Early, hard, and so worth it

Hello lovely people. You’re reading The Bright Side newsletter, a bi-weekly dose of calm and clarity in a noisy world.

Young people are growing up inside an attention war they never asked for.

They are told to focus, to manage their time, to show up ready.
But no one taught them how to live with a device that never turns off.

Over the past few months, we’ve been working with college athletes to help them own their time and attention — and build better habits around screens, sleep, and stress — through a short, science-backed experience called Swipe Less, Live More.

It’s not an app. It’s not a lecture.

It’s one mindset shift + one small action per day — delivered right to their phones.

And it works.

We’re building something for students — but first, we have to get past the systems that were never designed to move quickly, or make space for innovation like this.

Getting a “yes” from higher ed — even when what you’re offering is needed — is hard.

Getting a yes at the right time? Almost impossible.

Budgets are delayed. Priorities shift. People care, but they’re burned out.

So we keep showing up.
We adapt, we reframe, we keep making the case.

Because what’s on the other side of that “yes” is worth it: students who are struggling with attention, burnout, and isolation — and light up when someone finally speaks to what they’re actually dealing with.

This work is heavy. It’s hopeful.

And I’ve never felt more certain we’re building something that matters.

The Shift

They didn’t need a fix.
They needed a place to start.
And leaders willing to innovate and clear a path for change.

These student-athletes are juggling full academic loads, Division 1 training schedules, and still carving out time to represent their teammates and lead on campus.

They didn’t roll their eyes. They didn’t opt out.
They showed up.

After two weeks, we asked what changed.
Their honesty was powerful and moving:

“The amount of times I unlock my phone was insane.”

“I will remember the realization I had when I realized I am in control of my phone, not the other way around.”

“How mindful and purposeful it made me and I honestly felt good about myself after completing it.”

Not huge promises.
Just real progress.
The kind that builds self-trust — and doesn’t require perfection to begin

Why I Keep Going

I flew 2,504 miles from snowy Vermont to Sacramento because I believe in this.

These student-athletes were open, engaged, and honest about what they're facing.
Being face to face with them makes it all worth it.

It wasn’t a big program. But it worked.

This work breaks my brain at times. Learning how to capture imagination, create meaningful impact, and build a viable business model — not easy.

The truth is, the brave ones are all the incredible young people.

This work is early. It’s imperfect.
And it’s exactly where I want to be.

As a founder, I’ve made mistakes. Taken risks.
Spent my retirement savings trying to build something that matters.
But this is the work that reminds me why.

Every time I visit a campus, I’m struck by two things at once:
How much young people are carrying.
And how much they’re up against.

We think of distraction as laziness. It’s not.
It’s exhaustion.
It’s pressure.
It’s a phone that pings us with don’t miss out — and a world that keeps saying do more.

I recognize the irony of asking them to consume more content.

But I believe what they need is context — and to know they’re not the only one feeling overwhelmed, distracted, behind.

Space to reflect. To connect. To remember they’re not alone.

I wanted you all to know the beautiful and messy work I have been doing. Thank you for being in this with me, it means a lot.

What's the news in your world? Email me back here if you want to share!
And if you’re building something hard and worth it too — I am so with you.