My guest this week is David Pruitt, a first-generation college graduate from UNC-Greensboro. As a senior leader in the U.S Bicycle industry, he served on the board of “People for Bikes,” a national organization with 1.3 million members that works to make riding a bicycle in America safer, easier to access, and more fun.

A licensed CPA, David started his business career in an entry-level accounting position before advancing to first CFO, then CEO, of Performance Bike, for a time the largest cycling retailer in the United States.

He is an avid reader, a happily married husband for more than 30 years, and a proud father of two successful children. He currently resides in Chapel Hill.

5:24 – David 101

• He was raised in Greensboro with two older brothers.
• David had a dysfunctional, chaotic upbringing. His mother had mental health issues and his father was mentally and physically abusive.

20:12 – Breaking cycles

• 30% of children who are abused end up abusing their children
• David knew he was never going to put his hands on his kids. There was never a doubt, given his experience with abuse.

22:16 – 10 traumatic events

• The CDC identified 10 traumatic events that can happen to a child before the age of 17.
• If enough of those events happen, it can dramatically change the quality of the rest of their life.
• Some include: physical/verbal/sexual abuse, neglect, domestic violence on mother, alcoholic parent, etc.

29:30 – Easy and difficult writing

• Writing is not a cathartic experience.
• There are tough things in his book, but it has a good ending.

42:32 – Forgiveness

• David used his faith to help him forgive his father before his death.

45:00 – Missing the mother-son connection

• David never had a connection with his mother. Mother-son relationships are supposed to the closest, but it wasn’t.

52:03 – Get to know you

• Strange pet peeve? Mess. He’s a neat freak.
• Hobby we wouldn’t guess?

FEATURED QUOTES

I wanted to stop the cycle with my kids. So I was focused on being a good dad.

I knew I was never going to put my hands on my kids. I knew it. There was never a doubt.

There’s nothing worse than seeing a child’s potential stolen.

CONNECT:

https://gosparkpress.com/portfolio/david-pruitt/

Thank you to our partners of the show!

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