The people I'm cheering for, and what they're teaching me about building what's next

One of the greatest privileges of my work is getting a front-row seat to people making their dreams come true. Whether that's finally writing the book that's been on their heart for years, building a business, speaking on stages, or scaling their impact from one-to-one to one-to-many.

The difference between them and the people who are still talking about their dreams instead of making it happen?

Starting before they have everything figured out.

Even when they don't know exactly how it will turn out.

Because something in them won't let them ignore the call.

Over the past few years, I've had the privilege of helping authors, entrepreneurs, speakers, coaches and leaders shape books, ideas and projects that matter deeply to them.

As I prepare for a summer focused on building my own next chapter, I wanted to shine a light on a few of the people I'm cheering for right now.

Each has taken something deeply personal and transformed it into something that serves others.

And each reminds me that meaningful things are rarely built all at once.

They're built one step, one page, one conversation at a time.

Jenni Schweers

This month marks the one-year anniversary of Me, Myself & IVF, and I couldn't be prouder of what Jenni has accomplished.

When Jenni came to me (thanks to a referral from my wonderful client Shannon Talbot), she wanted to share the story of her IVF journey and how she was able to conceive her daughter against all odds.

But Jenni had another goal, too.

She didn't just want to tell her story. She wanted to write a truly exceptional book.

She came armed with a list of acclaimed, award-winning books she admired and set the bar incredibly high. Together, we worked hard to bring that vision to life.

The result is a book that is funny, heartbreaking, hopeful, and deeply human. It's a love letter to resilience, a lifeline for women navigating fertility challenges, and an honest reflection on the realities of building a family on your own terms.

Over the past year, Jenni's book has found its way into Indigo stores, libraries across Canada, speaking engagements, and the hands of readers who needed exactly this story.

And she's not done yet. An audiobook is on the way.

Lori Zoss

Lori was already a successful business leader, fundraising strategist, and non-fiction author when we started working together.

But this time, she wanted to do something completely different.

She wanted to write fiction.

Specifically, she wanted to write the kind of smart, entertaining, sexy novel that ambitious women could devour on a plane ride to their next conference.

No small goal.

What I admire most about Lori is her willingness to step outside the lane she'd already mastered and challenge herself creatively.

Her novel, Under Caution, is the result.

This month she's celebrating the launch of the audiobook edition, giving readers a whole new way to experience the story.

It's a wonderful reminder that reinvention isn't reserved for people just starting out. Sometimes it belongs to those brave enough to begin again.

Matt Rogers

Matt Rogers doesn't just coach athletes.

He's building a movement.

Through his book Significant Recruiting, his podcast, his coaching work, and his commitment to helping families navigate the recruiting journey, Matt is changing the conversation around what success in athletics can look like.

What strikes me most about Matt is how mission-driven he is.

He's not interested in helping a handful of athletes succeed.

He's interested in creating healthier recruiting experiences, stronger athletic programs, and better outcomes for athletes, families, and coaches alike.

That's the difference between building a business and building a legacy.

And Matt is very clearly building the latter.

Shannon Talbot

Shannon was one of my earliest book clients, and it has been such a joy watching her work evolve.

Her book, Breaking Free: Stop Holding Back, Start Being You – Your Guide to Creating the Career & Life of Your Dreams, gave voice to something many people experience but struggle to articulate.

The pressure to keep it all together.

The exhaustion of performing competence while quietly questioning everything underneath.

Today, Shannon has become an in-demand speaker and coach, helping high-achieving leaders examine the masks they wear — and what becomes possible when they finally take them off.

It's powerful work.

And somehow, in the middle of all of it, she's also heading to Africa this summer with her son to volunteer at an animal orphanage.

Because apparently one transformation at a time isn't enough.

Caryn Bird

Caryn Bird is an internationally recognized speaker, trainer, and performance mindset expert who has helped athletes and high performers around the world unlock their full potential.

After losing her son Josh, she began the long journey through grief, heartbreak, and ultimately healing, shared in her upcoming book.

Today, she's helping other parents navigate that same path through her work and her upcoming Heal the Heartache Soul Retreat.

What I admire most about Caryn is her willingness to take one of the hardest experiences imaginable and turn it into a source of hope for others.

That's a rare kind of courage.

And a profound act of love.

Robb Gilbear

Robb Gilbear is the founder of GrowthHabit and author of Die Before They Do — one of the first books I helped develop.

Working with Robb on his book was so fun and fulfilling, I decided to close my content agency and dedicate myself fully to helping authors bring meaningful books into the world.

That kind of thing tends to happen when you're friends with Robb.

His work encourages people to stop postponing what matters most and start building lives rich with connection, adventure, growth, and meaning.

And every year around my birthday, I spend a weekend at his Do Bold Shit event.

Three years running.

Because Robb doesn't just talk about living boldly.

He creates opportunities for people to do it.

Different stories. Different industries. Different goals.

But I notice the same thing in every one of these people:

• Jenni could have kept her IVF story private.

• Lori could have stayed safely in the lane she'd already mastered.

• Matt could have just coached athletes instead of building a movement.

• Shannon could have stayed hidden behind competence.

• Caryn could have kept her grief to herself.

• Robb could have built a typical business instead of creating extraordinary transformative experiences.

At some point, they stopped waiting to feel ready.

And started building.

A book. A business. A movement. A community. 

One step, one page, one conversation at a time.

And that's a reminder for all of us. How real growth and impact begin, and where it can lead.

As I cheer these clients who have become dear friends on, I'm realizing I'm not the only one working on their next chapter.

More on that next week.