Have you ever built your life brick by intentional brick, only to stare at it one quiet morning and wonder why satisfaction slips through the cracks? I know the feeling, all too well—because the very idea of alignment, the thread running through my story, was forged in the most unexpected heartbreak. In this post, I peel back the curtain on the inaugural "Aligning with You" episode, not just to share polished highlights, but to explore what happens when success unravels and you have to rebuild from the inside out. (Confession: it's a little messy. And a lot transformative.)
The Myth of Success: When Picture-Perfect Isn’t Enough
For years, I chased what most people would call success. I was the youngest chamber of commerce president in Michigan, running two profitable businesses before July 5, 2001. On paper, my life looked perfect—trophies on the shelf, titles on my resume, and a calendar full of well-lit rooms and important meetings. But inside, something was missing. The truth is, success isn’t just about what you achieve; it’s about how you feel inside those achievements.
There’s a common belief that if you work hard enough, collect enough accolades, and build a strong enough brand, you’ll finally feel fulfilled. But that’s the myth. Authenticity in branding and life isn’t about curating a flawless image. It’s about the alignment of your heart, mind, and soul. And sometimes, it takes a broken moment to realize just how out of sync you really are.
When Achievement Isn’t Alignment
Despite my business wins and prestigious roles, there was an undefined hollowness that crept in. I remember the day my daughter Lizzie was born. Professionally, I was at my peak. Personally, I was utterly unprepared for what came next. That day, in a quiet hospital hallway, I had a conversation that changed everything. It was the moment my heart cracked open and my ego was shattered. I realized that external achievement does not equal internal fulfillment.
"Success was tangible. My why felt unstoppable, but then came the words that knocked the air out of my chest."
That hallway conversation forced me to confront the gap between who I was on the outside and how I felt on the inside. My heart, mind, and soul were not in alignment. I was performing, not embodying. I was building a brand and a business, but I wasn’t building myself.
Personal Alignment: More Than a Strategy
On the Aligning With YOU! Podcast and in countless conversations, I’ve learned that true alignment isn’t something you can strategize your way into. It’s not about the stories you tell or the strategies you follow. It’s about when your heart, mind, and soul stop fighting with one another and start walking in rhythm. It’s when your purpose and your presence finally match up. That’s when authenticity in branding and life becomes real.
But here’s the hard truth: alignment often comes after things fall apart. For me, everything had to break before it could fall into place. Only then did I begin the long journey back to who I was meant to be. When I started aligning from the inside out, everything shifted—how I led, how I loved, and how I showed up in every room. Not perfectly, but honestly and powerfully.
Success isn’t just about trophies, titles, or well-lit rooms—it’s how we feel inside them.
External achievement ≠ internal fulfillment; alignment is personal, not performative.
Heart Mind Soul Alignment is the foundation for genuine growth and authenticity in branding and life.
Defining Moments: From NICU Shadows to the Light of Lizzie’s Legacy
The birth of a child is supposed to be a moment of hope and celebration. When Lizzie arrived on July 5, 2001—seven weeks early—I thought I was prepared. After all, her older sister had also been premature. I was no stranger to the NICU, and I believed that my previous experience had prepared me for whatever might come. But nothing could have readied me for the silence that filled the delivery room that day. There was no cry, no joyful announcement—just the urgent movements of a medical team, the steady beeping of monitors, and a heavy uncertainty that settled over everything.
Those first moments were a blur of fear and confusion. Then, finally, a small cry broke through the silence. It was weak but determined, as if Lizzie herself was saying, “I wasn’t ready for this world yet, but here I am.” That sound was a lifeline. Yet, only thirty minutes later, I was called into the hallway. The words from the doctors cut deep: Lizzie had complications they had never seen before. Her joints were segmented, her bones underdeveloped, cataracts clouded her eyes, and her internal organs faced countless challenges. In that moment, I was told she was terminal. The world seemed to stop.
Despite the prognosis, Lizzie survived for two and a half miraculous years. She couldn’t walk, talk, or see. She was fed through a G-tube and needed constant care. But her presence was undeniable. Lizzie became a source of light for everyone who met her. As I navigated the trauma of premature birth and the ongoing challenges in the NICU, I learned life lessons that changed me forever. Overcoming personal loss and grief is never simple, but Lizzie’s story showed me that even the most broken moments can spark genuine growth.
Support for grieving parents is often spoken about in hushed tones, but the reality is that families like mine need community, understanding, and space to process. Lizzie’s siblings, our blended family, and everyone who came into her orbit felt her impact. She taught us about resilience and the power of presence. As I held her hand, time seemed to freeze. There was pain, yes, but also a deep sense of grace. In those quiet moments, I found a new kind of strength—one rooted in vulnerability and love.
“Lizzie witnessed to more people than most do in a lifetime. She became a missionary of light. Her life preached louder than words ever could, and people were changed just by being near her in her presence.”
Lizzie’s brief but luminous life became the spiritual center of my own journey. The lessons from the NICU and the trauma of premature birth shaped my understanding of purpose and alignment. Finding purpose after loss is not about moving on, but about carrying forward the legacy of those we love. Lizzie’s legacy continues to inspire transformation, reminding me—and others—that even in the darkest shadows, there is light.
From Shattered to Aligned: Why I Coach, Mentor, and Podcast Now
After losing Lizzie and walking through the darkness of divorce, I found myself stripped of everything I thought defined me. Ego, image, and distraction had been my shields, but in the aftermath, those masks fell away. Realignment wasn’t a choice—it was a necessity. I had to rebuild from the inside out, learning that radical transformation stories often begin in the most broken places. My journey is proof that personal growth through adversity is not just possible, but powerful.
By the grace of God, and with the steady love of my wife Kelly, our blended family, and a few trusted friends, I slowly climbed out of that darkness. Today, I am beyond grateful for our two beautiful daughters, and for my older children from my first marriage, who carry Lizzie’s spirit forward. Our blended family is a living legacy—a daily reminder that even after loss, life can be rebuilt with love and purpose.
Lizzie’s life taught me more than any book or seminar ever could. She had no words, no mobility, no sight, and yet she changed lives and glorified God. That realization left me with no excuses. If Lizzie could impact the world with so little, what was stopping me, with all my faculties and resources? Her legacy became my call to action: to move toward those in need, to speak truth, and to witness what truly matters.
"Alignment is when your heart, mind, and soul stop fighting with one another, and they start walking in rhythm. It’s when your purpose and your presence finally match up."
I used to be known as “the branding guy.” I loved helping people build brands, but over time, I realized that most branding problems weren’t about logos or marketing—they were about identity, integrity, and building a life anchored in authenticity. That’s when my focus shifted from branding for image to coaching for creatives and entrepreneurs who are seeking real alignment. Because a real, aligned life matters more than any polished brand ever could.
This is why I launched my weekly podcast on alignment, “Aligning with You.” It’s not just about sharing stories or strategies—it’s about creating a space where heart, mind, and soul can finally move in rhythm. Each week, I bring radical transformation stories and honest conversations with leaders, creatives, and everyday people who have walked through fire and come out more aligned. We talk about the messy middle, the sacred wins, and the practical steps to realignment.
I also created the brandingcollaborative.com">Alignment Starter Kit as a free resource for anyone ready to begin their own journey. Whether you’re a creative, an entrepreneur, or simply someone searching for more, these tools are designed to help you take the next step toward a life that’s rooted in who you truly are.
I believe in alignment because I’ve lived without it—and I know the difference. My mission now is to help others build not just brands, but lives that are honest, powerful, and fully aligned.
Wild Card: What If Lizzie Could Whisper Advice to Us?
Imagine for a moment that Lizzie—who could not speak, walk, or see—could whisper advice directly into our hearts. What would she say about living fully, even when life feels broken or unfair? I often wonder about this, especially when I reflect on the lessons her life has taught me. If Liz, with all her limitations, could change lives and glorify God, what excuses do I have? What excuses do any of us have, really?
Real stories like Lizzie’s remind me that aligning heart, mind, and soul is not about perfection. It’s about movement, however awkward or creaky it may feel. Alignment isn’t a puzzle you solve once and for all; it’s more like tuning a guitar after a long road trip. The strings are tight, maybe even out of tune, but with patience and intention, you can bring them back into harmony. That’s what genuine growth looks like—messy, sometimes uncomfortable, but deeply necessary.
If Lizzie could speak, I think she’d urge us to trust your guiding spirit, especially in moments of adversity. She might say that the real work of aligning heart, mind, and soul happens not when everything is easy, but when we’re forced to rebuild after something breaks. She would remind us that every limitation is also an invitation—to lean into what we do have, to love boldly, and to serve selflessly.
"You see, Liz couldn't walk, but I can move toward those in need. She couldn't talk, but I can speak truth and encouragement. She couldn't see, but I can witness what matters and point others towards hope."
That’s the wild card Lizzie offers us: the realization that with all our faculties, resources, and health, we have every reason to live fully. Her life is a gift I cannot repay, but I can honor it by refusing to let excuses keep me from realignment. When I feel out of tune—spiritually, emotionally, or mentally—I remember that growth starts with small, honest steps. Sometimes it’s as simple as reaching out, speaking up, or seeing the good in someone else.
So, what if Lizzie could whisper advice to us? I think she’d say: Don’t wait for perfect conditions. Don’t let your broken moments define you. Instead, use them as the spark for genuine growth. Trust your guiding spirit, even when the path is unclear. Let your heart, mind, and soul move together, imperfectly but intentionally, toward what matters most.
As we close this journey, I invite you to reflect on Lizzie’s perspective. Let her story be the nudge you need to tune your own life, to seek alignment, and to move toward others with hope. If you’re ready to go deeper, explore resources like the Alignment Starter Kit at brandingcollaborative.com—your first step to realignment in business and in life. Because if Lizzie could inspire change without words, what might you accomplish if you truly listened to your own guiding spirit?
