Questions:
How have you grown from past challenges, and how can you use that strength to propel you forward today?
Where in your life or business do you need to pivot instead of resist change?
What small, consistent action can you take right now that will create long-term impact?
Lessons in Perseverance and Overcoming the Unexpected
This morning I woke up and after breakfast and feeding the kiddos for school, I checked my email to see the New York Times news that today marks the 5th anniversary of the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic lockdown. It is hard to believe and I felt a flood of emotions.
March 2020 changed everything.
Seemingly overnight, the world came to a standstill. Schools closed. Businesses shut down. Streets emptied. Fear and uncertainty took over as we adjusted to life in lockdown. It felt like something straight out of a movie, a moment as surreal and devastating as when Thanos snapped his fingers in Avengers: Infinity War and half the universe vanished. In that film, the world’s greatest heroes were left stunned, forced to grapple with the impossible loss of everything they thought was stable. The world wasn’t just different—it was unrecognizable. Sound familiar?
Just like the Avengers, we had two choices: stay stuck in the loss, or rise up and rebuild hopefully learning from the lessons life was attempting to teach. Many of us—especially those of us who are entrepreneurs, parents, and goal-setters; found ourselves navigating uncharted waters, forced to rethink everything we thought we knew about stability, success, and resilience.
Now, looking back on that moment in history, I realize how much it prepared us for the unexpected challenges that still come our way including the recent turbulent times politics and the economic area are creating right now. If you had told me in early 2020 how positive things would turn out for my family and how that moment would cause us to question everything, decide to move, and sell it all to move to Florida while raising three kids and start over, I might not have believed you. But one thing that season taught me was that we are always stronger and more adaptable than we think.
Lockdown forced us to pivot in ways we never imagined. In business, we adapted to a new digital world, learned to connect with clients, friends, and family in different ways, and found creative solutions to keep moving forward. In life, we adjusted to home-schooling (NOPE! We are not Elementary teachers and praise to those who found that calling) working remotely, and redefining what success looked like when so much was out of our control.
That lesson in pivoting didn’t just apply to the pandemic. It’s the same mindset I bring to business, coaching, and training for endurance challenges. Life rarely goes according to plan, but success comes from how we respond to the unexpected.
“Do not judge me by my success, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.”
– Nelson Mandela
When the world shut down, routines crumbled. But those who maintained discipline—even in the small things—came out stronger. Gyms closed the day after I’d achieved a new bench press personal record and that took nearly two years for me to walk back through the gym doors and start over again. Whether it was sticking to a workout routine, showing up for clients despite uncertainty, or simply staying connected with people when it felt easier to withdraw, consistency made all the difference.
The same applies to any long-term goal. Whether it’s growing a business, strengthening relationships, or preparing for a physical endurance challenge, results come from the things we do daily, not just when we feel motivated.
“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’”
– Mary Anne Radmacher
One of the biggest lessons from that time? We need people. During lockdown, community looked different—Zoom calls, socially distanced meet-ups, and countless texts just to check in. But even now, as life has returned to "normal," the importance of genuine relationships remains.
In business, success isn’t just about transactions—it’s about connection. That’s why I prioritize reaching out to my forever clients, writing handwritten notes, hosting zoom happy hours, being available for co-workers and making real connections. And in my personal life, whether it's training for a marathon or balancing work and family, I know I can't do it alone. This is a we world where me doesn’t thrive without we.
Looking Ahead: Your Next Level
We all faced losses, setbacks, and hard moments during that time. But we also learned how strong we could be. And today, as new challenges inevitably come our way, we can face them with confidence, knowing we’ve already proven our resilience.
You’ve already overcome more than you realize. Whether it’s in business, personal goals, or just the unpredictability of life, you have the ability to adapt, pivot, and keep going.
Let’s take this anniversary not just as a moment to reflect, but as a reminder that we are capable of more than we ever imagined.
