Welcome to the Week... 5 Things I Learned from 13 Anniversaries

Good Morning & Welcome to the Week,

This week, 13 years ago, I began a journey. Not with a defined beginning, middle and an end, but with a vision to do something meaningful and positive. At 33, I left behind seven years at multi-billion-dollar Bloomin' Brands, Inc. , and I started $0 Fitlife Foods .?

This leap was taken amidst personal milestones: six years of marriage, a child, and another on the way. It was a period filled with unknowns, a time I now look back on, wishing I could offer insights to my younger self.?

Looking back, I don't dwell on the daily challenges I experienced, like having a small culinary center in the back of our original South Tampa store producing 300 meals a day, while working the retail store and the exhaustive 12–15-hour days. Instead, I cherished the initial team we had, the deep connections we forged with our customers, the change we helped them make and the experience we provided to our community.?

Anniversaries, whether they mark personal or professional milestones, prompt reflection and inspire motivation. In celebrating Fitlife's anniversaries, and reflecting once again, I’ve gleaned five pivotal lessons.

Empathy Through Experience: "You are most equipped and capable of helping the person you used to be" - Rory Vaden. At 33, I was a novice, constantly seeking guidance (although I didn't think I needed it most of the time I suspect). I do not believe I was aware within myself at how little I knew. I was working on pure adrenaline. However, each new experience created a new opportunity to learn and for more history to pile up.

Today, at 46, I am armed with 'game film' - experiences that enable me to understand more, and I am a sponge of learning, way more today than I was then. That child I had when I started is about to be a Junior in high school and the other one is in middle school, while my wife and I are about to celebrate 20 years.?

On each anniversary, reflect on your growth and how it shapes you and what the ‘game film’ begins to tell you.

The Triad of Motivation: "It's all about Autonomy, Mastery & Purpose." - Daniel Pink . Penny Primus recommended a book to me by Daniel Pink called Driven. It is about how to help re-think the right motivation that can be most impactful to a team. The fact that Penny had not only read this, but also recommended it to me illustrates the commitment to continuing to develop a winning team.

When you reach an anniversary, it is a moment to reconsider how you are progressing. There is a great piece in the book about Tiger Woods and how Mastery is unattainable and something we continue to strive for. Purpose is what is the underlying reason.?

Focus on Autonomy, Mastery and Purpose and the anniversaries turn into celebrations.?

Speaking of which… Joy in the Journey: "Celebrate and Have Fun". Life is serious enough. Anniversaries are milestones for celebration and joy.?

Give yourself credit, celebrate your achievements, and most importantly, chill out.

Incremental Progress: "Large changes begin with small steps" - John Drury . Drury, a coach and photographer, shared this wisdom which I keep close. Anniversaries are times for reflection and aspiration.?

Remember, whether it's being the best version of yourself, growing the most successful business or becoming a better partner, incremental steps are key to make significant?progress.

Embracing Your Journey: Every small decision has led you to this moment. Often, we ponder, "How did I get here?"

Understand that you are exactly where you're meant to be, poised for greatness.

As I mark another year, these reflections are not just a look back but a compass for the journey ahead. Here's to learning, growing, and embracing every step of your journey.

Thank you to our team both past and present, as well as our customers and partners for being a special part of this journey that has impacted many in a profound way.

Feed Your Journey,

David