The Microshift Project Podcast - Episode 4 - The Friend I Couldn't Save

Some stories never leave you. For me, one of those is Larry Sweeney.

Larry was a force of nature—charismatic, talented, and the kind of guy who lit up a room. We brought him into our wrestling company back in the mid-2000s, and even then, you could tell he had something special. But behind the energy and the showmanship, he was fighting battles most people never saw.

I wanted to save him because I saw so much of myself in him—his struggles, his brilliance, and the weight he carried. But the truth is, I couldn’t. In 2011, Larry lost his fight with his demons. And that loss has stayed with me.

In this episode, I share Larry’s story and why it continues to shape the way I live, lead, and speak today. It’s a reminder that perseverance isn’t just about pushing through our own storms—it’s about recognizing the people around us who are quietly drowning. Sometimes we can reach them. Sometimes we can’t. And that truth is heavy.

But even in loss, there’s meaning. Because Larry’s story challenges me—and maybe it challenges you—to keep showing up, to keep fighting, and to keep telling the truth about the struggles we face.

This episode isn’t about easy answers. It’s about the weight of what we carry, the people we wish we could save, and the responsibility we still have to persevere—for ourselves, and for those who no longer can.

#Perseverance #Authenticity #Resilience #MentalHealthAwareness #KeepGoing #Transformation #Microshifts #LeadershipJourney #Inspiration #OvercomingAdversity #RealTalk #NeverAlone