A 35-Year Advisor’s Turning Point: How Coaching Changed Frank Levine’s Perspective

Success in financial services rarely follows a straight line. Even the most experienced advisors hit moments where confidence dips, momentum slows, and the future feels uncertain.

For veteran financial advisor Frank Levine, that moment came after decades in the industry. With over 35 years in financial services, Frank had built a successful practice. But like many advisors at some point in their careers, he found himself stuck in a lull, questioning what had worked before and wondering how to regain momentum.

The turning point came from reconnecting with someone he had known for nearly 30 years: Trent Fortner.

Frank’s story highlights a powerful truth for financial advisors: success isn’t just about strategy or products. Often, it comes down to mindset, coaching, and refining how you communicate with clients.

A Friendship Built Through the LEAP Process

Frank Levine and Trent Fortner first met decades ago through the LEAP system (Lifetime Economic Acceleration Process), a financial planning framework used by many advisors to guide clients toward optimal financial outcomes.

Both advisors began learning the system around the same time, forming a professional bond that quickly grew into a lasting friendship.

“We both started with LEAP around the same time,” Frank recalls. “We became friends right away and have stayed connected ever since. I’ve known Trent for close to 30 years.”

Over the years, Frank saw Trent evolve into not only a successful producer but also a sought-after teacher and coach.

“At first, I was sitting next to him learning,” Frank says. “Then I was sitting in the audience watching him teach from the stage.”

What stood out most to Frank wasn’t just Trent’s ability to explain financial concepts; it was his passion for helping other advisors succeed.

The Moment Everything Changed

Even with decades of experience, Frank eventually hit a difficult period in his business.

He describes it as the kind of slump many advisors experience but rarely talk about.

“I went through a lull in my business where I started to lose confidence,” Frank explains. “You start thinking you’re never going to help anyone again.”

The problem wasn’t a lack of knowledge or capability. Instead, it was a shift in mindset.

Frank found himself slipping into what he calls a scarcity mindset—a perspective where every obstacle feels bigger than it is and opportunities seem to disappear.

That’s when he reached out to Trent.

The Power of Coaching

Frank credits Trent’s coaching with helping him shift from scarcity back to abundance.

“He completely turned me around,” Frank says. “I went from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset.”

The process wasn’t complicated, but it was powerful.

Trent began by helping Frank reset his thinking. One of the first things he did was recommend a short book designed to reframe how advisors approach client conversations and opportunities.

Frank read it in a single day.

That simple step helped restart the momentum.

But coaching didn’t stop there.

Trent also helped Frank rebuild his confidence in the fundamentals: how he approached meetings, how he asked questions, and how he guided clients through financial decisions.

The Language That Changes Conversations

One of the biggest shifts Frank experienced was learning how subtle changes in language can transform a client conversation.

Rather than relying on traditional “closing techniques,” Trent emphasized guiding clients through a natural decision-making process.

Frank recalls one simple but powerful question Trent taught him to use at the end of a meeting:

“Can you think of any reason why you wouldn’t want me to walk you through this process?”

The brilliance of this approach is its simplicity.

Instead of pushing for a decision, the question invites the client to reflect. More often than not, clients respond by confirming they want to move forward.

“It’s amazing how effective that is,” Frank says. “People naturally close themselves when they trust the process.”

The Art of Asking the Right Questions

Another major lesson Frank took from Trent was the power of asking questions instead of giving answers.

“Trent is the master of questions,” Frank explains.

Rather than telling clients what they should do, Trent encourages advisors to guide clients toward discovering the solution themselves.

Why does that matter?

Because people trust decisions they feel they’ve made on their own.

Frank describes this approach as a fundamental shift in how advisors communicate.

“If you frame things as questions instead of telling someone what to do, it’s received much better,” he says.

This strategy not only improves client relationships but also builds trust and long-term engagement.

Why Coaching Matters Even for Experienced Advisors

One of the most powerful parts of Frank’s story is that he was already successful when he sought coaching.

That’s an important lesson.

Many advisors believe coaching is only for beginners. But the reality is that coaching can help advisors at every stage of their career.

Frank compares it to professional athletes.

“Every tennis player goes out on the court by themselves,” he says. “But they all have coaches who can see things they can’t see.”

Financial advisors are no different.

Because the profession often involves working independently, it’s easy to miss blind spots that someone on the outside can identify quickly.

A coach provides that second set of eyes.

From the Cellar to the Penthouse

Frank worked closely with Trent for about two years.

During that time, he rebuilt momentum, regained confidence, and elevated his practice.

“He took me from the cellar and put me in the penthouse,” Frank says with a laugh.

Today, Frank still considers himself a lifelong student of Trent’s philosophy.

Even when he isn’t actively in a program, he reaches out whenever he needs a “tune-up.”

The Bottom Line

For advisors considering working with Trent, Frank offers simple advice:

“Trust him,” he says. “You’re talking to someone who’s been where you’ve been and knows how to get you where you want to go.”

In an industry where many advisors struggle to sustain long-term success, that kind of guidance can make all the difference.

Whether an advisor is trying to recover from a slow period or simply wants to elevate their practice, the right coach can help them see opportunities they may have overlooked.

Frank’s story is a reminder that sometimes the biggest breakthroughs don’t come from learning something brand new—but from rediscovering the fundamentals with the right perspective.

For advisors who want to experience Trent’s approach firsthand, he’ll be hosting the Producers Mastery Workshop in Nashville on April 29–30. This two-day, live workshop focuses on helping financial professionals simplify their producing process, eliminate resistance in client conversations, and implement practical strategies that drive real results.

Learn more and reserve your seat HERE.