Can you really go from zero real estate experience to full financial freedom? CJ Calio did! Once a UPS driver stuck in long hours and a demanding job, he took a leap into real estate investing—with no background, no connections, and no prior knowledge. In just four years, he replaced both his and his wife’s incomes, built a cash-flowing portfolio, and now helps others do the same.
In this episode, CJ reveals how he overcame fear, imposter syndrome, and market challenges to master out-of-state investing and scale into commercial real estate. If you’re looking for a clear strategy to escape the 9-5 and build lasting wealth, this episode is for you!
Key Takeaways:
- No experience? No problem! How CJ went from complete beginner to full-time investor in just four years.
- Investing out of state made easy: Why CJ avoided his expensive local market and found success elsewhere.
- From rentals to commercial deals: How CJ scaled up for bigger profits and long-term wealth.
If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t have the experience to invest in real estate,” this episode will change your mind!
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:59 From UPS driver to real estate investor
04:56 Overcoming fear and stepping into real estate
07:24 Balancing work, family, and real estate investing
12:37 Choosing the right real estate strategy
14:22 The biggest challenges of investing in real estate
17:12 How to find and vet real estate agents
19:54 Understanding market analysis and the 1% rule
22:13 Transitioning from residential to commercial real estate
27:40 Challenges in today’s market and dealing with sellers
30:33 Real estate market expectations
31:35 The importance of networking and masterminds
33:26 Best source for meeting new investors
34:33 The most important metrics to check
35:24 Daily habits for long-term success
36:14 Giving back and supporting future generations
37:09 Where to connect with CJ Calio
Connect with CJ Calio
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cj-calio-621344113/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrcjcalio/
https://www.instagram.com/wnnproperties/
Website: https://wnnproperties.com/team/
VISIT OUR WEBSITE
https://lifebridgecapital.com/
Here are ways you can work with us here at Life Bridge Capital:
⚡️START INVESTING TODAY: If you think that real estate syndication may be right for you, contact us today to learn more about our current investment opportunities: https://lifebridgecapital.com/investwithlbc
⚡️Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRealEstateSyndicationShow
📝 JOIN THE DISCUSSION
https://www.facebook.com/groups/realestatesyndication
➡️ FOLLOW US
https://twitter.com/whitney_sewell
https://www.instagram.com/whitneysewell/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitney-sewell/
⭐ Be Our Guest!
We are continuously working hard to help our listeners with their journey to real estate syndication. If you think you can add value in any way to our listeners who are in commercial real estate, then we’d love to have you over.
Apply here: https://lifebridgecapital.com/join-our-podcast/
Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club
Welcome to Bookmarked by Reese’s Book Club — the podcast where great stories, bold women, and irresistible conversations collide! Hosted by award-winning journalist Danielle Robay, each week new episodes balance thoughtful literary insight with the fervor of buzzy book trends, pop culture and more. Bookmarked brings together celebrities, tastemakers, influencers and authors from Reese's Book Club and beyond to share stories that transcend the page. Pull up a chair. You’re not just listening — you’re part of the conversation.
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com