What does it take to retire at 44 without winning the lottery or inheriting wealth? In this episode, we are joined by Tony Lopes, CEO of Dirty Boots Capital, real estate professional, best-selling author, coach, and speaker. Tony shares how his immigrant roots, engineering background, and calculated risks in real estate allowed him to achieve financial independence and how you can apply the same principles to your own journey.

In this episode, we chat about…

• Tony's journey from mechanical engineer to full-time investor and entrepreneur

• The wake-up call that shifted his mindset after being laid off at 28

• Why keeping a W-2 job at first can be a powerful tool for real estate investors

• How to leverage 401(k) funds wisely to build your investment portfolio

• The psychological barriers (fear, resistance, conditioning) that hold people back from starting

• Tony's "swim lane" in multifamily real estate and why he focuses there

• The role of networking and coaching in finding opportunities and accelerating growth

• Building not just wealth, but a legacy for future generations

Key Takeaways:

• Financial independence starts with understanding your expenses and creating enough cash flow to cover them.

• A W-2 paycheck can be an advantage, banks value stability when you're just starting out.

• Don't reinvent the wheel, model the success of others who've done what you want to do.

• The biggest hurdle is often mindset, not money, overcoming fear and resistance is critical.

• Networking opens unexpected doors; opportunities often come from simply sharing your goals.

• Legacy matters: investing in real estate can provide stability and opportunity for future generations.

• Retiring early isn't about quitting life, it's about having freedom to live on your terms.

Resources from Tony

LinkedIn | Dirty Boots Capital | www.thriftbooks.com

Books recommended: The ONE Thing | The War Of Art

Resources from Mike and Nichole

Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide