05/19/2026
Look, LYFE At Home is not the first company I’ve built (founded), BUT…it’s certainly sent the most painful ripples through my chest, made me the most alone (not lonely) I’ve ever been in my life, caused the most people to walk away or get quiet, and gave me enough stress that my hair started falling out (turns out women like bald men with beards, so we’re good).
Something happened to me over 20 years ago. It was after a show I was in (Bus Stop) at the OWCC theatre. The stage manager walked into the dressing room while I was taking off my makeup, and told me one of the audience members wanted to speak to me.
When I walked out, a little girl (maybe 10 y/old) was standing on the stage, crying, with her mom’s hands on her shoulders. Her mom said: “Go ahead, sweetie.”
I kneeled down, and, still crying, she said:
“I just felt bad for you (my character), because you were all alone and didn’t have any friends, and everyone left you sitting by yourself when the lights went out.”
My friend, Rachel White Harrah, was the actress that delivered the last line of the play to my character before I sat alone in the dark and the play ended:
“Sorry, Mister, but you’re just left out in the cold.”
Man, that little girl.
Probably doesn’t remember me, but I’ve thought about that moment at least once a month…ever since.
Why? Because I’ve been chasing that feeling. That high. That unexplainable feeling of creating something, or being a part of something, that you know is good for people….turning it over to them….and they…FEEL it. They get it. They appreciate it. They devour it.
That moment. That’s what I’ve been chasing. People who actually know me - know I’m telling the unfiltered truth.
And they probably know a little chest pain, or lost hair, or having people walk away, or losing LYFE At Home’s first studio, or how “alone” it can feel being a startup founder…just isn’t enough to make me fold.
To make me stop chasing that feeling.
Man, I can’t wait until this vision is as clear for you all as it is for me. Whatever it takes.
Even if I find myself the last one on the stage again.
I’ll chase.
(SIDENOTE: I’m holding the keys to our new production studio. Officially official today.)
