How LPT Became the Fastest Growing Brokerage—and What Aperture Means for Luxury Real Estate w/ Michael Valdez

In this episode, Will and Eli open up about what it’s really like to navigate major transitions — in business, in life, and within yourself. They dig into what it means to stay grounded when things feel chaotic, and why emotional awareness isn’t just a buzzword — it’s survival.From lessons learned in the Marine Corps to real conversations about leadership, friendship, and family, this one’s packed with perspective. The guys get honest about carrying stress, leaning on your circle, and communicating through the messy parts of growth. There's humor (yes, including a surprisingly deep analogy about shitting your pants), but also a lot of wisdom about how to show up better — for yourself and for others.If you’ve been feeling stretched, distracted, or just trying to keep it together — this episode hits home.⏱️ Episode Chapters[00:00] Opening Banter & Catching Up[04:00] Navigating Life Transitions with Grace[08:00] Emotional Check-ins and Leadership Growth[13:00] Brotherhood, Loyalty & the Power of Conversations[17:00] The Role of Self-Awareness in Decision Making[22:00] From the Marine Corps to Mindfulness[28:00] Communicating Expectations in Business & Marriage[31:00] Self-Regulation and Building a Healthy Circle[35:00] Humor, Healing & Dirty Pants Metaphors[38:00] Final Thoughts: Redefining What Matters

In this episode, we sit down with Michael Valdez, CEO of LPT International, to talk about the explosive growth of the fastest growing real estate brokerage in the world. Michael shares the story of his own journey—from his early days in finance to leading global expansion for one of the largest brokerages in the world, and now steering the ship at LPT. We explore what makes LPT’s model so attractive to agents, how they’re scaling internationally, and what the launch of Aperture, their new luxury brand, means for the high-end real estate market. If you're serious about where the industry is going, this is one you don’t want to miss.

In this episode, we break down why we made the move—one of us to LPT, the other to Aperture—and why we think it’s the best move for agents right now. We talk honestly about what wasn’t working at EXP, what LPT and Aperture are doing differently, and why leadership—not comp plans—is what actually matters most.We dive into everything from luxury branding, revenue share models, and marketing tech. We also talk about the kind of support agents actually need—and why most brokerages just aren’t providing it.If you're an agent who's been wondering whether to make a change, this episode’s for you.⏱️ Chapter Timestamps00:00 – Water company shoutout & intro banter03:10 – Making the move: Who joined what brokerage07:00 – The real difference between LPT & Aperture10:40 – Revenue share meets luxury? Finally.13:30 – Why leadership is non-negotiable19:45 – The EXP struggle: Cool platform, no real support25:00 – Real talk about marketing support for listings32:00 – Flat-fee vs rev share models – pick what fits you39:00 – “We’re not for everyone” – stop saying that46:00 – Robert Palmer & why ownership matters54:30 – The gatekeeper problem in EXP1:03:00 – Integrity, trust, and putting agents first1:09:00 – What’s next for Legit Agents and final thoughts TakeawaysLeadership trumps comp plans. Every. Time.LPT gives agents options that don’t exist anywhere else.Aperture finally gives luxury agents a place to grow AND earn rev share.If you’re still doing everything yourself at your brokerage… why?Stop holding on to what’s familiar if it’s no longer serving you.

Aperture Pt. 2

In this powerful and introspective episode of Redefine, Will Grimes and Eli Schmidt sit down with longtime collaborator JT Fore for a raw, transparent conversation about the evolution of real estate, entrepreneurship, and personal growth. The trio shares pivotal career moments, leadership lessons, and the mindset shifts necessary to thrive in a changing real estate landscape.The conversation blends industry insights with deeply personal reflections, making it valuable for both real estate professionals and entrepreneurs looking to elevate their game. A key message throughout: success in 2025 and beyond isn’t about having the right tools — it’s about becoming the right person.💬 Notable Quotes“The solution to your problem will not be found in the problem. You’re gonna have to take a step back.”“I’m not new to being new.”“People don’t respect you for what you’ve done before—they only see what you’re doing now.”“You won the battle… but are you ready to win the war?”“In 2025 and beyond, success will be less about what’s outside of you, and more about what’s within.”⏱️ Timestamps of Notable Segments[00:02:00] – Will's quote on stepping back from problems to find clarity.[00:10:30] – Transition from fitness to real estate; branding through education.[00:23:00] – Marine Corps boot camp story and the power of having no bad habits.[00:36:00] – The early dynamic between Will and Eli and how trust formed the foundation.[00:51:00] – Defining leadership roles to scale growth and prevent confusion.[01:10:00] – JT Fore shares macro-level patterns in agent success and failure.[01:25:00] – The "battle vs. war" analogy and how agents miss long-term strategy.[01:37:00] – Why they dissolved a top-producing team at their peak.[01:45:00] – Real estate’s future: internal transformation over external tools.[01:55:00] – Outro setup for part two, focused on tactical moves and upcoming pivots.

In this reflective and honest episode of Re-Define, Will and Eli dig deep into their own journeys to unpack the profound difference between conviction and convincing. They share openly about moments in their personal lives and careers when they found themselves pushing too hard to persuade others, only to realize that true influence and respect come from internal confidence and clarity—what they call conviction.Will and Eli discuss how tempting it can be to chase after every new opportunity or idea, especially during periods of growth. Yet, they acknowledge that the constant pursuit of external validation or approval often leads to burnout, frustration, and compromised integrity. Through heartfelt storytelling and candid introspection, they explore how shifting their mindset to operate from true internal conviction allowed them to become better leaders, business partners, fathers, and friends.

Today's episode features Will Grimes on the "Your Playbook Podcast" with host, Alan Gordon. In this episode of Your Playbook Podcast, host Alan Gordon sits down with Will Grimes, co-owner of Mile High Property Brothers and leader of Legit Agents, to discuss his journey from military service to entrepreneurship. Will shares his raw and unfiltered insights on resilience, sacrifice, and the realities of building a business from the ground up—literally starting with just $36 in his bank account.He dives into his early struggles, including selling everything and sleeping in a pantry, to later scaling a multi-million dollar real estate business. Will talks about the discipline he learned in the Marine Corps, the lessons from his short-lived pro baseball career, and how quitting baseball still drives him today. He emphasizes the power of eliminating distractions, staying hyper-focused, and redefining success beyond traditional expectations.The conversation also touches on fatherhood, coaching real estate agents, and the importance of leading by example in both business and family life. Will provides a no-BS perspective on personal development, decision-making, and why sometimes the hardest part of success is simply getting out of your own way.If you're an entrepreneur, real estate agent, or just someone looking for motivation to level up in life and business, this episode is packed with valuable insights and tough-love advice from a man who's lived it.

In this episode, Will Grimes and Eli Schmidt take a nostalgic trip down memory lane, reflecting on their personal and professional evolution. From their brand-new podcast set to childhood experiences in music, sports, and the Marine Corps, they explore what it means to be multifaceted in life and business.The conversation covers topics like breaking stereotypes, embracing diverse interests, and the importance of surrounding yourself with different types of people. They dive into everything from Odyssey of the Mind, marching band, and theater, to how those experiences shaped their ability to navigate the business world today. The episode is packed with humor, personal stories, and unexpected insights—including a hilarious band trip gone wild, reflections on real estate culture, and thoughts on what makes a great leader. Chapters & Timestamps: (00:00) - New Podcast Set & Evolution Celebrating the new podcast studio and how the show has grown. (05:45) - Breaking Stereotypes & Being Multifaceted The value of having multiple passions beyond surface-level assumptions. (12:30) - Will’s Nerdy Side: Odyssey of the Mind & Music Will’s background in band, Odyssey of the Mind, and his surprising nerdy side. (20:15) - The Wild Side of Band Life A hilarious high school band trip story, drinking on the bus, and band kids being low-key crazy. (30:00) - Leadership & Identity Beyond Titles The difference between titles and true leadership in business. (38:45) - Business Parallels: Real Estate & Fake Prestige The smoke and mirrors of real estate marketing and why authenticity matters. (46:10) - Curiosity & Success: Lessons from Nerds & Outliers Why successful people often have unique backgrounds and deep curiosity. (55:00) - Jiu-Jitsu, Music, & The Value of Different Circles Finding camaraderie in different communities like jiu-jitsu and music. (1:03:30) - The Importance of Adaptability How being exposed to diverse experiences helps in business and life. (1:12:15) - Closing Thoughts & Upcoming Guests Wrapping up with reflections on growth, tattoos, and teasing future guests.

In this episode of Re-Define, hosts Will Grimes and Eli Schmidt break down what it truly means to have a CEO mindset as a business owner—especially for real estate agents. They challenge agents to move beyond the "transactional mindset" and start thinking like business owners, focusing on branding, systems, delegation, tracking, and scaling. Will and Eli emphasize the power of marketing, automation, and strategic decision-making to ensure long-term success rather than just chasing the next deal. If you're tired of feeling stuck in the daily grind and want to build a sustainable, profitable business, this episode is for you.🎙️ Topics Discussed:Why most real estate agents think like employees, not business owners.The difference between working in the business vs. working on the business.How personal branding gives agents a competitive edge.The power of AgentHQ as a centralized system for tracking and nurturing leads.How to use funnels, retargeting, and automation to generate consistent leads.Understanding highest and best use of time—stop doing it all yourself.The importance of coaching and mentorship to accelerate growth.Why tracking key business metrics is essential for decision-making.How thinking like a marketer can scale your real estate business.How successful CEOs prioritize delegation and hiring.Chapters & Timestamps[00:00] Intro & Catching Up[03:30] The "Employee Mindset" vs. The CEO Mindset[10:45] Why Branding Matters for Real Estate Agents[17:20] The Power of Systems: How AgentHQ Helps Scale[25:15] Funnels, Lead Nurturing & Retargeting Explained[32:40] Tracking Metrics & Business Growth Strategy[40:10] The Biggest Mistakes Agents Make with Marketing[48:50] The Role of Coaching & Mentorship in Success[55:30] How to Delegate & Free Up Your Time[1:02:00] Final Takeaways & CEO-Level Action Steps