Join Meeting: True stories from the Normal 40.

I never know who I’m going to meet every time I hit “Join Meeting.” But the stories are always familiar. 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.

Bruce’s Journey: The Music of His Next Chapter

On March 8, 2023, Bruce and I sat down for a conversation he’d been meaning to have for years. At 47, Bruce works at a $750 million consulting firm, selling services to CFOs. It’s a career built on solving big problems and achieving results, but Bruce’s voice softened as he confessed, “I’m good at what I do, but it doesn’t inspire me. I feel stuck.”

Bruce grew up in Haverhill, Massachusetts, where his childhood revolved around music. As a boy, he’d sit at the piano for hours, writing melodies and playing in a small band with his friends. Music was his outlet and his passion. Now, decades later, he dreams of reconnecting with that creative side—composing songs, performing in intimate venues, and building a meaningful life that feels alive. But after years in corporate life, the thought of stepping away from the familiar feels overwhelming.

“How do I even start?” he asked. “What if it’s too late for me to make a change?”

As we talked, Bruce realized his challenge wasn’t time or talent—it was the story he’d been telling himself. He’d come to believe that his creative passions couldn’t coexist with the professional identity he’d built. “I’ve been telling myself that success and creativity don’t mix,” he said. “But what if they can?”

Since that conversation, Bruce has begun making space for his dream. On weekends, he carves out time to play piano and compose songs. He’s also exploring ways to connect people in meaningful ways, like launching a podcast and building a job board platform.

“I don’t know exactly where this will lead,” Bruce said. “But for the first time in years, I’m thinking about what excites me instead of just what’s expected of me.”

Bruce’s story is a reminder that meaningful change doesn’t require burning everything down. It begins with small, intentional steps—and the courage to believe it’s never too late to begin again. It begins the moment you decide it’s time … to be up to somsething.

What’s your story?

If you feel the pull to write a new chapter in your life, now is the time. Maybe it starts with identifying what’s next, finding your courage, or creating a plan to get there.

If you need a guide, my book The Trade is your next step. You can also schedule a ramble (like Bruce did), join my free, closed and private LinkedIn community, join The Insider mastermind for $25, or get on the waitlist for Vintage 5.

It all starts here: https://linktr.ee/lon.stroschein

It starts with you.

Lon -