Dec. 14, 2025

MB502: The $3B Investor Who Walked Away… and Ended Up Richer Than Ever - with Brad Johnson

MB502: The $3B Investor Who Walked Away… and Ended Up Richer Than Ever - with Brad Johnson

In this episode, Michael Blank sits down with Brad Johnson, a 20-year real estate investor who has managed over $3B in assets and successfully transitioned from mobile home park operator to full-time asset allocator. Brad shares how he built his career one deal at a time, the moment he walked away from investment banking, and how he engineered a lifestyle that aligns with his values. This episode is packed with practical wisdom on career transitions, downside-risk investing, and creating long-term financial freedom.

Key Takeaways

  • The power of compounding — Brad’s investing mindset started early, recognizing the value of long-term ownership.
  • Career clarity matters — He repeatedly redesigned his professional path when he realized certain roles didn’t fit the life he wanted.
  • Real estate as stability — Mobile home parks gave him consistent, low-risk, scalable returns and helped him transition out of burnout.
  • Know your strengths — Brad realized he’s an investor, not an operator, and pivoted from managing teams to allocating capital.
  • Diversification through operators — Today he partners with 15+ sponsors and private equity firms to spread risk and scale intelligently.
  • Lead with passion, not just money — Brad highlights the importance of pursuing what energizes you and letting wealth compound over time.

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For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session502/