We’re rapidly approaching a significant milestone: 20 years of Active Kids Association of Sport (AKASPORT, aka AKA). Naturally, this occasion calls for profound reflection on the journey that has brought me here. And with all of this in mind, I’m eager to share five pillars of personal success over the coming five Wednesdays. Take them for what they’re worth, these principles have not only been instrumental in my personal and professional life in persevering, and thriving over the last two-three decades, but they are also universally applicable to anyone's path to success.

Part 1: Even Moderation in Moderation. Taking time for yourself, while working on a passion project.
Part 2: Timing is Everything. Preparation, Activation and Hibernation
Part 3: The Speed of Play, and Life. A case for better health and a more upbeat tomorrow
Part 4: Popeye had it right this entire time. Strength through the power of nutrition and exercise
Part 5: Gratitude in every direction

Part 1: Even Moderation in Moderation. Taking time for yourself, while working on a passion project.

Even Moderation, in Moderation. This used to be my Twitter handle. A case for moderation and change in life is good, but even moderation needs to take a break in life for routines to strengthen and thrive. Spin it however you want -- change, moderation, take care of #1 -- but alas, enter the Work-Life Balance.

May 1 is annually the earlier alarm clock day. If you ask me, here in the Upper Midwest, May 1 is the beginning of true spring and summer. There is no better time and place to be to step out of the cold and gray, and into the excitement of fresh spring in Minnesota! Over the last 8 months, the team and I have dedicated our work lives to attack this AKA 20 year anniversary -- specifically the Camps, the new Programs, the AKA Impact, and the AKA rebrand. And along the way, I have somehow entertained time and gotten away and truly took care of #1.

Rebrand - to think how long this logo stood the test of time. (Erik Werket, thank you so much!)

AKA 20 year campaign - along with the rebrand, the logo (Autum Enright), and all the super smart staff and people in and around this office, this journey is only getting stronger. Cheers to everyone - young and old - who has been and is a part of it.

Dogwood and the National Sports Center- we have many multiple locations and facilities to run programs. But our new Dogwood office, 10 minutes from our National Sports Center HQ, work spaces to make us all thrive and go further, stronger!

Red Rocks, Monument Valley, Madison Square Garden... and the Sphere - The fun zones. My destination spaces for R & R. Take your pick - entertainment, solitude, celebrations, sports, and music - this last 12 months has been my kind of jam. (Now its time to really get to work)

Health and Fitness - At 44, its safe to say I am in the best shape of my life. Something I won't shy away from saying, and in large thanks to a healthy diet and vitamin/minerals in take, a heavy dose of weights, running AND WALKING, and again a sweet spot in the work-life balance journey.

Its one thing to have fun, but its a whole other something to work hard, while having fun. Getting to that true place of work-life balance, to this day, has been the destination to me. Getting AKA to a place where I am surrounded by smart, passionate people. That's the place. And then with those people, you have the backbone to a successful organization, one in which you're all thriving together, but able to separately have personal time to have fun and get away to do fun things. This past year has been a perfect example of that, and I have been able to do some amazing things and meet some amazing people, while working on some impactful programs and projects.

Finding that passionate project or career, while having fun, together its the only way. Not one or the other. And as Joe Rogan touched on it best, I invite anyone who says, "Well, it's easy for you to say Chris. You don't have kids of your own, or you don't have debts and dependents to take care of, so of course you get to talk like this and do all that stuff." Well you have no idea then what it takes to set your sights and go far. You can all make time for yourselves and do this. It just takes time (so don't waste it), dedication (just find that thing that you really want to do, mine is sports), and a hard work rate (work really hard). You can all do it! -CS