Lynn Effinger never had it easy. But his choice early in life to challenge himself to achieve more than anyone thought he was capable of has paid dividends in strength, character and a rewarding career. Along the way, his story has inspired others to do the same. 

As a veteran of more than three decades in the housing and mortgage servicing industries, Effinger has seemingly done it all. 

Effinger currently serves as senior vice president of institutional services at RIO Genesis Software Solutions, a web-based transaction management platform for real estate professionals. 

Over the years, Effinger has also served as executive vice president of ZVN Properties and vice president-REO manager for Great Western Bank, Washington Mutual, and Citicorp Trust Bank. 

He has also served as director of REO services for Safeguard Properties, senior vice president of Olympus Asset Management, business development manager for Assurant Field Asset Services, and director of advertising and public relations for Great Western Real Estate, among other positions.

Additionally, for several years, Effinger was a marketing consultant providing marketing communications services to builders, developers, real estate companies and mortgage companies throughout Southern California. 

He is the former producer and host of “Real Estate Matters,” a weekly radio talk show in San Diego, and the former founder, editor and publisher of Escondido Magazine.

In addition to his varied vocational experiences, primarily while in the housing and default servicing industries, Effinger also lectures as a motivational speaker, giving his live presentation to various audiences across the country for more than 30 years.

“I became a motivational speaker not because I chose to be a public speaker, but rather because I was compelled to do so,” said Effinger. “It all came about because at a very young age I discovered that I was ‘different’ than the other kids in my neighborhood and also realized that I had an important decision to make.”

You see, Effinger was born without a left hand. Growing up is a challenge for everyone, to be sure, and Effinger recognizes that his physical situation is less daunting than others have or do struggle with, but it added to his challenge nonetheless.

“I came to see that I had a choice to make,” said Effinger. “I could either sit in the corner of my room feeling sorry for myself, or I could just go out and do whatever it was that I wanted to do.

“I chose wisely.”

Effinger played five years of Little League baseball starting at the age of eight. He played in the outfield, at first base and even pitched for a while. But it was his hitting ability that earned him the most accolades, and self-esteem. 

At the age of 11 his batting average was over .400. By the time he was 12 his average nearly topped the .500 mark. Of course, this was Little League, but still an impressive batting average for a young person, especially one who only has one hand.

While in high school in Long Beach, California, Effinger turned his attention to football. As he entered his freshman year he set a goal to play varsity football as a senior. 

He was told many years later by one of his high school football coaches that he was the most determined athlete he had ever coached. It was this determination, no doubt, that landed Effinger a place on the varsity football team as a senior at Woodrow Wilson High School — and as a running back, no less.

 The team that year had a Cinderella season and won the Moore League Title. In the process, Effinger was named “Most inspirational senior player” and the “Most courageous football player of the decade” by the Long Beach Century Club. 

He was also given his school’s first annual “Courage Award.”

“To be perfectly honest, I never considered myself to be the least bit courageous,” said Effinger. “I simply loved playing football and was determined to achieve a very important goal.”

After that championship season,and just prior to graduation, Effinger first felt compelled to become a motivational speaker — he just didn’t know it yet.

“I was called out of class to go see Mr. Crutchfield, one of my football coaches,” said Effinger. “He asked me to talk to another student who was missing fingers on one of his hands who was in his office and in some trouble.

“Mr. Crutchfield wanted me to tell this young man about my experiences playing sports and other accomplishments so I could try to explain the difference between ‘positive’ and ‘negative’ attention.”

Effinger said he did not feel like any kind of role model at the time, but did as his coach requested.

“After I spoke with the student, coach pulled me aside and told me that I now had a responsibility,” said Effinger. “He said that responsibility was to help others learn how to overcome adversity to achieve success.

“I was 17 at the time and didn’t want the responsibilities I already had, but I asked coach how I was supposed to accomplish this,” said Effinger. “He said that was for me to figure out.”

It took a few years, but when Effinger was 23 years old, married with a son and another child on the way, he came up with an inspiration that would change his life forever.

“I decided to get into the best physical shape of my life and try out for a semi-pro football team with the intent of earning a tryout with an NFL team,” he said.

Effinger felt that by doing so, successfully, he could demonstrate to others that through hard work, determination and sacrifice one could overcome the odds to achieve greater goals than anyone thought possible.

“Even my parents tried to dissuade me from embarking on this quest because it was such a long-shot.”

Effinger worked out for over six months to prepare himself. 

He not only made the team on the 1974 Southern California Rhinos semi-pro team, he became their starting fullback and scored a decisive touchdown in the championship game, which the Rhinos won. 

He was also named “Most inspirational player.”

 But the best part came afterward, when he received a letter from George Allen, the head coach of the Washington Redskins, inviting him to participate in a free-agent tryout camp.

“Every single goal I set that year came true for me,” said Effinger. “It was a life-changing experience that led me to tell that story over and over again to anyone interested in hearing about it, and it became the basis for my motivational presentation and my subsequent book.

“This is how I have turned that ‘responsibility’ that coach Crutchfield instilled in me into actionable inspiration,” added Effinger. 

And the benefits didn’t end with his professional football career. Any time he faces a challenge, he can reach into that reservoir of experience that reminds him that nothing is impossible. 

“I have benefited time and time again throughout my career in the housing and mortgage servicing industries by putting those principles of hard work, determination and sacrifice to work in each position and business opportunity I have had,” he said.