Summary

Mike Deaton left a successful big-tech operations career after a same‑day layoff with his wife, paused to design the life they actually wanted, and built a thriving land‑flipping business. We unpack the pivotal mindset shift from “chasing promotions” to “designing on purpose,” why land is an approachable, low‑complexity model, and how to measure return on effort—not just return on money. Mike shares how community and mentorship compressed his learning curve, what he learned doing multifamily syndications (and why he’s now favoring smaller, longer‑hold rentals), and a “live life bullish” season that changed everything. We close with what he’s building now and how to connect.

Topics Covered

• From corporate ladder to entrepreneurship: values, design, and timing
• Land flipping 101: simple model, short cycles, low barrier—and why ROI on time matters
• The layoff pivot: fear‑setting, reserves, and choosing an intentional path
• Learning faster together: communities, mentors, and tailored strategies
• Syndications: tax benefits, active vs. passive trade‑offs, and shifting to small rentals
• “Live life bullish” moment: travel, relocation, and launching a lifestyle business
• What Mike’s building now: coaching paths (DIY to 1:1), 2026 investing focus, and life in the mountains

Key Takeaway
Design the life first, then build the business to support it. Optimize for return on effort, and let community compress the journey.

• Guest website: https://flippingdirt.us (resources: https://flippingdirt.us/freedom)
• Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeaton

Publishing cadence
New episodes Monday–Friday at 6:00 AM ET. Long‑form interviews air on Tuesdays.