Business Coach Wisdom: Why Showing Up for Family is a Power Move

Some weeks crawl. Others fly.

This one flew.

It wasn’t because I was slammed with work (although there was plenty). It flew because I was fully in it. Present. Moving. Showing up. One city to the next. One role to the next. And it reminded me how much more meaningful life feels when you engage with it, instead of just watching it happen.

The week kicked off with a trip to Charlotte. I flew up Tuesday morning and spent three days at our Charlotte office—Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. There’s something about walking into the office and seeing people in person that just hits differently. You get to tackle lingering issues, have off-the-cuff conversations that would never happen over Zoom, and remind yourself that this isn’t just a job—it’s a team.

Zoom is great. Efficiency is great. But connection? That still happens best in person.

Whenever I travel, I try to keep my routine locked in. I usually stop by the grocery store and grab my go-to: chicken and rice. Lunch is simple. No surprises. And at night, I usually do Chipotle—basically chicken and rice again, just made by someone else.

Is it the most exciting meal plan in the world? No. But it works, it travels, and it fuels me.

This time, I stayed in a hotel instead of my usual Airbnb. Two reasons:

1. It was closer to the office.

2. The Airbnb gym? Not cutting it. Not enough weights. Not enough space.

The hotel meant I could hit Planet Fitness nearby—which reminded me exactly why I prefer training solo.

Now don’t get me wrong, Planet Fitness has solid equipment. But I went in after work like everyone else in the city apparently decided to do. I had to wait for a squat rack. Then wait again for a flat bench. My workout became musical chairs with dumbbells.

Nothing makes you appreciate a quiet gym like having to hunt down a bench just to warm up.

Still, I got the work in. It wasn’t perfect, but it happened. And that’s what matters. Some days are for PRs. Some are just for showing up.

After wrapping things up Thursday afternoon, I flew back to Georgia just to turn around again Friday morning. This time with Holly, heading to High Point University for Parent Weekend.

Both our boys—Sam and Noah—are at HPU. If you haven’t been, the campus is unreal. Parent Weekend is a big event, with concerts, tours, and family-focused activities. We stayed at the Cúrate Hotel, which is right on campus. Super convenient. Walkable to everything.

Friday night was pizza, catching up with the boys, and then swinging by Sam’s fraternity for a quick visit to their parent party. I say “quick” because, let’s be honest—after 10 PM, Holly and I are on the early bird schedule. We dipped out before things got too wild. But it was great seeing the boys in their element.

Saturday was packed too. We spent most of the day hanging out with the boys at their house. Sam wanted to check out a new local comic shop that had just opened, so of course we made time for that. (Always cool to see your kids dive into their own hobbies.)

Their house has been a little noisy lately—typical college rental stuff—so we brainstormed ways to help. Sound-deadening curtains, a white noise machine… just little things to make life smoother for them.

That night, Noah’s fraternity hosted a parent party too, and we swung by for that one before heading to the main event—a concert at High Point featuring Walker Hayes.

You might not know the name, but if you’ve heard “Fancy Like Applebee’s,” that’s him.

It was actually a great time. Chill atmosphere. Good crowd. And we even had the chance to meet Dr. Nido Qubein, the president of High Point, and his wife. He’s a sharp guy, well-spoken, and has done incredible things for the university.

Sunday morning we flew home early—but the day wasn’t over.

We were on duty for Fun Aunt and Uncle Day.

Holly took our niece to a local event called the LeBoo Fair. Think Halloween meets Build-a-Bear. Tattoos, outfits, and accessories for their little stuffed “Boo Boo Boos.” They had a blast.

Meanwhile, I took Jonathan, our nephew, to play Airsoft in North Atlanta.

Let me be real: I had never played airsoft before.

We both rented equipment, which was fine—until you see what the serious kids are running with. We’re talking full camo, custom gear, air tanks, scopes, the works. These kids live for this. They knew the map. They knew the angles. And they lit us up.

At one point I think I spent the entire round being used for target practice.

We walked away with welts, a few bruises, and a ton of laughs. But you know what? I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

One of my business coaches had told me—If you’ve got nieces and nephews, be intentional. Don’t just show up at Christmas. Don’t just send a birthday card. Make time. Do fun stuff. Be present. And he’s right.

So that’s what this was about. Not airsoft. Not stuffed animals. But connection.

After dropping the kids back off, we capped the night at my parents’ house. Sunday dinner—chili and peanut butter & jelly sandwiches.

That’s our tradition. No fancy restaurant. No big meal prep. Just comfort food, family time, and stories from the week.

I showed up at a lot of places this week: offices, college parties, gyms, concert halls, and an airsoft battlefield.

But more importantly—I showed up for my people.

And that’s what made it a week worth remembering.

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