In the year 2010, I found myself anxiously awaiting a pivotal phone call that had the potential to change my life. I had dedicated 18 months to negotiating a colossal deal, and if it succeeded, my company stood to gain a little over a million dollars.
Then, the phone rang. It was my business partner, but the news he imparted was not what I had hoped for.
As he uttered the words, “There’s an issue…” I could feel the color drain from my complexion, and a wave of nausea surged through me. I was optimistic—fully prepared for success—but I had not braced myself for failure.
I sank onto the edge of my bed, burying my face in my hands. Is this truly happening? In that instant, it dawned on me that everything I had built was on the brink of collapse. And indeed, it did.
I think I lost consciousness, as the remainder of that day is a blur. Yet, I know this was a transformative moment in my life—a day I now call the “2×4 Day,” akin to being struck by a 2×4. Losing $3 million felt exactly like that.
The loss was utterly devastating, for lack of a more graceful term. When my wife inquired if we would be alright, shame washed over me like a tidal wave as I confessed, no—no, I don’t believe we will be. I was haunted by the fear of her leaving and potentially taking our young child with her, all due to a failed business venture that risked our family’s stability. Thankfully, she chose to remain by my side, offering unwavering support.
The following weeks and months after the failed deal proved to be the darkest period of my life. I lost my business, my savings, my home, and my self-assurance. I remember lying in bed for days, paralyzed by the weight of my situation.
Yet now, I recognize that this harrowing experience was essential for my personal growth. When you hit rock bottom, change becomes inevitable. And that day marked my transformation.
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My entrepreneurial journey began in 2001 when I established a service-based business built from a simple concept. In my first year, I amassed a team and achieved $1 million in sales. I traveled around the globe, from Australia to Switzerland, offering tickets and packages to corporate clients for some of the largest sporting events worldwide.
During the 2008 Beijing Olympics, I provided tickets to over 8,500 clients, generating more than $1 million in profit. This achievement fueled my ambition, leading me to pursue the most significant deal of my career: the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
Throughout the years, I cultivated connections, partnerships, and expertise, developing the industry standing required to handle a contract of this magnitude.
On January 15, 2010, I anticipated the arrival of over 17,000 tickets, having deposited $3 million for them. However, the tickets never arrived. That $3 million? Vanished. And it wasn’t just my capital at stake; over 10,000 clients had prepaid for their tickets based on the contract I held.
Caught in a scandal involving a supplier and thousands of clients whose trust I had betrayed, I found myself in a legally precarious situation known as a “breach of contract.” The ensuing five years became a grueling legal battle aimed at uncovering the mystery of the missing tickets.
The road to recovery was arduous, filled with doubt and disappointment that shadowed my every breath. I yearned to move past the pain, but the cuts of betrayal were still raw, and my daily fight for survival left me trapped in despair. I eventually realized my path to healing would start with self-forgiveness and the courage to forge a new direction.
Determined to rebuild my life, I recognized the need for personal and professional transformation. This time, I aimed to create a business focused on serving others.
Before “The 2×4 Day,” I lacked true purpose. Reflecting on my past, I now see that despite my financial achievements, I failed to take meaningful steps toward crafting the life I genuinely desired. I had become ensnared by my success, cozy in my comfort zone, lacking the bravery to pursue a different venture. Even though I faced ongoing stress and dissatisfaction, the lure of financial gain held me captive.
I recalled a time I sought guidance from a business coach who had assisted me in strategizing and building my multimillion-dollar enterprise. It dawned on me how fulfilling it would be to offer that same kind of support to someone else. That’s when the idea hit me: I should become a coach.
I began to evolve, shifting from a hard-nosed businessman and deal-maker to a more compassionate mentor, a coach. I allocated my remaining funds towards a coaching training program, and there were moments when it felt self-indulgent to invest in education while my family struggled financially. But I knew I had to take this step forward, to escape the chaos and strive for a brighter future.
I launched my Growth Think Tank podcast to assist and guide entrepreneurial leaders on their growth journeys. Since 2014, I’ve been fortunate enough to help leaders reshape their mindsets and strategies to build businesses that exceed their wildest expectations. The individuals I work with are already accomplished yet are aware there’s further potential to unlock; my goal is to implement small changes that yield significant results.
From one-on-one coaching to interviewing influential figures on my podcast to sharing insights as a speaker, I derive immense joy from contributing to the personal and professional development of countless individuals. This fulfillment has become integral to my identity, affirming that I’ve discovered my true purpose in life.
Experiencing a total loss is not the ideal way to elevate your life towards a deeper sense of purpose, but it is what brought about my fundamental change. This inner transformation has empowered me to assist hundreds of entrepreneurs in increasing their earnings, cultivating elite teams, and evolving into powerful leaders. Witnessing their growth has been the ultimate reward for the resilience and bravery it took to transition from my position in 2010 to where I am today.
I hope your journey doesn’t require a similar reset to mine. However, if you find yourself in that situation, you can look forward to a journey filled with growth and learning—if you possess the resilience and courage to rise again and redefine yourself.
I succeeded in this transformation. And so can you.
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[A third-party author wrote this article. Employment.expert does not endorse and/or approve any advice or opinions contained therein.]
