We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Brenda Denny. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Brenda below.

Brenda, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

One of the most defining risks I’ve taken was making the decision to leave a steady job to pursue a career in real estate while also maintaining my figure skating coaching business. At the time, I’d been coaching for 15 years and felt deeply passionate about helping young athletes reach their potential, but real estate was a new direction that also fascinated me. I knew it would take a leap of faith to balance both careers, mainly because I was committed to providing excellent service to my skating students and real estate clients.

I started out in real estate with no established client base, and at first, it felt like a huge gamble. I did not know if I could make the connections or build the business to the level I wanted or needed. On top of that, real estate requires long hours at times, and I worried about balancing my time to ensure I could give each career the attention it deserved. I even worried about the financial stability of transitioning into real estate, knowing there would be a learning curve and slow months ahead.

Nonetheless, I took the risk because I felt confident that my diverse skill set—especially my ability to build relationships, stay organized, and manage time effectively—would help me succeed in both fields. I wanted the opportunity to create a positive impact on my clients’ and students’ lives in different ways.

The result? At first, juggling two careers was challenging, but I’ve integrated both careers successfully. I now work with a range of real estate clients, guiding them through the buying and selling process while still coaching skaters and helping them achieve their goals on the ice. The balance has been rewarding, and I believe it’s made me a more well-rounded professional. The risk paid off because I now have a business in both areas that I’m passionate about, and each one complements the other. Juggling two careers has made me more adaptable, resilient, and deeply committed to supporting people in both their personal and professional journeys.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Brenda Denny, a REALTOR® with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty and a professional figure skating coach at Fairfax Ice Arena. My career journey has been unique, balancing two distinct but equally fulfilling paths. I’ve been a figure skating coach for 20 years and a realtor for over five years, with a deep commitment to helping people succeed in both areas.

I got into coaching figure skating to share my love for the sport. After skating for 30 years, I realized how much I wanted to help others experience the same joy and discipline I found on the ice. Over the years, I’ve coached skaters at all levels—from beginners taking their first steps on the ice to those earning medals at Regional and National competitions. I’ve also helped students successfully pass over 150 U.S. Figure Skating (USFS) tests. Watching my students grow, not just as athletes but as confident, disciplined individuals, has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of my career.

In real estate, I took a different but equally passionate leap. I started my journey in real estate after realizing I wanted to offer more to people than just a place to live. I wanted to guide clients through one of the most significant decisions of their lives—whether they were buying, selling, or renting. My background in finance, combined with my Pricing Strategy Advisor certification, helps me offer a level of expertise beyond the basics of real estate transactions. I can provide strategic pricing insights and negotiate the best deals, always keeping my clients’ best interests at the forefront.

What sets me apart is my ability to balance both careers and bring the same dedication, organization, and personal touch to each of them. Whether I’m on the ice helping a skater achieve their personal best or guiding a client through buying or selling a home, my goal is to make sure they feel supported and confident every step of the way. I’m not just there to show homes or teach skills—I am here to ensure my clients and students thrive and succeed in their pursuits.

I’m most proud of the impact I’ve made in both fields. Whether it’s helping a skater pass their tests or securing a home sale that supports my clients’ financial well-being and future, there’s nothing more rewarding than knowing I’ve made a meaningful difference. In real estate, I take pride in building a client-focused business rooted in integrity, clear communication, and expert guidance.

For potential clients and followers, I want them to know that my approach is always about more than the transaction. Whether they are looking to buy their first home or want to find the right coach for their skating journey, I offer a personalized, strategic approach. I believe in building lasting relationships, and I’m committed to going above and beyond to help my clients achieve their goals.

Have you ever had to pivot?

One major pivot in my career was when I decided to expand into real estate while continuing my figure skating coaching business. For 15 years, I had been completely immersed in coaching—first during college and then for many years after—helping my students develop their skating skills and achieve their goals. However, as time went on, I realized I wanted to diversify my career and create an opportunity to guide people through what is often the most significant financial decision of their lives: buying or selling a home.

The pivot was not easy. Real estate was a completely different world, with many unknowns. I had to learn the ins and outs of the industry, build a client base from the ground up, and adjust to a new pace of work. The transition also meant rethinking how I managed my time and balancing the demands of both careers. I was accustomed to the routine of coaching and was not sure how I would fit real estate into my already busy schedule.

However, I was motivated by the idea that I could bring the skills I had honed as a coach—such as communication, problem-solving, and relationship-building—into the real estate space. I also knew my background in finance, combined with my Pricing Strategy Advisor certification, would allow me to offer clients a more strategic, value-driven approach. I was determined to make it work, so I set clear goals, stayed focused, and adjusted my workflow to accommodate both careers.

Looking back, that pivot has paid off. I’ve been able to successfully integrate both careers, bringing the same commitment to service, organization, and personal connection to each of my clients. The experience taught me that embracing change and taking calculated risks can lead to growth, and I’ve found a balance that allows me to thrive in both worlds.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One story from my journey that illustrates my resilience is when I tore my ACL and required reconstructive surgery with a quad graft. As a figure skater, coach and realtor, this injury was not only physically painful, but also forced me to stop doing what I loved. Skating had been such an integral part of my life for as long as I could remember, so being sidelined for months was a huge blow, both emotionally and professionally. At the time, I was also deeply involved in coaching, and I had to figure out how to continue supporting my students while recovering. I started coming to the rink in a wheelchair, then on crutches, and it wasn’t until at least 6-9 months later that I could even think about putting skates on. Since the injury happened on the ice, it wasn’t just physical—it was mental, too.

The recovery process was long and incredibly difficult, challenging me in ways I hadn’t anticipated. But instead of letting the injury define me, I focused on what I could control. I used the time away from the ice to grow my real estate business, attend countless online seminars, refine my coaching skills, and learn more about injury prevention. In some ways, it was one of the best things that could have happened because I grew in areas I had not focused on before. I also took the opportunity to dive deeper into real estate, further expanding my professional horizons.

What truly tested my resilience was learning to adjust my mindset about my self-worth and what I had to offer my clients. I had to embrace the situation and see it as an opportunity for growth rather than a setback. Through patience, persistence, and a lot of hard work, I could return to skating even stronger than before. Not only did I recover physically, but the experience taught me how to persevere through adversity and see challenges as opportunities for personal and professional development.

In hindsight, that time of recovery and reinvention shaped my approach to coaching and real estate. It reinforced my belief that resilience is not just about bouncing back—it is about adapting, learning, and growing stronger in the face of challenges.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://brendadenny.bhhspfrconnect.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brendadennyrealtor/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrendaDennyRealtor/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brenda-denny/
• Twitter: https://x.com/brenda_denny_
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@brendadennyrealtor
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/coach.brenda.denny/

Image Credits

credit for personal photo: Sarah Noelle https://sarahnoelle.co/