Built Different Podcast

AFL veteran Taylor Adams joins the podcast for a raw conversation about professional sport, identity, resilience, property investing, and preparing for life after football.
Taylor shares stories from his journey through the Australian Football League, including his time with the Greater Western Sydney Giants, Collingwood Football Club, and Sydney Swans.
The episode explores:
Injuries and mental resilience
Dealing with criticism and pressure
Leadership and team culture
Transitioning from AFL into mortgage broking
Property investing and wealth creation
Fatherhood and identity shifts
Why discipline beats talent
Taylor also explains how he started investing in property at 21, why he chose finance after football, and the habits elite performers use to stay consistent under pressure.
A powerful episode about reinvention, mindset, and building a life beyond sport.

Connect with Atelier Wealth
If you're looking to build a strategic property portfolio, the team at Atelier Wealth helps investors structure finance to grow long-term wealth through property.
Book a strategy call:
https://www.atelierwealth.com.au

Subscribe:
Subscribe for weekly conversations with Australia’s top investors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders.
New episodes every Monday at 7 AM.

About Built Different:
Built Different is a podcast about wealth, property, mindset, performance, and the psychology behind elite success.
Hosted by Aaron Christie-David, each episode explores the habits, discipline, setbacks, and strategies that shape high performers across business, sport, investing, and life.
New episodes every Monday at 7 AM.

Instagram:
@aaronc_d
@atelier_wealth
@taylorjamesadams

YouTube:
@_builtdifferentpodcast

Most people think earning more money is the key to building wealth… but what if that’s actually holding you back?
In this episode of the Australian Property Investment Podcast, we sit down with James Fitzgerald, co-author of the bestselling book 7 Steps to Wealth, to break down what really separates the top 1% of property investors from everyone else.
With over 500,000 books sold and data from thousands of investors, this conversation dives deep into the strategies, mindset, and mistakes that determine whether you build a portfolio… or get stuck at one or two properties.
🚨 Here’s what you’ll learn:
Why high-income earners are often the WORST investors
The exact traits of investors who build 6+ property portfolios
Why teachers, nurses, and everyday Australians outperform
The biggest mistake investors make after buying property #2
Why most people never get past 1–2 properties
The truth about diversification vs concentration
Where the Australian property market is heading (density shift explained)
Why Sydney will look more like Toronto in the future
How to manage risk, cash flow, and market downturns
The mindset shift required to become a top 1% investor
💡 If you’ve ever wondered why some people build massive portfolios while others stay stuck… this episode breaks it down with real data and real experience.
📊 Key insight: Out of 2.3 million property investors in Australia, only a tiny percentage build large portfolios. The difference isn’t knowledge… It’s an action.
🎯 This is a must-watch for:
First-time property investors
Anyone stuck at 1–2 properties
High-income earners looking to build real wealth
Investors wanting a long-term strategy (not short-term noise)
👇 Don’t forget to:
Like 👍
Subscribe 🔔
Share with someone building their portfolio

Timestamps (optional add):
00:00 Why high earners fail at investing
05:00 The 7 Steps to Wealth explained
10:00 Why most investors get stuck
18:00 The power of numbers vs headlines
25:00 Future of Australian housing
40:00 Biggest risks in property investing
01:01:00 Why people sell too early
01:02:00 Rapid fire investor lessons

What happens when property investing goes WRONG?
In this episode of the Australian Property Investment Podcast, we sit down with returning guest Richard, who shares the brutal reality behind building a 22-property, $17 million portfolio.
Including a shocking $30,000 property disaster caused by a hidden water leak. From unexpected costs and insurance battles to mindset, risk-taking, and long-term wealth strategies, this episode breaks down what most investors don’t talk about.

If you’re serious about property investing in Australia, this is the episode you NEED to hear.💥
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
- How a hidden water leak led to $4,000 → $12,000 → $30,000 in costs
- Why most investors FAIL when things go wrong
- The mindset shift that separates successful investors from beginners
- How Richard scaled from 10 properties to 22 properties
- Inside a $17 million Australian property portfolio
- The importance of insurance (and how to actually claim it properly)
- Why emergency buffers and cash flow are critical
- How to recover financially from property investing mistakes
- The truth about risk, debt, and building wealth through property
- Why surrounding yourself with the right investors changes everything
🧠 Key Takeaways
Property investing isn’t smooth sailing. Pipes burst. Tenants default. Costs blow out. But the investors who win long-term are the ones who: Take ownership, Solve problems quickly, Stay focused on the bigger picture. Richard’s story proves that even a $30,000 setback is just a speed bump when you’re building serious wealth.
📊 Portfolio Snapshot22 properties across AustraliaPortfolio value: $17,000,000+Properties across NSW, VIC, QLD, WA + internationalTransitioning from growth → cash flow strategyGoal: Financial freedom by 2030
🚨 Why This Episode Matters
Most property content focuses on wins. This episode exposes the reality — the mistakes, the costs, and the lessons — so you can avoid them and build a smarter, more resilient portfolio.🔑 Perfect For: First-time property investors, anyone building a portfolio in Australia, investors worried about risk or market uncertainty. People want financial freedom through property. Listeners who want REAL, unfiltered investing stories

🎙️ About the Show: The Australian Property Investment Podcast brings you real stories, strategies, and insights from investors, experts, and business leaders shaping Australia’s property market.

📢 Connect with Atelier Wealth. 
If you're looking to build a strategic property portfolio, the team at Atelier Wealth helps investors structure finance to grow long-term wealth through property.
Book a strategy call:https://www.atelierwealth.com.au
Subscribe: Subscribe for weekly conversations with Australia’s top investors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders.
New episodes every Monday at 7 AM.

Can you actually pay off your mortgage in 10 years… or even faster?
In this episode of the Australian Property Investment Podcast, Aaron sits down with buyer's agent and Investment Rise founder Niro Thambipillay to unpack one of the biggest financial decisions homeowners face:
👉 Should you pay down your mortgage aggressively

or

👉 Use property investing to eliminate it faster?
Most Australians are told the safest strategy is to spend the next 30 years paying down their home loan. But according to Niro, the fastest path to financial freedom may actually involve taking on more debt strategically through investment properties.
This conversation breaks down the counterintuitive strategy investors use to build wealth and become mortgage-free years earlier.
You’ll learn:
• Why most homeowners never create a plan to actually exit their mortgage

• The difference between bad debt vs strategic investment debt

• How property investors use capital growth and equity to accelerate wealth

• The biggest mistakes people make when buying their first investment property

• Why time in the market beats timing the market in property investing

• The power of rentvesting and strategic property selection

• How buyers' agents identify properties with strong growth fundamentals

• Why many Australians regret not buying investment property earlier
Niro also shares his own journey starting at age 22, building a portfolio through smart property investing, and eventually founding Investment Rise to help everyday Australians build wealth through real estate.
If you’re wondering whether to focus on paying off your mortgage or start investing in property, this episode will challenge the way you think about debt, wealth, and financial freedom.
📌 Topics Covered
00:00 Can you pay off a mortgage in 10 years?

01:00 The problem with the 30-year mortgage mindset

04:00 Why strategic debt can accelerate wealth

08:00 Niro’s property investing journey

12:00 Biggest mistakes investors make

15:00 Borrowing capacity myths

18:00 The power of long-term property investing
🎧 About Niro
Niro Thambipillay is the founder of Investment Rise, a buyers' agency helping Australians build wealth through strategic property investing. He specialises in helping clients identify high-growth opportunities and build property portfolios that accelerate financial freedom.
Book a strategy call with Aaron:https://www.atelierwealth.com.auSubscribeSubscribe for weekly conversations with Australia’s top investors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders.New episodes every Monday at 7AM.

🎙️ Property Investing in 2026: Borrowing Power, Tax Changes & Scaling Your Portfolio
In this episode, we’re joined by Lauren from Atelier Wealth to break down what’s actually happening in the Australian property market right now and how investors can stay ahead.
We dive into the impact of negative gearing and capital gains tax changes, the truth about rising rents, and why borrowing capacity is the biggest lever for building a property portfolio.
If you’ve ever felt stuck, confused by lending, or unsure how to take the next step, this episode will give you clarity.
The real impact of CGT and negative gearing changes
Why property investors are under pressure and what it means for you
How to build a portfolio on an average income
The biggest mistakes limiting your borrowing capacity
How credit cards, debt, and lifestyle creep affect your growth
Real client case study: paying off a $1.1M mortgage in 10 years
How to use equity and refinancing to keep scaling
Why timing the market matters less than taking action
The mindset shift required to succeed in property investing
Smart investors don’t wait for perfect conditions; they adapt.
Understanding your numbers, structuring your loans correctly, and focusing on long-term growth will always outperform trying to “time” the market.
First-time investors
PAYG earners wanting to build wealth
Anyone looking to scale beyond their first property
Investors wanting to optimise their borrowing strategy
Make sure to follow the podcast and share it with someone who’s on their property journey.
Connect with Atelier Wealth
If you're looking to build a strategic property portfolio, the team at Atelier Wealth helps investors structure finance to grow long-term wealth through property.
Book a strategy call:
https://www.atelierwealth.com.au
Subscribe:
Subscribe for weekly conversations with Australia’s top investors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders.
New episodes every Monday at 7 AM.
🔑 What We Cover
The real impact of CGT and negative gearing changes
Why property investors are under pressure — and what it means for you
How to build a portfolio on an average income
The biggest mistakes limiting your borrowing capacity
How credit cards, debt, and lifestyle creep affect your growth
Real client case study: paying off a $1.1M mortgage in 10 years
How to use equity and refinancing to keep scaling
Why timing the market matters less than taking action
The mindset shift required to succeed in property investing
🚀 Key Takeaways
Smart investors don’t wait for perfect conditions — they adapt.
Understanding your numbers, structuring your loans correctly, and focusing on long-term growth will always outperform trying to “time” the market.

🎯 Who This Episode Is For
First-time investors
PAYG earners wanting to build wealth
Anyone looking to scale beyond their first property
Investors wanting to optimise their borrowing strategy

📈 Keywords
property investing australia, borrowing capacity, negative gearing, capital gains tax australia, property portfolio strategy, mortgage broker advice, real estate investing podcast, wealth building australia
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