Experiencing life in the FLDS cult—and choosing to leave—set my life on a search for freedom.

 

I was traveling to different cities on the West Coast, installing solar panels, and feeling burnt out. I had plenty of experience in the construction industry, but the grind was real. That’s when the idea came to me––“Since I know construction, I could sell houses.”

 

What inspired the choice to become a REALTOR®—and what has moved me since I was a kid—was the desire to be free.

 

I was born in Utah in the 90s, in a conservative town where the FLDS church controlled almost every part of life. It was a cult. I remember being 10 years old, watching the sunset from my front yard, thinking, “Whatever this is—this town, this lifestyle—it ain’t for me.”

 

I couldn’t leave my yard without permission. I wasn’t allowed to watch TV channels unless they were church-approved. The internet was prohibited. By high school, I couldn’t wait to leave.

 

In fact, I didn’t just leave—I was kicked out. The church excommunicated me for dating my girlfriend, Mickala, outside of matrimony. I moved in with my granddad in Idaho, and that began the next chapter of my life: hard work. I worked in a pit mine while Mickala and I stayed in touch, looking for ways to reunite.

 

When I eventually returned to Utah, I worked in construction, starting with flooring, then moved into solar panel installation. Mickala and I got married and hit the road in our RV, headed to North Dakota, where I became a pipe fitter. My dream of freedom—including financial freedom—was alive and well, and I had my eye on the oil market.

 

But while I was working as a pipe fitter, helping a welder on site, the oil market dropped out. Just like that, the dream had to pivot. I needed another path forward.

 

I tried opening a tile company in Utah, but it didn’t take off. I went back to solar panel work—back to what I knew best—taking jobs in L.A., San Francisco, Las Vegas, Idaho, and Salt Lake City, but my body couldn’t keep up with the labor or the constant travel. 

 

That’s when real estate started making sense. However, the transition wasn’t easy––it was brutal, honestly. There was so much to learn in so little time. Just when I’d start getting the hang of the market, everything would shift. Prices, trends, interest rates—real estate is always moving. Adaptation became the name of the game.

 

But I wouldn’t have it any other way.

 

Today, I get to help people in a meaningful way, and that fills me up. I get to use everything I’ve learned from construction and life in a career that also gives me time and energy to do the things I love—golf, pickleball, hiking, biking––any outdoor sport!

 

Above all, I love connecting with people. One of my favorite things is just hanging out with Mickala and our friends, whether we’re playing table games, board games, cards, or anything that brings us together and makes us laugh.

 

It’s been a challenging road, but through all the twists and turns, I found what I was looking for: freedom.

 

I prioritize my clients’ experience, ensuring they feel supported and informed throughout every step of the real estate process. Their success matters to me but so does how they feel while getting there. I show my care through clarity, attentiveness, and consistent, solution-oriented service.

 

Real estate transactions can get complex or emotional, but I stay grounded in facts and what’s been signed, which helps simplify decisions and minimize confusion. I offer honest advice, communicate market position clearly, and present thoughtful options—always aiming to make the path forward easier to navigate.

 

Details matter, especially in tough negotiations. I pay close attention to the fine print, advocating firmly but calmly. Clients often hear me say, “We’ll get through this,” because I mean it. I’m persistent and steady, even when things get challenging.

 

I specialize in working with both developers and individuals looking to buy or sell. Whether the deal is simple or complex, I show up with experience, empathy, and solutions—making sure my clients always feel taken care of.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Guy Barlow

REALTOR® | LIC# 12132116-SA

Cell (435) 619-6528

southernutahrealestateguy@gmail.com

utahrealestateguy.com