Prairie Dogs and Cycling: Breaking Free from Mortgage Stress

What keeps you going after 30 years in the credit union industry? The answer lies in a carefully cultivated balance between professional passion and personal pursuits. Join ACUMA President Peter Benjamin and Victor Williams, Senior Vice President of Mortgage Lending at Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union, as they break down this balance.

With 25+ years focused on helping members achieve homeownership, Victor brings profound wisdom to the conversation about avoiding burnout while maintaining excellence. The mortgage industry presents a unique challenge that has nothing to do with complexity. As Victor and Peter discuss, what makes mortgage work demanding isn’t complicated math or hard conversations – it’s the cognitive load of many things we have to do AND remember daily. Understanding this distinction helps professionals develop targeted strategies for maintaining mental wellness.

For Victor, cycling provides essential mental decompression. Whether on road bikes, gravel, or mountain trails, these outdoor adventures sometimes extend to international cycling events, creating space for complete disconnection from work responsibilities. But not all recharging requires extended time away. Victor shares practical wisdom for those quick mental breaks during workdays: “You don’t need to stare at the screen for eight hours. You’re just destined for depression.” Simple activities like walking around the block or playing a five-minute crossword puzzle can provide the mental reset needed to return refreshed.

What truly shines through this conversation is how Victor’s unique personal interests (including an amusing story about his pet prairie dog) contribute to his well-rounded perspective and ability to maintain enthusiasm for his career decades in. These elements create not just balance but a full life that enhances his professional impact rather than detracting from it.

Join us for this refreshingly honest conversation about finding sustainable success in the credit union mortgage industry. Whether you’re new to mortgage lending or a seasoned veteran, Victor’s insights offer practical wisdom for thriving personally while serving members excellently.