Real estate agent Madeline Blom, affectionately known as “The Pit Bull of the Smokies” by clients around the world, embodies a spirit forged in resilience and hard work, a legacy rooted in her earliest days. Born and raised in Brentwood, New York, Madeline is the eldest child of immigrant parents from Colombia and Venezuela, where Spanish was the sole language spoken at home. From kindergarten onward, she swiftly mastered English, assuming the role of translator for her parents, bridging the cultural and linguistic gap between home and school.
Growing up immersed in the vibrant tapestry of Latin American culture, Madeline absorbed lessons of determination and tenacity. Despite her parents’ lack of driver’s licenses, they steadfastly provided for their family. Each day, Madeline’s father undertook a grueling commute—an hour’s walk to the Long Island train station, followed by a journey to Manhattan for his demanding painting job. His unwavering dedication eventually earned him membership in the painter’s union, a testament to his belief that hard work paves the way to success.
Madeline’s upbringing is a testament to the transformative power of perseverance, instilling in her a drive to overcome obstacles and achieve greatness. Her journey from a translator for her parents to a powerhouse in the real estate world reflects her unwavering commitment to excellence and service.
On the Road to Success
As a child, Madeline adored reading, which opened worlds of imagination and allowed her dreams to flourish. However, by high school, growing up in what she described as “the ‘hood,” she saw many girls her age facing tough choices, often dropping out or becoming young mothers. Madeline herself began veering towards a similar path, caught up with the wrong crowd and making unwise decisions that clouded her future.
Then came Mr. Farrell, her high school math teacher, who recognized Madeline’s potential and encouraged her to aim higher. “You have to go to college, Madeline. You’re too smart not to and have so much potential. I wish you saw what I see,” he urged, igniting a transformative spark within her. With his guidance, she applied to Dowling College in Oakdale and was accepted.
Before college began, Mr. & Mrs. Farrell, upgrading their family car, gifted Madeline their 1986 Subaru hatchback. Though old and lacking air conditioning, the car symbolized newfound freedom and opportunity. With this gift, Madeline was on the road to success, embarking on a journey that would shape the rest of her life.
“Education has the power to transform lives.”
When Madeline was a young girl, her favorite game was playing teacher. This passion for education was sparked by the positive influence of Mr. Farrell, whose impact changed the course of her life. Inspired further by her younger brother’s challenges with ADHD and Oppositional Defiance Disorder, Madeline knew from a young age that she wanted to dedicate herself to helping students with disabilities.
After earning a Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in education and special education, Madeline began her teaching career at just 21 years old, standing in front of seventh graders as a Special Education Teacher in her old neighborhood and school district, Brentwood. Her goal was to give back to the community that had shaped her, aiming to inspire her students as Mr. Farrell had inspired her years before. These early years in the classroom laid the groundwork for the values that would define her future career— honesty, integrity, and a dedication to nurturing enduring relationships.
Madeline Blom’s pursuit of excellence led her to achieve a Master’s of Arts from Stony Brook University early in her teaching career. Her dedication to continuous improvement was evident as she earned an impressive 130 additional continuing education credits, honing her skills to better serve her students. Madeline’s bilingual proficiency proved invaluable, fostering deep connections with parents and students alike, drawing from her own experiences translating for her mother during her schooling years.
Driven by a passion for helping others, Madeline embarked on a part-time role as a Special Education Teacher with Kidz Therapy Services, where she applied behavior analysis principles and research-based instructional strategies. She cultivated enduring relationships with the families she supported, focusing on enhancing children’s academic, social, daily living, and communication skills within their home environment.
Over her 14-year career in education, Madeline transitioned from teaching in specialized settings for students with disabilities to inclusive classrooms that welcomed all learners. In her final years, she excelled as a district psycho-educational evaluator, a role that involved individually assessing children for learning disabilities—a position earned by only a select few among a large pool of educators.
Madeline’s journey in education not only shaped her professional ethos but also laid the foundation for her current success in real estate, where she continues to apply the same principles of empathy, expertise, and unwavering dedication to serving others.
Building a Family Focused on Health
In her personal life, Madeline is committed to becoming the best version of herself. After navigating difficult relationships, therapy taught her invaluable lessons in self-love and respect. Introduced to Jason by a teacher friend in 2004, they developed a friendship while each embarked on their own journeys. Madeline dedicated two years to self-discovery, focusing on her true desires and personal growth, understanding that self-love is essential to loving others.
As their connection blossomed, Madeline and Jason admired each other’s strengths, becoming inseparable from their first date in 2006. They married in 2011, building a partnership grounded in mutual support and upliftment, facing life’s challenges together as true partners.
In 2006, while simultaneously working on her master’s thesis and teaching, Madeline noticed a troubling rise in neurological disorders among children. Through her research, she connected this increase to the pervasive toxic chemicals in everyday life—from food to personal care products. By the time she was pregnant with her first child in 2014, Madeline was resolute in raising her family naturally and healthy, embracing the belief that food can be medicine, echoing Hippocrates’ wisdom: “Let food be thy medicine and thy medicine be food.”
During this time, she became a Health Coach, driven by her passion for holistic wellness. She also took on management of a chiropractic neuro-sensory business in Hauppauge, NY, where she integrated the Interactive Metronome program. Collaborating with Dr. Jason Pape, Madeline demonstrated her commitment to helping others and rebuilding the foundation of the most important muscle, the brain. This marked the beginning of her passion to help and empower parents to make informed decisions for their children.
Madeline, always driven to help others, began sharing her insights and healthy living tips on social media, inspiring family and friends. This led to the creation of her website and Facebook page, Mommas Organics, dedicated to empowering and educating mothers on raising healthy children in a toxin-free environment. She passionately advocated, “Healthy Parents Raise Healthy Children.” Her dedication to health and wellness had garnered recognition, placing Mommas Organics among the top 100 healthy mom blogs, ranking at number 92. Explore more here.
Together, Madeline and Jason had cultivated a cherished lifestyle in New York, but they began to feel the strain of societal expectations. They didn’t know when they would leave; they were waiting for a “sign”. Seeking a more balanced and easier existence, they made the decision to purchase a home in rural Rockwood, Tennessee in 2015. They viewed this purchase as an opportunity for new beginnings, confident that if it didn’t resonate with them, they could always return to their former life in New York.
Madeline understood that preparing for a significant move required both physical and mental resilience. The catalyst for this transformation was the pregnancy of their second child, which Madeline saw as a clear sign to make significant changes. In 2016, driven by her unwavering determination, she made the bold decision to leave her teaching career. Throughout her pregnancy, Madeline juggled a diverse array of roles, managing the Interactive Metronome program at a chiropractic clinic, teaching Zumba classes several nights a week, and running her health coaching business alongside her responsibilities in the local school district and her state position.
Madeline’s foresight extended beyond her career change. Her plan included saving $50,000 as a cushion for her family, a financial buffer aimed at providing stability during their transition to Tennessee. Concurrently, Jason had relocated the family business to the Volunteer State, setting the stage for their new chapter in a more balanced and fulfilling environment.
Madeline also prioritized her physical well-being once again to ensure a healthy pregnancy and birth. From a young age, her experiences with frequent illnesses instilled in her a strong commitment to prioritize her health and fitness. Starting at just 19 years old, she dedicated herself to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, which not only shaped her personal habits but also influenced her professional pursuits.
During those early months in the rural countryside, Madeline faced significant challenges. Accustomed to the conveniences of suburban life and missing her family, she often felt like an outsider in the small town, leading to moments of loneliness. However, driven by her professional ambitions, she channeled her energy into completing her holistic health practitioner program while eagerly anticipating the arrival of her daughter. Madeline dedicated herself to physical fitness, maintaining her regimen in her home garage right up until the day before giving birth.
After welcoming her daughter into the world, Madeline’s determination only grew stronger. Within six months, she approached her husband with a plan: they would relocate from Roane County to Knoxville, and she would pursue a real estate license to sell their property. She committed herself to real estate school, attending daily classes diligently from 9 am to 1 pm. This decision marked a pivotal moment in Madeline’s journey, showcasing her resilience and unwavering drive to carve out a new path for herself and her family.
Within just three weeks of making that life-changing decision, Madeline embarked on a whirlwind of achievements. She swiftly completed the realtor training course, aced the licensing exam, listed and sold her own property, and secured a new home that perfectly suited her expanding family’s needs. This home not only accommodated her immediate family but also included an in-law suite, a rare find in Farragut, ideal for her parents to move in with them.
Once settled into her new home and community, Madeline felt an unstoppable surge of determination. Her rapid success in real estate, not only for herself but also for family members, ignited a deep-seated ambition to do more. Recognizing a local need, she launched Mind Body Balance Center, LLC, a sanctuary offering holistic health services aimed at helping parents address their children’s neurological challenges naturally.
In 2019, Madeline welcomed her third child into the world, a cherished blessing supported by her parents who had moved in to lend their love and support. Balancing motherhood and her burgeoning business, Madeline continued to build momentum. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and disrupted traditional business models, Madeline pivoted towards real estate investing, driven by her unwavering thirst for knowledge and growth.
Entering dynamic online communities ignited Madeline’s ambitions, fueled further by the unwavering support of her husband who wholeheartedly believed in her vision. Together, they seized an opportunity nestled in the picturesque Smoky Mountains of North Carolina, acquiring their inaugural property spread across 11 scenic acres. This marked the beginning of their journey into managing short-term rentals.
In the realm of real estate, Madeline Blom’s achievements stand as a testament to her unparalleled success. With a remarkable $50 million in property sales over just two years, she has forged her path through word-of-mouth acclaim and an impeccable reputation. Notably, her monumental $2.8 million home sale has cemented her role as a foremost negotiator in the competitive Smoky Mountains short-term rental market.
Expanding her business through The Powerhouse Group, brokered by Real Broker and in partnership with Savvy Realty, Madeline remains steadfast in her commitment to client satisfaction, integrity, and cultivating meaningful connections. Madeline serves as an inspiring beacon, urging others to embrace challenges, pursue their aspirations, and foster positive change in their lives and communities.She instills in her children the core values of hard work, joyfulness, and humility amidst achievements.
