Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Zubi.
Hi Michael, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m a Miami native with no plans of leaving any time soon. Miami has been and always will be, my home for 27 incredible years. In that time, I’ve made some incredible friends and accomplished some feats that I’m certainly proud of.
As a student at Ransom Everglades High School, I was encouraged to aspire to impact the world in a positive way not only for myself but for others. I quickly became involved in the GSA (Gay & Straight Alliance) as well as student government Vice President alongside Trey Mourning as President. I will forever value the memories I made on that quiet, idyllic campus in Coconut Grove.
After graduating from there, I matriculated at American University in D.C., where the cold kicked me out after a brief two-year stint in our nation’s capital. I transferred to the University of Miami and finished my studies with a degree in Public Relations and Strategic Communication along with a minor in marketing.
Now is when I feel, my story begins. In the years since graduating from UM, I’ve had the pleasure of teaching for pretty much every cycling studio under the South Florida sun (from CycleBar to Equinox and even virtually with Echelon) and getting to do what I love most – inspiring others. My mission for the past few years when it comes to my cycling classes has been to provide a space to bridge the gap between our mental and physical health, as they are inextricably linked. The way we feel physically and mentally are intertwined and affect our daily activities.
After realizing that, although fulfilling, professional fitness wasn’t as lucrative as I needed it to be to combat the rising cost of living in Miami, I decided to dip my toes (and then suddenly dive headfirst) into Miami’s robust real estate market.
Now, I balance both my professional fitness passions and my desire to help my clients move into their dreamiest homes yet.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My path has been anything but smooth – a rocky road would even be too gentle to describe it.
I’m a very open book and have nothing to hide – I’ve had several formative life experiences that have molded the man I am at this point. I would say divorce is always difficult, especially when there’s an only child involved. My parents divorced at a time when I was beginning to come to terms with my sexuality and managing both of those major life changes at the same time was… difficult to say the least, as I’m sure you can imagine. However, as Katy Perry famously sang, “After a hurricane, comes a rainbow.”
Without the darkest days and nights of my life, I wouldn’t appreciate the newfound peace and purpose that has come along with healing. Healing my relationships with others, and the most important one of all – the one I have with myself. This involves getting back into therapy and managing my OCD as well as my struggle with depression.
However, I’ve found that discussing these facets of myself, like I’m doing here and now, takes the sense of immense power that I associate with them away from them.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Right now, my primary focus is on residential real estate, Brickell specifically. I joined a new brokerage this year, The Grand Lion, that is Brickell-based and has been imperative in helping me structure my real estate business.
My broker, Eva Garzón, hails from Spain and has a way with clients that we could all learn a little something from. I am most proud of my ability to receive unprompted referrals from past clients – that, to me, is a success. To know that I helped you in a way that you’re not only grateful but want to extend my service to someone you care about is the most grandiose compliment I can receive in this business.
I want to be known as the most inclusive agent in Brickell, I want to see my hometown filled with more diversity at the core of its city. I also want to be known for my attention to detail and commitment to the entire moving process, down to the dishes!
What do you like and dislike about the city?
My favorite part about Miami right now, and I say right now because it changes all the time, is the food. I feel that we are (finally) starting to see an influx of cuisines from other parts of the country, and world! There are so many cool, new spots opening up every day from Brickell to Coconut Grove that it’s almost impossible to keep up!
I’m a big sushi guy so anytime I hear of somewhere I can try some new rolls I am ready to roll. What I like least at this moment is the aggression I see everywhere I look. From the road to Starbucks, the blows of Covid have left people frustrated and impatient – leading to civic distress. I want to see more unity and solidarity in our city.
Pricing:
- $24/class at Rodé
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thegrandlionrealestategroup.com/
- Instagram: @magicmaike and @magictouchhomes
