Traumatic life experiences or failed business ventures can set you back on your heels. Or, they can launch you to even greater success. I’ve experienced both and I’ve learned it’s possible to overcome challenges and come back even stronger.
The Defining Moment
At the age of 16, I lost my left hand in a meat grinder. I was the best breaststroke swimmer on the team. When my coach came to see me in the hospital, I said, “I guess I won’t be swimming anymore.” Clyde, my coach, said, “Yes, you will. I’ll see you in the pool.”
That changed my life forever. In that moment, I became committed to overcoming hurdles, obstacles and challenges. I got back in the pool and proved to myself that I could still compete in the pool and life.
From that day on, everything I did was from the perspective of figuring out, ‘how can I do that? From water skiing with a prosthetic arm, to scuba diving, to swimming again, to riding a bike, to driving a stick shift, opening the door for my girlfriend or even cutting my meat at dinner. There were no teachers for the challenges I faced. I learned to overcome, be resourceful, and rely on myself. This mindset serves me very well in business, and the various challenges presented along life’s journey.
Everything Was From the Perspective of,
‘How Can I Do That?’
I understand as well or better than anyone that the road to success in life and business is rarely a straight one. I know it’s a journey that can take twists and turns and even double back.
That’s why I’ve made it my mission to help others discover their story so they too can inspire others. I’m the author of the award-winning book, One Inspires Many, Be The One: How to Share the Power, Healing, and Freedom of Your Story. It is available here.
My passionate hobby is training for triathlon races. I have to confess, though, that I finished dead last in the first triathlon I competed in at age 62. Or as I like to say, “dead, dead, DEAD last!” In fact, everyone had left and a police escort was required for me to finish. Two years later, I competed in five triathlons and a half Iron Man in Canada.
I train six days a week and am a member of the Dare2Tri Elite Paratriathlon team. During down time, I enjoy BBQ ribs, chips and salsa and Bud Light in a glass. I teach handicapped kids to ski and volunteer at the soup kitchen.
Excerpt From Peter’s Book:
One Inspires Many
My feet are really sore and I need to get better to keep running and training. So my coach recommended trigger therapy for my feet but warned me the pain is intense. She even recommended taking ibuprofen before I go to help ease the intensity. Then she says, when the therapy is done, the pain stops. So, I went. Danielle the therapist started with my legs which were pretty tight. I have never had deep tissue massage or trigger point therapy and I am here to tell you it hurts. They claim it’s a good hurt cuz it will feel better later but it hurts. As she started with my feet explaining what the fasciitis is and how it works, I start to grimace with pain.
She said starting with my legs was just to throw me off. She says if I had started with your feet, you would have walked out. She was right. And it hurt like a son of a B.
I was sweating. It was not good pain. And it lasted for a long time. I asked her how bad my feet were on scale of 1 to 10. Fully expecting her to say a 7 or 8. She says a 4. I told you I’m a baby when it comes to pain.
One Inspires Many, Be The One: How to Share the Power, Healing, and Freedom of Your Story. Available here
One Inspires Many, Be The One:
How to Share the Power, Healing, and Freedom of Your Story
Meet Peter
As a hard-working serial entrepreneur with five successful businesses under his belt, Peter Schmitz now guides baby boomers with a business mindset on how to build their own meaningful and honest internet presence so they can live a good life in retirement years and afford a lifestyle they truly seek to have.
contact us
Peter Schmitz
peter@schmitzinc.com