Brian Anderson

My top characteristic of a leader.

25 years ago, on New Year’s Day, I stood at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean with fear in my heart and uncertainty in my life… Two weeks earlier, I had been fired from a dot-com company. Two weeks of severance. No insurance for my two young kids. At the same time, my wife and I had invested everything we had, even a second mortgage and $20,000 on a credit card, to open what would become the first Moe’s Southwest Grill in Florida. The restaurant was opening in 12 days. And now… I had no job. No salary. And no idea how we’d pay the mortgage. As I looked at the icy water, I realized something. Fear was everywhere. But fear didn’t have to win. So I jumped in. Not because I wasn’t afraid… but because I decided this would be the year of NO FEAR. I chose to trust. I chose to be bold in action and faith. I chose to act like my future depended on me…and pray like it depended on God. That jump became a declaration. No longer would fear cut off the flow of positive energy. No longer would it paralyze me. Instead of fear, I would choose trust. Now, 25 years later, I’m jumping in again on New Year’s Day. It’s my ritual. A reminder to follow my passion. To live fully. To surrender. To stay one step ahead of the fear that hovers around. And today, I want to invite you to jump in with me. Not into the ocean but into your mind. This leap doesn’t require water. It requires faith. No one will push you into the life you want. God will nudge you but you must take the leap. Not a leap of fear. A leap of faith. You will always feel fear. Everyone does. But when your trust grows bigger, your fear becomes  smaller. And when you trust, you become a conduit for miracles. I’ve seen it firsthand. Opportunities appeared. Checks arrived. Doors opened. My family was carried. And one leap led to another… which led me to writing, speaking, and doing the work I love today. If 2025 wasn’t your year, that’s okay. The New Year is a fresh start. A new opportunity. A new choice. Jump in. Trust bigger than your fear. And take the next step toward who you’re meant to become. I’m wishing you an amazing 2026. I’m sending positive energy your way.