The million dollar introduction.

05.30.25

The moment.

It had been two weeks since I was at the gym. My new job threw a monkey wrench into a routine I religiously followed for months but here I was, sitting in between sets at the leg extension machine. Lost in my thoughts, my mind drifted to an all too familiar question: “what the hell am I doing?” — it’s a question that rings in my head loudly when doubt creeps up amidst uncertainty. This time it didn’t make sense. I was doing everything right and the stars were finally aligning for me yet I still wrestled with the pestering act of second-guessing myself.

My downward spiral was suddenly interrupted by my brother walking over with a friend to say hello. We happened to be at the gym at the same time and he caught me off guard. With a warm smile and clear conviction, he made the introduction, “this is my brother, he’s going to be a millionaire.”

Time slowed in that moment. I could feel his pride and faith in me. My face visibly lit up. He then pulled up my website on his phone to show his friend — with a brief pause, he said “you’d be a great fit for his coaching.”

As I sat there, I couldn’t help but smile and feel those words drown out the noise of doubt and settle in my bones. I abruptly sought confirmation; “pause, you really believe that?” He nodded, and I replied “thanks Z.” And the three of us proceeded to laugh as I spoke with calm confidence…“I am going to be a millionaire one day.”

The lesson.

My brother unknowingly pulled me out of my own drowning thoughts and fanned a flame of self-confidence and love that I am now learning needs constant nurturing to burn strong and stay alive.

We live in a world where we are conditioned to feel like we are not enough, scrutinized for wanting more and pressured by groupthink to fall back in line when we stand out. But we don’t have to succumb to this…

#1 Believe in the people around you — scratch that — show people around you that you believe in them.

#2 Surround your life with people that will do the same for you.

#3 Repeat the process until “everybody eats.”

Tell someone they will be a millionaire and they may become it.

~ Samir

Live a little.

05.17.25

The moment.

Last weekend, my friend and I went to Jay Shetty's On Purpose event in New York and it turned out to be a beautiful night of city immersion and soul reflection. We parked in Harlem. Had Peruvian food in Upper West Manhattan. Rode the subway into Madison Square Garden. Attended a thought-provoking show. And walked Time Square. I loved every moment of the chaotic and cluttered sensory overload as I briefly romanticized the life of a New Yorker.

Here's the thing though, I almost didn't go…

I had a scheduling conflict with a family commitment. I wasn’t “sold” on Jay Shetty. The uncertainties of the busy New York scene overwhelmed me — and the list went on and on of reasons not to go. Yet, I pushed through the noise and went. And boy am I glad I did. I disregarded that persistent little voice we all have in our heads that wants us to cling on to the familiar and comfortable to keep us “safe.” It’s a dangerous influence.

The lesson.

It's the little decisions that have the biggest impacts sometimes. A ripple effect is born when we consciously decide to step towards something new. And it’s never easy but oh, so rewarding. Gaining new experiences requires an intentional effort and mustered courage every time we choose discomfort in the name of growth. Last night was a testament to to the power of embracing new experiences and I’m so glad I took that step.

Live a little friends, you may like it.

~ Samir