Coaching with Chris

Joe Motowidlak is the Chief Operating Officer at Mpire Financial, leading operational strategy with a focus on systems, consistency, and an exceptional loan officer experience. His leadership approach was shaped during his career at Walt Disney World, where he earned the prestigious Disney Legacy Award, recognizing the top 1% of employees who embody Walt Disney’s spirit and leadership.

Since joining Mpire Financial in 2021 and advancing to COO, Joe has helped scale the company’s people, processes, and culture. He is also a driving force behind MortgageCon, championing an industry event designed to inspire, energize, and connect mortgage professionals.

Rick Ruby is the founder, CEO, and head coach of The CORE Training, and one of the most successful mortgage coaches in the industry. With more than 40 years in the business, he owns three high‑performing mortgage branches with a team of 35 loan officers, and his branches closed roughly 2,000 loans in 2023 alone.

Since 2001, Rick has personally coached over 1,000 mortgage and real estate professionals, backed by dozens of elite CORE coaches, all focused on a simple philosophy: make more, save more, and give more.

Robyn LaVassaur, a wife, mom and originator at heart. Robyn has been in the mortgage industry for over 25 years, serving over 680 families her last year of production before becoming the EVP of Sales for Summit Funding Inc now CrossCountry Mortgage. She also continues to run the largest branch in volume and units.

People are Robyn’s biggest passion. She has dedicated her life to developing people, team building, growth and creating culture. She is committed to empowering people to make a positive impact on the industry and everyone they interact with.

Robyn is equally passionate about her personal life, with a thriving marriage and close relationships with all five of her children and grandchildren. She wants to inspire others to do BOTH, build a beautiful career and a beautiful personal life.

In this episode of Coaching with Chris, Chris sits down with Jen Du Plessis, a mortgage industry veteran, business scaling architect, and host of the long-running Mortgage Lending Mastery podcast.

With more than 35 years in lending, over $1 billion funded, and a reputation for building world-class teams, Jen shares the strategies that helped her move from hustle to harmony while consistently performing at the highest levels of the industry.

Throughout the conversation, Jen discusses:
• How she built a billion-dollar mortgage career with only 22 referral relationships
• The difference between being “on demand” and “in demand”
• Why client experience matters more than rates and products
• The power of focusing on quality relationships over quantity
• Building teams that create leverage and scalability
• How loan officers can stand out in a competitive marketplace
• Leadership, systems, and creating sustainable growth
• Preparing for the next wave of opportunity in the mortgage industry

This episode is packed with practical insights for loan officers, real estate professionals, entrepreneurs, and business owners looking to grow their businesses while creating more freedom and fulfillment.

To learn more about Jen Du Plessis, her coaching programs, and the Mortgage Lending Mastery podcast, visit her website and connect with her on social media.

If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more interviews, coaching, leadership, sales, and mortgage industry insights.

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Jason duPont is the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Partner of NEXA Lending. With nearly 30 years in the mortgage industry, he is known for building high-performing teams, scaling organizations, developing leaders, and investing in the future of lending and AI.

Known as “Indefatigable,” Jason gravitates toward challenges and believes growth comes from doing hard things. As NEXA’s top recruiter and a key investor in http://bevri.ai he is passionate about helping people level up personally and professionally while driving innovation across the industries he serves.

Husband. Father of Five. Builder of People, Systems, and the Future.

Ryan Gilliam is the Broker and Owner of Your Best Mortgage. A lifelong Arizona resident, Ryan has been happily married for 19 years and just wrapped up his 17th year originating loans. With over $760 million in funded volume, his commitment to clear communication, speed, and smooth closings has built a loyal database of raving fans.

Top 1% Originator | Performance Coach | Mortgage RainmakerShayla Gifford is a powerhouse in the mortgage industry, known for transforming hustle into high-impact leadership while having fun and keeping it real. With over 20 years of experience, Shayla's built and runs a $1B+ business while raising a family, leading a nationwide team of 75+ mortgage professionals, and coaching countless loan officers into top producers.As the host of The Mortgage Rainmaker Podcast and a nationally recognized performance coach, Shayla teaches driven mortgage pros how to ditch burnout, master strategic systems, and build a business that fuels both success and freedom. Her mission? To help you scale sustainably, lead with confidence, and become the rainmaker of your life and business.www.shaylagifford.com@shaygiff@10xwithcatalystcommunityThe Mortgage Rainmaker Podcast

Dawn Van Nieuwenhuyzen is a mortgage professional and mom who understands firsthand what it looks like to build a career while raising a family. In this Moms Takeover episode of Coaching with Chris, she joins Bella Barbee, Shelby Vinson, and Ashley Bedford for an honest conversation about navigating motherhood in the mortgage industry.Bella Barbee is a mortgage banker and devoted mom who brings a relationship-first approach to both her clients and her family. Shelby Vinson is building her career in mortgage while managing the day-to-day demands that come with being a working mom. Ashley Bedford is focused on growth in a fast-paced industry while staying present at home, offering her own perspective on what it takes to manage both worlds.Together, this group represents what many women in mortgage are living every day. Building a career, supporting their families, and figuring out how to do both without losing themselves in the process.This conversation dives into the real experience behind motherhood in mortgage. From navigating maternity leave and maintaining a pipeline, to redefining the idea of balance, managing mom guilt, and stepping into the role of a contributor or breadwinner.More than a discussion, this episode highlights a shared reality. There is no perfect balance. There is support, structure, and the decision to keep showing up.The goal is simple. Create space for honest conversations, remove unrealistic expectations, and redefine what success looks like for working moms in the mortgage industry. Member FDIC.

Adam Karcz is a husband to a passionate special education teacher and a father of two boys, ages 5 and 2—living the same life as many of the families he serves. He is the Founder and Owner of Mammoth Mortgage, where Team Mammoth is building a new standard for how families move into their next home. In 2025, the team ranked as the #1 broker loan officer in Wisconsin for households served.

Team Mammoth was built for people in the heart of their careers, needing a process that actually fits real life. Instead of a slow, confusing mortgage experience, the team is known for delivering “speed to certainty” a clear, structured path from “we think we’re ready” to “we know exactly what to do next.”

More than a mortgage team, Team Mammoth operates as a philosophy: eliminate guesswork, move with intention, and make confident decisions backed by strategy. The mission is simple.  Raise the standard for how families experience one of the biggest financial moves of their lives.

Cindy Ertman is a nationally recognized mortgage industry leader, speaker, coach and CEO of The Defining Difference®, a top coaching and training company for mortgage professionals. Named one of Mortgage Executive Magazine’s “Top 100 Most Influential Mortgage Executives” five years in a row and a “Top 100 Mortgage Loan Originator” for over a decade, Cindy brings unmatched expertise and a proven track record of success. Her mission is to help high-performing mortgage professionals expand their income and impact—by breaking through barriers, leading with intention, and building extraordinary lives and businesses. With her proven training systems and a team of elite coaches, she provides the tools, strategies, and support to accelerate your next level of growth.Cindy’s reach extends beyond the mortgage world; she has shared the stage with influential leaders like Tony Robbins, Darren Hardy, Magic Johnson, Jack Canfield, Les Brown, and former President George Bush, inspiring thousands with her insights and passion for making an impact.Michele Town—also known as “The Girl Who Gets It Done.” It’s a nickname she earned over 25 years from clients and Realtors who’ve seen her deliver, even in the most complex situations.Her background as a top processor gave her a deep understanding of every layer of the loan process. Combined with her expertise in critical thinking, she is able to structure solutions and anticipate challenges before they become problems. What sets her apart is her transparency, creative problem-solving, and forward-thinking approach. The most important part of her process is tailoring every loan to meet her clients’ expectations—not hers. Every file is different, and their motto is “Think Yes.” They bring that mindset to every loan they structure. She doesn't take on anything unless she knows it will work—and she'll always tell you the truth along the way. You’ll stay informed every step, and once she's in, she doesn't give up. Her goal is simple: get you to the finish line with confidence.