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Derek Thistle

Jun 2, 2026

From duty to deals

By CREB®
As we recognize men’s mental health month this June, our newest CREB® Cast episode features Derek Thistle. After a 17-year career with the Calgary Police Service and experiencing depression and PTSD, he earned his real estate license during medical leave and ultimately committed to the switch from cop to real estate.

In this conversation, Derek breaks down how policing skills such as communication, de-escalation, an investigative mindset, stress tolerance, and deep neighborhood knowledge have translated into client trust, sharper negotiations and safer showings. 

He also talks candidly about the “golden handcuffs” of policing, shifting definitions of success, and why real estate wins through empathy, relationships, and consistent follow-up. 

Listen to the full episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and YouTube.


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