Trevor B West is a multifamily real estate investor, faith-based entrepreneur, and one of the most in-demand event emcees in the real estate mastermind world. Before real estate, he spent his career as an Air Force special-forces intelligence analyst, building target packages alongside teams like SEAL Team Six and Delta Force. A snapped leg on a rugby field and twenty thousand dollars in debt forced a reset that pushed him into investing. Seven years later he owns more than 80 multifamily units across 17 buildings in Ohio, and he owns almost all of them outright, with no syndication and no partners. He now teaches the playbook on his YouTube channel, Trevor B West (@bettertrevor on Instagram).

In this episode, Rafa and Trevor break down:

Why multifamily is getting crushed in 2026, and the contrarian way he positioned to BUY the distress instead of becoming it. Over $160 billion in multifamily loans come due this year, and the operators sitting on five-year syndication debt are the ones being forced to sell.

Price over location. Why his mentor threw out "location, location, location" and replaced it with "price, price, price," and how buying far below market gives you room to survive every mistake.

Why he owns 100% of his portfolio with no partners and no investors to bail out when the loan resets, and the honest case for when a partnership is actually worth it.

The $940K deal. How he bought a 28-unit portfolio for $940,000, renovated it, and refinanced at $1.9 million, building a million dollars of equity with the BRRRR method (buy, renovate, refinance, repeat) in 14 months.

The shiny-object trap that quietly cost him tens of thousands in dead earnest money, and why picking one strategy and putting his blinders on changed everything.

Why a single property replaced the entire retirement he would have earned from 20 years in the military, and the mindset shift that comes with owning your first door.

How an intelligence analyst vets a deal like a target package, so he never wires money into a trap.

Why he turned the whole business over to God, and the one verse (Psalm 37:23) that has guided every move for two years.

─────────────────────────────────────
TIMESTAMPS
─────────────────────────────────────
0:00 - Intro
2:08 - Meet Trevor B West
3:19 - From Air Force intelligence analyst to 80+ units
7:11 - $20K in debt, Rich Dad Poor Dad, and the first deal
10:38 - The shiny-object trap that cost him tens of thousands
16:27 - Why multifamily is getting crushed in 2026 (and why he chose it)
18:54 - Price over location: the rule that beats the market
20:10 - The syndication trap and the 2026 maturity wall
23:17 - The $940K, 28-unit deal that built $1M in equity
26:35 - The real numbers: cash flow, equity, and $200 per door
32:01 - Why he owns 100% with no partners
39:11 - Leverage and delegation without losing control
42:05 - Rich Dad Poor Dad and why timing decides who it changes
43:20 - Faith, focus, and turning the business over to God
51:13 - Psalm 37:23: God cannot bless steps you never take
53:40 - How one property replaced a 20-year pension
56:44 - His big break: the feather, the hammer, and the train
60:25 - Where to find Trevor

🎙 The Big Break Show with Rafa Loza every Thursday.
Real operators. Real numbers. No fluff.

📲 Instagram: @itsrafaloza | STR specialist.
Wondering how and where to start your STR journey?

🔗 Join the community: https://www.skool.com/the-airbnb-blueprint-rafaloza/about

🔔 New episodes every week! subscribe so you don't miss them.

Donato Callahan is a real estate investor, software founder, and capital strategist who acquired nearly 600 units in commercial real estate before the age of 27. He graduated high school valedictorian and was recruited out of Boise State by the Department of Defense as a geospatial analyst, then walked away from a secure intelligence career to go all in on real estate. He house hacked his way in, lost money on his very first deal, and turned that failure into a 172-unit syndication just months later. Today he is the co-founder and CEO of Bright Investor (@donato_callahan), a deal-analysis platform built for investors and property managers, and the CFO of Timberview Capital, where he is helping scale the firm to 100 million dollars in annual capital. He is the proof that a few focused years can outrun a 40-year career.

In this episode, Rafa and Donato break down:
The 2-year sprint versus the 17-year sentence. Why a short window of extreme, isolating effort buys a life most people never touch, and how a coworker who "mentally prepared to do another 17 years" became the warning that pushed Donato out the door.
The failed 96-unit deal that built his entire career. How walking away from a "war zone" building in St. Louis and eating the loss on contractors got him invited into the room that handed him his first 172-unit deal.

Why being in the right room beats being the most talented person in it. The poolside conversation in Joshua Tree that turned into a CFO seat at Timberview, and why proximity to the right people creates opportunities that raw skill never will.

The exact first-deal playbook for a total beginner. House hack a two to four unit, get as close to zero out of pocket as possible, then trade sweat equity for someone else's capital on a 10 to 50 unit. The simple path most people overcomplicate into never starting.

How a teenager's NVIDIA bet led him to real estate. He picked the one stock that printed, watched COVID erase half of it overnight, and decided he needed assets he could actually control.

Syndication explained like you are five. What a general partner and a limited partner really do, how the splits are structured, and how someone with energy but no money partners with someone who has money but no time.

Inside Bright Investor, the software he built from his own pain points. How it surfaces on and off market deals, pulls sale and rent comps line by line, runs ten strategies side by side, and generates a lender-ready report, and why an investor who actually buys real estate builds a sharper tool than a banker ever could.
─────────────────────────────────────
CONNECT WITH DONATO
─────────────────────────────────────
Website: https://donatocallahan.com
Instagram: @donato_callahan
Software: https://brightinvestor.com (14-day free trial)

🎙 The Big Break Show with Rafa Loza every Thursday.
Real operators. Real numbers. No fluff.
📲 Instagram: @itsrafaloza | STR specialist.
Wondering how and where to start your STR journey?
🔗 Join the community: https://www.skool.com/the-airbnb-blueprint-rafaloza/about
🔔 New episodes every week! subscribe so you don't miss them.

Danny Mabley is a content strategist and creator coach with over 450,000 combined followers across platforms. He started in content over a decade ago, and when his daughter was born, pivoted to consulting. His first major client was in the short-term rental and real estate investing space, which led to a coaching and strategy practice that now works with investors, coaches, and business owners. He runs Return on Content (@ReturnonContent), where the focus is results, not just views.

In this episode, Rafa and Danny break down:
The 0-5-10-15 second framework. What has to happen in every window to stop the scroll, build emotional connection, and open a curiosity loop before anyone decides to stay.

Why skip rate is now the most important metric on Instagram and how to actually move it in your favor without expensive production.

The outlier testing method. How to shoot 20 videos in 5 different styles, identify the one that does 5-10x, and replicate the formula until growth compounds.

Why your iPhone outperforms an expensive camera on Instagram in 2026. One of Danny's clients doubled her average views just by switching to a phone and the Edits app.

What to look for when hiring a content strategist and the red flags that tell you are walking into a content farm with a payment plan and no real coaching.

Why AI cannot write hooks. Claude, ChatGPT, and Gemini all fail at the most
important 5 seconds of your video, and why that is good news for anyone willing to put in real work.

The difference between a growth season and a sell season, and why mixing them quietly kills both.

─────────────────────────────────────
TIMESTAMPS
─────────────────────────────────────
0:00 - Intro
1:26 - Meet Danny Mabley
6:04 - Why variety content now beats niche content
10:28 - The 0-5-10-15 second framework
15:16 - The most underrated investment for creators
16:36 - Growth season vs. sell season: never mix them
20:01 - Outlier testing: how to find your 5-10x video
21:45 - Skip rate: the number one metric right now
29:13 - The Edits app algorithm boost and how long it lasts
31:30 - Why structure beats production quality every time
32:32 - How to hire the right content strategist
36:19 - What real growth actually costs in 2026
43:31 - The command growth strategy
45:23 - iPhone vs. expensive camera: a real client case study
51:23 - TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram are not the same game
54:39 - Why AI cannot write hooks
57:28 - Why AI content will hurt your brand long-term
1:00:41 - Danny's final advice: just start
1:05:13 - Where to find Danny

🎙 The Big Break Show with Rafa Loza every Thursday.
Real operators. Real numbers. No fluff.

📲 Instagram: @itsrafaloza | STR specialist.
Wondering how and where to start your STR journey?

🔗 Join the community: https://www.skool.com/the-airbnb-blueprint-rafaloza/about

🔔 New episodes every week! subscribe so you don't miss them.

If your short-term rental revenue still lives and dies on Airbnb, this episode is the clearest roadmap to changing that. Rafa Loza sits down with Mark Simpson — founder of Boostly, creator of a WordPress direct booking framework that converts at 5x the industry average, and the force behind Boostly Connect — to break down exactly how STR hosts are using AI and PMS integration to build their own marketing machines. Direct bookings, vacation rental automation, and the tools that make it all work without a VA team are all on the table.

📌 01:06 — 18 autonomous AI agents running his business
11:15 — Boostly Connect build (18 months in the making)
20:58 — CRM + PMS integration for automated marketing
43:21 — FIFA World Cup STR opportunity strategy
40:55 — "Vibe coding" for niche landing pages
1:00:58 — "Icarus" — his personal AI chief of staff

🎙 The Big Break Show with Rafa Loza every Thursday.
Real operators. Real numbers. No fluff.

📲 Instagram: @itsrafaloza | STR specialist.
Wondering how and where to start your STR journey?

🔗 Join the community: https://www.skool.com/the-airbnb-blueprint-rafaloza/about

🔔 New episodes every week! subscribe so you don't miss them.

Giving you all a end of year Short Term Rental market update. Also, big news. I'm taking the podcast solo!

In this episode, we sit down with Gil, the founder and CEO of CraftedStays, as he shares his inspiring journey from a tech career to the short-term rental industry. Gil talks about his transition from a secure W2 job to building a thriving hospitality business with properties in The Great Smoky Mountains and Branson. He dives into the importance of diversifying beyond Airbnb, the creation of his direct booking platform, and how CraftedStays empowers hosts to succeed with direct bookings. 

Gil also discusses key strategies for effective email marketing, choosing the right property management system, and the partnerships that have propelled CraftedStays forward, including collaborations with Hospitable, Guesty, Hostaway, OwnerRez, and Hostfully. He opens up about the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, emphasizing work-life balance and the continuous learning that has shaped his success. Plus, don’t miss his insights from his own podcast, Direct Booking Simplified , where he explores the world of short-term rentals and direct booking tactics with industry experts.

 New episode every Wednesday!
 
Connect with Gil Chan!
 Instagram: @thegilbertchan
@craftedstays 

https://craftedstays.co/

#TheBigBreakShow #GilChan

  For Audio Podcast, Subscribe and Listen to The Big Break Show HERE:

• Spotify
• Apple

Connect with Rafa Loza on Social Media:

• Instagram 
• Facebook

If you’re interested in Rafa’s Course, check the link to his STR Academy Application: 

• Stride Academy

Connect with Dan Tollens!

• Instagram
• Youtube
• Facebook
• danandcassietollens.com

Josh Dixon shares his journey from growing up in a construction family to becoming a successful real estate investor. He discusses the importance of setting goals, balancing family life with business, and the value of mastermind groups in maintaining focus. Josh emphasizes the significance of building strong relationships with subcontractors and the role of administration in scaling his construction business. He aims to grow his portfolio to 500 doors while ensuring a healthy work-life balance. We also discussed the intricacies of managing a construction business, focusing on delegation, communication, and the importance of building a reliable team. We explore the challenges of cash flow management, the significance of trust and reputation in the industry, and the strategies for scaling the business. We all shared personal experiences and insights on how to navigate project delays and the value of mentorship in achieving growth. The discussion culminates in actionable advice for aspiring builders and entrepreneurs.
 
 New episode every Wednesday!
 
Connect with Josh Dixon!
Instagram: @dixon_homes

https://www.instagram.com/dixonhomestn/

#TheBigBreakShow #JoshDixon

  For Audio Podcast, Subscribe and Listen to The Big Break Show HERE:

• Spotify
• Apple

Connect with Rafa Loza on Social Media:

• Instagram 
• Facebook

If you’re interested in Rafa’s Course, check the link to his STR Academy Application: 

• Stride Academy

Connect with Dan Tollens!

• Instagram
• Youtube
• Facebook
• danandcassietollens.com

Whit McCarthy, one of the co-founders of The Helm, joins us on the show to chat about the world of real estate lending. We dive into topics like hard money lending, business purpose lending, and the key differences between conventional and investor loans. He breaks down how loans get originated, funded, and sold to institutional buyers, while emphasizing how crucial local expertise is in lending. We also touch on residential properties, especially one to four unit construction projects and build-to-rent opportunities. We also weigh in on the current mortgage rates, explaining that rates have improved and may continue to do so. We dig deeper into loan structures and prepayment penalties, stressing the importance of borrowers understanding the terms of their loans. Toward the end, we shift focus to The Helm, a co-working space and community for real estate pros, sharing their vision for the space and the benefits it offers to its members.

 New episode every Wednesday!
 
Connect with Whit McCarthy!
 Instagram: @whitmccarthy

https://consistentcapital.com/

#TheBigBreakShow #WhitMcCarthy

  For Audio Podcast, Subscribe and Listen to The Big Break Show HERE:

• Spotify
• Apple

Connect with Rafa Loza on Social Media:

• Instagram 
• Facebook

If you’re interested in Rafa’s Course, check the link to his STR Academy Application: 

• Stride Academy

Connect with Dan Tollens!

• Instagram
• Youtube
• Facebook
• danandcassietollens.com

In this episode, we talk about our journey from non-investors to buying businesses, and how finding the right mentors and communities made all the difference. We dive into the challenges of online courses and influencers, break down the importance of understanding business metrics, and share what we look for when evaluating potential acquisitions. We also touch on the power of networking, how ad backs factor into business valuations, and why having a long-term vision is key. We wrap up by encouraging you to tap into your network to learn and grow.

 New episode every Wednesday!
 

#TheBigBreakShow #BusinessMetrics

  For Audio Podcast, Subscribe and Listen to The Big Break Show HERE:

• Spotify
• Apple

Connect with Rafa Loza on Social Media:

• Instagram 
• Facebook

If you’re interested in Rafa’s Course, check the link to his STR Academy Application: 

• Stride Academy

 
Connect with Dan Tollens!

• Instagram
• Youtube
• Facebook
• danandcassietollens.com

In this episode, Hayden Albert shares his journey from the Navy to diving into real estate and entrepreneurship. He talks about starting a window company, navigating partnerships, and finding success in a unique niche of real estate. He talks about his current focus on a new niche in real estate that offers market share and profitability without the need for a large operation. The conversation focuses on the strategy of using hard money loans to purchase properties with extra acreage, then subdividing the land and placing mobile homes on it. This allows the investors to leverage existing debt and minimize out-of-pocket expenses.

We also chat about the power of marketing, building your personal brand, and using social media to boost credibility and attract new opportunities. Hayden drops some great advice on focusing on money-making tasks, delegating the rest, and building solid relationships in the real estate world. Tune in for practical tips and as always, take notes and take action!
 

 New episode every Wednesday!
 
Connect with Hayden Albert!
 Instagram: @haydenalbert (https://www.instagram.com/haydenalbert/)

https://www.youtube.com/@HJOperative
https://www.facebook.com/hayden.albert.18

#TheBigBreakShow #HaydenAlbert

  For Audio Podcast, Subscribe and Listen to The Big Break Show HERE:

• Spotify
• Apple

Connect with Rafa Loza on Social Media:

• Instagram 
• Facebook

If you’re interested in Rafa’s Course, check the link to his STR Academy Application: 

• Stride Academy

Connect with Dan Tollens!

• Instagram
• Youtube
• Facebook
• danandcassietollens.com