It Takes a Village: Boundless Life, Kids and Stress

Part 3 of Living in Italy with my Family

It’s been 18 years since my back gave out on me in the basement racquetball court of my office. Three back surgeries, nerve damage, and chronic daily pain had left me mentally and physically beat up, exhausted, frustrated, and burnt out with work as I tried to manage all the stresses of daily life. My temper would elevate quickly, impacting my work and internal/political perception of my leadership roles. It was tough to balance, and I understand the concerns retrospectively. Some people who worked for me shared that I was the worst boss they ever had, which is possible. Others have shared that I was the best (Thank you for being you). I’m probably somewhere in between, but I digress. Now, with two young and active boys and six additional surgeries under my belt, managing the pain and building mental and physical strength while trying to enjoy the day-to-day has become my focus…and challenge. My professional mindset has also evolved substantially over the years dealing with these lessons. 

I’ve learned a lot. About life. About business. About myself. About health. About family. After too many years of trying to grind through the hustle, the first step was taking a 6-month work break and assessing what was important in my life. I was told that stress was the biggest culprit to my health (nutrition is right there, but I have that covered…except for all this Italian gelato). While I agree, I can confidently say that it wasn’t stress (we all have that), but my approach to dealing with stress kept me from reaching my full potential. I also failed a lot. Thus why, I share with my oldest son that it’s not failing…it’s learning when things don’t turn out as he’d wanted. I hope he figures this out earlier than I did!

So, what did I do? I left the full-time grind to start consulting as a strategic advisor or fractional head of sales to early-stage startups, and it’s been fantastic. I also wanted flexibility in my life with the hours I worked and the ability for me to be present for my kids, coach their baseball teams, and work remotely in perpetuity. Traveling and experiencing other cultures also brings me joy, so three months of living in Tuscany with my family, courtesy of the startup Boundless Life, has offered a refreshing oasis of possibility.

But let's not kid ourselves—pun intended—escaping the gravitational pull of the daily grind isn't always easy. Chronic stress, with its insidious grip on our minds and bodies, can make it feel like we're perpetually spinning our wheels. Yet, within the Boundless Life community, we find solace in shared experiences and mutual support. Whether commiserating over toddler tantrums or swapping strategies for work-life balance, we're reminded that we're all in this together. This community is where even the youngest members of our families can reap the rewards of a boundless existence and where adults rediscover the joy of living in the moment.

As a parent navigating the wild terrain of raising two young boys, I've witnessed the transformative power of Boundless Life firsthand. In a world where schedules reign supreme and screen time (seriously, iPads are the devil) threatens to overshadow genuine connection, the opportunity to break free from the confines of routine is nothing short of a revelation. By immersing ourselves in new environments and exposing our kids to diverse experiences, we foster their curiosity and resilience and cultivate a more profound sense of connection within our own lives. 

So, here's to embracing the chaos, finding humor in the everyday parenthood battle, and forging connections that transcend boundaries and defy expectations. In the boundless expanse of life, let us navigate with courage, curiosity, and an unwavering sense of wonder. Whether scaling ancient ruins or befriending stray cats in foreign alleyways, our kids remind us, adults, that life is meant to be lived with reckless abandon and an unwavering sense of curiosity. Through laughter, tears, triumphs, and setbacks, we discover that true abundance isn't found in accumulating possessions or achievements but in the moments of connection and joy that punctuate our lives. After all, it takes a village to raise a child—and perhaps, just perhaps, it takes a village to remind us adults how to live genuinely.

Ciao!! 

P.s. For those following our adventures, these past few weeks have brought us to Venice, Bologna, Florence, San Gimignano, and Sicily. These are amazing times, and hopefully, we’ll see you at a Boundless Life cohort sometime soon!