In this CREB® Cast episode, Olympian skeleton racer Mirela Rahneva shares how perseverance and mindset shaped her athletic career and now influence her work in real estate.

Mirela also discusses the sport’s speed and culture, her Olympic experiences (12th in Pyeongchang 2018, a track-record first run in Beijing 2022 followed by a drop and a climb back to 5th), and lessons about reframing thoughts under pressure.

She explains how she entered Calgary real estate through renovating and legalizing a suite, her interest in helping athletes relocate, and the value of integrity, feedback, resiliency, and asking the right questions. She also describes her full-time role in partnership development at KidSport Calgary and her continued involvement in skeleton through occasional coaching support.

It’s May, men’s mental health month, and our newest CREB® Cast episode features Derek Thistle. After a 17-year career with the Calgary Police Service and struggling with his mental health, Derek earned his real estate license during medical leave and ultimately committed to the switch from cop to CREB®.

In this conversation, he breaks down how policing skills such as communication, de-escalation, an investigative mindset, stress tolerance, and deep neighbourhood knowledge have translated into client trust, sharper negotiations and safer showings.

Derek also talks candidly about the “golden handcuffs” of policing, shifting definitions of success, and why real estate wins through empathy, relationships, and consistent follow-up.

If you need immediate mental health support, Distress Centre Calgary provides free, 24/7 crisis support by phone, text, or chat at 403-266-HELP (4357). This includes the Suicide Crisis Helpline 9-8-8.

Resources for mental health support and addiction in Calgary: https://www.calgary.ca/social-services/mental-health/resources.html

In this episode of CREB®Cast, Sam Randhawa interviews broker-owner and former CREB® President, Greg Houston, who shares his 1972 start in real estate, early experiences and the launch of his own brokerage.

Greg reflects on market booms and busts, the oil embargo and early-80s crash, and how real estate investing helped him build stability. He discusses serving on the Calgary Real Estate Board, including as president in 1989, industry changes from paper listings to modern tech, and the need to be discerning amid AI and misinformation.

Highlights include his long-term ownership philosophy, community involvement, and being the first donor to the CREB® REALTOR® Community Foundation.