Cashing in my Mulligan

2025.

Well… that was... a year.

Like so many of you, I’ve been reading the year-end recaps — the honesty, the exhaustion, the collective sigh of “2025 was hard.” I feel that deeply. I see so many people saying they’re ready to let the heavy stuff go and finally receive goodness, peace, and joy.

Same. Loud same. If I’m being honest, 2025 sucked ass. It was a total kick in the face kind of year. One of those years where just when you think you’ve hit rock bottom, the floor drops out again. And again. And again.

There were moments I truly didn’t know how much more I could take — physically, emotionally, spiritually. It felt relentless. Exhausting. Heavy. Painful. Some days, survival was the only goal. Some days, I questioned everything.

And yet…

Even in all of that mess there was grace. There was provision when I didn’t see a way forward. There were moments of joy that showed up unannounced. There were people who showed up. There were reminders — over and over — that I was held, seen, and blessed beyond measure. And there was always Allyson. My one constant that I will never be grateful enough for. She is truly my EVERYTHING!

And through every low, I know this to also be true: my Heavenly Father carried me. Even when I felt completely undone. Even when I couldn’t see it in the moment.

I won’t romanticize this year — because nope — but I will say this: I survived it. I learned from it. And I was blessed, even when it didn’t look or feel like it at the time. And here’s what I know for sure: the greatest thing about hitting rock bottom is that it creates the perfect foundation for the Lord to build you back up.

As this chapter closes, I’m more than ready to turn the page. Clean slate. Fresh start. New energy.

My word for 2026 is THRIVING.

Not just surviving. Not just getting by.

Thriving in my body. Thriving in my relationships. Thriving in my work. Thriving in my joy. Thriving in my faith. Thriving in my life! Here’s to healing. Here’s to hope. Here’s to growth, abundance, and becoming. Goodbye, 2025. You taught me a lot — but I’m not sad to see you go.

I want to take a moment to expand on what I mean by that — because this isn’t just a catchy word or a vibe. It’s a decision.

I’ve spent enough time surviving. Holding on. Getting through. Calling “barely” a win. That season served its purpose — but it’s over.

Thriving isn’t about pretending life is perfect or that hard things won’t still happen. It’s about expansion. Alignment. Abundance. It’s about trusting that God didn’t carry me this far just to park me here.

And let me be clear about the kind of abundance I’m choosing:

I’m not interested in an abundance of pain, misery, struggle, or “character-building” suffering like I saw in 2025. I’ve had enough of that curriculum. I’m choosing an abundance of wealth, prosperity, wins, positivity, happiness, favor, momentum, and leveling up on cosmic, epic scales.

Thriving means I’m ready to receive — fully, unapologetically, and with gratitude. I’m ready for wealth and prosperity — not because money is the goal, but because it’s a tool. A tool to create, to give, to build, to bless, and to live freely. I’m ready to make buckets of money… even if I have no idea yet where those buckets are coming from. God does. And I trust that.

I’m ready for my story to travel farther than I ever imagined. To be booked as a guest speaker. To be invited onto podcasts. To stand in rooms I once only dreamed about and tell the truth of my life — how God meets us in rock bottom and builds something extraordinary from the rubble. Last year, I honored a lifelong dream and auditioned for a Broadway show — not chasing a result, but claiming my place in the room. This year, I’m leaning into that same courage — walking into theatres with confidence, stepping into creative spaces as a performer and director, and saying yes to opportunities that once felt out of reach. I don’t need guarantees. I belong in the work.

I’m ready to travel the country sharing how God can use even an old, fat guy like me to change the world — to bring hope, laughter, healing, and joy to people who think it’s too late for them. I’m ready for my book to be published. For my voice to be heard. For my story to be told with honesty, humor, and heart. For doors to open — and for me to walk through them without shrinking.

I’m ready to meet influential people who see me, believe in me, and champion what God is doing in and through me. I’m ready to be a force for good — spreading positivity, love, faith, and resilience. To show what it looks like to move through adversity and bloom into a joy-filled life. And most of all, I’m ready to be used for God’s glory — not through constant trials and suffering, but through joy, fullness, favor, miracles, deep faith, and a richer knowing of Him than ever before.

Last January, my life exploded in the worst possible way. This year? I’m ready for the opposite. An expansion. An unfolding. A holy "watch this" moment.

I joke that God likes me best… but honestly? I do believe I’m favored. Not because I’m special — but because I’m willing. And ready.

And here’s the thing: I don’t just want this for me. I want this for all of us! No more sadness. No more sorrow. No more endless trials for me or my friends. I want us healthy. Happy. Prosperous. Peaceful. Laughing again! I want us waking up excited about our lives. I want joy — pure, unadulterated joy — for everyone I love and everyone reading this.

Is that too much to ask? I don’t believe it is.

I’m done surviving. I’m choosing THRIVING.

It’s my turn. And honestly? I think it’s yours too!

And yes — I’m grabbing life by the balls and making it mine.

Who's with me?!