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Daily Real Estate News | August 1, 2007
Champion Skiers Drift into Real Estate Careers
A growing number of professional skiers have turned to real estate sales in booming Jackson Hole, Wyo., in order to support themselves as they grow too old to compete.
"For any athlete, it's a hard transition," says Rick Armstrong, 36, a former professional skier. "You want to still be part of that life and you're healthy and strong. But in the ski industry, you get old quick."
Armstrong says the transition from athlete to real estate pro has been more natural than many people might expect. Selling himself was something he had to do as a professional athlete, a skill that transfers well to wooing potential clients.
"As an athlete, you have to be able to communicate and have interpersonal skills," Armstrong says. "I ski with my clients all the time. I use the ski resort as the office."
Erich Wilbrecht represented the United States at the 1992 Olympics, then turned to real estate sales to make a living. "I got my license and thought it would fit my lifestyle because I was continuing to race and work part time," Wilbrecht says. "I made the transition over the next two years, and it just got busier and busier."
Stephen Koch was the first person to snowboard from the summit of the highest peak on all seven continents. Today, he uses the skills he learned in that quest to deal with real estate customers.
"Working with people in incredibly stressful situations, where people's safety is on the line is great training for dealing with the needs of real estate clients," he says.
Source: The Associated Press, Michael Pearlman (07/31/07)
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