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 What Separates the Extraordinary from the Ordinary? Courage.

Last week, I had the privilege of meeting Ryan Berman, Founder of Courageous and author of Return on Courage. We were both keynote speakers at a corporate leadership event, and I was instantly drawn to his insights on fear, risk, and transformation.

Ryan’s book uncovers a fundamental truth: fear holds businesses and individuals back from transformational success. But courage,real courage, isn’t just about being fearless. It’s a strategy.

His framework teaches three critical steps:

• Shrink Fear
• Play Offense
• Build a Courage Brand®

This philosophy deeply resonates with my own Most People Don’t approach.

Because success isn’t about waiting for the perfect moment, it’s about taking action when others hesitate.

My Personal Story of Courage

A relative recently asked me: "Weren’t you scared to start a business by yourself, at your age?"

The answer? "Not really".

It was never even a thought or an option not to do it.

The pandemic didn’t just nudge me, it gave me the excuse and the runway I had been searching for.

Like so many others, I found myself at a crossroads during COVID, faced with uncertainty but also opportunity.

In a single moment, I made a decision, not just to take control of my destiny, but to make success my only option.

"Three frogs sat on a log and decided to jump." a story I mention in my presentations.  Instead of just deciding, I "jumped"!

No Plan B.

No safety net.

No waiting for “perfect” conditions.

I wasn’t reacting to change, I was creating it.

Before the pandemic even began, my own body sent me a warning. My heart attacked me, forcing me to reevaluate everything.

My priorities

My purpose

My impact

That moment led to a realization:

My mission wasn’t just about hospitality. It was about people. It was about transformation.

It became a calling—one I couldn’t ignore.

Courage Is Betting on Yourself

Courage isn’t just about taking action—it’s about finding and fighting for your WHY.

Courage is stepping forward when most people won’t.

Courage is refusing to stop, persisting in the face of doubt, embracing discomfort, and believing in something greater than yourself.

Courage in Action: A Story From Another Guest on My Podcast

One of my podcast guests, David Millili, exemplifies this principle. As Chairman of GAIN and host of The Modern Hotelier Podcast, David is recognized as one of the 50 Most Influential People in Hospitality, but his journey wasn’t easy.

David took a bold leap from traditional hotel management to launching a tech-driven hospitality platform. He once said:

“If you wait for the perfect moment, you’ll wait forever. Courage is about stepping forward before you feel ready.”

His decision didn’t just shape his career, it transformed an entire industry.

Most People Don't (And Why You Should)

A few quotes from my book.

"Most people don’t take the extra step, make the extra call, or push beyond their comfort zone."

"Success isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being willing to act when others hesitate."

The Psychology of Courage

Research shows that courage is linked to:

🔹 Increased resilience

🔹 Decreased PTSD-related symptoms

🔹 Greater feelings of personal competence

Dr. Martin Seligman, a pioneer in positive psychology, identifies courage as a fundamental strength that enhances well-being and success.

Wisdom from Thought Leaders

Ryan Berman: “Courage is the accelerator. Risk is the brake. You need both, but you can’t press them at the same time.”

Winston Churchill: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” 

Nelson Mandela: “Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.” 

Susan Jeffers: “Feel the fear and do it anyway.”

Brendon Burchard: “Your next level of success will require a new level of courage.”

Your Call to Action

Ask yourself: What’s one courageous step you can take today that most people won’t?

What’s a moment where YOU had to embrace risk and step forward? 

Most People Don't....but YOU Do!

🎧 For More Inspiration:

🔹 Listen to this week's episode: Mistake It Until You Make It with Ryan Berman, Founder of Courageous | Apple, Spotify and mostpeopledont.com

Don't miss this conversation, because Most People Don’t… But YOU Do!