Episode 21
🎙️ How Michael Albaum Used Real Estate to Escape a Soul-Crushing Job
🎙️ From Battle to Business – Featuring Michael Albaum
In this value-packed episode of From Battle to Business, I sit down with Michael Albaum, host of The Remote Real Estate Investor podcast and full-time real estate investor and coach with Roofstock. Michael unpacks his journey from an unfulfilling engineering career into the freedom and flexibility of real estate investing. From the trials of choosing the wrong professional path to discovering a mission-driven career in real estate, Michael drops powerful mindset gems, investing strategies, and tangible tips for veterans and aspiring entrepreneurs.
This episode isn’t just about real estate—it’s about making bold transitions, building freedom through calculated risk, and staying true to your “why.” If you’re stuck in a career that drains you, or you’re curious how to leverage real estate for long-term wealth, this one’s for you.
🔑 Key Takeaways
• You can pivot successfully—even from an established career path.
• The importance of surrounding yourself with people on similar journeys.
• Real estate isn’t just about money—it’s about freedom and flexibility.
• Mistakes are part of the growth; they become learning tools.
• Don’t chase a job for prestige or expectations—pursue fulfillment.
• Roofstock offers a unique platform for remote investing.
• Investing while working full-time is not only doable, but smart.
• Make decisions from where you want to be—not where you are.
🪜 Step-by-Step: Michael’s Real Estate Pivot Blueprint
1. Recognize Discontent
Michael realized that his engineering job didn’t spark passion—it drained him.
2. Explore and Research
He started learning about real estate through podcasts, books, and online communities.
3. Start Small
His first investment wasn’t glamorous, but it gave him a foothold and confidence.
4. Build Relationships
Michael found mentors, joined masterminds, and surrounded himself with other investors.
5. Transition Gradually
He didn’t quit immediately—he built his investment income until it replaced his job.
6. Create a Mission-Driven Career
Now, through Roofstock and FI Academy, he helps others do the same.
đź’¬ Memorable Quotes
“It felt like my soul was dying at my desk.”
“Your job is the biggest investor in your real estate journey.”
“Find the pain and chase the solution.”
“I thought the goal was to get rich. The real goal was to get free.”
“You can’t get to where you want to be by thinking like the person you are now.
🧰 Resources Mentioned
• Roofstock A platform that allows investors to buy and sell tenant-occupied rental properties remotely. Great for first-time investors and those looking for passive income.
• The Remote Real Estate Investor Podcast Michael’s podcast that covers strategies, stories, and expert insights for long-distance real estate investors.
• FI Academy Michael’s online coaching community helping people achieve financial independence through real estate.
đź’ˇ My Best Advice?
Start before you’re ready. Your W-2 can fund your freedom. Whether you’re leaving the military, pivoting careers, or just plain stuck—take the next step. Invest in education, lean into community, and make small moves consistently. Real estate might not be your path, but freedom and fulfillment should be your goal.
Connect with Michael Albaum at
CTA: https://www.myfiacademy.com
Connect with Dean Van Dyke at The Breakthrough Blueprint
https://www.instagram.com/dhvandyke27/
https://www.facebook.com/thepillarsgroup/
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