Daniel Puder: Sam, let's start with you. How long did you play professionally?

Sam Cronin: I played 11 seasons in Major League Soccer and had the honor of representing the national team a few times. It was a great run, and I've been retired for five years now.

Daniel Puder: You've always been super disciplined, ultra-healthy, and consistently outpacing others. How do you maintain that level of focus?

Sam Cronin: It’s been an interesting journey. During my playing career, I was very fit physically, but when I retired, I honestly felt tired. I didn't have the motivation to continue working out, so I shifted all my energy into my new career with a competitive mindset. It served me well, but during COVID, I realized I was successful professionally but wasn’t feeling as balanced as I wanted to be. With young kids at home and work stress, I recalibrated. Recently, I’ve focused on health and well-being, which has made me more efficient professionally and in how I represent myself in business ventures and at home.

Daniel Puder: What are you investing in now, and what business holdings are you focusing on?

Sam Cronin: I've raised my hand for commercial real estate. My partner and I have been building two businesses. The core business for the last five years has been commercial real estate brokerage in the Research Triangle Park area of North Carolina. We focus on representing biotech and ag tech companies, which has seen incredible growth. There's been a significant funding increase and expansion of facilities, so we’ve built a cash-flowing business there.

We’re also launching an investment platform focused on acquiring value-add multifamily assets in the 100-unit range in the Raleigh-Durham market. We have deep relationships with the brokerage community and property managers, and we’re in a healthy economic environment. There’s a migration of people to the area, and housing is in short supply. Our platform focuses on this sub-market, and we’re working on development projects that overlap with our real estate brokerage.

Daniel Puder: That’s fascinating. Can you share what visualization, affirmation, and goal-setting strategies have helped you reach the top?

Sam Cronin: Goal-setting has always been crucial. Early in my career, mentors emphasized the value of intentionality and planning. Every year, I put together a business plan, which started focused on financial and business goals, but over time, it’s become more nuanced. I’ve added health, relationship, and personal goals. I reverse-engineer my year with all these goals in mind, breaking it down into quarterly, monthly, weekly, and daily actions. It keeps me hyper-focused and helps me achieve both long-term goals and immediate tasks.

Daniel Puder: What's a million-dollar lesson you learned, either personally or from other pro athletes?

Sam Cronin: Success is not guaranteed. Sports teach you that better than anything. It’s hard, you lose often, and your performance is constantly evaluated. You have to have a passion and energy, and if you don’t stay focused on doing the right things, you get pushed aside. Even if you do everything right, you can still be pushed aside. That competitive mindset from sports translates really well to the business world — everything you read in business books is similar to what we learn on the field or in the gym.

Daniel Puder: What’s the most costly financial mistake you or other pro athletes have made?

Sam Cronin: Personally, I didn’t invest soon enough. I took a very conservative approach during my MLS career. The salary wasn’t huge, but it was enough to focus on cash reserves for the transition. Looking back, though, I wish I’d started investing earlier. I always tell current players to use their network while they’re still playing. You’re in a position where people will take your calls. After retirement, it’s harder to leverage those relationships, and you may need a job.

Daniel Puder: Last question — if someone wants to be in the top 0.1% in their field and outcompete others, what’s your best piece of advice?

Sam Cronin: For me, it’s having mentors to help guide me and keep me on track. And then, it’s about daily, enthusiastic action. You have to keep moving and acting. Inaction leads to mediocrity, so staying proactive is key.

Daniel Puder: Appreciate you, Sam. Let’s give him a round of applause!