surprised me, and why I think everyone should experience something like this at least once. Whether you’re in business, fitness, or just trying to level up, this episode is about building a mindset that can’t be shaken.

If I had to start over in real estate with no clients, no deals, no reputation… what would I do?In this episode I share the exact steps I’d take to rebuild fast. The habits, mindset, and daily actions that actually get results.This isn’t theory. This is what works in today’s market if you’re willing to do the work.Whether you’re brand new or restarting your career, this is the playbook.

Most people think burnout comes from doing too much.But the real danger? Doing too much of the wrong thing.In this episode, I break down how burnout can sneak up on even the most disciplined, motivated, and high-performing people — and how to catch it before it takes you out.We’ll talk about the warning signs, the root cause behind burnout that no one talks about, and how alignment — not just rest — is the key to avoiding it long term.If you’re working hard but starting to feel worn down, unmotivated, or disconnected… this episode might be the reset you need.

In this episodeI dive into why mentorship is one of the fastest ways to growin businessin lifeand in your mindsetYou don’t need to figure everything out on your ownand you shouldn’tI talk about what makes a great mentorand how to actually be a great menteebecause there’s a right way to approach itand a wrong way that most people don’t even realize they’re doingThe truth isyou can shortcut years of trial and errorjust by learning from someone who’s already been thereI also break down how mentorship has shaped my own journeyand the mindset shift it takes to stay coachableWhether you’re looking for a mentortrying to be a better leaderor just want to grow fasterthis one’s for you

In this episode I break down Profit First in the most simple way possibleNot the complex versionNot the overwhelming spreadsheet versionThis is how to actually startI talk about figuring out your burn rateWhat you need just to break evenAnd how to get real with your spending habitsFrom there we take simple percentagesSo you know exactly how much to set aside for taxesHow much to pay yourselfHow much to saveAnd how to stop spending blindlyThis is the system I useTo run my business and my lifeWithout the chaos or confusionIf you’ve ever made good moneyBut didn’t know where it wentThis episode is for you

Time can either be your biggest assetOr your biggest excuseIn this episodeI break down how one simple change completely shifted the way I manage my daysI’ll share how I used to waste timeHow I use it nowAnd how this small shift changed my business, my peace of mind, and my resultsIf you constantly feel busyBut don’t feel like you’re getting aheadThis episode is for you

There are two types of conversion that matterTurning leads into actual appointmentsAnd turning those appointments into signed dealsMost people are dropping the ball on one of themOr bothIn this oneI break down the mindset shift that helped me start closing at a much higher levelWhat I track every week to keep the needle movingWhere people waste time and energyAnd how to build trust without sounding like a robotIf you’ve got leads coming in but your conversion rate isn’t where you want it to beThis is the episode you need

This isn’t theoryThis is exactly what I’m doing with my own moneyAnd what some of the sharpest investors I work with are doing tooI break down what I’ve already done that’s workingWhere I’m putting my money nextWhat I’m staying away fromAnd what I’m doubling down on moving forwardPlus, I’ll walk you through the mindset and strategy my top investor clients are using right nowBecause let’s be realWe’re not trying to win the lotteryWe’re trying to build long-term wealth without losing our minds along the wayIf you’re serious about playing the game the right way in 2025Tap in

In this episode, I sat down with my top mentor, Chris Bowers, a guy who’s helped hundreds of entrepreneurs grow real businesses and better lives.We broke down the difference between the ones who win and the ones who keep spinning their wheels.We talked about how to do more with lessHow to eliminate distractionsAnd how to turn your phone from your biggest weakness into your greatest toolThis one gets real.If you’re looking to level up your businessIf you feel like you’re capable of more but something’s holding you backOr if you’re tired of the noise and just want clear directionTap inIt’s all here

I just broke down my biggest takeaways from Atomic Habits and how I’m applying them in real lifeNo fluffNo highlight reel stuffJust straight talk on how to actually build better habitsstay consistentand stop relying on motivation to get resultsIf you’ve read the book or never picked it upthis episode will hitListen inApply one thingWatch what happens

In this episode we talk about one of my favorite topics, Flow State. That ‘locked-in’ zone where time slows down distractions disappear, and you feel like you’re actually in control. I break down how to tap into it what usually gets in the way and how building your life around flow can completely change your energy focus and results. If you’ve been feeling distracted or stuck, this episode will fire you up!