Meet Zach Fullwiler | Real Estate Agent & Gym owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Zach Fullwiler and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Zach, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk. When I was 23 years old I was working at Boeing, great job with benefits but not making much money. I knew Boeing was not going to be for me. I have family that has been in the real estate industry for years. I began my real estate school while working at Boeing. Every day I got off work and worked on my schooling. After I got my real estate license I realized life was going to change. Going from a steady paycheck every two weeks to living off of commission was a scary thought. But that fear for some reason felt good. I decided to stay at Boeing until I sold a few houses and saved a little bit of money. After early mornings getting to work at 2:30am and working two hours of overtime everyday (Mon-Sun) so that I could pay my bills, and then leaving Boeing to go to my real estate office and trying to find people who wanted to buy or sell, 6 months later I had closed a few deals. I had some money in the bank where I could survive for 3 months with no paycheck. I put in the date that I was going to leave Boeing, and nobody I worked with believed I would leave because of the security that it provided. Well, I left. I was scared to death. No insurance, no income unless I sold, and basically no clue what I was doing. That was my defining moment of I am either going to make it, or I am not. I spent countless hours door knocking every single house in my hometown, sending out mailers, holding open houses, telling every single person I knew I now sold real estate. It worked. But I was scared to death. A few years after selling and creating a data base, my phone began to ring more, and I had officially begun to build a business. Four years into selling homes, a family friend who was a builder was putting in a new apartment building in town. He knew I was active and liked to work out at a local gym, he had asked me if I would be interested in opening a gym in the building.
Risk #2.
Not knowing how to open a gym or anything about the fitness industry, 27 years old, some money in the bank I started my research. I decided to go for it, once again basically draining my bank account, scaring myself to death in order to get the gym up and running, I did it. I had that fear again and that feeling for some reason that I love, knowing that if it scares me it makes me work harder to ensure the success. I opened the gym one month before covid. But I made it through the covid battle. Today I still continue to sell homes and operate what has become a very successful gym with a great staff that would not be possible without them. Now I am on a mission to find the next project that makes me nervous to take another risk because I know that I am capable of anything with the fear that drives me to make it happen,

What should our readers know about your business?
I have my Real Estate business that I completely keep separate from my gym business. Sometimes it feels as I live in two different worlds. In the real estate world, I work for my clients and myself. In the gym world I work on creating a welcoming, fun environment for 1,300 gym members. Ensuring a clean and welcoming establishment and a great experience for every member that comes in every single day. I learn something new every single day, about myself, and about other people. It has been scary, fun, challenging, and rewarding. I personally overcome the challenges presented to me every day by not focusing on the money, but by focusing on truly helping and making a difference in other people’s lives. I truly believe that if you believe in yourself, and the well-being of others, the rest follows because it is apparent to others that you care about their needs. I also believe that in business, any business, patience is key. Success takes time, patience, and a level head. If you are out to chase a paycheck, without putting in the work, it will be a recipe for disaster. Finding out your passion, what makes you happy, whatever that may be, so you don’t feel like you are going to “clock in” at a job every single morning that you hate, is when you find your true path to success. That all takes a lot of soul searching. It is no easy task, which is why there are few that do it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I have a friend coming to town, it is a good friend. A friend that brings value. We would go out on the lake we live on and surf or wakeboard, have breakfast at a local spot, catch up on family, kids, etc. Have a fire by the lake and chat about ideas and catch up on old memories, how we got to where we are today, what we are thankful for. There could very well be a chat over some dinner and a glass of good whiskey. Time is valuable.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
This has been a challenge but being around the right people has been key. Everyone successful says it but being around like- minded people is the only way to do it. Many long days when it feels like “there is not enough time”. There is. There is always time for the things you want to do in order to create a better life, even though you have to sacrifice things in order to do so. The best books that have helped me through that mindset are “Can’t hurt me” by David Goggins. “Greenlights” by Mathew McConaughey. “Rich Dad Poor Dad” by Robert T. Kiyosaki, and “The Miracle Morning” by Hal Elrod. Finding a balance of business, personal health, friends and family is not easy, but very possible. This life is a short journey and learning to say no is important in order to create a future for yourself and your family.

Instagram: zachfullwiler is my personal page. atf_arlington for the gym page.