Built Different with Avo Awanesian

In this episode of the Built Different Podcast, I sit down with my good friend and mentor Chris Bowers for a raw, high level conversation about what actually drives high performers and why most people stay stuck.

Chris opens up about the seasons of life and business and how he is constantly shedding skin to become the next version of himself. He explains how he views real estate like a football field with different roles, different levels, and different seasons, and why growth requires knowing when to evolve.

We also get real about intensity. Chris does not do surface level conversations, and he shares why urgency, conviction, and truth are at the core of how he leads even when it feels uncomfortable.

We dive deep into money and financial discipline, including Chris's life by design system where he tracks a few core metrics daily and uses them as a scoreboard to determine when to push harder. He breaks down the biggest financial mistakes he sees high earners make, including lifestyle creep, consumer debt, and chasing what looks good instead of what actually builds freedom. Chris also shares the story of how his mom completely transformed her life by getting out of debt, buying everything in cash, and teaching him money principles early, lessons that shaped how he saves, invests, and gives today.

We also talk about leadership and what separates people who want more from those who actually go get it. Chris explains how quickly he can spot winner versus victim energy, why excuses shut down momentum, and why proximity to the right people matters more than almost any strategy. This is a conversation about speed, accountability, honesty, and building a life your future self will thank you for.

If you are tired of feeling behind, stuck, or almost there, this episode will challenge you in the best way.

Host: Avo Awanesian Instagram: @avosellsaz

Guest: Chris Bowers Instagram: @chrisbowers_realestate

In this episode of the Built Different podcast, Avo sits down with top producing solo agent Nolan Rucker for a real conversation about growth, competition, and building a business without losing your life in the process.

Nolan shares how he accidentally fell into real estate after studying kinesiology, quickly scaled through a high volume listing team, and became obsessed with efficiency, skills, and finding the fastest path to the top one percent.

Avo and Nolan unpack their friendly competition as two solo agents both nearing thirty million in production and how that push has fueled both of them. They talk honestly about relying heavily on sphere and referrals, realizing how much potential they were leaving on the table, and how a conversation with their mentor led them to attack the discomfort they had avoided. That sparked their new ninety minute daily lock in sessions focused on prospecting and pipeline building, which immediately generated new opportunities and momentum.

The two dive into why environment matters and how their collaborative crew functions like a team without the splits, giving them community, accountability, and shared standards while allowing each agent to run their own business. Nolan also breaks down how he protects his time, sets boundaries, and delivers high level service without overcommitting himself, which has helped him maintain balance in both life and business.

They wrap with Nolan's definition of success, how he reverse engineers his income and lifestyle goals, and the simple principle guiding him now. Stop wasting time. He shares how eliminating distractions, being intentional with his days, and staying present have created more fulfillment and more results.

This episode is a powerful look at what it takes to grow, evolve, and operate at a high level while staying true to yourself.

Connect with Avo Awanesian: Instagram: @avosellsaz

Connect with Nolan Rucker: Instagram: @nolanrucker

Facebook: Nolan Rucker

TikTok: Nolanrucker10

Welcome to the very first episode of The Built Different Podcast.

Before I bring on guests and spotlight other high performers, I wanted to start with my own journey...

In this solo episode, I share my story from being first generation born in the U.S. & raised by immigrant parents with nothing but grit and work ethic… to getting lost in the wrong crowd, using and selling drugs in my teens… to making the hardest decision of my life to change everything.

You'll hear how I got clean, rebuilt my life, met my wife who helped save me, and discovered my natural gift for sales. From call centers to car sales to corporate tech, I found success but not fulfillment. I even lied about having a college degree just to get a shot at corporate tech sales… and somehow turned that opportunity into a leadership and training career.

Then came the leap that changed everything: I cashed out my 401k. I went all in on real estate. No backup plan.

Year one was a grind with inconsistent income. Year two brought momentum. Year three? Just under $30 million closed as a solo agent and top 1% agent in Arizona.

This episode is about adversity, transformation, betting on yourself, refusing to quit, and what being "built different" truly means.

This podcast is for the entrepreneurs, the grinders, the dreamers, and anyone who knows they're meant for more.

If you're trying to level up mentally, personally, and professionally, this show is for you.

DM me to connect!

IG - @avosellsaz