The truth is you don’t know what is going to happen tomorrow. Life is a crazy ride, and nothing is guaranteed.
Eminem
Growing up, I was deeply fascinated by things.
Football, baseball, wrestling, boxing, fighting, internet, AIM (yup, we’re old), Myspace (what now?)…the list goes on.
I don’t know why, but I would get entrenched in the topic.
I would study the hell out of it, understand its basics and fundamentals, watch videos, and then discuss it with friends.
Yeah, they may have (most certainly were) annoyed,
But after graduating from college, I joined a Fortune 100’s finance management program.
And just like that, interests gone. Dwindled.
I stopped caring.
It wouldn’t be until December 2012, sitting on the porch with my whiskey that I realized I just stopped caring.
I let myself go.
I took no action.
That, right there, hurt more than anything.
I prided myself on taking action, trying harder, improving myself, and beating the odds.
On that chilly December night was my birthday and I started realizing how many regrets I had.
Damn
So I asked myself while dozing off, “What do I regret not doing that I could do NOW?”
Mixed martial arts.
That was it.
Since high school, I always wanted to try my hands at MMA and fighting inside the cage.
Why?
Because I was deathly scared.
Being punched in the face, being knocked out, being doubted, doubting myself.
I was petrified. It was paralyzing.
Yet, I wanted it more than anything.
I wanted it for one reason and one reason only:
To prove that I could overcome my fears.
That night was the turning point in my post-college life.
Many decisions thereafter came as a result of that night.
Choosing to live a better life, making money, dreaming of retirement and freedom, fighting inside the cage, volunteering and becoming a board member, being open to opportunities.
Simply, being alive again.
I was dead for a long time.
But that night, that cold night with 2-3 whiskeys down in me, made me realize I had to stop fucking around.
That was 2012.
That was 9 years ago.
So much has changed since then.
I have a son, fought inside the cage, quit my job, learned to code, started businesses, met incredible people, married love of my life and more.
All because of that one night.
My ask of you
What’s something you’re regretting now that you could take action on today?
What would you regret when you’re 80 years old reflecting back of your life?
Have you reached out to the people you love letting them know you love them?
Spend time reflecting. Block out 1-2 hours.
Don’t let another hour go by.
We’re all on a path to somewhere in life.
I truly believe we’re all fighters in one way or another.
Stay well.
