From Rock Bottom to Real Estate: How I Rebuilt My Life One Risk at a Time
People say hitting rock bottom is the worst thing that can happen.
For most people, that’s probably true.
But for a select few, it’s possibly the best thing that could ever happen.
What do I mean?
The worst thing isn’t hitting rock bottom. The worst thing is hitting rock bottom with no hope, no clue, and no drive to climb out of the pit.
That’s exactly where I was not too long ago.
After 33 years as a pastor, I lost virtually everything. The marriage I’d poured myself into for 28 years ended. The career I’d built came to a screeching halt because of the divorce. My church let me go, and most others wouldn’t even consider hiring me—because many churches still don’t want a divorced pastor. Even though my divorce wasn’t scandalous or immoral, it was enough to shut door after door.
It was a perfect storm.
Most folks don’t know this, but people who work for nonprofits don’t qualify for unemployment—because nonprofits don’t pay into the system. And although I was crippled with depression, I didn’t qualify for SSDI either. Why? Because I opted out of Social Security in the 1990s for ministry pay. So I was on my own.
Over the next two years, I applied for over 400 jobs—everything from cashier positions to nonprofit executive roles.
Not one single offer.
With no income, I burned through what little I had.
Then I lived on credit.
Then I cashed in my retirement.
Then I moved in with a generous friend just to stay afloat.
At one point, I was sitting in a hotel room feeling sorry for myself when I had what I can only describe as a “Come to Jesus meeting”—with Jesus Himself.
Not warm and fuzzy.
Not inspirational.
More like divine tough love.
It felt like God said:
“Why do you think you deserve better, Alan? I’ve already saved you. I’ve forgiven you. I’ve promised you eternal life. But all you do is complain. You’ve got breath, purpose, and time. Now get up—and use them.”
That moment shook me awake.
I decided I would no longer live like a victim of my past. I would build something. Even if it was small. Even if it was hard. Even if it meant failing ten more times before I succeeded once.
So I launched a business—The Quantum Funding Company—to help real estate investors get access to the private money they need to do real deals. I threw myself into it six days a week. I studied. I networked. I built systems. I did the work.
And today, I’m leading a growing company that’s making a difference.
I’m not the same man I was before I fell apart. I’ve got more grit, more clarity, less fear—and a lot less ego. I know what matters. And I’ve got a mission.
You Don’t Need a Perfect Life to Start
You just need a fire in your belly that says:
“I’m done floundering.
I’m done complaining.
I’m done blaming.
And I’m ready to fight with everything I’ve got.”
So what does my story have to do with real estate investing?
It seems like every week I meet people who say, “I’ve thought about real estate investing, but…”
“…I don’t know where to start.”
“…I don’t have money to put into it.”
“…I’m afraid to take the risk.”
“…I need to wait until _____ [fill in the blank].”
“…So-and-so is holding me back.”
STOP. Just stop.
It’s time for some tough love. You may not like this, but here it is:
Whether it’s REI or any other dream—
If you’re not pursuing it, the problem isn’t out there.
The problem is you.
Stop looking out the window for something to blame.
Start looking in the mirror.
And when you see your reflection, ask yourself:
“Who is responsible for the person I’m looking at?”
You are.
Take a moment and feel the weight of that answer.
Maybe it was someone else’s fault that you failed.
Maybe circumstances did stop your progress.
Maybe it was societal bias, cruelty, or plain bad luck that knocked you down.
But you are the one choosing to stay down.
You are the one not fighting like a rabid tiger to turn the tide.
And let’s be honest—down is comfortable.
You can rest.
You can commiserate with others who are down there, too.
You can lay low until you’re too cozy with the status quo to ever challenge it again.
That’s what most people do.
It’s what I did for a season.
But do you want what most people have?
Or do you want something different?
If you’re getting angry right now—good.
But don’t get mad at me.
Get mad at your own resignation.
Get mad at yourself for growing lazy and fat-of-spirit while you’ve been wallowing and waiting.
Then get up screaming, and realize you need four things:
A Reason. Something bigger than money.
A Willingness to Learn. Not from YouTube… from reality.
A Bias Toward Action. Get off the sidelines. Get in the game.
Brutal Self-Honesty. You’ll never get anywhere without kicking your own butt daily with the truth… all the truth… especially the painful truth.
So How Do You Know If You're Really Ready?
Most people lie to themselves. They romanticize the dream, underestimate the work, and overestimate their grit.
That’s why I created something that cuts through the fluff and makes you face the truth head-on:
The Real Estate Investor Readiness Test
(Even if your dream isn’t REI, this test can still help.)
This isn’t a gimmick. It’s a brutally honest self-assessment I built for people like me—and maybe people like you—who want to know if they’ve really got what it takes to rise.
It takes less than 10 minutes. And when you’re done, I’ll send you a custom report outlining:
Where you’re strong
Where you’re stuck
What to do next
No sales pitch. No strings attached.
Just insight that might change your future.
[Click here to download and complete the test.]
If you’re at the bottom right now…
You don’t have to stay there.
You can build your way up—just like I am.
And you don’t have to do it alone.
Come back to this blog next week.
I’m writing more in this series—posts that will equip you, challenge you, and maybe even wake something up inside you.
It’s time to stop settling.
And start fighting for your future.
