A Relentless Spirit

I hope this message finds you well and in a moment where you can pause with me and consider this message with a patient yet relentless spirit of your own.

Two years ago, I started experiencing changes with my voice. I had persistent hoarseness, and I often would lose my voice for extended periods of time. I thought it was because I screamed too much at my daughter’s track meets, and in a way, I was a little proud of the consequence. This past spring, after a visit to the doctor, my life’s path changed forever. I began a journey filled with biopsies and exploratory surgeries. My medical care team grew by the week, and I was in some sort of medical appointment seemingly every day. It was hard to understand how an issue with my throat led to various incisions and invasions all over my body. I have been diagnosed with Amyloidosis. I have a significant tumor in my larynx, which has reduced my airway by half and rendered speaking progressively challenging. The disease is rare, and subsequent tests are revealing mine to possibly be systemic. That means it has the potential to involve other organ systems. At this point, doctors feel that I have very limited and possibly no other organ involvement. There is currently no cure; however, newer therapies show effectiveness in limiting progression.

This week, I will begin the first of multiple surgeries to remove the tumor in my larynx. I will be on voice restriction after each surgery, and the degree my voice will recover is unknown as this involves both of my vocal cords. I’m working with the oncologist to determine the appropriate timing of radiation as well.

This is a lot of medical information to share. However, ours is a relationship that is built on communication and trust, and I feel like it’s important that I share this with you and answer as many of your questions upfront as possible; I truly believe our relationship deserves that. As you learn more about the disease, you may see information that suggests a prognosis that sounds very serious and dramatic. I think context is important. Most people diagnosed with this disease are already experiencing significant organ failure, which contributes to drastic short-term outcomes. Thankfully, that is not my situation. This is, however, serious and will require immediate action and constant invasive surveillance for the rest of my life.

It is important for me that you know that my head is held high. I wake up every morning with energy and intention. I am sad about having to change my life because of this. I’m sad that my family is scared. I’m sad to be a catalyst of concern in your life and our business. But if you take anything away from this message, understand that I have a truly relentless spirit.

This summer I was blessed with the opportunity to step through the looking glass and see a version of my life played out before me that I didn’t expect. Many of you have experienced this yourself and also with loved ones. I’ve seen your strength and courage in those moments, and it emboldens me. In my moments of reflection, I realized that I am guaranteed nothing. Passions I hoped to pursue, messages I planned to share, and lives I want to change can’t be delayed to a future that isn’t promised to come. It was sobering to consider that I might not have the chance to explore every dream.

This is a tearful message for me, and it is without question the hardest thing I have ever shared with you. Effective immediately, I will be leaving Higgins and Schmidt Wealth Strategies, the firm I so proudly co-founded with one of the most special people in my life, Allison Schmidt.

I just completed my 24th year of working with people like you as your financial advisor. Every moment has been an incredible experience of development and a shared journey through life’s achievements, upheavals, loss of loved ones, and births of babies who I’ve been able to seegrow up to be young adults. We have accomplished so much together, we have a lot more wins than losses, and we have everything to show for it. I am so proud of you, your accomplishments, and your legacy. It is an absolute honor to be part of your story. I’m thankful for the purpose you have given me every day, and I’m blessed to count you as a friend.

It is in my nature to handle life challenges quietly. As vulnerable as this feels, it’s important for me to ask for your help through this transition. I am asking for your prayers, patience, and support. Knowing that you are behind me will give me the strength and encouragement I need, and it will empower our team to operate and organize with the elite ability that we have developed.

Allie and I have created systems and operations that are resilient, repeatable, and reliable. We have built a team that has incredible purpose and specialized skills that truly move you towards your goals. You have experienced the success and power of those systems. We call it operational excellence, but most importantly, we have kept your goals, your trust, and your legacy at the front of every process, every hire, and every development. You have always been who matters most, and that will never change.

The best and most true example of intentionality are the professionals who have invested their expertise, development, and purpose at our firm. Molly Cooper has established herself as a formidable financial advisor through years of learning every aspect of this business and has become a true advocate and experience professional for our clients. Our Client Services Associate Alexis Miley combines a powerful, selfless spirit for serving you with an ability to execute and proficiently navigate complex environments. Laura Schmidt combines the precision of accountancy with an open mind to explore the unique situations and complexities that accompany significant assets and high net worth; she is a game changer. As the Compliance and Strategy Manager, Courtney Meyer combines a rock-solid professionalism with a willingness and humility to grasp new concepts and build systems from the bottom up; she integrates accounting expertise into operational and compliance processes, creating an efficient, protective, yet uniquely human experience.

This is a transition, but certainly not a goodbye; in fact, I’m joining you as a client of Allie’s firm. There is no person and team I would consider trusting more than Allison Schmidt and this powerful group of professionals. You and I are working with elite people and truly the best people. Allie and I started this firm 16 years ago as friends, and we are now going through this transition as family. This is a rare success in business and is a testament to the shared intention and purpose for serving you and respect for each other that we bring to work every day.

You may be wondering what I’m going to do every day. I hope my answer makes you smile because it makes me smile. Over the past years, I have been nurturing a curiosity for financial gerontology and the science of human longevity. That curiosity has formalized into graduate study where I quietly completed a master’s degree in gerontology and in short time will earn my doctorate. I have been researching the relationship and synergy of physical health, emotional well-being, and financial strength. I’m building a framework that identifies areas of personal agency to increase the probabilities of positive outcomes and maximize the very human objectives of purpose, fulfillment, resilience, and personal legacy. I’ve been intentional about considering my own purpose, and in the spirit of this period of self-reflection, I’ve named this endeavor, The Aspire Project. The ideas I’m considering are complex, but my personal objective is clear: Change One Life. My hope for this message today is that it’s yours. You have changed my life, and I hope the minutes you’ve spent reading this message in the context of the experiences we’ve shared together tilt your perspective slightly to adjust the arc of your own life to something that is above the clouds. Because today, it feels cloudy, maybe a little dark. But, don’t mistake these clouds for the sky. It’s bright up there, I promise.

I’m hoping to talk with as many of you as possible, but in short time, I will be having my first surgery and will be on strict voice rest. When possible, I look forward to catching up with you. I wouldn’t be transparent if I told you this wasn’t scary and hard; it is. But don’t imagine me sad or down because that would be at odds with the way you are going to see me fight, create, and build.

You mean so much to me and my family. You’ve seen my daughters grow up, and they know your name, who you are, and how important you are to us.

On behalf of my wife, Pauline, daughters Grace, Maelynn, and Ellabelle, I want to thank you for simply everything.

With so much gratitude, love, and a relentless spirit,