In 2014, I sustained a significant back injury that sidelined me from consistent exercise for an extended period of time. This injury set in motion my acceptance of mediocrity. By the time I began to recover, I had become comfortable no longer exercising. Consistent movement was no longer a priority and ultimately faded away for 5 years.

In 2019, I knew I had to make a change. I was headed down the wrong path with my health and finally took the initial steps to getting back on track. As a husband, father to 3 young kids and a busy professional, I encountered many obstacles: work, family, daily commitments and distractions; however, there was also another kind of obstacle at work in the background, one that is a powerful source of stifling action. That obstacle was the stories and beliefs I was telling myself to reinforce that I was fine moving along in life on default. It was easy to say “I will start next week”, using the weather as an excuse “It’s too hot, it’s too cold, it’s raining” saying to myself, “You really don’t need to get off the couch and get moving, take it easy, you deserve it”, “Have another drink” and the worst of all which was “Do you really think you are going to change the trajectory of your life at this point?”

At that time in life, I was not aware of many great philosophies and practices that high level performers from athletes to authors, to coaches, to creatives to entrepreneurs and great thinkers subscribed to. Over years of reflection during my path to self- improvement, I found myself studying and implementing the ideas and philosophies surrounding 1% better daily improvement, encountering and overcoming internal resistance, finding flow states, self-reflection, the first half vs. the second half of life concept, positive psychology and the practice of reframing the perspective on the events that happen to us in our lives. Changing and reframing your beliefs about events can change your life. This is Not new wisdom.

The great stoic philosopher, Epictetus who lived from 55-135 AD said “It is not external events themselves that cause us distress, but the way in which we think about them, our interpretation of their significance. It is our attitudes and reactions that give us trouble. We cannot choose our external circumstances, but we can always choose how we respond to them.”

Albert Einstein said “The most important decision we make is whether we believe we live in a friendly or hostile universe.”

Another consideration is that whatever we tell ourselves about the future in regard to potential problems and outcomes is completely made up. Mark Twain said "I am an old man and have known many troubles, but most of them never happened."

Over six years, I committed to improving my health and built consistency in movement by compounding micro actions that stacked up to eventually create long term life changing results. I began walking and then over time added various other forms of movement from running, weightlifting, rucking and practicing martial arts. I shifted my diet to whole foods and started cutting back on alcohol.

For 28 years I was a “middle lane” drinker - not dependent, but consistent. A couple drinks during the weeknights, more on the weekends, overdoing it from time to time, occasional short breaks every now and then. I began to take notice when I drank that I was not completely present with my family, I was sleeping poorly, feeling lazy and anxious, complaining and settling for mediocrity.

I had made many lifestyle improvements over the years; however, this was the last obstacle that I wanted to acknowledge and consider that it may have been my main source of resistance, a concept created by author Steven Pressfield. Pressfield describes “Resistance” as a universal, impersonal force whose entire mission is to stop you from becoming the highest version of yourself. I began questioning what alcohol was still doing for me. It had been a part of my life for so long - central to friendships, family gatherings, and social events; however, over time, I realized it may no longer be beneficial or serving me the way it once did.

The final turning point for me came after listening to neuroscientist Andrew Huberman’s Podcast on alcohol’s true effects and hearing ultra endurance athlete Rich Roll share a quotation on the Tim Ferriss Podcast.

Tim asked Rich: If you could put one quote on a billboard for the world to reflect on, what would it be?

Rich explained that his first instinct was: “Who Are You?”. But after further thought, he realized there was a more powerful version which was: “Who Are You Becoming?” For a split second I thought the question seemed so simple, however when I thought further, it created a very deep reflection in my personal life, and I found the question to be beyond powerful. Not only did “Who are you Becoming?” stoke questions and search for clarity in my current pursuits and goals that were positive, it also had another effect….. of contemplating what aspects in my life were contributing to becoming a person that I did Not want to become.

I began asking myself that question “Who are you Becoming?” everyday as a form of personal inventory and accountability to check in where I was and ensure I knew where I was going.

On February 2, 2025 - Groundhog Day - I had my last drink.

Fitting, because drinking had become a Groundhog Day loop for me: wash, rinse, repeat.

The benefits came fast:

• Deep restorative sleep

• Significant more Time and Energy to invest in a new direction toward my goals

• Hangovers and the anxiety that accompanied them were eliminated

• Financial savings was clearly evident

• Most importantly, I was showing up fully and completely present for my family with a powerful sense of clarity and purpose that I never had.

Five months later, I had an internal calling to become a coach, to help others navigate their own turning points. This was Not a quiet call; it was a loud door-kicking-down moment. I knew if I didn’t take action, that feeling might never return….

So I did.