I felt invigorated waking up each morning in the midst of launching One Step Closer last fall. New opportunities to speak, write guest posts, and interact with readers made the years of writing, months of editing, and endless hours of learning and navigating the publishing world seem abundantly worth it. After the initial buzz of the book launch wore off, it was time to look ahead. Focusing on marketing and writing more books to make the full-time author life a reality was not the least bit appealing to me—let alone financially feasible long-term. Meanwhile, my itch to get back ..read more

“Welcome to Dick’s Sporting Goods, do you have a rewards card with us?” My time working at the cash register in high school could easily be split into two categories: Before and After bonuses were introduced to cashiers as incentive for converting customers into members. Before: I was simply taking advantage of a workplace that offered a basketball hoop right next to my “office.” After: If a customer was not a rewards member when stocking up on sports gear, I was going to do everything in my power to change that. I was taking shorter lunches. I was willing to… The post 6 reasons heaven has the ..read more

I have been feeling pretty selfish lately. With every vaccination administered and restriction lifted, society inches closer to the type of normalcy we have not seen in over a year. And to be honest, I am not too thrilled about it. Why would I be even the slightest bit bummed that things may soon begin to normalize? That life could resume outside of the extensive governmental restrictions? Because I have no idea when my own confinement will end. “Misery loves company” may be an overused cliché, but it is far from an embellishment. When life is most difficult, knowing we… The post Feel like lif ..read more

Do you ever get burned out by the commercialization of Easter? I know I do. I find myself entirely confused about how the greatest event in human history has gotten lost in a holiday celebration featuring bunnies, pastels, and candy. Even phrases like “He is risen” can lose their punch amidst a sea of frivolous things vying for our attention. So how can we turn our attention back to the Savior of the world who conquered sin, death, and Satan forever? By finding ourselves in the story. Finding yourself in the Easter story Personally, I tend to see glimpses of… The post Want to finish strong? Do ..read more

My interview on The Aggressive Life Podcast “Ryan, what’s your plan?” Not again. I knew where this was going. My dad brought this subject up every few months, concerned about my intentions for moving forward with my life after having become paralyzed below my shoulders. “If you don’t change anything, you are going to be in the same position a year from now. And the year after that,” my dad continued. These were not the words I wanted to hear from my dad, but deep down I knew he was right. I was a few years removed from my car accident and… The post Stop waiting for your ideal life to ..read more

As a young kid at the turn of the millennium, I gazed at my idols on my bedroom wall. After hours of cutting, taping, and organizing old Sports Illustrated magazine clippings, I finally felt content. My project was complete. Ken Griffey Jr., Tiger Woods, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kobe Bryant all stared back at me in an assortment of frozen athletic positions made permanent in two-dimensional form. As a kid, I salivated over the mere thought of what it might be like to become a professional athlete. I did not just want these guys on my wall, I wanted to be… The post Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and the ..read more

How did your 2020 reading go? While I can never keep up with Stephanie’s pace of approximately one book per week, I did manage to read roughly two books per month this year. Besides starting this blog in 2013, the absolute best way I have found to improve my writing skills and stir up new ideas is by reading books. It may seem obvious, but this was not a habit I practiced consistently until the past few years. I always try to mix it up with business, history, faith, and various other books that really make me think. I look… The post The 8 best books I read in 2020 appeared first on Flat On My ..read more

Shortly after Thanksgiving, I watched intently as Stephanie put the final touches on our Christmas tree. I watched as she strung lights around the tree and carefully placed ornaments on the branches. The smell of hot cookies filled the air, and Mariah Carey bellowed in the background. At first, the only thing missing seemed to be snow falling outside. But the more I leaned into what I was feeling, the more I realized white flurries alone would not quench the lingering discontentment that was stirring beneath the surface. Something is missing. This is not how it is supposed to be.… The post The ..read more

Shortly after Thanksgiving, I watched intently as Stephanie put the final touches on our Christmas tree. I watched as she strung lights around the tree and carefully placed ornaments on the branches. The smell of hot cookies filled the air, and Mariah Carey bellowed in the background. At first, the only thing missing seemed to be snow falling outside. But the more I leaned into what I was feeling, the more I realized white flurries alone would not quench the lingering discontentment that was stirring beneath the surface. Something is missing. This is not how it is supposed to be.… The post The ..read more

I looked up with groggy eyes, making out the face of an acquaintance I had attended school with. He was apologizing for not yet having visited me during my first few weeks in the hospital but I could tell he wanted to get the juicy details of my accident. He looked around and waited until others in the room were out of earshot before leaning over and curiously asking, “Dude, were you drunk driving?” With the ventilator restricting my ability to talk, I tried to muster the strength to shake my head no. I don’t remember one thing about the… The post 5 things NOT to do when people need you the mo ..read more