Resilience & Optimism
Looking back on 2024, looking ahead to 2025
Happy New Year!
2024 was a year I’ll never forget—a year that pushed me to my limits and shaped me in ways I never anticipated. You may have noticed my absence from this newsletter and social media. Life had other plans for me this year, and I was fully caught up in the whirlwind.
Let me hop up on my soapbox for a minute.
It began with a game I’ve loved since childhood: basketball. In January, I suffered a devastating leg injury on the court, requiring a fentanyl-assisted ambulance ride, my leg being put back into place, and a slew of medical tests. The diagnosis? A torn ACL, MCL, and PCL. As someone deeply connected to sports, I understood the long road ahead—months of grueling recovery and the uncertainty of returning to my former physical self.
Would I be able to run with my kids again? Play sports with my friends? And more personally, could I reclaim the version of myself that found solace, community, and joy through basketball?
That may seem silly at the age of 32, but basketball has always been more than a game to me. It’s been a source of confidence, camaraderie, and connection since I was young. It shaped my high school and college years, helped me build friendships, and provided me with an outlet to manage the stresses of adulthood. Sitting in that hospital bed, grappling with my future, the tears came easily. But those tears soon transformed into determination. I was ready to fight for recovery.
My first surgery didn’t go as planned. An allergic reaction to the surgical material several months after surgery led to another operation, setting my recovery back. Just as I began to make progress, another allergic reaction required a third surgery. Each setback was a mental and emotional blow. At times, I was as low as I’ve ever been. But I tried my best to stay optimistic, especially as my wife and I prepared for the arrival of our daughter.
Then, days before her scheduled birth, my knee flared up again. Determined to be on my feet for the birth of my daughter, I tried my best to cover it up and push off surgery. But hours before my daughter entered the world, my surgical scars burst open in the hospital, forcing me to manage my injury amidst one of the most profound moments of my life.
Our daughter’s birth was overwhelmingly beautiful but it was quickly overshadowed by health complications that landed her in the hospital for nearly two weeks. Those days were the most challenging, as my wife, son, and I faced uncertainty and exhaustion from sleepless nights in the NICU. Meanwhile, my leaking knee remained at constant risk of infection, demanding attention I couldn’t give it.
Eventually, we were blessed to be able to bring our daughter home healthy and strong, and I underwent a final surgery to address my knee. But just as I began to see a light at the end of the tunnel, Mother Nature decided we needed a few more obstacles. A series of hurricanes hit our city, totaling my car, forcing us to flee our home, and leaving our community devastated.
Given how many times I’ve heard some version of, “Wow, you’ve really been through it this year,” I think most people would agree: 2024 was intense.
But here’s the surprising truth: 2024 was also one of the best years of my life. And I don’t mean that in a “look on the bright side” kind of way. As I sit here reflecting on everything, I can genuinely say I’m about as happy as I’ve ever been.
Amid the chaos, there was so much good. I made a career pivot that allowed me to stay true to my passion for keto and content creation. I became the proud father of two beautiful, healthy children. I experienced the loyalty of my wife and to what ends she will go to face the challenges that come with having me as a husband. I took the opportunity to confront and work on areas of weakness in my life that I had been hiding behind physical strengths. I started a new company, and then joined forces with a larger team on a mission that has completely reignited my enthusiasm for work.
The work I’ve been fortunate enough to become a part of this year is some of the most meaningful of my life and one of the reasons I am sparking up this newsletter again. At the moment I can’t share details but I can tell you that we’re on a mission to save the world and I’ve never been more confident in a team’s ability to do so.
Thus, looking forward to 2025, my resolutions look a little different than they have in the past. I’m not seeking peace or comfort, nor am I striving for a stress-free existence. This year, I’m focused on impact. The world is at a critical turning point and I’m eagerly ready to embrace the challenges and obstacles that come with being a part of something much bigger than myself.
For me, 2024 was a masterclass in resilience and optimism—a combination that I believe is lethal. Going into this year, I know that no matter what happens, I can get through it. Not only can I get through it, I want to go through it. I’m looking forward to all of the obstacles that come with trying to achieve what our team aims to achieve.
I won’t challenge all of you to do the same. We’re all on different paths, and for some, seeking peace and comfort may be exactly what you need this year. But if you’re feeling a spark—if you’re hungry for something more—then I challenge you to pursue growth with me.
Maybe 2025 is the year you dig deep and do the hard work to improve your health, strengthen your relationships, or change the trajectory of your career. Maybe it’s the year you finally do whatever it takes. Just maybe, this is the year that you realize that there are no shortcuts, the best achievements require hard work, and the person you become along the way is worth it alone.
If any of this resonates with you, here are some of my past articles I’m re-reading to kick off the year:
Let’s kick off 2025 with purpose—not in a fleeting, “new year, new me” kind of way, but with the kind of relentless determination that builds resilience, sparks growth, and leaves an impact.
Thanks for reading,
Chris Irvin
P.S. I know some of my hoop community follows me here. At one point, I told a lot of you that my days of playing ball competitively were over. I no longer think that’s true. See you soon ❤️