504. How to Rebuild Your Life After Losing Everything with Gene Rivers

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May 12, 2025

Gene Rivers, a top instructor and practitioner of The ONE Thing, shares his incredible journey of rebuilding after a hurricane devastated his life. He discusses the drastic shift from corporate careers to real estate and the challenges they faced while living in a garage. Gene emphasizes the power of clarity in tough times, highlighting the importance of building relationships over mere sales. He also shares how a transformative morning routine can enhance focus and productivity, reminding us that every setback can be a setup for a greater comeback.

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ANECDOTE

Surviving Hurricane Andrew

Gene Rivers and his family survived Hurricane Andrew by sheltering in the master bathroom wrapped in mattresses.
Their home was destroyed with the roof ripped off and everything lost, illustrating a profound personal resilience.

ANECDOTE

Community Building for Business Growth

Gene and Rebecca rebuilt their business by embedding themselves in the community, talking to people everywhere they went.
They joined local groups and started a food and wine club to engage influential people, which propelled their market presence.

INSIGHT

Power of Facing Reality

Facing reality head-on after losing everything fuels urgency and clear focus on what matters most.
Time is limited to today, so stop dwelling on the past and act decisively to move forward.

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Sometimes the challenges life throws at us are bigger than anything we could have prepared for. In today’s episode, I sit down with my longtime friend Gene Rivers, one of the top instructors and true practitioners of The ONE Thing, to hear the remarkable story of how he and his family survived a devastating hurricane—and what they did next.

Gene shares what life was like before the hurricane hit, how they made the leap from corporate careers into real estate, and what happened when they lost everything overnight. He walks us through the mindset shift that allowed them not just to rebuild but to aim even higher than before. Their story is a real-world example of what it looks like to face reality head-on, focus on what matters most, and turn clarity into action.

We talk about how Gene and Rebecca rebuilt their real estate business from a garage, the simple but powerful strategy that fueled their growth, and why building relationships—not just making sales—was the real secret to their success. We also explore how the clarity they found during hard times helped them create a life centered around family, growth, and experiences worth sharing.

If you've ever wondered how to stay focused when the world around you feels uncertain, this episode is for you. Gene’s story is a reminder that no matter where you're starting from—or starting over—you always have the power to take the next right step.

Challenge of the Week:

Take five minutes each morning this week to sit quietly, without your phone or distractions, and reflect on what’s most important for your day. Ask yourself: What’s the one thing I can do today that would make everything else easier or unnecessary? See if that simple practice starts to shift your focus and energy.

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To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods.

We talk about:

How Gene and Rebecca rebuilt their business after losing everything in Hurricane Andrew
Why talking to people about real estate everywhere they went became their winning strategy
How staying grounded in family and clarity helped them build an extraordinary life

Links & Tools from This Episode:

Connect with Gene at GeneRivers.info
Free Resources
Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com or send us an audio note at Speakpipe.com/the1thing.

Produced by NOVA

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