The start of a new year often brings hope, fresh goals, and renewed motivation. But for many, the previous year doesn’t end on a high note, it ends with exhaustion, challenges, and unanswered questions. In this episode, Dwan Bent-Twyford opens up about her difficult 2025 and how she’s stepping into 2026 with a new mindset, renewed energy, and a powerful strategy for moving forward.

When a Year Feels Like a Loss

Not every year is a winning season, and that’s okay.

For Dwan, 2025 was filled with:

• Personal loss, including the passing of her father and a lifelong friend
• Ongoing health struggles with rheumatoid arthritis
• A new diagnosis of fibromyalgia
• Severe fatigue, burnout, and emotional challenges

What made it harder was not fully understanding what was happening. Despite trying multiple solutions, steroids, routines, diet changes, and lifestyle adjustments, nothing seemed to provide lasting relief.

The Importance of Finding Answers

Instead of ignoring the symptoms, Dwan chose to keep searching for answers. That persistence led to a second diagnosis: fibromyalgia.

While receiving a diagnosis can feel overwhelming, it also brings clarity. Suddenly, the fatigue, pain, and mental fog had an explanation, and more importantly, a direction for treatment.

With the help of her doctor, she began:

• Taking Cymbalta to manage symptoms
• Improving sleep habits
• Exploring anti-inflammatory nutrition

This marked the beginning of a shift, not a full recovery, but a step toward feeling better.

Small Changes That Made a Difference

Dwan experimented with multiple lifestyle changes, but a few stood out:

Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition

Switching to a carnivore-style diet helped reduce inflammation by eliminating sugar and refined carbohydrates. Within weeks, she noticed:

• Improved energy levels
• Better sleep
• Reduced physical discomfort

Letting Go of “All or Nothing”

One of the biggest mindset shifts was abandoning the idea that everything must be perfect to count.

Instead of chasing perfection, she began to:

• Celebrate small wins
• Focus on consistency over intensity
• Accept progress in any form

The Reality Behind the Scenes

Even with a strong mindset, 2025 took a toll on productivity.

• Only 25 podcasts were recorded instead of the usual 50+
• Several speaking engagements were missed
• Many days were spent resting and recovering

Yet despite all this, something remarkable happened:
Her podcast still reached hundreds of thousands of downloads and continued to impact listeners worldwide.

This was a powerful reminder that even when you feel like you’re falling behind, your work and influence can still move forward.

Introducing the 2026 Motto: Stack Gold Bricks

To move forward with intention, Dwan created a new theme for the year:

“Stack Gold Bricks in 26”

Each “gold brick” represents a meaningful area of life:

• Health
• Family
• Faith
• Finances
• Real estate
• Personal growth
• Relationships

Big Wins and Small Wins Both Count

Not every brick needs to be massive.

• A big brick might be closing a deal or achieving a financial milestone
• A small brick could be going for a walk, eating healthier, or completing a simple task

The key is momentum. Every step forward, no matter how small, adds up over time.

Breaking Free from Burnout Thinking

One of the biggest lessons from 2025 was the danger of “all-or-nothing” thinking.

This mindset leads to:

• Burnout
• Frustration
• Feeling like progress doesn’t matter unless it’s big

Instead, Dwan encourages:

• Recognizing daily progress
• Giving yourself credit for effort
• Building consistency over time

Even the smallest action can contribute to long-term success.

Health, Faith, and Moving Forward

Throughout her journey, Dwan emphasizes the importance of:

• Taking care of your body
• Seeking medical answers when something feels off
• Staying grounded in faith and positivity

She also highlights the power of speaking positivity into your life, choosing to believe in healing, growth, and better days ahead.

A New Focus for 2026

Looking ahead, the focus is clear:

• More educational content
• Practical real estate training
• Short, actionable YouTube videos
• Workshops and hands-on learning

The goal is to help others rebuild, grow, and succeed, no matter what challenges they faced in the past year.

Final Thoughts: Moving Forward Together

If 2025 was difficult for you, you’re not alone.

This new year isn’t about perfection, it’s about progress. It’s about stacking one small win at a time and building something meaningful from it.

No matter where you’re starting from:

• A small step still counts
• A small win still matters
• A small brick still builds something valuable

A Fresh Start Built on Small Wins

2026 is a chance to reset, refocus, and rebuild, without pressure to be perfect. By stacking small wins consistently, you can create momentum that leads to real, lasting change in every area of your life.

If you’re ready to learn more and take action, Dwanderful is a real estate investing platform and podcast hosted by Dwan. It offers valuable resources to help you grow, including her free book Real Estate Lingo and her paid book Five Pillars of Real Estate Investing. You can also take a quick quiz game to discover how you could generate six figures in the next six months, whether you’re buying your first property or your next. The quiz takes less than a minute to complete.

With the right mindset, support, and strategy, this can be the year you start stacking your own gold bricks, one step at a time. Contact us now!