We are creatures of comfort, craving the familiar and “normal”. We unconsciously defend – even rationalize – our positions and attitudes as a way of avoiding exposure or risk.

Most times, however, you have to leave safety and security behind and risk everything to commit your life and future to your unknown destiny.

• If you’re going to succeed, you may have to sabotage your own escape mechanisms! Are you really all in?

• The Story of Cortez

• What brought me here? (What is my ship?)

• You are at the threshold of a new conquest, a new territory, a completely new level of performance and productivity.

The passage of time isn’t something simply to look back on. It’s a time to reflect, certainly. But not a certificate to define your tomorrow. Learn, embrace, then embark! Your next season is full of possibility.

What does it mean to be a believer? A believer in what? Today I’m sharing the most meaningful gift I’ve ever received, the story behind it, and the purpose that propels life as I know it!

I love pouring into others and developing leaders, through the content on this podcast especially. I am also an inherently transparent guy, and believe in the value of sharing, learning, and doing life with one another.

What I want to do today is simply share some of my life with you. I want to pull back the curtains a little and let you backstage. I want you to be able to glean from my experiences, and learn from my journey. After all, 50 YEARS IS A LONG TIME!

Join me today as I share some parts of my journey I’ve never shared before, and reflect on the first 50 years of my life.

• Allow me to disclose the “cliff notes” version of where my life has been, and where it’s headed.

• Born in 1967 in Houston, TX

• Met my wife, Sabrina

• Another difficult season, and time of transition

• Next week I’ll share what I’ve learned and where I’m headed.

As I enter a new year, a new decade, a new season of life, I have some reflections from my first 50 years I’d like to pass along to you!

I don’t think I could be any more excited than I am to introduce you to someone who has had incredible influence and impact in my life.

You’ve heard me speak about the journey I’ve been on over the last five years, and I frequently share when we’re in the midst of transition and advancing to our next level in life, the key relationships God sends us make such a powerful difference.

My guest today is one of those key relationships!

• Ken Davis hails from Franklin, TN, and has had a tremendous impact on my journey and where I am today. Listen in on his incredible story to find out more, and I promise you: you’ll be moved and inspired by today’s episode.

Ken Davis is one of the country’s most sought-after motivational and inspirational speakers. His mixture of side-splitting humor and his powerful insights on living fully alive have inspired audiences around the world.

Okay! I confess that I actually wrote the above sentence. However, I could not bear to begin the sentence with “I am one of the most sought-after speakers in the universe, etc.” But I can’t pretend someone else is writing this, so here goes.

I am an award-winning author of 12 books. The film Fully Alive, based on my latest book by the same name, was shown in theaters across the U.S. and is now enjoying a popular run on Netflix.

I have kept a full calendar speaking to a diverse group of corporate and faith-based audiences around the world. I am President of Ken Davis Productions and Lighten Up Ministries, which produce inspirational and motivational live shows, DVDs, books, seminars, and conferences designed to make a positive difference in the quality of peoples’ lives.

I was born in beautiful Northern Minnesota and lived there until my blood began to freeze. I now live in Franklin, TN, with my wife Diane.

I am in love with one wife, Diane, five grandchildren, and two daughters. Because I love those people so much, I have decided to let my two sons-in-law live. I am an intensely competitive athlete with no athletic ability to back it up. I regularly compete in triathlons, play racquetball, try to work out an hour a day, and occasionally sleep in. I excel at competitive sleeping.

The Dallas Morning News said of me, “One of the funniest comedians to come down the pike.” but that was 30 years ago. I’ve gotten much better since then.

Boastful resume and attempts at humorous self-deprecation aside, I can promise you this. Whether you bring my live show to your community, decide to spice up your next corporate convention, or invite me to speak to your church community, I will custom design an unforgettable experience that will leave you laughing, thinking, and ready to live more fully alive.

I love seeing auditoriums of people laugh until they require medical attention, I love to awaken in my audience the courage to rise above circumstances and the passion to live Fully Alive! Something tells me that the same desire burns in you as well.

• Register for the SCORRE Conference, and save $100 with the code holmes

Wrapping up our discussion on new beginnings, what lies ahead? What’s next for you in this new year? Let’s talk about how to see what’s in store, and how to pursue it confidently.

Are you ready to realize true growth, change, and upward movement in your life and leadership?

Are you STUCK in a rut and paralyzed by the underwhelming expectations of those around you?

Today we will identify one of the most challenging enemies you will ever face, and reveal how you can beat it once and for all!

• Spoiler alert: your most challenging foe is known as the Status Quo.

• Even in the new year, the status quo demands you adjust your aspirations to its boundaries.

• Episode 123: Making The Pivot From Status Quo To So Much More

1. Make up your mind

• Don’t let this enemy overtake you.

You’ve heard it said, “What you see is what you get.” The same rings true with what you expect. If you expect the same you’ve always had, you’ll be content to stay there. Find out more in today’s video.