Have you decided what 2025 will be like for you? If not, you are ripping the world off!

This is one of those updates that will be full of mixed emotions but my hope is that it will lead to inspiration and action for you! Forgive me if I make you cry. I don’t share the following for that to be the only outcome. Read on with an open heart. Click on any BOLD word to learn more!

After years of a colleague trying to convince me to check out a business coaching program, I boarded a plane for Dallas, Texas to spend a weekend with Business Finishing School or BFS. I knew little about it beyond my colleague saying it changed how he runs his practice and that I would love the people who attend. On Friday afternoon, September 23, 2016, a gentleman named Rick Sapio got on stage and passionately advocated for building a life based on core values and proactively setting up a system he called “Values Based Decision Making”. I was hooked as he repeated the concept of “Simplicity, Probability and Leverage” to us and immediately after he finished speaking went to introduce myself to him and as a question about a decision I needed to make in my life. His precise cutting through of my BS narrative that I created told me that his wisdom was not to be taken for granted. What he said to me that moment has changed the trajectory of so many other decisions that have shaped the positive outcome of my personal and professional life.

There are 2 things that have changed me for the better in my 30’s and now mid 40’s. Business Finishing School and Neuro Emotional Technique. Both overlap with each other and have a direct impact on who I am as a person and therapist.

Rick’s teaching through BFS and our many hours of time together have seeped into every aspect of my life and practice. I use the knowledge with you, on my podcast, in my social, professional and romantic relationships, and have even taught courses and classes on it. What I found most fascinating is that so many Entrepreneurial practices and philosophies are in the end just as therapeutic as what I have learned since starting graduate school in the world of therapy and counseling. In therapy, we talk about self-awareness, insights, changing our thinking just as often as Rick would challenge someone to be fully accountable for every single outcome in their life. He called a person who did that an “Entrepreneur”.  You don’t need to own a business to be one according to him and if you want to hear him share more about that and how to choose your purpose, click on his TED Talk YouTube video below. 

Some of the greatest outcomes of my relationship with Rick and BFS has been my podcast. I am nearing episode 200 and the idea came out of our conversations when he was training me to become a BFS Certified Coach. I am so happy that I bothered him enough to be the only guest that has been on twice. The video links are below.

Another curveball has been the audacity I learned from him to make crazy requests for help, support and partnership. A good friend took me to see one of my favorite musicians Trevor Hall for my birthday the summer of 2023. The was a rain delay and the guests were asked to leave the outdoor theatre. We were standing next to a store waiting for it to stop in the plaza next-door when a guy sitting on a chair with his feet up, reading a book looked up to me and asked if he though the weather was going to pass. I said in South Florida the joke is “ if you don’t like the weather, wait ten minutes” and that I am sure it won’t be cancelled. After exchanging a few other words he said he had to run back to work and headed towards the venue. My friend and I looked at each other and thought maybe he was a tech or stage hand for the show. After letting us back in, stage tech’s reset up the stage and I see this person come out with a mic stand in his hand. Ahh so he was a tech, how cool! Then he returns as the band comes out holding a violin in his hand. Wait? When did Trevor add a violinist to his band? I just saw him perform a few months ago. For the next hour and change, Tim Snider had me and the rest of the crowd in awe as he amplified the already amazing talent of Trevor’s band and music. 

I grew up playing violin from 3 years old till 6th grade and for the past few years, wished there was a way to the lessons again. A few months before that show, I took out my violin from when I was a kid, ordered new strings, put them on when they arrived to have them immediately snap when trying to tune it. So, back in the closet my violin and hopes went.

That night after the show, I went online to read more about Tim and found out we both decided to play violin after seeing Itzhak Perlman’s guest visit on Sesame Street in the early 1980s. I found Tim on Instagram and wrote him a message thanking him for his talents and if he had any suggestions on where to start looking to buy and adult violin and if by any chance he was doing zoom lessons. He is after all a rock star musician and didn’t live in South Florida so my expectations were low. The next morning I got a beautiful response from him, we set up a phone call and now a year and half later I am about to complete the Suzuki violin book I never finished as kid because of our time together in my lessons.

What’s even more fun is that I have taken what I have learned from BFS and Rick and now help Tim’s personal music and band with some coaching and guidance for their careers outside of touring supporting other musicians. 

On Tuesday night Dec 17th, Tim Snider and Wolfgang Timber performed their first Sugarshack Sessions concert in Bonita Springs which will be released on Youtube early 2025 (so please subscribe to both to see it and check out Tim’s insanely awesome talent)! 

This happened because the same questions Rick asked me, the similar questions I ask each of you,  I asked Tim and I challenged him to make the audacious call to perform at their event. Two days later Tim texted me back with the message “ December 17th”. Then in my next lesson he asked me if I want to be on his management team even though I have never worked a day in the music industry as a professional. So for 24 hours this week I played manager for a musician that not only inspires me but has become a friend and confident. 

Sugarshack Session has 151k followers on Instagram and 503K subscribers on Youtube. They started their company with 4 best friends wanting to promote and hang out with their favorite bands and over the past 11 years created one of the greatest intimate musical experiences around. All because they followed their passion and purpose. My podcast is about to hit 40,000 downloads this weekend all because Rick challenged me to become a guest on 10 podcasts in a month as part of my coaching and then challenged me to create my own to host others who share similar core values. 

Most people do not know that before I became a therapist, my first dream was to be in the music industry finding hidden talent and helping them get their music out to the world.  I get to do that every day with my practice and podcast by helping you find your passions and a healthier, more meaningful life. I now get to do that in the music world too because of Rick’s inspiration. 

Rick passed away this Wednesday morning, December 18th after a 16 month battle with pancreatic cancer at 57 years old. I was on my way to breakfast with Tim and the band the morning after one of the top musical experiences I have had when the text came in from Morgan, BFS’s CEO and Rick’s “little sister” saying “He’s gone. 💔”. 

I had the opportunity to say goodbye to him in person last month spending two days with him in Dallas. He was in so much pain but he held onto this belief that one more day with his family and friends motivated him enough. He went from one integrative medicine treatment to another, pushing through the discomfort while fielding phone calls and texts from the dozens of people calling to check in.

During his acupuncture appointment, I got on my knees to hold his hand, while the Dr. inserted the needles. Each one caused him to wince in pain because there was so little left to him having lost so much weight. If you met Rick, you knew he was one to throw you an off-color joke so I told him one and he was able to have a moment of respite of pain from laughing at it. My heart broke seeing a man who has built a fortune, led and invested in dozens of companies, was a series entrepreneur, speaker, community leader, mentor, husband, father of 4 kids and friend fight for every moment left. I also sat there humbled knowing there was nothing we who loved his perfectly imperfect person could do except be present, supportive and grateful to have him in our lives. My friend and former Accountability Group member Matt Manero appropriately called the hundreds of people that came to visit him in Dallas a pilgrimage. Rick was obsessed with helping others find their purpose and create their legacy. Over the past few months, I would text him at the end of a day where I shared some nugget of wisdom or concept from him with you, my clients. I got the occasion voice note back when he had the energy but nothing stands out in my memory more then the last hug I gave him before leaving his house to head to the airport. His heavy Hoboken, NJ accent never left him all these years living in Dallas as the last 4 words he said to me in person was “I love you brother”.

We are 2 weeks away from 2025 and days ahead of the winter holiday season. Now is the time to take stock, invest in yourself, invest in your goals, invest in your loved ones. Choose your purpose. Choose your mission. Choose to move forward. I thank each of you for being part of my journey and I am beyond thankful that you have allowed me to be part of yours.

Let’s keep it going, the world needs us to live fully in our potential and purpose. If we don’t choose that, Rick would passionately say to each one of us “we are ripping the world off”.  Below are some life changing resources I have put together for you. BFS has become a free Legacy program with each module and worksheet available on YouTube. Please take some time with Rick in the videos and exercises below. I know you won’t regret it.

Wishing you and your loved ones a Holiday season filled with light
and a Happy New Year!

Every year Rick picked a word of the year

When you watch the video of Rick at the Stagen event below, he shared that his word of the year was Pronoia which he defined as “ The world is conspiring behind my back to bring me blessings”. My word of the year is Aegis meaning Protection, Guidance, and Influence. I am inspired to lean into enhancing a secure space where individuals can grow, thrive, or take risks without fear. – Guidance and Mentorship: Embodies the idea of a leader or mentor providing direction and wisdom. – Empowerment: Symbolizes the strength to empower others, helping them stand strong and resilient. – Community and Connection: Suggests a shared umbrella of support, fostering collaboration and collective growth. What is your word of the year and how do you want to apply it to your world?  Let me know, I would love to hear!

Saying Goodbye to 2024 & Mapping out 2025 Every year Rick would ask his community of Lifelong Learners to complete this worksheet “Remembering/Creating”. It takes about an hour if you give it some serious attention but is well worth the effort It will also give you direction on what you can work on emotionally, spiritually and if you want, therapeutically with me. Every time I do it, I find a new insight into who I am and where I am heading. It helps me re-align my Doorman Principles as Rick talks about in his book Who’s In Your Room:The Secret to Creating Your Best Life (Click link to purchase as I think its a must read for every healthy human).

Are You the Rider or the Horse

Play

Rick Sapio on The You Winning Life Podcast

I am back in office for  Neuro Emotional Technique Sessions

If I haven’t seen you in a while, I have limited spots available presently if you are considering returning for Neuro Emotional Technique. I will be in office on Tuesday and Friday mornings only for NET session in Hollywood, Fl. For zoom therapy sessions, I have a few spots open going into 2025. Please reach out to discuss what would be the best fit for you.

Are you following us on Instagram and Youtube?Did you know there are video versions of the You Winning Life Podcast spotlighting amazing guests.  Below is our Instagram, YouTube and Podcast Audio links.  Check out the channel and please subscribe as we get closer to Episode 200!