Join Meeting: The Real Stories of the Normal 40.

I never know who I will meet every time I hit “Join Meeting.” But the stories are incredible.

Leaders, doers, and elite performers—outwardly successful, but quietly asking, Is this it for me? They’ve spent decades solving problems, driving results, and building lives others admire. But now they feel the pull toward something more—a version of their life that feels authentic, fulfilling, and alive.

These are their stories.

I remember my call with Eric Elwer like it was yesterday—January 30, 2024. He grew up in Iowa, a farm kid who knew the value of hard work before most kids his age were even thinking about responsibility. Eric’s path wasn’t linear, but it was always grounded in two constants: his faith and his family. By the time he reached me, Eric was 51, married, and the proud father of two kids. He’d climbed high in the corporate world, managing teams, solving problems, and helping others succeed.

But something had shifted.

“Lon,” he said, “I’ve always been a dreamer, but this feels bigger than that. I can’t shake it—this idea of doing something that aligns with my values and leaves a real impact.” He paused, and I could hear the tension in his voice. “But what if I’m wrong? What if I fail?”

Eric had been wrestling with a decision that many of you reading this know well. He had an idea—one he couldn’t ignore. He wanted to create something meaningful, a platform that would help college students align their skills with the right career paths. But doubts had crept in.

“I’m a middle-aged guy trying to launch an AI company,” he laughed nervously. “I’ve never written a line of code in my life. What business do I have doing this?”

He’d spent weeks stuck in a cycle of self-doubt, questioning his abilities and fearing the unknown. But then, on March 24, 2023, something shifted. Eric stopped thinking about what might go wrong and started doodling in a notebook.

“Lon, that was the day it started,” he told me. “The biggest hurdle wasn’t the technology or the market. It was me—getting out of my own way.”

That first step—scribbling an idea—turned into a rough PowerPoint mockup, which became a polished design in Figma. Then, with the help of partnerships, including Wrench.AI, Eric launched the first version of SteppingStone. At the heart of it is Stella, a smart AI agent designed to connect job seekers and employers.

But this isn’t a story about tech or outcomes—it’s a story about courage. Eric didn’t wait for perfect clarity or a foolproof plan. He gave himself permission to start, even though the path ahead was anything but clear.

“I wasn’t sure I could pull it off,” he said, “but I knew I couldn’t keep ignoring it.”

Today, Eric would be the first to tell you that progress, not perfection, is what makes all the difference. Sometimes, all it takes is one small action—a call, a sketch, a decision to stop letting fear win.

I haven’t talked to Eric in a while. Now I just stand back and marvel at all he has done in a single year. He is proof for all of us—we’re one decision and one year away from a radically different life.

If you’re standing where Eric once was, caught between the fear of failure and the pull of possibility, ask yourself this: What’s your first step?

Need a place to start? normal40.com

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