A Pirate Looks At 50

12 Months Ago we went on a boat trip in the Bahamas with some great friends, celebrating my 49th birthday. Upon my return, I had a scheduled surgery for hip replacement.

11 Months Ago my YPO Indiana chapter hosted Patrick Lencioni for University Day. After endorsing my book rEvolution 10 years prior, we finally met in person. And I was anointed “Legend” status by Jack Leman's Butler University Sigma Nu brothers for joining their homecoming kick-off party at 700a.

10 Months Ago after experiencing severe digestive issues ever since my hip surgery, I had an MRI. Thirty minutes later the words “large mass” and “neoplasm suspected” showed up in MyChart. It reconnected me with Col. Tara Lunardi , an old high school friend fighting colon cancer. Her courage was contagious, and her knowledge of the journey ahead so comforting.

9 Months Ago my buddy Taggart Birge called in a favor and I was able to get into one of the top colorectal surgeons in Indianapolis within weeks of my diagnosis. After removing about 20% of my colon, the surgeon came into the waiting area and exclaimed to Kimra Leman and my parents, “I got that f&$ker out!”

8.5 Months Ago my surgeon called with the pathology report. He was "shocked and could count on one hand" the number of times he had experienced a miracle like this. After 11 days, and sending it out to multiple labs (in disbelief), it turned out to be a large benign fatty tumor. Kimra, my Mom and I just hugged and cried. No cancer. God is good.

8 Months Ago I got back on the road again, visiting our Arizona and Utah teams. Never more grateful. Never more unsure of what the whole experience meant, and continues to mean. And never feeling more loved.

7 Months Ago I put my new hip to the test, hiking in Phoenix for the first time in months. Sadly, I got a call from Tara’s mother that she had passed. It feels heavy whenever I think about her story ending while mine is allowed to continue.

6 Months Ago I rode in a driverless Waymo while in Arizona. I was inspired by the love and energy pouring from our teams in Indianapolis and Chicago on visits to those markets. And my Indiana State University Sycamores made spring basketball fun again.

5 Months Ago we had an awesome Spring Break with Grace Leman and her bestie in Phoenix. I was inducted into the Indiana HOF for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, thanks to my friend Jacqueline Kronk . And I finished the month in Burgundy, France with Kimra and some amazing YPOers.

4 Months Ago we put a pickleball court in at the house. The boys joined me on a business trip to Mexico City. The oldest one graduated from college. Celebrated Mother’s Day with a Pacers playoff victory. And more appreciative than ever for another anniversary (#27) with Mrs. Leman.

3 Months Ago our middle one, William Leman took me golfing for Father’s Day with our good friends Hudson & Todd Haberland. I had a blast, even though I don't really like golf. Two weeks later, Jack, Will and I took a few days off to celebrate William’s birthday: kayaking, fly fishing and bar-hopping some Lake Michigan beach towns.

2 Months Ago Gibson landed on the Business Insurance #Top100 US Broker list for the third consecutive year. Filled with gratitude for a Leadership Team that kept things going while I was out sick for several months. An impromptu date night with Mrs. Leman, to Silver Beach, top down in the Jeep, reminded me once again how much better life is because of her.

A Month Ago we visited Copenhagen for a day with Sara & David Walters, thanks to the always amazing Katie Tryniecki. And daughter Gracie announced - through her heart and her legs - that her brothers Jack & Will aren’t the only XC runners in the family.

A Few Weeks Ago we ate and sipped our way through Charleston with my fabulous SiL Felisa & BiL Jake Stein for birthday #50. On 9/9, we took in a hazy sunrise on the Atlantic with them, and finished the day on the Pacific, at Santa Monica Pier, with my friend-since-the-third-grade Brock Squire & his sweet wife Amy Varga.

What does it all mean for this newly minted 50 Year Old?

I will no longer take my health for granted. From exercising daily to the old adage of "all things in moderation" when it comes to food and drink, we only get one body.

For this innately-wired success junkie, I've lived much of my life in the future. From an achievement standpoint, that's served me well. But, I'm being intentional about appreciating the present. And having more fun.

Speaking of success and achievement, I'm a lot more than my career.

My time is the most valuable currency I have. As such, its reserved in abundance for the most important people and pursuits in my life.

I'm blessed to be surrounded and supported by some amazing people. My people. And although I think I've been solid in the Hubs, Dad, and Son departments, I haven't always been present.

These are just a few. I'm still contemplating. Still competitive. Still questioning. Still improving. Still pushing. Still... me. Just more aware of what's in my hands and what's not.