We all have success and failure stories, we all have reasons why we struggle, have triumphed, and have also had our a$$es handed back to us on plates.  

.- The Godfather - No, I don't recommend "an offer they can't refuse" as a REI strategy, but it has some great lessons in suffering setbacks and losses with grace and dignity, and the triumph of a consistent strategy and interpersonal relationships over impulsive decisions and use of force.

I’m so glad I learned how to invest by on-the-job training working for/with investors and seeing their triumphs and mistakes, and not falling for any of these “gurus” and their $10k programs.

There will also be wonderful triumphs along the way.

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face in marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming…; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”Theodore Roosevelt (From speech titled: The Man in the Arena: Citizenship in a Republic)

I just started listening to the podcasts this last week somewhat randomly but picking out the ones that drew my interest first.Thanks to @Brandon Turner and @Joshua Dorkin for thinking of doing the podcasts and then actually getting them done.Thanks also to all the guests that have taken the time to sit down and share their stories, triumphs and failures.

Baltimore has so many vacant houses and I would like to be an investor that can help revitalize the city.I'm looking to learn and make connections with those who have triumphed and failed with real estate investing.

The press slanted this situation as the triumph of Industrial America over Financial America.

I greatly value and love listening to other people, their stories, their triumphs, their mistakes- all of it. 

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”Good luck!