In this live episode of the Collective Genius Podcast, I sit down with Dean Rogers—former NFL player turned high-level real estate investor—during our Q3 Premier and CEO event in Dallas. Dean shares his journey from walking away from football due to concussions to building a thriving real estate business in Central California, all while raising five kids and running a community for other investors called Deal Champs.

We talk about his first impressions of CG, the value of hallway conversations, and the surprising insights he’s already picked up from fellow members. Dean offers a candid look at how staying open-minded and collaborative, even in his first CG event, has already generated real value—from tactical lead generation tweaks to making new JV relationships. If you’re an operator looking to grow through community, this episode proves the power of being in the right room.

Timeline Summary

[0:00] – Dean’s first time at CG: impressions, excitement, and the impact of showing up in the right room.

[1:14] – From NFL to real estate: how concussions ended Dean’s football career—and led him to entrepreneurship.

[1:53] – Running multiple businesses, raising five kids, and still finding time to grow through connection.

[3:22] – Why the hallway conversations at CG can be more powerful than the presentations.

[4:11] – How Dean approaches events with an open mind—and how every part of the business got a boost from this one.

[6:20] – The importance of attending with a business partner and debriefing your notes together post-event.

[7:07] – A key piece of advice from CG: force-rank your takeaways and implement the one with the most impact first.

[9:00] – A simple lead gen strategy from another member that Dean’s team will be implementing immediately.

[10:34] – Customer service follow-up calls that bring leads “back from the dead.”

[13:04] – Dean’s unexpected connection with Dylan—a fellow Californian and past JV partner—and how relationships deepen in the room.

[15:41] – Why every investor needs to regularly step outside their own bubble and get around others who share, grow, and support.

Key Takeaways

1. Be Open to Learning at Every Level: Even seasoned investors can find gold in the basics if they approach events with curiosity and humility.
2. Don’t Let Your Notes Die on the Shelf: Block time post-event to sort, prioritize, and assign implementation of ideas—before the energy fades.
3. Real Growth Happens in the Hallway: The most transformational conversations often happen between sessions. Show up, engage, and stay open.

Links & Resources

• Dean Rogers on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deanrogersrealestate
• Dean Rogers’ Website: https://www.deanrogers.com
• Deal Champs Community: https://www.thedealchamps.com
• Explore Collective Genius Membership: https://www.explorecg.com

Closing Remark

If Dean’s story inspired you to lean into learning and community, don’t forget to rate, follow, and review the Collective Genius Podcast. Share this episode with an investor friend who needs to hear that it’s never too late to level up. Want to be in the room where growth happens? Head over to explorecg.com and apply today.