You Can Just Do Things
On Shooting Your Shot, Meeting Sahil, and Publishing Online
Last Sunday, my buddy
told me that would be in Boulder on Friday.Sahil was in town for a speaking gig, so I shot him a DM, asking if he had any interest in linking up for a run. I even suggested a few of my favorite routes, hoping to provide value, even if we didn’t get the chance to connect.
Although he was in Colorado for less than 24 hours for business, he quickly messaged me back and mentioned he’d be downtown if I wanted to swing by before he flew back to the east coast that evening. This is the positive side of social media that few talk about.
Surprised, I jumped on the opportunity and met him on Pearl Street. As our encounter was rather spontaneous, I didn’t have a list of prepared topics; however, after appearing too rehearsed in job interviews, I’ve learned it’s often best to allow such conversations to unfold naturally. Instead of thinking, “What can I get out of this?” and peppering someone you’re excited to meet with a barrage of questions, focus on making a genuine connection.
I knew a bit about Sahil from following him online for the past few years. His story resonated with me—a former baseball player who climbed the ranks in the world of finance, achieved some level of societal success, and was left unfulfilled. While I didn’t graduate from Stanford and work in private equity, I could relate.
A former baseball player myself, I landed a well-paying role at the largest bank in the country right out of school. My parents were pleased and are of the generation that if you get a job at JPMorgan, you stay there for the entirety of your career. Job security. 401(k). Health insurance. But what provides structure for some feels like a cage for others. Champagne problem? I don’t know; however, some of the times others seemed most proud of me is when I was least happy.
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” — Mary Oliver
But when we sat down, Sahil asked me questions, notebook in hand, ready to learn from everything and everyone, hence the name of his newsletter, The Curiosity Chronicle. I was flattered.
Here he was, a guy who’s “made it”—a driven entrepreneur, a New York Times bestselling author, who has appeared on my favorite podcast, Modern Wisdom, and is connected to some of the most influential businessmen and billionaires on the planet, including Apple CEO Tim Cook and hedge fund manager Bill Ackman—taking a sincere interest in me. He showed up without an agenda, but with a willingness to establish an authentic relationship with a stranger from the internet.
His resume is objectively impressive, yet what I sensed he’s most proud of is being a caring son, a devoted husband, and loving father. As he’s pointed out in his viral tweets, LinkedIn posts, and Instagram reels, the strength of our relationships makes (or breaks) our health. Eager to get back home to his family, it’s obvious he practices what he preaches.
Spending 30 minutes with Sahil before his Uber Eats lunch arrived at his hotel was refreshing. At 34, he’s only five years older than I am. In some ways, it was intimidating and made me feel inadequate for not achieving more; however, instead of being jealous of his success, I’m using it as fuel to inspire and motivate me.
He regularly says, “You’re one year of focus away from people saying you got lucky.” While humans are not wired to understand the power of compounding, endurance sport has made the importance of consistency abundantly clear to me. While I only started this Substack at the end of 2024, I trust that if I stay the course and publish persistently, my words will reach the people they’re meant to.
Writing has been a hobby of mine since my first semester of college. A Penn State graduation requirement, English 15 focuses on rhetoric and composition. While Professor Zaffino passionately spoke about his love for Ironman and piqued my interest in triathlon, Professor Tibbetts helped me become a better reader and writer.
After I made the cross-campus trek for weekly office hours, Prof Tibbetts would patiently review my papers and offer suggestions with his unmistakable red pen. Not only did he point out potential edits, but he explained the why behind them. He wanted me to earn a good grade, but more importantly, he imparted wisdom I could apply outside the classroom. He even encouraged me to consider majoring in English.
His belief in me boosted my confidence—huge for my pimply-faced 18-year-old self filled with doubt and insecurity. While I went down a different educational and professional path, I’m still writing, and that’s something I know he’d be proud of. Communication and storytelling are important skills, regardless of what industry or career you decide to pursue.
While I’d love to grow my audience, right now, I’m just enjoying the process—sitting down with my cup of coffee, airing out my most pressing thoughts of the past seven days, and shipping something every Tuesday. If I show up each week and do the work, the results will come.
There are times when I feel like an imposter. “Who am I to talk about this topic? Why does it matter? Who cares?” As I write this, I have 263 subscribers. That may not seem like much in today’s digital age when teenagers on TikTok amass millions, but if I was speaking to a room of 263 people, I’d be stoked and undoubtedly nervous.
Having a smaller audience is beautiful in some ways. It allows you to work out the kinks, find your voice, and change your mind before you have more eyes, opinions, and criticism on you and your work.
In last week’s Crushing Tuesdays, I wrote that success doesn’t necessarily belong to the smartest people, but to those with courage who are willing to take risks and imperfect action. “What do you have to lose?” is a powerful reframe.
I’ve had the opportunity to meet people who have been influential on my self-development journey, including Rich Roll, Gary Vee, Jesse Itzler, Courtney Dauwalter, Colin O’Brady, Kristian Blummenfelt, David Goggins, Julian Smith, to name a few.
While those interactions have been meaningful, one of my friends that worked for someone she admired reminded me that “they’re just people.” They’re other human beings with feelings, flaws, and faults, just like the rest of us.
If they did it, whatever it is, so can you. Challenge convention. Design your dream life. Forge your path. Tell your story, otherwise it may be written for you.
Don’t spend your days climbing a ladder only to get to the top and realize it’s leaning against the wrong wall. Don’t let other people dictate your course. You’re the one who has to live with the consequences.
To be exceptional, you have to be the exception. And in the wise words of Sahil, “Remember: you can just do things.” You don’t need permission.
Before we parted, Sahil told me that when we’re in alignment, abundance flows.
We dapped up, as if he had just thrown a complete game with me behind the plate, and headed our separate ways.
“As you start to walk on the way, the way appears.” — Rumi
This is great to see. I often make excuses when presented with an opportunity like you had with Sahil. I regret almost all of the times I passed them up. Need to take the chance when it presents itself!
Yes, like Robin I too must explore Sahil!! U amaze me - just hit up a stranger ur interested in and want to meet , he says “ yes”, and u go chat w him . Good stuff Holzy!! “ If u don’t ask, u don’t get”!