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There are moments in life that mark a before and after. For me, becoming a father was one. And now, with the arrival of our first grandchild—Noah Archer Scott—I’ve entered another: becoming a grandfather. The joy is hard to describe. It’s deep, quiet, electric all at once. Holding him, seeing his tiny face, and watching my daughter step into motherhood has stirred something in me I didn’t know was waiting to be awakened. There’s a new kind of love in this season—slower, more

You ever notice how life has a way of piling it all on at once? One season you’re cruising along, catching your breath, and the next—boom—you’re strapped into a roller coaster you didn’t even see coming. New milestones, unexpected challenges, and moments that feel like they’re moving at light speed. I’m right in the middle of that season right now. Let me share just a few for context: My Oldest Daughter Becoming a Mom - McKenna is preparing to welcome her first child, and wat

In the middle of life’s daily demands, it can be easy to put ourselves last. Between work, fatherhood, and all the responsibilities we carry, making space for joy, rest, and connection can feel like a luxury. But earlier this month, I was reminded just how essential those things are—not just for me, but for the kind of father, friend, and leader I want to be. I recently took a trip to Colorado and Oregon, and it was more than just a vacation—it was a realignment. I didn't re

Reflections from a Grateful Dad “Sometimes you will never know the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory.” – Kathryn Andrews There’s something deeply emotional about the “lasts” in life. Some sneak up on us quietly—the last bedtime story, the last time your child asks to hold your hand in public, the last school drop-off when they still look back to wave. You never really know it’s the last time until long after it’s passed.

Let's face it - chasing our dreams and the things we are passionate about sounds great BUT it comes with fear and uncertainty. Have you ever said things like - "it's time to do something about this", or "that is such a great cause, I'm going to get involved", or even "I'm ready for a change", but then find yourself going right back to your routine and the fire fizzles out? Well trust me, you are not alone. You see, there comes a moment—quiet but unmistakable—when something

There’s something timeless about laughter echoing through the yard on a spring afternoon. This Easter, as my adult children darted across the grass in hot pursuit of brightly colored eggs, their joy was unmistakable. What started as a simple family tradition has become a symbol of something far deeper: the power and importance of staying young in spirit. What Does It Mean to Be Young in Spirit? Being young in spirit isn’t about pretending you're twenty or ignoring responsibil

I spotted it this morning—just one strand. A single gray hair in my eyebrow. At first, I laughed. Then I stared. Then I felt. That tiny thread stopped me in my tracks—not because it made me feel old, but because it whispered something deeper. It was a messenger. A signal. A symbol of time’s quiet but certain hand. My first reaction? “I’m getting older.” Followed by a second, quieter voice: “I’m closer to the end than the beginning.” That thought lingered longer than I expecte

I was recently having a conversation with one of my daughters about habits. She and her boyfriend are reading Atomic Habits, and she mentioned trying to break her habit of looking at her phone as soon as she wakes up each day. Let me pause for a second – proud Dad moment! Beyond her speaking my language, I was excited that she was already realizing the impact that could come from this small change. You see, we often think massive success comes from big, sweeping changes.

I remember stepping away from my career to launch my business like it was yesterday. Just last week, I reflected on the goals I initially set—calls to make, revenue targets, and more—and questioned whether they truly set me on the right path. I don’t do this to dwell on the past but to learn from it. And what I’ve realized is that I was often so focused on hitting the goal that I failed to appreciate the progress I was making along the way. James Clear, in Atomic Habits, emph

Recently I had the honor of spending time with 14 other men to discuss the pursuit of harmony and joy. What became very apparent was that men need an outlet - more importantly, a healthy outlet. You see, society has expected men to be the provider, the protector, others' emotional strength, and successful. I'm not suggesting there is anything wrong with these on the surface...it's good to be strong for others, watch over your family, and find success in your pursuits. How

Hello everyone! It's been approximately a month since my last blog and it's great to be back! I couldn't have picked a better day than National Puzzle Day to kick off 2025! Some of you may be thinking - "what's so special about that?" Well, for me National Puzzle Day is so much more than dumping a bunch of pieces on a table and mindlessly looking for two to go together. In fact, when I saw this on the calendar it immediately brought back special memories—ones that go beyond j

For over 20 years, The Michel family has been doing their best impression of The Griswold's from Christmas Vacation. For the non-CV fans this includes driving an hour, dragging our kids through all kinds of weather, finding the "perfect" tree, taking turns cutting it down [yes we had a saw ;-) ], comically tying it to the top of the car, and then praying the windows don't break when we take the wrap off inside the house. For the majority of those years, we went to the same t

If you know the Michels and our traditions, you are probably anticipating me talking about Thursday Turkey Trot, movie night, backyard football, spoons, frying turkeys, Christmas Vacation, sleepovers and prepping for The Game. Well, those are all things I am grateful for and I love to share, but this weeks’ blog is a deeper reflection. I know, I know, not as exciting, but hear me out. As Thanksgiving approaches, I find myself overwhelmed with gratitude. This season always

Every election cycle, we’re reminded how polarizing politics can be, and this year was no different. As we all dig in and defend our beliefs, conversations with friends, family, and coworkers can sometimes turn tense. Presidential elections, in particular, bring out strong opinions, and it’s easy for differing views to lead to friction, strife, and even division. I spent time this morning looking over the results, Presidential to local issues, and while I did, I took note of

Lesson 3: The Importance of Preparing for Your Own Needs, Not Others’ As mentioned in my previous posts about the Grand Canyon, hiking Rim-to-Rim (R2R) is an adventure like no other. From the moment you set foot on the trail, you're surrounded by breathtaking beauty and physical challenges that demand every ounce of preparation, focus, and resilience. As for preparation, I learned a valuable lesson over the last several months – make decisions based on your own needs, rather

Lesson 2: The Power of Knowing Your Why and Sticking to It In my first blog regarding the R2R adventure, I shared some thoughts about the experience and the importance of taking shortcuts (The Shortcut – Ruben Gonzalez) to achieve your goals. In this situation, I chose to learn from others and embrace the role of “follower”. That lesson goes hand in hand with the second lesson I’d like to share – know your why. It all began in 2022 when a longtime friend asked - “So, when’

Hiking the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim (R2R) was an incredible experience! From the moment we stepped onto the North Rim in the dark I was blown away. The dancing headlamps that filled the canyon, the colors, the towering cliffs, the endless horizon—pictures don’t do it justice. But beyond the views, it was the camaraderie and the challenge that made it so special. Descending into the canyon, you really feel the scale of the place. Every step brought a mix of awe, exhaustion, an

I’ve held back from sharing something deeply personal with you, my readers—something that has shaped me in ways I can hardly put into words. I’ve shared thoughts on life, growth, and struggles, but there’s one aspect of my journey that I’ve been hesitant to be open about: my faith. I want to be honest with you today, and it’s not easy to admit this, but I haven’t always shared the full story. The truth is, my faith has become the foundation of who I am. While I’ve been around

This past weekend we hosted a cookout for a group of friends that we’ve been blessed to know for several decades – shout out to the MOST (Michel-Olberding-Stein-Tatum) group! As the evening came to an end, I took a moment to soak in how grateful I am for friendships. Our family has been surrounded for years by many great friends, many of which I probably don’t deserve, but I’m thankful God has placed us in such great communities. In a world that often celebrates independence

As I’ve shared in the past, I have a passion for running. Running has provided me wonderful experiences, a healthy lifestyle, a chance to meet some awesome people, time to think, stress relief and more. Beyond the immediate and direct benefits, I’ve found that running, and more specifically racing, has translated well into other parts of my life. My personal and work lives have reaped the benefits as racing has taught me to be strategic, gritty, flexible, self-aware, and ho