Advertise on podcast: Coaching with Chris

Joe Motowidlak is the Chief Operating Officer at Mpire Financial, leading operational strategy with a focus on systems, consistency, and an exceptional loan officer experience. His leadership approach was shaped during his career at Walt Disney World, where he earned the prestigious Disney Legacy Award, recognizing the top 1% of employees who embody Walt Disney’s spirit and leadership. Since joining Mpire Financial in 2021 and advancing to COO, Joe has helped scale the company’s people, processes, and culture. He is also a driving force behind MortgageCon, championing an industry event designed to inspire, energize, and connect mortgage professionals.

Rick Ruby is the founder, CEO, and head coach of The CORE Training, and one of the most successful mortgage coaches in the industry. With more than 40 years in the business, he owns three high‑performing mortgage branches with a team of 35 loan officers, and his branches closed roughly 2,000 loans in 2023 alone. Since 2001, Rick has personally coached over 1,000 mortgage and real estate professionals, backed by dozens of elite CORE coaches, all focused on a simple philosophy: make more, save more, and give more.

Robyn LaVassaur, a wife, mom and originator at heart. Robyn has been in the mortgage industry for over 25 years, serving over 680 families her last year of production before becoming the EVP of Sales for Summit Funding Inc now CrossCountry Mortgage. She also continues to run the largest branch in volume and units. People are Robyn’s biggest passion. She has dedicated her life to developing people, team building, growth and creating culture. She is committed to empowering people to make a positive impact on the industry and everyone they interact with.   Robyn is equally passionate about her personal life, with a thriving marriage and close relationships with all five of her children and grandchildren. She wants to inspire others to do BOTH, build a beautiful career and a beautiful personal life.

In this episode of Coaching with Chris, Chris sits down with Jen Du Plessis, a mortgage industry veteran, business scaling architect, and host of the long-running Mortgage Lending Mastery podcast. With more than 35 years in lending, over $1 billion funded, and a reputation for building world-class teams, Jen shares the strategies that helped her move from hustle to harmony while consistently performing at the highest levels of the industry. Throughout the conversation, Jen discusses:• How she built a billion-dollar mortgage career with only 22 referral relationships• The difference between being “on demand” and “in demand”• Why client experience matters more than rates and products• The power of focusing on quality relationships over quantity• Building teams that create leverage and scalability• How loan officers can stand out in a competitive marketplace• Leadership, systems, and creating sustainable growth• Preparing for the next wave of opportunity in the mortgage industry This episode is packed with practical insights for loan officers, real estate professionals, entrepreneurs, and business owners looking to grow their businesses while creating more freedom and fulfillment. To learn more about Jen Du Plessis, her coaching programs, and the Mortgage Lending Mastery podcast, visit her website and connect with her on social media. If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more interviews, coaching, leadership, sales, and mortgage industry insights. #CoachingWithChris #JenDuPlessis #MortgageLendingMastery #LoanOfficer #MortgageIndustry #RealEstate #SalesCoaching #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #Entrepreneur #ClientExperience #MortgageSuccess #BusinessScaling #ReferralMarketing #TopProducer

Jason duPont is the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Partner of NEXA Lending. With nearly 30 years in the mortgage industry, he is known for building high-performing teams, scaling organizations, developing leaders, and investing in the future of lending and AI. Known as “Indefatigable,” Jason gravitates toward challenges and believes growth comes from doing hard things. As NEXA’s top recruiter and a key investor in http://bevri.ai he is passionate about helping people level up personally and professionally while driving innovation across the industries he serves. Husband. Father of Five. Builder of People, Systems, and the Future.

Ryan Gilliam is the Broker and Owner of Your Best Mortgage. A lifelong Arizona resident, Ryan has been happily married for 19 years and just wrapped up his 17th year originating loans. With over $760 million in funded volume, his commitment to clear communication, speed, and smooth closings has built a loyal database of raving fans.

Top 1% Originator | Performance Coach | Mortgage RainmakerShayla Gifford is a powerhouse in the mortgage industry, known for transforming hustle into high-impact leadership while having fun and keeping it real. With over 20 years of experience, Shayla's built and runs a $1B+ business while raising a family, leading a nationwide team of 75+ mortgage professionals, and coaching countless loan officers into top producers.As the host of The Mortgage Rainmaker Podcast and a nationally recognized performance coach, Shayla teaches driven mortgage pros how to ditch burnout, master strategic systems, and build a business that fuels both success and freedom. Her mission? To help you scale sustainably, lead with confidence, and become the rainmaker of your life and business.www.shaylagifford.com@shaygiff@10xwithcatalystcommunityThe Mortgage Rainmaker Podcast

Dawn Van Nieuwenhuyzen is a mortgage professional and mom who understands firsthand what it looks like to build a career while raising a family. In this Moms Takeover episode of Coaching with Chris, she joins Bella Barbee, Shelby Vinson, and Ashley Bedford for an honest conversation about navigating motherhood in the mortgage industry.Bella Barbee is a mortgage banker and devoted mom who brings a relationship-first approach to both her clients and her family. Shelby Vinson is building her career in mortgage while managing the day-to-day demands that come with being a working mom. Ashley Bedford is focused on growth in a fast-paced industry while staying present at home, offering her own perspective on what it takes to manage both worlds.Together, this group represents what many women in mortgage are living every day. Building a career, supporting their families, and figuring out how to do both without losing themselves in the process.This conversation dives into the real experience behind motherhood in mortgage. From navigating maternity leave and maintaining a pipeline, to redefining the idea of balance, managing mom guilt, and stepping into the role of a contributor or breadwinner.More than a discussion, this episode highlights a shared reality. There is no perfect balance. There is support, structure, and the decision to keep showing up.The goal is simple. Create space for honest conversations, remove unrealistic expectations, and redefine what success looks like for working moms in the mortgage industry. Member FDIC.

Adam Karcz is a husband to a passionate special education teacher and a father of two boys, ages 5 and 2—living the same life as many of the families he serves. He is the Founder and Owner of Mammoth Mortgage, where Team Mammoth is building a new standard for how families move into their next home. In 2025, the team ranked as the #1 broker loan officer in Wisconsin for households served. Team Mammoth was built for people in the heart of their careers, needing a process that actually fits real life. Instead of a slow, confusing mortgage experience, the team is known for delivering “speed to certainty” a clear, structured path from “we think we’re ready” to “we know exactly what to do next.” More than a mortgage team, Team Mammoth operates as a philosophy: eliminate guesswork, move with intention, and make confident decisions backed by strategy. The mission is simple.  Raise the standard for how families experience one of the biggest financial moves of their lives.

Cindy Ertman is a nationally recognized mortgage industry leader, speaker, coach and CEO of The Defining Difference®, a top coaching and training company for mortgage professionals. Named one of Mortgage Executive Magazine’s “Top 100 Most Influential Mortgage Executives” five years in a row and a “Top 100 Mortgage Loan Originator” for over a decade, Cindy brings unmatched expertise and a proven track record of success. Her mission is to help high-performing mortgage professionals expand their income and impact—by breaking through barriers, leading with intention, and building extraordinary lives and businesses. With her proven training systems and a team of elite coaches, she provides the tools, strategies, and support to accelerate your next level of growth.Cindy’s reach extends beyond the mortgage world; she has shared the stage with influential leaders like Tony Robbins, Darren Hardy, Magic Johnson, Jack Canfield, Les Brown, and former President George Bush, inspiring thousands with her insights and passion for making an impact.Michele Town—also known as “The Girl Who Gets It Done.” It’s a nickname she earned over 25 years from clients and Realtors who’ve seen her deliver, even in the most complex situations.Her background as a top processor gave her a deep understanding of every layer of the loan process. Combined with her expertise in critical thinking, she is able to structure solutions and anticipate challenges before they become problems. What sets her apart is her transparency, creative problem-solving, and forward-thinking approach. The most important part of her process is tailoring every loan to meet her clients’ expectations—not hers. Every file is different, and their motto is “Think Yes.” They bring that mindset to every loan they structure. She doesn't take on anything unless she knows it will work—and she'll always tell you the truth along the way. You’ll stay informed every step, and once she's in, she doesn't give up. Her goal is simple: get you to the finish line with confidence.

Jimmy Hobson

For over three decades, Todd Bitter has been one of the mortgage industry’s most relentless advocates — a top producer, a mentor, and the original “Answer Your Damn Phone” guy. After years of self-sourced, $100M+ annual production, Todd shifted into leadership to help originators grow with the same discipline, service, and passion that defined his career. If you want to elevate your business, Todd’s the guy who’s been there, done it, and is ready to show you how.

In this episode, we sit down with Hunter Bolling, a top 1% mortgage originator and team leader of the HB Mortgage Team powered by Edge Home Finance. With nine years in the mortgage industry and a background as a former American Dream TV host, Hunter has become one of the most recognized voices in modern real estate marketing. Hunter shares how he built a high performing mortgage team, leveraged social media to grow his brand, and stayed ahead of the curve with technology and AI. We also dive into his innovative platform, Realtor Buddy, an AI tool designed to help real estate agents scale their business, improve client communication, and generate more opportunities. If you are a mortgage broker, loan officer, real estate agent, or entrepreneur looking to grow in today’s competitive housing market, this conversation is packed with practical insights on leadership, marketing strategy, AI in real estate, and building long term relationships. In this episode, we discuss: • How Hunter became a top 1% mortgage originator• The power of social media in mortgage and real estate• Using AI tools like Realtor Buddy to gain a competitive advantage• Building a brand as a loan officer in today’s market• Lessons from hosting American Dream TV• Growing a mortgage team with intention and culture• Serving homebuyers, agents, and veterans through education About Hunter Bolling:Hunter Bolling is a nationally recognized mortgage originator and the team leader of the HB Mortgage Team at Edge Home Finance. He is the creator of Realtor Buddy, host of HB’s Housing Huddle podcast, and a leader in real estate technology and marketing innovation. Hunter is passionate about empowering homebuyers, real estate agents, and veterans through education, relationships, and results. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to like, subscribe, and share with someone in the mortgage or real estate industry who needs to hear this.

In this powerful episode of Coaching with Chris, Chris sits down with Shayla Gifford, one of the most respected performance coaches and top producing mortgage leaders in the country. With over 20 years in the industry and a billion dollar career, Shayla breaks down what it actually takes to scale a mortgage business without burning out. This conversation goes far beyond surface level motivation. Shayla dives into the real mechanics of sales success, including why booking appointments matters more than being “easy to work with,” how to win the first five minutes of any meeting, and why every sales conversation must end with a clear next step. She also shares hard earned insights on discipline, emotional maturity, tracking activity, and the mindset shifts loan officers need to succeed in 2026 and beyond. Chris and Shayla also explore the difference between hustle and effectiveness, how self awareness impacts production, and why boring systems create extraordinary results. If you are a loan officer, mortgage broker, sales professional, or leader looking to grow sustainably while staying aligned personally, this episode will challenge how you think about success. Topics covered in this episode include: Mortgage sales systems that actually work How to book more appointments and control your calendar Winning sales interviews in minutes, not hours The role of mindset, discipline, and emotional growth in production Why tracking activity changes everything How top producers think about growth, pressure, and balance What loan officers must do differently to win in 2026 Meet Shayla Gifford Shayla Gifford is a Top 1% originator, performance coach, and the force behind a billion dollar mortgage business. She leads and coaches a nationwide team of over 75 mortgage professionals and hosts The Mortgage Rainmaker Podcast. Shayla helps driven loan officers ditch burnout, master simple systems, and build businesses that support both success and freedom. Connect with Shayla Website: https://www.shaylagifford.com Instagram: @shaygiff Community: @10xwithcatalystcommunity Podcast: The Mortgage Rainmaker Podcast Sign up for the 2/12/26 Mastery Class: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/yscqKQzkRoG7LY8Pp0tPDA#/registration If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to Coaching with Chris for more real conversations with top performers in mortgage, sales, leadership, and personal growth. Like, comment, and share this episode with someone who is ready to level up their business and mindset.

This special episode flips the script. Welcome to Coaching with Trev, a unique edition of Coaching with Chris where Trevor York steps into the host seat and interviews Chris Vinson. In this candid, high impact conversation, Trevor pulls back the curtain on the mindset, systems, and principles that have made Chris one of the most respected coaches and leaders in the mortgage industry This episode goes far beyond tactics. Trevor challenges Chris in real time, stress testing sales strategies, database execution, leadership philosophy, culture building, stress management, and how to scale a business without sacrificing family or relationships. Chris breaks down why the single most important skill in mortgage is learning how to ask, why your database should be treated like a portfolio, and how consistent execution beats any shortcut or cheat code. They dive deep into call reluctance, mental blocks, and why most loan officers already have everything they need to grow if they would just use it. The conversation also explores what separates top producers from everyone else, including investing in yourself, being a lifelong student, building real accountability, and creating a culture where people want to win every day. Chris shares how he manages pressure, why progress reduces stress, and how strong leadership requires both truth and care. One of the most powerful parts of the episode focuses on balance. Chris opens up about marriage, family, and intentional living, sharing how communication, calendars, and commitment make it possible to build a big career without losing what matters most. In this episode, you will learn: • How to add two or more deals per month without buying leads • Why asking is the most powerful skill in sales • How to turn your database into a true income producing portfolio • How to overcome call reluctance and commission breath • Why boring fundamentals create extraordinary results • How top performers manage stress and rebound faster • Why investing in yourself creates an unfair advantage • How to build a culture of accountability people actually want • How to grow a business without sacrificing marriage or family If you are a loan officer, mortgage broker, sales leader, or business owner looking to grow production, sharpen your mindset, and build something sustainable, this episode is a must watch. Subscribe for more real conversations that challenge how you think and help you grow faster. Coaching with Chris, Coaching with Trev, Chris Vinson, Trevor York, mortgage coaching, loan officer sales, mortgage mindset, database marketing, mortgage leadership, loan officer growth, sales psychology, mortgage culture, investing in yourself