An Extra Special Father's Day 🥳

Hi friends,

Thursday marked a significant milestone in my life – two years of sobriety.

Coincidentally, it also happened to be my Flybridge anniversary and my parents' wedding anniversary. As if the universe was aligning to celebrate this special day, my baby daughter even slept past 8 am two nights in a row! As I reflect on the past two years, I can't help but feel a sense of gratitude for how much my life has changed since I made the decision to quit drinking.

It's still a shock to me sometimes, but removing alcohol from my life has truly transformed everything for the better. I remember the day my brother spoke those words to me in the back of an Uber as I nursed a terrible hangover after a senseless argument with my wife the night before. "Hey Jesse, I'm not saying you have a problem. Only you know that. But there's a saying in my program – if nothing changes, nothing ever changes. So maybe try making a change today." Those words stuck with me, and I knew it was time to take action.

Fast forward to today, and I can honestly say that I am a better husband, father, colleague, and friend because of my sobriety. My relationship with my wife has never been stronger. We cherish our time together more than ever before. As a father, I am more present and engaged with my kids. I'm no longer numbing myself with alcohol, which means I'm there for all the little moments that make being a dad so special.

I now have more energy and focus, and I approach my work with a clearer, sharper mind. But perhaps the most profound change has been within myself. I am happier, more self-aware, and more in tune with myself. I surround myself with people who lift me up and bring me joy.

In my line of work, socializing often revolves around alcohol. It can be challenging to navigate endless networking and happy hours without turning to a drink. In two years, I've realized that healthier ways exist to cope with the demands of our fast-paced lives. By finding alternative ways to manage stress, we can break free from the cycle of self-medication and discover a more fulfilling way of life.

To be clear, I didn’t drop every vice. I still enjoy the occasional cigar, and I do not meditate every day. But this change in me has certainly caused me to pay closer attention to the things that matter around me. The things that bring me joy I do more of the things that I’m ambivalent to, I do less of.

One little side benefit I’ve noticed in the last two years is that I’m overall more aware of what I put into my body. I’ve taken to eating healthier things more often. I’ve also started having these conversations with my son. He now understands that certain things that you eat and drink can be bad for you. That brings me a bit of joy as well since I didn’t know any of this at eight years old. He can pass it down to his sister, too!

I wanted to take this moment not just to reflect but to remind everyone that if you're struggling with alcohol or any other dependencies, I encourage you to seek help. Therapy has been an essential part of my journey, providing me with the tools to navigate life's challenges with a clear mind and a strong sense of self. Remember, there's no shame in asking for help – it's a sign of strength, not weakness.

Thank you to everyone who has helped me get to this point. To my family, friends, and colleagues, thank you. To those who have shared their own stories with me, thank you for inspiring me to keep going. And to anyone out there who may be facing their own challenges, you are not alone. Change is possible. A better life is waiting for you on the other side.

Jesse

👋 Hi, I’m Jesse, a seed-stage VC at Flybridge. If you’re building or investing in an AI-driven future, reply to this email with a short message. If you’re local to NYC, I’d love to catch up over coffee.