Investing

I have been trying to form my opinion on this Ice Bucket Challenge over the past week. The volume of posts in my news feed and the amount of articles criticizing it has made me tired. The ALS association appears to be a solid organization doing lots of good and I support the increase of awareness of this specific cause along with a broad awaking of people wanting to donate and create change. A great deal of money was raised but I will never know if my network did if for the cause or for the Facebook Likes. I choose to not accept the challenge and the social pressure in doing so has made me feel a little bit guilty, I think this is the part I really dislike about the whole phenom of it. I regularly support causes I find important, none of which I have done for the sole purpose of letting my friends know.

I think these mega-charities like ALS and the American cancer Society are worthy of our support. I think we should also each have our individual organizations we invest our effort in to help create change. I don’t “donate”, I Invest. I invest in causes and people. More importantly I think we should all consider the change we can create in our daily lives by investing. Help someone today to make there day and lives better.

I changed this one lady’s day once… My brother and I had worked a long Friday, sat in traffic with a 5 hour drive ahead of us across the deserted desert of Arizona. We were late by a few hours to where we needed to be already, I was running on two hours of sleep and had already gone through a few RedBulls. We are on a two lane deserted highway 50 miles in between any city that had a gas station and noticed a Honda Civic that was parked on the side of the road. As we approached I noticed the flat tire and the young lady holding her cell phone in the air in attempt to get cell service to call AAA or her Boyfriend. She was in luck that day because I stop for everybody… and because I have a certain set of skills that can fix just about anything… and because my first car was the same model Honda that I had taken Snow tires off and on at least 100 times. She had a look of confusion when we stopped, it quickly transitioned to a look of fear when she took notice of two males with thick facial hair and cowboy boots rapidly approaching her and her car. We didn't have time to chit chat and I knew what the problem was so I kindly asked her nothing more than to open her trunk. I handed my brother the lug wrench without instruction so he could get started on the lug nuts while I grabbed the jack and the spare tire. The lady was awestruck by our efficiency but stood back in silence as we went to work. We had the car up, wheel swapped out and back down in less than 60 seconds. We loaded up the tools and the flat and I gave her a smile and told her to have a great evening. She was so confused on what just had happened she couldn't respond. Twenty seconds later when we were opening the doors to my truck she yelled out “CAN I GIVE YOU SOME MONEY?”. To which we simultaneously responded in hysterical laughter, hopped in and took off. I don’t need, want or expect anything in return. I enjoy helping others and I enjoy giving.

My real hope for this whole thing is that it brings just a little long term awareness to the fact that there are causes and people out there in the world that need our help through our disposable income and sweat equity. This is only one piece of the pie, there are people next to you today that you can also help. Do it for no reason other than you can. So if this trend raises awareness and a few dollars I support it. Just don’t do it for the likes. 

Thank you for this day because it is so Good

I was on my morning run yesterday when Brand New by Pharrell Williams and JT came across my playlist. I had heard the song a few times, I did not love it but do not dislike it enough to hit next. I am always in constant awe of how amazing this world is at day break each morning. Yesterday there was a lyric in that song that stood out “Thank you for this day because it is so Good” that put the biggest smile on my face.

I try to take time out each morning to step away from whatever plan I might be developing for the day to simply enjoy the gift, that each day is. I take just a few moments in reflection to realize all that I have been blessed with. I have been given every opportunity/ advantage in this world possible. No matter what things I will have to do this day that I would rather not or things I would like to get to that I will not have time for, I realize that this day is special. I consider that there will be a day in my future that I will wish for nothing more than to be standing in at this very place being faced with only the challenges of today. I exhale with a smile because today is good.

There will be a day where you wish you had the opportunity of today. Get moving and have fun. #livenow

Go ahead and be Selfish

Someone asked me the other day.

“Is being so focused on bettering yourself Selfish?”

My initial response was No; but since then I have given it a great deal of thought and I might change my response. Let’s read the definition of Selfish.

 self·ish

‘selfiSH/

adjective

1.    (of a person, action, or motive) lacking consideration for others; concerned chiefly with one's own personal profit or pleasure.

Reading this makes me do a quick cringe move. I guess focusing on your own growth lands right on the definition above. Like most things, I believe it has to do with your intent. What motivates you to get better? If you are at the gym only to show it off at the beach or reading books on negotiation strategy to only get more for less in your next major purchase then I think you could say yes. But let’s look at it from the perspective of me writing this and you the reader that has come to read this. My motivation is to better myself so that I can better those around me. I want to learn more so that I can help people answer their own questions with knowledgeable perspectives. I want to run/swim/jump faster and further so that I can show my peers it is possible to get incrementally closer to your goals with each round of effort.

I want you to become the best version of you, not only for self validation but for those in your own life. Building a routine of doing Yoga three times a week will benefit your body and soul right now. Learning a new skill this week will benefit you… right now. Changing your diet from eating out every meal to Kale Shakes for breakfast and properly harvested meats for dinner will make your body function smoother… right now. Beyond the now there are long term effects. Building routines, establishing methods to deal with stress, keeping your body’s mobility up and figuring out what food make you perform better will help your community and your family not only now but for a life time.

Do you think you will yelling at your kids in the back of the minivan while sitting in the McDonalds drive though if you have built a foundation of positive principles?

It is selfish but for the right reasons. My personal profit is the pleasure is seeing my friends and family succeed and motivate others towards growth.

try it

This world moves fast. You will one day soon have a large number of unread emails in your inbox and a stacked Outlook calendar. The ToDo list will become two pages long and then; you notice you need to stop and get gas. Some days it’s hard to pick where to start or which question to answer first. There is one thing you can do to ensure your day will be better. Be nice to everyone. A simple smile and Hello will change your day and could change someone else’s.

Love the life you live

It has always been important to me to have mentors and role models to look up to. People that might have it figured out, people that can help me model my own life. I have always found Warren Buffet’s methodology for business fascinating. I am a huge Tim Ferris fan and will always consume his content on how to become efficient in all aspects of life. In this day of social media it makes it so easy to find and follow people for daily guidance and inspiration. Recently I found someone that was unexpected but has become one powerful thought provoking source for daily inspiration. His name is Steve Fugate and you probably have never heard of him.

I found the clip below that Cyrus Sutton put together for Korduroy.tv and after watching it for the first time it really lowered the importance of some of the things around me allowing me to focus on the basic concept of Purpose. I look up to Buffet for the amount of financial success he has accumulated in his career (also the good he is doing with it) and I look up to T.Ferris for his life hacks on how to get more out of less time. Steve however has a lot less, only a few possessions but this guy has a philosophy that should be heard by all of our youth. The clip was enough for me to follow him on Facebook and I have been enjoying his status updates daily since. It allows me to pause and reflect on how simple it can be to spread such an important mission. I encourage you to give him a follow, sure Dan Bilzerian is cool but Steve Fugate might teach you something.  His perspective on life and mission could change the world. A true Role Model. 

Taken from Cyrus Sutton’s article: TRAIL THERAPY: THE 34,000 MILE JOURNEY OF STEVE FUGATE

“I saw Steve Fugate on the side of the road in the middle of the Californian desert in January. In 1999, lost his son to suicide. A few years later, he lost his daughter to a drug overdose. At sixty-four years old, he has walked across the United States seven times to raise awareness for depression and suicide and to inspire people he meets to “love life.”  After fourteen years and 34,000 miles of walking, Steve continues his quest to heal his heart and the hearts of those in need one step at a time.”

“When love fills your life all limitations are gone. The medicine this sick world needs so badly is love.” ~Peace Pilgrim

Follow Steve on Facebook: facebook.com/lovelifewalk

To learn more: lovelifewalk.com

Discomfort

“I have never learned a lesson and enjoyed the process. Honestly the things that have meant the most have not been Fun, Ever”  - Steven Shubin

One thing I am really good at is saying “I Can’t” and I hate it. Specifically when it comes to accomplishing physical feats in training with myself alone. If I set out to run 5 miles I start to hear this “I Can’t” voice at about mile 3.5. At that point I start to think “hey you kept a good pace; this was good enough for your AM workout”. If I set a goal if 200 reps. in a Crossfit workout once I get to about 160 and my lungs are burning I start to think “it’s only exercise, you did good enough today”.  I hate this; as soon as I feel Discomfort it becomes easy for me to make excuses. The best, scratch that the only thing I like about about Crossfit is the metal training, it forces me to do things I would rather not do because of Discomfort. My buddy Josh gave me a talk a few months back about the result this “I can’t because it’s hard” attitude has on your ability to become stronger. Having this attitude is the first step towards failure. Knowing you can and telling yourself “you can” will keep your focus tight and you will perform at a higher level. I roll my eyes every time I hear “enjoy the suck or “get comfortable with the uncomfortable” but I do think there is something to it. This is not only applicable inside a Crossfit gym or on the running path but also in our daily lives.

Growth doesn’t happen without Discomfort. The thought of doing something new or different is always scary and it creates Discomfort in us. Now there is a spectrum of scary; driving to Yoga class for the first time might be a bit less scary then booking the Plane ticket to Alaska to climb Denali. Discomfort comes in making hard decisions that will change the path of your life. Staying with a job that is familiar is a lot more comfortable then taking a leap of faith in starting a new venture you are passionate about. However the discomfort that comes with trying something new will create all sorts of new knowledge and will evoke changes in yourself that you were not expecting.

Heartbeak and Loss can force you to explore some of the darkest parts of Discomfort. This battle will last a lot longer than the remaining 1.5 miles of a run; this discomfort seems to overwhelm your consciousness through the day and continue into the hours you would like to be asleep. You can not distract or step away from this Discomfort. You have to become part of the Discomfort process; this process will be tough, become tougher and evolve into the toughest. You need to hold on tight and realize you are in the midst of growth and that change is happening and “you can” get through this discomfort just like the other types. The greater the level of Discomfort; the greater the change.

The best part about Discomfort is that it is finite; it has definable limits and will always be limited in nature. You will never know when and all you can do is have faith I knowing that it will at some point complete. The result will always be change; you will be different at the end. I don’t know if I will ever “enjoy it” or become “comfortable in it” but I do realize it is an inevitable part of the growth process in becoming better in any aspect of life.

You are in it and you can do it. Love.          

 “Avoiding discomfort is the world’s worst strategy because it requires choosing discomfort. For example, if you choose to avoid situations that make you anxious, you are choosing anxiety, and strengthening anxiety’s ability to control you. If you choose to avoid opportunities that trigger self-doubt, you are choosing self-doubt and convincing self-doubt it is right. … Do you want to feel anxiety while avoiding things that have meaning, or do you want to feel anxiety while you do them?” - Kelly McGonigal

What's your motivation?

There are probably a few better publicity photos of this guy but I chose this particular one for the listeners that might not know Alex personally. This photo to me encapsulates Alex’s sprit. Still able to smile and make time to support others around him, even while recovering from a major injury. Alex continually surprises me with new perspectives and fresh knowledge every time we dive in to conversation. It is an absolute pleasure for me when we can align an opening in our schedules to make time to break bread and discuss life, I am thrilled to be able to share this conversation with all of you.

In this episode Alex and I sit down and discuss how growing up overseas developed his appetite for growth and how being how handed down books from his Father got him a jump start in his pursuit for creating something special. In the past few episodes we have focused on discovering ways to help inspire change around us in our own lives. Alex introduces us to the passion project he and his 3 co-founders have developed to inspire change on the Global scale. Their online platform Activist allows us to set and conquer Fitness goals while raising real dollars that will go to your charity to make a real impact in the community. We discuss how he developed his dedication and intensity for this project and how creating change; has changed him. Much Love. 

Link to Team Activist 

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Friendship

I have never told anyone this before but I have always measured my friendships by deciding who the groomsmen in my wedding would be. "Okay... if she had Five bridesmaids I would choose these Five guys. Okay… only three?... then these three guys". I have come to the conclusion that if I had to, I couldn't choose just Three, or Five, or even Fifteen. I have so many powerful relationships with so many larger than life dudes I just couldn't narrow it down to much less than 20. It wasn't always this way. Early on some of my best friends went even, good friends. 

One weekend during summer vacation in high school I was away at camp and the rest of my family was away on their own vacation. My friends knew the house was empty and that I would be returning home late on a Sunday night to a dark house. I was constantly on the wrong end of my “friends” jokes. When I returned home on that beautiful late summer evening to a dimly light house I was greeted by a huge duke on my front porch that I did not see in the darkness and tracked across my mom’s new white carpet. The good thing is that I thought it was dog poop so the clean up wasn't all that bad, that was until I was delivered the news a few days later it was human. That is how crappy some of my friendships were, needless to say we haven’t stayed in touch. Given the opportunity I would rebuild those freindships

 It took me sometime to figure out who I was: by doing so it allowed me to identify the people I wanted to channel my energy into as friends. I developed friendships in college that have evolved onto lifelong bonds that are stronger than Valyrian Steel. Some I talk to daily and some less frequent but are still equally as important to me. I have found friendships in some of the most awkward places but still equally important. I spent two years dedicated to my career living in a small town in Texas that took me away from all of my friends. Spending Fridays eating pizza alone and seeing my lonely reflection in the restaurant window made me realize that this was no way to spend my twenty's and was one of the first times I realized I needed to be surrounded by positive friendships. I don’t know what it is about this primal want to be part of a tribe but I understand how necessary they are. This was one of the deciding factors that brought me to California. California has been an opportunity to surround myself with world class people. I would have never have been able to imagine the depth and width of this amazing network that I am currently immersed in.

The friendships I have are my most valued possession. I need them; it's your friendship that allows me to learn to grow and gives me to opportunity to share different perspectives. The past weekend i shared a few nights under the stars with friends (pictured above) from all over the globe, we have all come from different places in life but I love them all. Life is less when I am not surrounded by people; the individuals I call friends are what drive me to try harder and become better. In turn I am able to give back through the energy and knowledge I gain. The better I become the better we can all become. It is imperative that we are all intentional in our relationships and raise each other up to a higher place. To me helping everyone learn is what this whole life is all about.

I need you and appreciate you. All my love.

It’s only 1%

It’s only 1%

 “What we fear doing most is usually what we most need to do.” ― Timothy Ferriss

 I have always felt setting Goals is vastly important but I have questioned if having a list of Short term and Long term goals is enough. Goals and the pursuit of achieving them invokes growth and change, the majority of the change I have noticed seems to be unintentional. I have always been a huge proponent for setting SMART Goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic  and Time-Based. I still think it is and will always be a strong foundation for anyone settings goals but I have decided to throw it out the window.

 I have committed to a new concept: I will become 1% better each week.

 All of my Goals have been Specific in Achieving “something”. This one is now my general life principal in growing to become better overall. This 1% will be the summation of becoming a better human striving to become the best me. I will do something uncomfortable each week to force challenge. I will push myself harder to go faster, longer or bigger in training. I will become more intentional with my relationships. I will explore my faith deeper. I will capture new knowledge. I will teach someone something new. I will smile and say hello to everyone that I encounter.

 It’s only 1%. This 1% overall each week seems small and a bit ridiculous but I am confident the 52 weeks a year will cause it to stack up fast.  1% is not quantifiable and the only one who can measure the performance is myself. I will have to reflect every Monday morning and be honest in my decision to see if it was enough to meet the goal of 1%. 

Max Lowe x Without Walls (Our Baja Adventure)

I have shared bits and pieces of our recent Baja Adventure with you over the past few weeks. My buddy Max Lowe has written a fantastic story for Without Walls and produced a video that captures our spirit for chasing adventure. Click Through Below.

Go Without Walls

Stoke your passion.

“First you jump off the cliff and build your wings on the way down.” ― Ray Bradbury 

I sit down with one of my best friends Mike Kosareff to discuss his decision to create a change. Mike has reached many people’s definition of success at an early age and is giving it all up to chase his dream of becoming a professional Comedian. I know many people out there are struggling with identifying exactly what it is they have passion for and how to transition to a life in living for purpose. Mike explains to us how he made that decision and how he got started in pursuit of his dream.

The first step is always the hardest, but momentum builds. Everyone’s passion is unique and special. Mike is a special individual that always provides me with insight, motivation and challenges me to become better. They might not always be within the letter of the law but it’s good to have unique perspectives to consider.

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Love Everybody

Is there anything better than the moment you get butterflies in your stomach when you see the one you love walk out of the Airport terminal? Is there anything worse than feeling of emptiness in heartbreak? I don’t think so (I am aware that this definition all goes out the window when I have children).

I don’t know if I would be able to explain my concept of what Love is to a 4 year old. I think Being in Love is only a component part of my definition. The other piece is having Love for others. I Love my parents, I love my brother and I even tell my close friends that I love them. I have recently been challenged to grow and have Love for everybody. 

At first I didn’t think it was even possible to have Love for everyone. In all honesty I don’t even like all that many people, I have broken my hands in fist fights in College and have told complete strangers to EFF OFF in traffic. It has been a challenge over the past few years to not display my anger or react without consideration of the consequences for my actions. I have gotten it under control and many of my friends have never seen me upset. Even though this is a great accomplishment, I was still a long way from being able to have Love for everybody.

I was taught a lesson on how yesterday. I had an interaction at my Crossfit Box with another gentleman that was unbelievable. Words were said to me that made my pulse raise up, my face feel hot and caused me to clench my fists. I was pissed, but I kept a half cocked smile through the interaction. Through the workout I went through a series of emotions that were not positive in nature and went into a spiral of discontent. I pulled myself out of the tailspin and I realized I needed to Love this guy. Sure, I disagree with how he handled the situation but that’s not important in the big scheme of all of this. I can not like what he said but still Love him.

I don’t know this guy’s name, his struggle or even how his day went. All I need to know is that by me showing him Love he could become better. After the workout finished I walked over to him. He had a look in his eyes showed preparation for confrontation. I reached out and shook his hand and offered congratulations for the effort he put forward in the workout. What he said or what he did means… nothing. I have love for him. I hope somewhere in that he felt it and spreads it even further. Love everybody. Unconditionally. 

It’s not about me.

Over the past few years I have spent the majority of my time chasing surf. Time researching flights, watching Swell forecasts,  getting lost on back roads hundreds of miles from cell service, cleaning out reef cuts and dreaming of glassy freight training barrels. I have scored some world class waves but, I have also had adventures foiled by threatening groups of territorial locals preventing me from even paddling out. It’s a passion that has overwhelmed my life… there is nothing else I would rather do, every time I paddle out I experience a meditative focus that brings calmness to my chaos. The search has been all about me getting the biggest one in the set, longest ride and cleanest line..….Surfing is really all about me…it is a very selfish pursuit. But I have been asking myself if it has to be.

Years ago I saw an interview with this Surfer that had a son with Autism, he found that taking his son out surfing brought him a level of calmness and happiness that could only be found in the Ocean. Izzy Paskowitz founded Surfers Healing an organization that runs free surf camps giving the opportunity to Autistic children to experience the same love for the ocean that I have. I do not know very much about Autism Spectrum Disorder or very much about Kids, it seems that Autism is becoming more prevalent in our society and that no one can really explain with a high degree of causal certainty why. I found the Surfers Healing Facebook page earlier this year and saw that they were in need of Volunteers for a few camps in Southern California. I decided that if my new thing is to do something Scary each day and to be useful to my community then...this was it. What’s worse than trying to take off a Wetsuit after you are completely surfed out? Putting on a cold wet one the next morning. So I signed up for that, “Wetsuit and Life Jacket Assistance”.

Driving to the event I was scared, this was completely out of my comfort zone. I don’t know anything about how to deal with Children. I didn't even know the basic definition of Autism. I thought to myself that If I turned my car around and went home no one might notice I did not show up. Not happening. Upon arrival I was introduced by my Boss of the day Bob about the concept of the “ Autism Spectrum”. Bob has sons, one of which is on the Spectrum but was there to help us out. Throughout the day I got a firsthand education on the Spectrum. I was lucky enough to meet kids that were able to tell me their name, how stoked they were to catch the south swell and give me a high five. I was lucky enough to meet kids that were non verbal but willing to get in a wet wetsuit. I was lucky enough to meet kids that that put up a physical fight with their parents (to the point I felt uncomfortable) in resistance to putting on a life jacket and going surfing. I was lucky.

Lucky enough to get to watch all of those kids come back into shore with smiles so bright I knew their world had been changed, maybe just for the moment or maybe like me; for the rest of their lives. Lucky enough to see these Champion parents watch their children find calmness in their own chaos. I have watched good parents handle temper tantrums in the mall and thought to myself, parenting looks tough. That day I realized how tough, these parents overcome challenges on a level  I might never have to face. Watching those parents breakdown crying and jump cheering at seeing the level of happiness surfing brought their children did more than pull at my heart strings. I can count the number of times in the past ten years I have gotten emotional on one hand. It took everything I had for me to hold back my tears behind my Oakley Frogskins on the beach that day but I couldn't do it.

It’s not about me. Maybe giving just a little back that day changed me.  

  Want to know more? 

Want to Do more?

Surround yourself with those on the same mission

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I have always believed in the mantra that you are a reflection of the company you keep. I am fortunate to be surrounded by some of the most amazing people in this universe. One individual has become an overwhelming influence in my life over the past few years. Joshua Baumgarten is a great friend to me, a world class Strength and Condition Coach to many and is becoming a true Leader to all. Last week I had the opportunity to train under his watchful eye in his gym and recorded our conversation en route to dinner.

In this episode we had to opportunity to discuss our perspectives on the conscious awakening we are experiencing in our own lives. He shares with me his personal journey on how he made the decision to become better and what he is doing to help others realize they too have the opportunity to make a shift in consciousness to live better. Joshua has a level of passion that is unmatched and is pushing us all to rise to our true potential. The audio again is terrible at the beginning but only gets better in this episode. It’s worth the listen I promise. 

My Journey

Direct Link

“The moment that you feel that, just possibly, you're walking down the street naked, exposing too much of your heart and your mind and what exists on the inside, showing too much of yourself. That's the moment you may be starting to get it right.” Neil Gaiman

I love Podcasting and this is the first of a new series I have coming. This has the worst audio recording of anything I have ever recorded, but it was hands down the best conversation I have had in my entire life. I am very apprehensive to put this out there letting my self be vulnerable on a new level but, I feel it is important to show my authentic self though this new project. In this conversation I explore my life long battle with Religion, Science and the reality of life that creates a balance between them.

I don’t have all of the answers, and that is okay. I do have a passion to seek the answers, to grow and become better. 

Crossroads

“Life's crossroads create opportunity for us to choose between different options, and when we see someone embracing the moment when choices are decided upon, it can be awe-inspiring. A crossroads is about change. Choices must be made -- not just when things are not working out as we had planned, but also during positive moments when we must choose to continue the course or veer off into something new.” - Linda Durnell

I have always looked at a pivotal direction changing life decision as a Crossroads of choices. Left, right or continue on going straight. I can identify specific decisions in my life that have resulted in a drastic change in my path. The more I consider the theory of only having 3 options the more I feel the analogy of it being a “Crossroad” is flawed. Furthermore the idea that these only happen a handful of times in one’s life seems ridiculous to me. Change can happen whenever you choose to want it. It can happen more than 5 times in a lifetime, it can happen every morning you wake up, it can happen right now at this very moment.

If nothing changes; nothing changes. I will expect more from people, I will no longer accept this proposal of future change from my community. I have had to listen to “I am going to eat clean this week” or “I’d like to take some time off work and Travel”. If you want to eat clean stop what you’re doing right now; go to the Grocery store and prepare 5 healthy lunches for yourself this week. If you want to travel; go to Expedia and book the ticket, this way it forces you to work out the details of giving your boss notice of your sabbatical after you have committed. I will push you to create change.

The concept of “being at a Crossroad” needs to dissolve. You don’t need to get to a point where you have to stop and ponder 3 potential choices in making that pivotal direction changing life decision. You have the opportunity for change right here right now. A change in attitude or a change in your life path can happen RIGHT NOW. You just have to choose to want it.

“We are Human beings, we can do whatever we decide we can do” – Josh Baumgarten

How to Shine Brighter

I am Broken. I have become overwhelmed by life...and I am excited about it. It has brought perspective and an opportunity for change.

“Being broken and on the brink is a great a place to be, because you’re on the brink of greatness or the brink of breaking through the floor thinking the other shoe is about to drop, but the other thing is; in this life the other shoe never has to drop. I can always always get better, as long as I am looking to help out and support people around me. I should always be broken and in the owe of the world and power of the that surrounds me of the universe. That’s why I am able to learn and become better.” - Tait Fletcher

Many of my relationships have become distant and challenged as of late. I have failed due to my own selfishness. I have let myself down along with my community of friends. I have taken more than I have given, causing the light to only shine at half its potential. I have realized my own personal fear of becoming mediocre.  

I am excited about identifying where I have failed and am fortunate enough to have the ability to create change. I need to know my friends goals…I need to hear what they need..I need to become useful to them. I need to be able raise them up in whatever way I can. Introduce them to my network of resources to locate the final piece of their puzzle. To cheer them on while they are battling the inner voices of “I can’t”. To help them identify their own goals and lock down their own mission.

I will shine brighter through helping those around me.

“I am not in competition with anybody…I need everybody to win. When everybody does better everybody does better.”