Finding opportunity in setbacks, I’ve learned that even if we can’t see it at the time, there is always a greater purpose in every unexpected turn.

 

It was the kind of moment every athlete dreads. I was putting everything I had into training camps, aiming for a shot at professional football after college, when I tore my ACL. Just like that, my dreams of playing at the next level evaporated. I’d spent my entire life working toward this goal, from playing in high school to becoming a First Team All-American Kicker and Punter at Wittenberg University. Yet, in an instant, my path changed.

 

Sports have always been a part of my life—I played football, basketball, soccer, tennis, and baseball. I’ve always thrived being part of a team, and through sports, learned discipline, how to persevere, and the importance of communication and relationships. I loved the intensity, the camaraderie, and the sense of purpose sports gave me. From an early age, athletics showed me the value of working toward a shared goal with others.

 

When I got to college, I studied sports management while also playing on the football team as a kicker and punter. I also worked as a student assistant for the basketball team, where I had the chance to see sports from the coaching and operations side. After four years, I graduated with a solid college football career, and I was more motivated than ever to pursue my shot at professional football.

 

Then the injury happened. It wasn’t just physically hard; it also took a huge mental toll. Being sidelined from sports was something I’d never experienced, and now I had to go through nine months of intense physical therapy, not to mention reimagining what my future would look like. I was 22 and at a crossroads. Looking back, I’m grateful that earlier that year, I had taken an internship with my high school soccer coach, who was working as a REALTOR®. I had gotten my real estate license then, not thinking I’d need it, but as I recovered, it felt like a door was opening just as another had closed.

 

Starting in real estate was a challenge, to say the least. I didn’t have much experience beyond the internship, where I mostly did odd jobs like putting up signs and learning about the transaction process. It took nearly a year before I landed my first deal. But just like in sports, I relied on persistence and my competitive nature to push through. I wrote over 250 handwritten letters to people I knew, letting them know I was in the business and ready to help. 

 

My connection to the community allowed me to grow a trusting client base. I grew to appreciate that in real estate, no two days or transactions are ever the same. Each client brings unique needs and goals, and it’s rewarding to guide them through such a meaningful decision in their lives—whether that’s buying a first home or selling a place full of memories. In the same way I was driven to win a game and support my teammates as an athlete, in real estate, I want my clients to be successful and achieve their goals.

 

Around the same time I started real estate, I also began coaching high school sports, including golf, basketball, and tennis, at Bexley High School. Born and raised here, it’s rewarding to be back, coaching kids and helping them experience the same benefits that sports brought to my life. I’ve been able to grow the tennis program, expanding it to three teams. But the most rewarding part is helping players realize their full potential and go on to use the skills they learned in different parts of their lives.

 

While the injury took me off my original path, it also redirected me toward something meaningful. Coaching, real estate, and the people I work with each day remind me that while life’s plan may change, every pivot has

its purpose.

 

Real estate and athletics may seem like two separate worlds, but they have more in common than I initially thought. Coaching and being an athlete have strengthened my communication skills, my patience, and my ability to guide people through complex processes—qualities that translate directly into supporting clients as they make big decisions. The discipline, strategy, and problem-solving I bring to coaching help me be a steady, proactive guide in real estate, making sure every client feels supported from start to finish. I serveI enjoy serving  a wide range of clients, including buyers, sellers, and investors. For me, it’s about meeting people where they’re at and providing the best service I can, no matter the transaction size.

 

Real estate transactions can be complex, with unexpected issues popping up along the way. Whether it's working closely with title companies, lenders, or even other agents, I make sure I’m proactive and hands-on to ensure a smooth experience for my clients. Top of FormBottom of Form

 

Sincerely,

 

Will Gingery

REALTOR® | LIC# 2016003326

(614) 370-5670

willgingery@richrussorealty.com

www.willgingeryrealtor.com