Rock Capital's JULY Rock Star!

Each month we select an agent or broker to highlight their work in the industry - and to simply get to know our team a little better. Our featured Rock Star for the month of July is Michael Brooks .

Michael joined Rock Capital in 2009 as a newly licensed mortgage agent. Since then, he has been a dedicated member of our brokerage, attending all events and conferences and always willing to assist and inspire his colleagues. He has a love for people and finds value in serving others - most importantly, his family, clients, and community.

He has been recognized for many accomplishments within our brokerage during his 15-year tenure, including Rock Capital's Rookie of the Year, Most Improved (x2), Compliance Award, and Strategic Excellence Award. The sky is the limit for Michael Brooks, and we are excited to see what the future brings for his mortgage career.

We asked Michael some questions to get to know him a little better, and here is what he had to say:

Q: You are an advocate for mentorship as a key factor in professional and personal growth. What events in your career led you to believe in the power of coaching so strongly?

A: I got to a point where I just decided I needed help to get back on track and re-focus. I had used Buffini coaching?in the past so I knew the power of coaching, but I just wanted?a change - a higher level of coaching. I came across Grant Cardone, did some research?and found that his style was what I needed, so I signed on and have thoroughly enjoyed the coaching so far. Great content, great coaching, and I am now a licensed 10X Coach with his team so I can give back to others who want to get ahead. Mentorship is one of the most powerful things you can invest?in for yourself and your business. A great mentor can change your entire life?trajectory.

Q: Something that people might not know about you is that you were a race car driver prior to becoming a mortgage professional. Are there any skills in racing that are similar to those needed in mortgage brokering?

A: Yes I grew up racing open wheel formula?cars around North America (like Formula 1). ?Most kids start when they are very young, 5-6 years old in go-karts.?I started when?I was?17 in go-karts.?I have always?been the type of person that once I know what I want, I go after it.?I knew I wanted to be a race car driver, so I pursued it. I very quickly went from karting to getting my full FIA race?license and competing in Canada under the Junior Formula series. I got noticed right away, began to attract sponsors and interest from teams. That led to rides with higher level teams in various series leading to Formula 1. I then landed a ride with a new Formula 1 team from Canada out of Montreal back in the early 2000s, but unfortunately right before the season started one of their major investors backed out and everything changed. It is very difficult to get to Formula 1 without major sponsors or big connections, so that was the end of things for me. I had to decide at that time, being newly married with kids on the way, whether I wanted to?pursue some form of racing or do something different.?I had heard Dwight Trafford on the radio station Life 100.3 in Barrie, and my younger brother was a realtor, so I thought I would call Dwight and see what this mortgage business is about.?I have not looked back since.

The skills I would say that have translated from racing to mortgages are: a relentless drive to be the best, a hunger for constantly trying to outperform myself, the ability to think and make decisions very quickly (because in racing you have literally split seconds to decide before chaos can ensue), and the ability to communicate with people (because I constantly had to work with sponsors and media in public relations and events). All of these skills have helped me to be a better mortgage broker.

Q: This month you will celebrate 15 years with Rock Capital. What is it about Rock that you like as a home brokerage?

A: I chose Rock Capital honestly because?I heard Dwight on the radio years ago. I have stayed with Rock because?I love Dwight’s passion. I love the fact that he has supported me over the years and been a great advocate for me through ups and downs. I love to see the progression?from the early years 'til now of how much effort the team is putting into developing the brokerage. Laura Morgan has been?amazing and the rest of the team has such a passion to help everyone succeed.?I also love the fact that everyone at Rock supports one another. I have yet to come across another Rock agent or broker who refuses to help when asked, or who is not willing to share ideas.?It’s a great team, like a second family to me.

Q: If you could start your career over again, would you do anything differently?

A: There are a few mistakes?I've had to learn from over the years, but otherwise no, I think I would do things the same.

Thank you for your time, Michael! We sincerely appreciate your dedication to the team at Rock Capital.