A Freestyle Friday Reminder About What Actually Matters
Freestyle Fridays are simple. No script. No edits. Just a microphone and whatever is on my mind that week. Sometimes it is a lesson I learned. Sometimes it is a rant. And sometimes it is a moment that reminds me why I made the decisions I did in my life. This week, it was what I now call my “Alternating V-Up Moment.”
The Workout That Almost Didn’t Get Finished
I was in my basement gym finishing a workout. If you have ever done alternating V-ups, you know they are not exactly enjoyable. I was already thirty minutes into the session, tired and mentally negotiating with myself about whether I really needed to finish the final rounds. That internal dialogue happens when you train alone. There is no coach watching. No one to call you out if you stop early. The only person who knows whether you finish or quit is you.
The Moment Everything Shifted
Right in the middle of those alternating V-ups, something unexpected happened. Out of nowhere, my two-year-old son Leo ran in and tackled me. He jumped on top of me, wrapped his arms around me, and said, “Daddy.” In that moment, the workout stopped being about reps or discipline. It became about connection. It became one of the best moments of my entire day.
Why That Moment Meant So Much
That single moment reminded me why I redesigned my life the way I did. Years ago, that moment never would have happened. I would have already been in an office somewhere, solving problems for someone else’s company. Instead, I was at home building a business on my terms. Working hard, but also present. Present enough for my son to run downstairs and jump into my workout.
The Shift From Career Success to Life Fulfillment
Almost three years ago, I walked away from what most people would call a dream job. Corner office. Strong income. Great colleagues. But something inside me knew there was more. I did not want to spend the rest of my career simply solving problems inside someone else’s system. I wanted to build something of my own. That decision led me into coaching, speaking, and writing. But more importantly, it allowed me to become something I had not always been in the past: a present father.
The Difference Between Financial Wins and Life Wins
For most of my career, I defined winning by financial metrics. Revenue. Profit. Deals closed. That was the scoreboard. But that mindset changed. The moment my son tackled me during that workout became one of the biggest wins of my year. Not because it made money. Because it created fulfillment. It reminded me that the life I am building is aligned with what truly matters.
The Concept of “Receipts” in Life
You often hear me talk about collecting receipts. Proof that you are on the right path. That moment became another receipt in what I call my adversity backpack. If I have a tough day, difficult calls, or business challenges, I can go back to that moment and remember why I am doing this in the first place.
Family First Is Not Just a Phrase
Today, my family sits at the center of every decision I make. My business fits around my life, not the other way around. That means saying no to opportunities. Passing on travel. Turning down stages or meetings that would pull me away from the moments that matter most. Every decision now gets filtered through one question: how will this affect my family?
Designing Your Life Instead of Accepting It
I did not stumble into this lifestyle. I built it intentionally. I had an idea of what I wanted my life to look like. Then I committed to the daily disciplines required to build it. Was I afraid when I stepped away from my previous career? Absolutely. But betting on yourself is often the only way to build a life by design instead of living by default.
Your Own “Alternating V-Up Moment”
So here is the question I want you to think about. What are your “Alternating V-Up Moments”? What moments remind you that you are exactly where you are supposed to be? Maybe you already have them. Maybe you are still searching for them. If you are not experiencing fulfillment in your work or life, it may be time to step back and ask yourself some honest questions.
Final Thoughts: Bet on Yourself
Do not be afraid to take a risk on yourself. Every time I bet on myself, I do not always win. But I always grow. And at the end of the day, I know that my success or failure is based on whether I show up and execute. No one else controls that. That is what living a life by design looks like. And I hope you take some time this weekend to think about what that life could look like for you.
