Betting on Myself: Lessons from My Toughest Season
There comes a point in every entrepreneur’s journey when the biggest decision isn’t about a loan, a hire, or a product—it’s about whether or not to keep going. I’ve had more than one of those moments. And not just in business. For me, betting on myself wasn’t a motivational mantra—it was a survival tactic. I’ve been knocked down by life in ways that most people never see. I’ve been broke, sick, betrayed, alone. But I’m still here. And I’ve learned that the most powerful move you can make when everything feels lost… is to believe in yourself anyway.
From Homeless to Hustling
I grew up homeless. Not “struggling” or “poor”—but real-deal, nothing-to-my-name, figuring-out-where-to-sleep homeless. That kind of start shapes you. It makes you hustle early. It gives you thick skin, creative instincts, and a fierce desire to build something better. But it also teaches you not to trust anything too much—not money, not stability, not people. That survival mode? It helped me push hard. But it also made me build walls. Walls that later, I had to learn how to take down if I wanted to lead others well.
Cancer—Twice
Just when I started finding my footing as an adult, I got hit with something bigger than business—cancer. Twice. It’s a word you never expect to hear once, let alone twice. I fought through treatments, surgeries, and the mental war that comes with your body betraying you. I remember thinking, “Why now? Why me? Haven’t I already had enough stacked against me?” But cancer stripped everything down to the bones. It showed me what mattered. It broke my ego—and rebuilt my resolve. When you’ve looked death in the face, a tough month in business doesn’t scare you. Rejection doesn’t scare you. Starting over doesn’t scare you. Because you already know what it means to fight for your life.
Divorce and Identity Collapse
Then came the divorce. It was painful. Personal. Quietly devastating. When your identity is wrapped up in being strong for everyone else, it’s a strange thing to admit that your marriage didn’t survive. I had to grieve the loss, forgive myself, forgive her, and rebuild my sense of self—not as a husband, not as a provider, not as a role I played—but as a man. That season taught me that some things fall apart not because you failed, but because the foundation needed to be rebuilt. And sometimes that rebuild starts with you—alone, raw, and unsure of what comes next.
The Bet That Matters
After all of that, you might think I’d slow down. Play it safe. But I didn’t. I bet on myself. Again. I launched new ventures. I went all-in on building Nova Credo. I started telling my story—not just the highlight reel, but the gritty parts too. Because the truth is, I’m not motivated by proving people wrong anymore. I’m motivated by proving myself right. That all the pain wasn’t wasted. That the lessons mean something. That I can help others climb out of their own chaos with clarity and strategy and grit.
What I’ve Learned from the Fire
1. Rock Bottom Is a Starting Point
The lowest points of your life strip away illusions. They show you what’s real. And they clear the ground for something stronger to be built.
2. Your Story Is a Superpower
People relate to the real. When you lead with transparency, people trust you. When you show your scars, they listen.
3. Survival Isn’t the Goal—Stability Is
I spent years surviving. I thought that was success. But true freedom comes from systems, strategy, and sustainability. That’s what I help other business owners build now.
4. Your Past Can’t Disqualify You
Not the homelessness. Not the diagnosis. Not the divorce. Those things don’t cancel your future. They clarify it.
5. You Have to Bet on Yourself First
Before a lender, a client, a partner, or a team believes in you—you have to. And if you can do that with honesty and vision? That’s when the tide turns.
Why This Matters to You
You might not have been through cancer. Maybe your childhood wasn’t chaotic. Maybe you’ve never sat in a courtroom dissolving a marriage. But you’ve had your own hell. Your own silent battles. And maybe, right now, you’re standing at that crossroads—wondering if you’ve got it in you to try again.
I want you to know you do.
Whether you’re trying to get funding, rebuild after failure, or just find a new gear—you don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to bet on yourself one more time. That’s where the shift begins.
Final Thoughts: The Hard Season Is a Seed
Everything I do now—from helping clients become fundable, to teaching leadership, to rebuilding financial systems—it all comes from a place of empathy and earned wisdom. I’ve lived what I teach. I’ve built from scratch, and I’ve rebuilt from rubble. So when I sit across from a client who feels like they’ve lost too much to ever come back—I see something different. I see possibility. I see power. I see the beginning of the next chapter.
You’re not behind. You’re not disqualified. You’re just in the middle of your story.
And if you’re ready to write the next part, I’d be honored to help.
Sometimes, the biggest win isn’t funding or followers—it’s simply the decision to believe in yourself again.
You’re still here. You’re still standing.
And that means the bet’s already paying off.