From Classroom to Closing: How a College Course Launched a Ninja Career
Release Date: 08/14/2025
Ninja Selling Podcast
Episode Summary In this special live episode of the Ninja Selling Podcast, Eric Thompson records in front of a live audience at the first Ninja Installation of 2026 in Fort Collins, Colorado. Eric is joined by Denver agent Dave Hettrick of RE/MAX Professionals and Dave’s Ninja Coach, Julie WIll. Dave had his best year yet in 2025, growing his business 62% year over year in a market that was essentially flat, and he broke through a major income milestone by earning just over $300,000 for the year. The central theme of the conversation is flow, specifically hyper flow, and how Dave creates...
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In this wide-ranging conversation, Rob Nelson is joined by longtime mentor, friend, and Ninja partner Peter Parnegg to explore what sits at the very foundation of Ninja Selling: personal mastery. As the first of the four cornerstones of Ninja, personal mastery isn’t a destination or a checklist; it’s a lifelong path of alignment between mindset, skills, and daily actions. Peter and Rob discuss what it means to live from abundance instead of scarcity, to choose creation over competition, and to take full responsibility for how we present ourselves in the world. They move beyond business...
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In this New Year’s episode, Rob Nelson and Eric Thompson unpack one of the most powerful, and deceptively simple, Ninja coaching tools: “If you could wave your magic wand…” What sounds playful on the surface is actually a strategic question that fosters psychological safety, removes invisible limits, and enables people to access what they truly want without fear, risk, or “yeah-but” thinking. Rob and Eric explain how the magic wand question puts people into a pretend state where there’s no ceiling and no consequences, allowing clarity, emotion, and authentic motivation to...
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Episode Summary In this episode of the Ninja Selling Podcast, Rob Nelson and Eric Thompson break down “Ninja in a Nutshell”, offering a clear, high-level overview of what Ninja Selling is, why it exists, and how it works. Designed for listeners who want a straightforward starting point, this conversation distills the Ninja philosophy into its core components, avoiding jargon and hype. Rob explains that Ninja Selling is a complete operating system for a sales business, combining proven methods for generating business with a relationship-centered approach to serving clients. Together,...
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Caroline Bourgeault, a Ninja Realtor® in Pueblo, Colorado, became the #1 agent in her market in just two and a half years. A mother of four (including a newborn) and a recent Ninja Installation graduate, Caroline shares how intentionality, discipline, and deep care for her “extended family” of clients have fueled her rapid rise, without a traditional assistant. Caroline, originally from Australia and now thriving in Pueblo, Colorado, has built a high-production, relationship-based business on pace for 100 transactions in 2025, following 91 transactions in her first full year. She...
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In this episode, Eric Thompson sits down with Stephanie Peterson, a dedicated Ninja Realtor® from Spokane, Washington. With 11 years of experience and an incredible ability to generate over $200,000 annually working just 20 hours a week, Stephanie shares how living intentionally, staying in flow, and focusing on relationships has completely transformed her life and business. Episode Summary Stephanie Peterson, a long-time Ninja and real estate professional with Windermere City Group, has built a highly efficient and relationship-driven business centered around a select group of 100 people....
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In this episode of the Ninja Selling Podcast, Northern Virginia Realtor and Ninja, April Myers, explores what it really looks like to stay magnetic, consistent, and growth-minded when life gets very real. Based in Arlington, Virginia, with @properties in the DC suburbs, April shares how her background as a recruiting leader and VP of strategic growth helped her become fearless in sales and build powerful relationships with agents across her market. Those relationships are now a major asset in her real estate business. But the heart of this episode is deeply personal. In late 2024, April’s...
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Eric Thompson is joined by husband-and-wife Ninjas Jeremy and Shanon Johnson, retired Air Force veterans turned real estate professionals, to explore how this dynamic duo built a purpose-driven business rooted in discipline, structure, and service. From military precision to Ninja mastery, the Johnsons have created a thriving business in Hampton Roads, Virginia, closing 44 transactions in 2024 while maintaining balance, harmony, and joy in their personal lives. This conversation delves into what it takes to run a business intentionally as a couple, rather than by accident or exhaustion. Jeremy...
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Rob sits down with a powerhouse panel made up of Spears Group’s Founder, Jonathan Spears, and its COO, Maria Coukoulis, both of whom are also co-founders of MyOps AI, and Larry Kendall, the author of Ninja Selling, to discuss a pivotal moment in every successful real estate agent's career. Together, this all-star team tackles the critical crossroads agents face: whether to continue as a solo producer or to build a high-performing real estate team. This conversation goes deep into the nuts and bolts of scaling a real estate business from the ground up. The group explores...
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Eric Thompson is joined by world-class Ninja, Ethan Shapiro, and his coach, Steve Mangelson, at a Ninja Installation in Fort Collins, Colorado, for a lively discussion about intentionally creating change. Ethan shares his journey from the grind of cold-calling to building a thriving business on genuine relationships and a unique charitable model. Together, with Steve and Eric, he offers powerful insights for achieving sustainable success and personal fulfillment in your real estate career. Ethan's transition from prospecting to a system that fosters deep client connections and improves quality...
info_outlineRob Nelson hosts an inspiring episode with Alex Griffin, a successful broker in Vail, Colorado, who shares his unique journey of starting his career with Ninja Selling principles from day one - through a college course taught by Larry Kendall himself.
This episode is a masterclass in building a real estate career with intention. Alex recounts his incredible start, transitioning from a university classroom directly into a high-stakes role at The Ritz-Carlton Residences in Vail during a pivotal time in the market. He shares the invaluable lessons learned from mentors like Larry Kendall and Matt Blake and breaks down the strategies he uses to thrive in the complex Vail resort market. From building a powerful referral network to navigating roles as a sales assistant, top-producing agent, and managing broker, Alex’s story proves that the Ninja system is a powerful foundation for success in any market, at any stage of your career.
Discover why deep-seated relationships and creating value are the keys to a sustainable business, and learn how the "Return on Enjoyment" can be the most important metric for clients in a luxury market.
Episode Highlights:
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An Introduction to Vail Broker Alex Griffin
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Starting a Real Estate Career the Ninja Way... in College!
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The Inside Story of Selling The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Vail
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Thriving in a High-End, Luxury Resort Market
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The Power of Mentorship with Larry Kendall and Matt Blake
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Transitioning Through Roles: From Sales Assistant to Top Agent to Managing Broker
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How to Build a Powerful Referral Network in Feeder Markets
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The Difference Between ROI (Return on Investment) and ROE (Return on Enjoyment)
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Why the Right Referral Partner Matters More Than the Brand
Key Takeaways:
"I say that it was like getting my master's degree in high-end new development, luxury condominium sales in a resort market."
"One of my favorite terms to use is your ROE, your ‘return on enjoyment’."
"He always said, 'Find a mentor, find a mentor,' and someone that you really look up to and want to become."
"You work backwards from the client's best interest."
"It doesn't matter what jersey they wear. What matters most is that they're the right agent for the right people."
"There's a difference between proactive and reactive, of being on accident as opposed to on purpose. Where's the blend? Where's the middle?"
"I was a Ninja in name only because I didn't know what I didn't know."
Links:
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Website: http://www.NinjaSelling.com/Podcast
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Email: TSW@NinjaSelling.com
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Phone: 1-800-254-1650
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Podcast Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/TheNinjaSellingPodcast
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Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NinjaSelling
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Instagram: @NinjaSellingOfficial
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Upcoming Public Ninja Installations: https://NinjaSelling.com/events/list/?tribe_eventcategory%5B0%5D=183&tribe__ecp_custom_2%5B0%5D=Public
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Ninja Coaching: http://www.NinjaSelling.com/course/ninja-coaching/
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Alex Griffin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexanderhgriffin/