On Thursday, June 5th, at 9:41pm, I was in a life-threatening car crash. I almost died.
While driving in my Jeep home to my family, I was t-boned on the driver’s side, at full-speed by a black BMW and pinned to a concrete wall. All airbags deployed. Cabin began filling with smoke. With pain in my arm, neck, back, and leg, I had to unlatch the roof and climb out the top of my car to escape.
After getting out of the hospital, I spoke with a good friend and mentor Pratik. He knows that I’m a “tough guy” and would prefer to move forward without really giving too much time to what I’d just experienced, but he reminded me just how traumatic something like that really is.
The accident happened days before my son’s 3rd birthday. Days before Father’s Day. I lost my father before I could drive. The most important thing to me is ensuring that I can be in my son and future children’s lives, to guide them throughout their lives, well into old age, to see my grandchildren, and God-willing, my great-grandchildren as well.
The thought of my own mortality is what fuels a lot of my work.
Before the accident, Pratik said something to me:
“You build Ferraris, and you’re wasting time trying to sell Kias”
He was essentially speaking about the brands and businesses I’ve built, as well as the ones I’ve built for others, and my pricing being out of alignment with my actual market value. As a smart and successful person, whom I respect and admire, I took his words to heart.
I almost died. It was time to do an overview of my life. I jumped on Google and typed in my name, and a couple things I’d built or been a part of. On my Google search I found articles from Forbes, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Business Insider, USA Today, etc. A link from my TEDx Speech, and a few other things.
It was a solid reminder that I’ve actually done a lot of noteworthy things professionally. Not only that, it was a reminder that I am who I say I am. Most importantly, it was a reminder that I am who I believe I am.
Part of it was suffering from Imposter Syndrome. Even though I’d made hundreds of thousands from my skills and personal brand, been in publications around the world, and have a personal network full of successful entrepreneurs, high net worth individuals, politicians, athletes, and professionals, etc. I almost didn’t feel like I earned any of it.
The other part of it was feeling like I would be alienating family, friends, and core members of my tribe for years that might not be able to afford the actual worth of what I do.
But after the crash, and thinking about life, how fragile it is, my responsibility to my family, and the promises I made to myself, I’ve decided to stop playing small-time. It’s time I step into the big leagues where I’ve belonged this whole time.
I almost died. But that crash shook the imposter syndrome out of me.
“To whom much is given, much is expected”
I realized not just how many people I’ve helped achieve success in their businesses, launch their brands, increase their revenue; but just how much I enjoy helping people. When I help people realize their dreams, I’m realizing my own dreams.
I’m grateful for life, and I appreciate having all of you on this journey with me.
I’m looking for a few good people to work with. If you’d like to Work With Me, let’s make it happen.
I was given a second chance at life, I’m not going to waste it. * Mic Drop *
Your Friend,
Stefan “The Survivor” Grant
