Why 2024 Almost Broke Me—and How the 10 Disciplines Helped Me Rebuild

December 31, 2024

Are you stepping into 2025 with the clarity, energy, and peace you hoped for at this time last year? Or does it feel like you’ve been sprinting on a treadmill—moving fast, but never really getting anywhere?
New Year’s Eve always feels like a moment to pause, doesn’t it? A moment to look back at the last 12 months, to celebrate the wins, mourn the losses, and ask ourselves if we’re on the right path.

The High: A Dream Come True on Stage

Back in the spring, I had one of the proudest moments of my career— I was the opening keynote speaker at the EOS Conference . Standing on that stage, speaking to thousands of visionary entrepreneurs, felt like the culmination of years of hard work, sacrifice, and a relentless drive to build something meaningful.
Shortly after, I found myself sharing a meal with Gary Vaynerchuk at his New York City restaurant, doing what Gary calls "caviar bumps," laughing, celebrating, and soaking in the energy of a life that felt like it was firing on all cylinders.
If you had asked me then, I would have told you I was living the dream. But life has a way of humbling us when we least expect it.

The Low: The Storm in Late August

Fast forward to late August , and it felt like everything came crashing down. Drama erupted in my industry. People I considered friends turned their backs on me. Some actively tried to cancel me.

I felt betrayed, hurt, and isolated. It wasn’t just my reputation on the line—it was my identity, my purpose, and my place in a community I had poured so much of my life into.

I’d love to tell you I handled it gracefully from day one. But the truth is, I was shaken to my core. This was one of those moments where everything you believe about yourself and your path gets tested. And yet, through the chaos, something incredible happened.

The Tools That Got Me Through:
The 10 Disciplines and the 3 Discoveries

If you’ve been following my journey, you know I’ve been a student of Gino Wickman’s work for years— Rocket Fuel , The EOS Life , and most recently, Shine , which he co-authored with Rob Dube .

When Shine came out this year, it felt like everything clicked. The 10 Disciplines —which had been tucked away at the end of The EOS Life —were suddenly brought to life with vibrant clarity and depth.

And then there were the 3 Discoveries: 1. I am Driven. 2. All Decisions are Made from Fear or Love. 3. You Can Be Driven and Have Peace.

These weren’t just nice-sounding principles—they were lifelines. In the middle of my storm, I leaned into this book. I leaned into the group coaching I had started over the summer with the 10 Disciplines program . I leaned into the conversations I was having with other visionaries who understood the struggle.

And somehow, through the noise, I started to hear the stillness again.


The 10 Disciplines That Changed Everything

Here are the 10 Disciplines for Managing and Maximizing Your Energy:

1. 10-Year Thinking – Make decisions with a long-term mindset. 2. Take Time Off – Regularly pause to gain clarity and focus. 3. Know Thyself – Understand your true self and your unique abilities. 4. Be Still – Find stillness daily to listen to your inner voice. 5. Know Your 100% – Understand your energy capacity and honor it. 6. Say No… Often – Protect your time and energy by setting boundaries. 7. Don’t Do $25-an-Hour Work – Focus on the work only you can do. 8. Prepare Every Night – Set intentions and prepare for the next day. 9. Put Everything in One Place – Organize your tasks and systems. 10. Be Humble – Stay grounded, grateful, and open to growth.

These disciplines became the guideposts I clung to during the hardest season of my life.

A Coffee with Gino—and a Renewed Purpose

It’s Not About Hustle—It’s About Amplification

For most of my life, I thought success meant grinding harder, scaling faster, and hitting bigger goals….climbing the mountain (Hint: there is no mountain it is all just a journey)

10X. 100X.

But what I’ve learned this year is that hustle without alignment leads to burnout.

And here’s the thing: Gino and I aren’t saying you shouldn’t aim for big things.

In fact, we believe something even bigger—we believe that if you have peace and you have drive (because drive isn’t something you can acquire—it’s something you’re born with), you can achieve 1,000X.

When you have clarity, energy, and peace, everything else gets better:

● Your business grows. ● Your relationships deepen. ● Your health improves.

You become a better leader, a better spouse, a better parent, and—most importantly—a better version of yourself.

Take the True Self Assessment

As we step into 2025, I want to offer you something simple but powerful: a chance to pause, reflect, and take a step toward clarity.

The True Self Assessment is a free tool that helps you understand where you are today—where you’re aligned, where you’re off track, and where you have an opportunity to grow.

�55357;�56522; Take the True Self Assessment Here

When you’re done, let’s talk. I want you to email me and let me know which area in your life you will be working on in 2025. For me it is #4 Be Still 

Free Shine Book Giveaway

I’d also love to send you a copy of Shine to kickstart your journey into the 10 Disciplines.
�55357;�56538; Fill Out This Form to Get Your Free Copy of Shine

Listen to Podcast with Gino Wickman

Listen to the episode where me and Gino talk about the 3 discoveries.  
Here’s to a year of clarity, growth, and freedom. Happy New Year.

– Benny

Whether you're driving, building, or reflecting — catch every episode of The Big Fish Cares Podcast on your favorite platform.

Where Real Conversations Live

A button that says listen on apple podcasts on a white background.
A youtube logo that says watch and listen on youtube
A button that says listen on spotify on it

Looking for more? Start here.

The Bigger Game-Benny Fisher
September 14, 2025
Benny Fisher shares how pain becomes preparation, why presence is the real bigger game, and how to build a life of purpose, peace, and impact.
Charlie Kirk Assassinated: The Death of a Leader, the Birth of a Revival
September 11, 2025
Charlie Kirk — a young man who built one of the most powerful youth movements in America — was assassinated in front of thousands at a rally. A sniper, 200 yards away, silenced a voice mid-sentence. And in an instant, we were reminded of the fragility of life, the cost of vision, and the high price of freedom.
Podcast guest Matt Brasic shares his journey of divorce, faith, and rediscovering purpose on the Big
September 4, 2025
Matt Brasic opens up about divorce, faith, and finding purpose after misalignment. A raw story of letting go, clarity, and personal awakening.
Show More
The Bigger Game-Benny Fisher
September 14, 2025
Benny Fisher shares how pain becomes preparation, why presence is the real bigger game, and how to build a life of purpose, peace, and impact.
Charlie Kirk Assassinated: The Death of a Leader, the Birth of a Revival
September 11, 2025
Charlie Kirk — a young man who built one of the most powerful youth movements in America — was assassinated in front of thousands at a rally. A sniper, 200 yards away, silenced a voice mid-sentence. And in an instant, we were reminded of the fragility of life, the cost of vision, and the high price of freedom.
Podcast guest Matt Brasic shares his journey of divorce, faith, and rediscovering purpose on the Big
September 4, 2025
Matt Brasic opens up about divorce, faith, and finding purpose after misalignment. A raw story of letting go, clarity, and personal awakening.
Sellwith stories not facts
August 28, 2025
Discover why facts alone don’t sell. Learn how storytelling builds trust, inspires action, and helps entrepreneurs and salespeople stand out.
August 25, 2025
I used to think winning was about stacking more wins. Build it. Grow it. Repeat. Lately, I’m a lot more interested in how we build without breaking the people we love — including ourselves. This week on Big Fish Cares , I sat down with Jonathan D. Reynolds (CEO, Titus Talent Strategies ) to talk about purpose, fatherhood, faith, and the simple truth he keeps coming back to:“Most company problems are people problems.” The 15-year-old question At 15, Jonathan asked his parents what he was “created to do.” Their answer: live in the service of others . He didn’t love that answer then. He lives it now — helping leaders find the right people, and helping people find the work they’re built for. That turned into a business and a calling. My advice would be: if you’re still waiting for a lightning-bolt purpose, serve where you stand. Purpose shows up when your service gets specific. For-profit, for good Titus calls itself for-profit for good: build a healthy company and use the profits to help those who need it most. They set a goal to give $30M by 2030 and are already about 70% of the way there . That’s not performative — that’s operationalized generosity. What I would recommend: design comp plans and culture like a family you’d be proud of. Jonathan’s team incentive started as his kids’ allowance…and it works. Leading at work vs. leading at home We talked about the gap a lot of us feel: Compassionate at work, impatient at home. Driver in the office, bulldozer in the living room. Jonathan built a transition ritual before walking through the door — slow down, ask better questions at dinner (“What was the hardest part of your day?” “What brought you joy?”), and be there. That’s leadership too. When you can’t fix it Jonathan’s parents have been detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan . No charges. No clear path. He stood outside the White House with his daughter asking for help. Impossible to carry — and yet this line anchored him: “I can’t control that. I can control my trust. I can control my love. I can control whether I get bitter.” Stay low. Stay humble. Control what you can control. That isn’t a slogan. It’s survival for leaders getting hit by real life. Try this week One conversation: name a “people problem” you’re avoiding and address it directly. One boundary: pick a start/stop for work and keep it. One practice: give something away (time, cash, credit). Open hands move resources faster. If you’re carrying a lot right now, you’re not alone. The goal isn’t a perfect life. The goal is a grounded one. Listen to the episode: Apple Podcasts → [link] · All apps → [link] If this resonated, come do the work with us inside The Pond — founders who want growth and peace in the same breath. [Join the waitlist]
Jonathan Reynolds on  Purpose and People | The Big Fish Cares Podcast
August 21, 2025
Benny Fisher talks with Jonathan D. Reynolds about purpose, fatherhood, faith, and why most company problems are people problems. Listen on Apple or any podcast app.
Help Rewrite Claire’s Story With Hope
August 7, 2025
Claire is still in the hospital—but you can help. Donate, share, or pray. Every action brings healing and hope to her family.
The Art of Clay & Spirit: Brad Dalton’s Mission to Inspire Through Gifts BRAD DALTON
August 7, 2025
In this heartfelt episode of The Big Fish Cares Podcast, host Benny Fisher sits down with Brad Dalton, the artist and founder behind Clay and Spirit and New Creation Pottery. Brad’s mission? To handcraft deeply personal, faith-filled gifts that speak to the soul using clay as his canvas and spirit as his guide. Inspired by a calling from God and the enduring encouragement of his late friend John Ruhlin, Brad creates “living artifacts” pottery pieces that celebrate love, legacy, and personal affirmation. Each creation begins with a story, shaped by heartfelt words from the giver, and ends as a one-of-a-kind piece that becomes a treasured reminder of connection. Brad opens up about his artistic journey, how he rediscovered clay in college, and how he turned a creative spark into a ministry of healing, encouragement, and faith. From his workshop to homes across the country, Brad’s gifts are transforming hearts one vessel at a time. Key Moments: 00:00 The Big Fish Cares Intro 03:03 Brad's Early Creative Memories 06:06 The Role of Faith in Life & Art 13:40 Meeting John Ruhlin & The Artifact Mug 21:32 John Ruhlin's Legacy and Spirit 27:33 The Creative Process of the Artifact Mug 31:46 Meaningful Gifting and Emotional Impact 37:35 Clay and Spirit: Integrating Faith & Art 41:41 Being a Pure Vessel & Recovering Wonder 45:44 The Spiritual Foundations 51:00 Advice for Artists & Meaningful Giving 56:06 Leaving a Legacy of Love 01:00:06 Dreams, Loss, and RC Street Racing 01:04:11 Reflections, Gratitude, and Final Thoughts 01:11:11 Closing Remarks & Podcast Wrap Up Want to order an artifact mug for you or a love one? Get in contact with Brad Dalton: https://artifactmug.com/ 🌐 Instagram: / clay_and_spirit 👉 Facebook: / brad.dalton.56 🌐 LinkedIn: / brad-dalton-421886197 🎙️ Connect with Host Benny Fisher: 🌐 Official Website: https://www.bennyfisher.com 📸 Instagram: / bigfish.benny 👉 Facebook: / fisherbenny 🌐 LinkedIn: / fisherbenny Watch the full episode now and subscribe to The Big Fish Cares Podcast for more conversations that matter!
Benny Fisher on Visionary Leadership, the Future of Work, and Building Big Fish Contracting
July 29, 2025
Benny Fisher on Visionary Leadership, the Future of Work, and Building Big Fish Contracting Benny Fisher, entrepreneur and Visionary Navigator, joins Eric McKenna on The Eric McKenna Project Podcast #386 for an in-depth conversation about the future of business, technology, and personal growth. In this episode, Benny shares his journey from building and exiting Big Fish Contracting , one of Pittsburgh’s Top 50 Fastest-Growing Companies, to guiding entrepreneurs toward alignment, creativity, and sustainable success. He and Eric dive into the big questions every business leader should be thinking about: What You’ll Learn in This Episode How AI and automation will reshape the future of work and entrepreneurship Why real human connection is becoming the most valuable currency in a digital world The role of curiosity, creativity, and free will in unlocking your potential Lessons from scaling and successfully exiting Big Fish Contracting Why transparency, emotional intelligence, and innovation are the keys to future-ready businesses Why This Episode Matters As a founder or visionary leader, navigating the future means more than just keeping up with technology—it’s about creating space to think differently, lead with purpose, and grow without losing yourself . Whether you’re an entrepreneur, business owner, or someone curious about where the world is heading, this episode will inspire you to slow down, think bigger, and embrace the changes coming your way.  📺 Watch the full conversation now and explore Benny’s insights on leadership, innovation, and the future of work.
Not a coach but  visionary navigator
July 24, 2025
Discover why Benny Fisher calls himself a Visionary Navigator—and how his journey with Gino Wickman helped him redefine leadership, alignment, and freedom.
Show More