2025: A Year of Extremes
2025 was a paradox. It was, without a doubt, the best year of my life, punctuated by incredible highs and profound lows. It was a year of building, both literally and figuratively. I bought a house and dove headfirst into remodeling the entire basement, a testament to DIY spirit and a desire to create something tangible.
Romantically, 2025 marked the beginning of something truly special. Meeting Meghan, the love of my life, shifted my perspective in ways I couldn't have imagined. This relationship alone redefined everything I thought I knew.
Professionally, the year was a whirlwind. Boostcous, a venture I'm deeply passionate about, transformed from a mere idea into a thriving brand, securing real sales and landing on store shelves. Meanwhile, KnoCommerce, another significant part of my life, experienced one of its most successful years to date.
On paper, 2025 looked like an unmitigated triumph, the kind of year people screenshot and boast about. But the highlight reel only tells half the story.
The Unseen Struggles
Behind the facade of success, I was struggling. I broke my back, a painful setback that left me on crutches for three long months. My physical health deteriorated, leading to the worst shape of my life. Sleep became a luxury, energy levels plummeted, and my mind was a constant source of noise.
Instead of heeding the warning signs and slowing down, I fell into the trap that many founders succumb to: I doubled down on work. Eighty to one-hundred-hour weeks became the norm, with every ounce of my energy poured into KnoCommerce and Boostcous. In the process, I neglected the most important asset: myself.
Somewhere along the way, "Bar the human" was replaced by "Bar the founder." My entire identity became intertwined with metrics and milestones: MRR, launch dates, Shopify sales, and the relentless pursuit of the next big thing. It's a familiar narrative for many of us, but one we rarely share openly.
Prioritizing Balance: A New Approach
As I look ahead, I'm committed to a fundamental shift. I'm no longer willing to optimize solely for revenue. My word of the year is "Balance." Not the superficial "work-life balance" we often see in presentations, but a genuine, nervous-system-level equilibrium.
For me, this translates into a few simple, non-negotiable rules:
- Work out outside 3 days per week. Skiing, biking, hiking – whatever it takes to connect with nature and move my body.
- Be in the gym at least 2 days per week. Rebuilding my back stronger than ever is a priority.
- Meditate 4 days per week. Even just 10 minutes of quiet, problem-solving-free time can make a huge difference.
These are the cornerstones of my commitment to balance. Because if I continue to run at an unsustainable pace, Boostcous and KnoCommerce might flourish, but I won't. And that's a trade I'm no longer willing to make.
Grateful for the Lessons Learned
So, 2025 was both the best and worst year of my life. I'm grateful for both sides of the coin. The wins showed me what's possible, while the pain revealed what's not sustainable. Next year, I'm bringing the same ambition, the same dedication to my companies, and the same willingness to tackle challenges. But this time, I'm determined to approach those challenges with a greater sense of balance, ensuring that my personal well-being is not sacrificed at the altar of professional success. It's time to build a life, not just a business.