Fridays make me pause. Not to check out, but to check in. Gratitude isn’t a soft skill. It’s a survival skill. And today, my gratitude has a name: Lucas Neufeld.
As a coach to CEOs and a co-host of the Anything But Typical podcast, I see patterns. Wins rarely come from perfect plans alone. They come from people who keep going when the plan breaks. That’s the truth I’ve watched Lucas embody in real time.
What Lucas Taught Me About Strength
Lucas started as the athletic nephew who got into CrossFit and triathlons while building a career as a nurse practitioner. Our shared interests made us closer. But his hardest season changed how I see strength.
“Unsuspected health challenges blindsided this gifted athlete.”
When pain hit, he didn’t hide. He faced fear, deepened his faith, and did the daily, unglamorous work of healing. That’s grit. That’s growth. That’s leadership.
“As grueling as CrossFit workouts and triathlons can be, they pale in comparison to the trials he’s endured and overcome.”
Strength isn’t the absence of struggle; it’s the decision to stand when struggle shows up. Lucas chose to stand, and in doing so, he changed me. He reminded me that physical training builds the body, but hardship trains the heart.
“I saw him confront his deepest fears and deepen his faith walk through fire.”
Watching Lucas walk through that fire reframed my own metrics for success. Titles matter less than trust. Speed matters less than staying power. And faith—lived, not just said—matters more than we admit.
Why Gratitude Isn’t Optional
Gratitude sharpens focus. It points attention to what’s working, even when much isn’t. Leaders who practice it see paths where others see walls.
Gratitude strengthens relationships. When you name what you appreciate, people don’t just feel seen. They show up stronger. That’s good for families, teams, and clients.
Gratitude fuels resilience. In turnarounds I’ve led, the teams that bounced back weren’t led by cheerleaders. They were led by realists who still chose thanks.
“Transformed Into a Warrior” Isn’t a Hallmark Line
“Seeing this man who I’ve known since he was a baby transformed into a warrior has been nothing short of awe inspiring.”
That sentence isn’t sentiment. It’s observation. Warriors aren’t loud. They’re steady. They keep their word when it hurts. Lucas did that. Many of you know someone like that—maybe you’re that person right now.
How to Practice Gratitude Without the Hype
Gratitude gains power when it becomes a habit. Here’s a simple way to start today.
- Name one person by name and why you’re thankful for them.
- Send a short note or text—specific, sincere, no fluff.
- Write one sentence about what their struggle taught you.
- Say it out loud to someone else. Share the win.
- Repeat daily for seven days. Track how you feel and lead.
The goal is clarity, not perfection. Consistency beats intensity here.
What About the Eye Rolls?
Some will say gratitude posts are sappy or performative. Fair point. Empty words don’t help anyone. But that’s not what I’m talking about.
I’m talking about specific, grounded thanks tied to real behavior and real growth. It’s the difference between “you’re great” and “your courage to face the scan results helped me face my own hard thing.” One changes nothing. The other sparks change.
A Personal Thank-You
“I’m so grateful for my nephew, Lucas Neufeld.”
Lucas, your fight, your faith, and your steady spirit challenge me. You didn’t ask for the storm. You chose who you’d be inside it. That choice lifts more people than you know.
To everyone reading: choose one person today. Call them. Thank them for a specific act of courage. Then ask how you can support their next step. Gratitude, acted on, builds families, teams, and communities that last.
Who are you grateful for? Name them. Tell them. Then go lead like it matters—because it does.
