In this week’s Five Minute Friday, I open up about a recent injury—ACL tear, tibial fracture, and torn meniscus—all discovered after I finished competing in a major Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournament. But this episode isn’t about sympathy. It’s about acceptance. Because just like seasons, hardship is a non-negotiable part of growth—in life, in leadership, and especially in orthodontics.

You don’t get to pick only the victories and skip the failures. You don’t get spring without winter. Whether your practice is struggling to hit monthly goals, you're recovering from personal loss, or you're simply tired of grinding—this episode is a heartfelt reminder that attitude does affect altitude. If you can face the hard days with perspective and resilience, you’ll come back stronger every time.

QUOTES

“Every year there’s been a spring, followed by a summer, then autumn, then winter. You don’t get to say, ‘I’ll take 3 springs, 2 summers, and no winters.’ Life doesn’t work that way.”
 — Jim Rohn

“Attitude affects altitude. You can’t control what happens to you, but you can control how you respond.”
 — Captain Dennis Fitch

Key Takeaways

• Intro + Personal story: Torn ACL, broken tibia, and Jiu Jitsu lessons (00:00)
• Jim Rohn’s “seasons of life” and what they mean for orthodontists (02:30)
• The myth of “all wins, no pain” in parenting, practice, or business (03:45)
• Dealing with missed goals, bad days, and cancelled appointments (05:30)
• FBI kicking down the door = actual worst case… everything else? Manageable (06:50)
• Captain Denny Fitch: “Attitude affects altitude” (08:30)
• “Find out before you freak out” — how to manage stress wisely (10:00)
• Final message: Winter always comes… but so does spring (11:30)

Additional Resources

I’ve seen firsthand how mindset—not tools or tactics—is what separates thriving orthodontists from burned-out ones.

If you’re in a winter season, you’re not alone. But it doesn’t last forever. Let me help you step into spring. To learn more about the upcoming Ortho Vanguard experience or my 2025 coaching program, just DM me. I’ll tell you everything.

Register for Ortho Vanguard: https://www.opvanguard.com 

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