How does a pro athlete go from surviving on $11,000 a year in the minor leagues to building enough passive income to retire early, all without debt, hype, or get-rich-quick schemes?
In this powerful conversation, Brad Hovis sits down with former Chicago Cubs player David Bote to break down real passive income: how it works, why it works, and how everyday people—not just celebrities or athletes—can build wealth that lasts.
David shares:
-how he survived years in the minor leagues
-how faith and discipline shaped his financial decisions
-why he avoided debt completely
-how he bought quality rental properties in cash
-and how he created passive income that now exceeds his living expenses
This episode is funny, raw, and deeply practical. If you're serious about creating real, sustainable wealth—not hype or speculation—this is your roadmap.
💡 Key Takeaways
The difference between being “rich” and truly wealthyWhy passive income is a long-term game, not a quick flipHow pro athletes lose fortunes faster than they earn themWhy buying quality rentals in B and C neighborhoods worksHow avoiding personal debt protected David from disasterWhy slow, steady cash flow beats risky leverageThe faith principles that guided his financial decisionsHow anyone can start building passive income—even without millions🔗 Resources and Links Mentioned
FreedomSoft: realwealthformula.com/sponsors
PropStream: realwealthformula.com/sponsors
🤝 Connect With Us
Website: www.realwealthformula.com
Phone: 877-77-MOGUL
Email: Real Wealth Formula
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⏳ Chapters
00:00 – What Passive Real Estate Investing Really Looks Like
01:15 – How Brad & David Started Working Together
02:02 – Why Passive Investing Made Sense for an MLB Player
03:09 – Transforming Properties & Choosing B/C Neighborhoods
05:12 – Why Quality Homes Reduce Turnover
06:45 – What Pro Athletes Think About Investing
09:23 – Why David Buys in Cash & Avoids Leverage
14:07 – Slow, Steady Wealth Beats Fast Money
14:53 – From $11K a Year to Financial Stability
16:38 – God’s Provision Through Hard Seasons
17:44 – Life in the Minors: Basements, Poverty & Grit
21:45 – Getting Called Up, Then Sent Back Down
24:47 – MLB Moments: First At-Bat & Breakthroughs
28:33 – The Walk-Off Grand Slam Story
33:36 – MLB vs Minor Leagues: Real Differences
38:32 – Injuries, Travel & The Toll of the Game
45:53 – COVID Season & Career Pressure
52:56 – The Viral Grand Slam & Aftermath
55:16 – How Faith Shaped His Identity & Career
1:20:00 – Walking Away From Baseball
1:21:48 – How He Built Financial Freedom Through Real Estate
1:25:40 – Life After MLB
1:27:02 – Final Encouragement & Closing Thoughts