TODD A. GOLD
Who am I? I often wonder about that.
I’ve been blessed beyond belief in this life. Always inspired or excited about something. While I’ve been so fortunate to have many interests, I’m truly more grateful for the energy and good health to pursue them… relentlessly!
People ask me, “when are you going to slow down?” I don’t know how to answer that. Not slowing down doesn’t have to imply that I’m somehow not smelling the roses.
Still, maybe that’s the purpose of this website; to find out what I am missing out on…who I am… and where all this leads.
I’m hoping by sharing my story that maybe I’ll find out.
Artwork
Real Estate Professional
Bodybuilder
Writer
Faith
Like all of us, I began drawing (and coloring) before kindergarten. We all did it. Before we could write our name…probably before we could even speak…we could all draw! Some of us were more committed to practicing and improving, or just more introverted than others. Either way, like all things we try in life, some of us stuck to it and some didn’t. I was one of those that “stuck to it”, probably because I received accolades for it. So, like most things, with practice I got better and better. To the point that it became my identity. People would say, “it looks so real”, “so perfect”. And obviously, that’s what I thought good artwork had to be…perfect. That is why I was drawn to realism…because art in my world at that time in my life was about drawing perfectly…imitating life.
Click on Artwork above to learn the story of my childhood and my career as an artist.
Although I tried, at 27 it was becoming impractical to raise a family as a straggling artist. So, I had to make a decision. Whether to press onward and fulfill my life-long passion to have a career in the artworld - or take an off-ramp to a Plan “B”. I’d never had a Plan “B”. I’d never prepared for any career other than art. I’d dropped out of college to pursue art, so any other career, much less one in commercial real estate sales seemed complex and daunting.
Click here to see how my Plan “B” became an exciting and fulfilling career that has spanned more than four decades. Find out how I went from introverted artist to an extroverted real estate professional.
In 1976, the movie Rocky, came out. I turned 18 that year. I remember being so motivated that I got up very early in the days that followed - well, at least once (maybe twice). I made myself a raw-egg protein drink and went for a run - just like Sylvester Stallone. Both were things I’d never done before…and never again since. I didn’t even have that many raw eggs! Still, I’d been inspired to be better - physically. Not that I was in bad shape, I just hadn’t focused on fitness at that point in my life. It hadn’t become the “thing” it is today back then.
What began as an interest in athleticism and becoming fit, ended up being another lifelong passion of mine. Some tell me it’s an obsession. Like so many other things I enjoy, I couldn’t just enjoy the process, I had to set a goal. One that would not just motivate me but make me accountable to myself. That led me into 13 bodybuilding competitions since 1996…and I’m not even very good at it! While I eventually won my professional bodybuilding card from the Natural Fit Federation in 2024 a day before my 65th birthday, as a natural bodybuilder my goal has always been to simply be as muscular and lean as possible.
My fitness journey led me to pursue another passion of mine, living a healthy lifestyle. Since nutrition is the foundation of any muscle-building program, understanding nutrition, food, supplements, and the human body, was critical to my bodybuilding endeavors. So, I eventually became enamored with learning all I could about healthy eating to fuel my training and drive results. They say nutrition is 80% of success in physique competitions…and they’re right. Although you’d think I’d know more about art or real estate, I’m probably more passionate about training and diet! I have a strong personal interest in nutritional science, training and bodybuilding.
Find out what I’ve learned here.
Even though the vision behind the creation of products and services is critical to any thriving business, without compelling marketing materials or “business sense” to convey your message (your story), even the best ideas have difficulty succeeding.
I enjoy sharing a marketing vision through not only images (art), but through the written word. I learned from many years of laboring over marketing materials or business letters, that I actually enjoy creative/compelling writing. Trying to choose that perfect word, sentence, phrase or best approach to present an idea or chang someone’s mind - to make a very important point, or sale. I realized I could get emersed in a letter - taking 2-3 times as long as it probably should, because I want it to be…well, perfect! If you hadn’t noticed it yet, you probably do now. Perfection is a common theme of mine. I want my artwork to be perfect. I want my real estate projects to be perfect. I want my diet and training to be perfect. And, so it follows, that I want my letters and communication to be perfect too.
Over the years I have written articles for real estate publications, through local, regional and national media channels. I’m currently writing a book based largely on life experience. These experiences are from the perspective of a young man eager to make his way in the world and the many mistakes and lessons learned along the way. Sound familiar? We all have a story to tell, and we all have a certain degree of wisdom…wisdom that speaks out of our unique life experience.
Some of the interviews I did when I was a struggling artist, and some I’ve done in my commercial real estate career can be found in this Section. New writings will be posted here as well.
Although I was born and raised in a culturally Jewish home, we were not a very religious family. While the 10-commandments were our technical guidebook to “right and wrong” behavior as kids, what really got the attention of my three brothers and me was my father’s black, tooled-leather cowboy belt he wore to the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo every year. Dad came from the “spare-the-rod, spoil-the-child” generation of parenting. So, we always knew what the consequences were for not following “parental advice”.
Fear of my father’s discipline motivated me to seek perfection in everything I did…certainly everything my father asked me to do. My art reflected it, my work ethic reflected it, and my commitment to excellence in everything I’ve ever endeavored to accomplish has reflected it. But when I lost one of my three brothers in May of 2024, I’d realized my life’s guidebook had to be more than my father’s discipline, the ten commandments and learned work behaviors. Losing him exposed me to my own mortality- begging me to ask myself the question, what am I here for? I’m not here just to follow some rules.
Is my life just supposed to be all about me? Pursuing my passions and relationships? Or, is there something more than just my world…than just me and mine?
Well, come to find out…of course there is. There is plenty. What I discovered was that I needed to get back to some overriding life structure in my life. I needed to gain perspective. While growing up Jewish gave me a connection to God, faith became a distant memory as I got older. Then, a very close friend of mine who knew of some business struggles I was having, brought me to know Jesus Christ.
He knew that I’d lost my spirituality when I was young and never really reconnected with it. I’d been going through a difficult time, like we all do. It seemed like it would never end. While I struggled through, my friend helped me to learn to rely on Jesus and stop trying to control the world. Obviously, something a control freak like me has a hard time doing. Although I eventually realized that I needed to give up control, it’s not normal for Type “A” personalities to do that. So, it’s been a learned behavior and something I struggle with every day.
My search brought me to a Bible Study…and the Bible Study brought me in deeper…yep, to another passion. One of my brothers in Christ suggested I participate in the Kairos Prison Ministry, that “it would be just the thing for me on my “Christian Walk”. Well, he was right. Something in that ministry spoke to me at my core. I never saw myself going into a prison, at all. In fact, it would be the last place I ever that I would find myself…I knew that. Avoid prison at all costs.
And that’s why Kairos has meant so much to me. I knew my fear of doing anything wrong, would keep me out of prison. But what I didn’t realize is how blessed I was to have had caring parents that instilled discipline and a conscience in me to ensure I would never do anything intentionally that would cause me to end up there. How did I know that? Because I was fortunate. I had a father that cared deeply about raising good young men. Capable of taking care of themselves and their families. Being responsible adults.
I invite you to learn more about my faith journey, but mostly the Kairos Prison Ministry. It truly is changing lives.