A
RHYTHM
ALL HIS
OWN
AGENT SPOTLIGHT
Michael Keck
All-American Agent
Michael Keck brings military precision and football strategy to his Wilmington real estate game.
I grew up playing football, though initially I thought I'd pursue baseball or wrestling. I enjoyed playing all sports growing up, but when my brother’s baseball talent surpassed mine, I chose to focus on football instead. I played during college at UNC Pembroke. Football not only honed my discipline and leadership skills but also taught me how to be a better friend, person, and eventually, the kind of husband and father I aspire to be. Naturally shy and reserved, being placed in leadership roles pushed me out of my comfort zone, and forced me to learn how to communicate effectively with strangers and grow in confidence.
After college, I took my father's advice and joined the Coast Guard. I was drawn to the idea of living near the beach, something I hadn’t experienced much growing up in Fayetteville, NC. Plus with a blended family with two sisters and three brothers, sports and life kept our family busy during the summers, leaving little time for beach trips.
My military career took an unexpected turn when they learned that I’d played college football. As a result, I was sent to play for the All Blacks, the renowned New Zealand rugby team, and also tried out for the National Military Rugby team. For three years, rugby became a significant part of my military duties, making up half of the job. During that time, I competed in matches across the U.S., gaining valuable experience and honing my athleticism while representing the military on the rugby field.
During my time in the Coast Guard living in Cape May, New Jersey, and San Francisco, California, I eventually got burned out. So I moved to Texas, far from the coast, and started to miss the water, which played a role in my decision to move to Wilmington. My family and I have always been very close, and after living so far away, I felt I was missing out on watching my nieces and nephews grow up. The main reason I decided to move close to home is so that I could have the same relationship with them that I did with my own uncles growing up. But this time I knew I needed to be close to the water and chose Wilmington as my new home.
I’ve been in real estate for five years, and though I’m newer to Wilmington, I’ve been embracing my new home by exploring local restaurants and entertainment spots. Some of my favorites include Kipos, Blueberry Grille, Cast Iron Kitchen, and Osteria Cicchetti. I especially love taking my boat to Dockside for a meal during the summer. I love walking the Loop down at Wrightsville Beach and going to all of the local farmers’ markets for honey and exotic meats.
A big part of my life revolves around fitness, a passion that started as a teenager when my brother and I would try to “out lift” each other in our garage with limited equipment. Over time, the weight room became my sanctuary, and it’s the highlight of my day. A good workout provides me with a sense of accomplishment and gives me the resilience to face challenges in all aspects of life.
The gym is also where I network, meet new people, and connect with familiar faces. When I was living in Texas, I was a personal trainer and this role helped me build my confidence in sales and set me on the path of starting my real estate classes. I sold a $5,000 personal training package to a new client and he happened to be a seasoned realtor, and eventually became my mentor. He saw my potential, took me under his wing, and taught me the art of salesmanship and client conversion, leading me to transition into real estate. Today, most of my business comes from those connections built in the gym.
