Sam's Story

How Sam Became a Realtor

My first real estate purchase was years before I became a realtor. That experience shaped my real estate career and my understanding of what a realtor’s role should be: a loyal, knowledgeable advocate and fierce negotiator.

I was frustrated when my realtor intentionally chose to withhold material information, namely, that there was a leak into the bedroom and it was flooded. She did not share this with me until the night before the completion. “I thought it would worry you”, she said. It turns out she had known for several days. Waiting to tell me the night before left me without options except to close or walk away.

So many things could have been different about that experience. My daily goal is to provide the knowledge, capacity and expertise that should be expected of a real estate professional.

Who is Sam?

I am an adventurer.

My greatest adventure might have been the decade I spent as a celibate student of a contemporary spiritual teacher. To this day, I teach a free weekly meditation class at the Canadian Memorial Centre For Peace at 16th and Burrard. All are welcome to join us Tuesdays at 7pm. Meditation and the spiritual life are the fabric of my reality. The meditation centre’s philosophy of self-transcendence continues to inspire my other adventures.

Climbing is my sadhana - my spiritual practice. Through it I confront my fear and self-doubt. I am a jack of all trades climber: ice, rock and alpine climbing. In 2012, I summitted Everest (8848m) on a self-guided expedition with Sherpa support and the use of bottled oxygen. Back in 1999, I climbed Cho-Oyu, the sixth highest mountain in the world (8201m) with neither bottled oxygen nor Sherpa support. In hindsight, Cho-Oyu without support was the more challenging climb and my personal best mountaineering achievement.

The idea for another great adventure was hatched after spending a week hiking the rugged 75 km West Coast Trail. After the hike, I dreamed of returning to cover the distance in a single day. Years later, I have now done it three times: in 23 hours, 16.5 hours and 16 hours respectively.

My current adventure is as the husband of my beautiful wife Jennifer and father to my wonderful daughters, Madeleine and Emma. I am excited every day to be a part of their lives as we evolve and grow together.