Before & After: The Moment Everything Changed...
Defining BOLD Wealth
Friends, thank you for being here. Launching this newsletter is a dream come true: it’s a chance to impact more people on a larger scale than I ever could one-on-one. I’m grateful for your support and look forward to giving it back to you in the form of what I write. Let’s kick things off with something big: the moment that changed my life forever.
Holding my newborn boys in 2012 at UNC Hospitals
13 years ago, my world shifted.
We had a frightening pregnancy. Doctors suspected our boys had twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, a dangerous condition where one baby can siphon nutrients from the other. Every week for 16 weeks, we sat through ultrasounds watching in anticipation knowing that if their numbers dropped, we might be rushed out of town for specialized treatment or face something worse.
Then came the birth. It was high-risk. I counted 18 medical professionals in the Operating Room. When our first twin arrived, I remember seeing his head and thinking, “This is the greatest moment of my life.” He looked strong, and they whisked him out of the OR.
Then came the birth of boy #2. Everything shifted.
“We lost his heartbeat.”
“We need to cut in—STAT! Get her under.”
“I need another 10 seconds to get her under.”
“You don’t have another second—we’re cutting in now!”
And finally: “Get him out of here,” as they escorted me out of the OR - probably because I looked like a deer in headlights.
They sent our first boy to the NICU and left me alone in the hospital room, just me and my thoughts. Minutes felt like hours. Moments earlier, we had become a family. Now, all I wanted was for the other three members of that family to be alive and well.
Boy #2 was born 21 minutes after boy #1.
It was an emotional roller coaster, one that left me with nightmares for months.
But when I finally saw both of my sons’ tiny hearts beating, time stood still. I thought of my own dad and knew he must have felt the same rush of awe and love when he first saw me. In that moment, everything shifted. My values. My priorities. My perspective on life.
It wasn’t about money or milestones anymore. It was about presence, connection, and building a life that truly mattered.
From that day forward, my businesses, goals, and ambitions all took a backseat to one truth: I wanted to be present for my boys. I wanted to live an exceptional life, not just build one on paper.
So when I went back to work, I made one simple but radical change: I would not work past 5:30, no matter what.
I didn’t call it a “life transformation.” I didn’t write down a master plan. But that spark lit a fire. It planted a seed that grew into momentum. And over the years, that momentum reshaped my habits, my work, and the way I live.
In Venice with the family last week.
Before: A Life Out of Balance
Looking back, here’s what life was like before my boys were born:
I lacked energy.
My diet was fueled by sugar rushes.
I wasn’t exercising regularly.
I worked late nights and most weekends.
I was constantly stressed.
I didn’t sleep well. I regularly woke up to write down work thoughts.
I rolled out of bed and went straight into answering work calls.
At night, I numbed out with TV.
Vacation days weren’t enjoyable; I spent the whole time worried about work.
I was “successful” on paper. I had significant financial wealth and owned and operated several successful businesses. But the wheel of my life was jagged, and the ride was bumpy.
Time for Bold Change
After the boys were born, it was time for bold change.
The first step was simple but profound: done by 5:30, no matter what. At the time, this was a big change from my work routine. But I wanted to get home to see my boys. Over time, I have continued to add more work boundaries.
But it didn’t stop there.
I got rid of TV. Too busy, and too enamored, watching my kids to waste time.
I ended business relationships with people who didn’t share my values. The conflicts weren’t worth it.
I later sold a business that had become a distraction, a restaurant. Bold Money Tip: don’t own a restaurant. Support the people who do. You have to be passionate about food, service, and the long hours it takes to succeed. I wasn’t. And that made it easy to walk away and refocus on what truly mattered.
Those were the first sparks. But I kept stacking countless new habits in the months and years thereafter: refining, improving, growing. This is known as CANEI—Constant And Never-Ending Improvement.
Over the years, those small shifts compounded. We tend to overestimate what we can do in a month or a year, but underestimate what we can do through consistent habits for years. Through these new habits, I discovered a life of BOLD Wealth.
Now: A Bold Life
Fast forward 13 years. Here’s what life looks like now:
I’m in the shape of my life, thanks to consistent exercise and diet.
I have more energy now in my late 40s than I had in my mid-30s.
I work smarter, not harder - focused on what matters most.
I’m less stressed at work and outside of work.
I get 7-8 hours of quality sleep every night.
I spend quality time with my wife and kids (I never miss a game).
I take real vacations - and enjoy them, fully disconnected.
I check email only on my terms.
I read 30 books a year.
I have more friends than ever.
And here’s the kicker: over the past 13 years, while working less and living more intentionally, my net worth has grown 14x (We’ll dive into why tracking your net worth matters in a future post). That growth didn’t come from luck: it came from investing in myself, reinvesting in my companies, and buying investment properties.
Money is no longer a stressor. It’s become what it was meant to be all along: a tool to build a better life.
The Bigger Lesson
It wasn’t a conscious decision to completely change everything. It began with a single spark, a pivotal event, a transformative shift.
That spark created momentum. That momentum built habits. And those habits reshaped my life.
That’s why I’m here writing this to you. Good things are worth sharing, and I want to help you live your best life, too - one small bold step at a time.
Why We Build Wealth
Money is fuel. We grow financial wealth not to keep score, not to chase status, but to unlock freedom: freedom to live aligned with our values, connected to the people we love, and fueled with the energy to live our most fulfilled life. That’s the real payoff. That’s what it means to minor in money and major in life.
Your Turn
What’s one area of your life that feels out of balance right now?
Where could one small change, like cutting your work day at 5:30 or removing one distraction, light a spark?
Start Bold (Simple First Steps):
Identify one habit or distraction that’s draining your energy or focus.
Replace it with a small intentional choice this week.
Share your step in the comments—I’ll share mine, too.
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What a story. What a transformation. Congrats on the launch! 🎉🎉🎉