What if working harder isn’t the answer, and the real win is working less while your money does the heavy lifting? In this episode of the Proximity Podcast, Clayton and Stephanie sit down with real estate veteran Rich Lennon to unpack how he went from grinding through 60-hour weeks flipping houses to spending just a few hours a week as a private lender. No hype. No shortcuts. Just real experience, real lessons, and honest talk about what actually works over the long run.

Rich shares his journey from engineer to investor, the mistakes he made early on, and the exact mindset shift that helped him stop chasing deals and start letting money work for him. If you’ve ever felt burned out by flipping, overwhelmed by scaling, or curious about private lending but unsure where to start, this conversation will hit home.

You’ll Learn How To:

• Shift from active flipping to a more passive lending model
• Use other people’s money the right way to scale responsibly
• Build trust so capital starts finding you
• Avoid early mistakes that slow most investors down
• Think long-term instead of chasing quick wins

Who This Episode Is For:

• Investors burned out by flips and rehabs
• Real estate operators curious about private lending
• Professionals with capital who want smarter returns
• Anyone who wants more freedom without leaving real estate

Why You Should Listen:

Most investors never stop to ask if the model they’re using actually supports the life they want. Rich did, and it changed everything. This episode is an honest look at what happens when you stop trying to do it all yourself and start playing a smarter game. No sales pitch. Just real talk, real stories, and lessons you can actually use.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• [00:00 ] Rich’s background and how he got into real estate
• [06:00 ] Why hard work alone doesn’t always lead to freedom
• [12:00 ] The biggest mistakes he made early on
• [18:00 ] How relationships, not deals, unlock capital
• [23:00 ] Why lending became the ultimate leverage play
• [30:00 ] The mindset shift that changed everything

Follow Rich Lennon:

Website: https://richlennon.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rich.lennon.121
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richlennon92/