BENNY'S BLOG

You're Not the Same Person I Married… Entrepreneurs are wired to chase success, often at the expense of their energy, their relationships, and, ultimately, their happiness. The relentless pursuit of business growth and achievement can slowly chip away at the very essence of who they are. Until, one day, they hear words that cut deeper than any financial setback or business failure: "You’re not the same person I married." That’s exactly what happened to John Mashni , a driven entrepreneur, lawyer, writer, professor, and movie producer. He was someone who had seemingly "made it" by traditional standards. Yet, despite all his achievements, the person his wife had fallen in love with was fading. And that realization changed everything. John's story isn't just about business—it's about rediscovering joy, creativity, and the freedom to be himself again. And if you're an entrepreneur feeling disconnected from the passion that once fueled you, this story might just be the wake-up call you need. Listen to the full podcast episode The Moment That Changed Everything John Mashni had spent years building his career, wearing multiple hats in the process. He was highly respected, accomplished, and—on paper—living the dream. But success came at a cost. The long hours, high expectations, and constant pressure turned into a cycle of burnout and disconnection. One day, his wife looked at him and said it straight: "You're not the same person I married." Those words hit hard. It wasn't about his career or financial success—it was about the fundamental change in his spirit, his energy, and his joy. He was no longer the fun, creative, passionate man she had fallen in love with. John had spent so much time doing that he had lost sight of being. He knew something had to change. The Path to Reinvention For John, the journey back to himself started with a simple but powerful step: creativity. Instead of just working in his business, he started working on himself. He began writing children's books with his kids—not as a business venture, but as a way to reconnect with the joy of storytelling. In just 15 minutes a day, he rekindled the creative spark that had once fueled his dreams. One of those books, CinderToot , became a fun, lighthearted project—a playful twist on Cinderella that reminded John of the kind of person he used to be. But more importantly, it helped him rediscover the energy, impact, and inner peace that had been buried under the weight of his professional ambitions. A Personal Parallel: My Own Wake-Up Call John’s story hit home for me in a way I didn’t expect. In the summer of 2021, my life took a tragic turn when my brother was murdered . It was a moment that shattered everything I thought I knew. Grief has a way of forcing you to take a hard look at your life, your choices, and who you are at your core. Up until that point, I had been successful in business, but I wasn’t fully me. I had been keeping parts of myself locked away, thinking that vulnerability wasn’t necessary in entrepreneurship. But when my brother was killed, I realized how short life is—and how important it is to be real, open, and intentional about how we live. That’s when I made a choice. I started sharing my story. I launched The Big Fish Cares podcast, where I could connect with other entrepreneurs, tell their stories, and create a space for real conversations. It wasn’t just about business—it was about life. Like John, I had to reinvent myself. And in doing so, I found more fulfillment than I ever had before. Why Entrepreneurs Need to Reinvent Themselves Burnout isn’t just about exhaustion—it’s about misalignment. It’s what happens when the version of yourself that’s chasing success is no longer in sync with the version of yourself that truly feels alive. The problem is, most entrepreneurs don’t even realize they’ve lost themselves until something forces them to take a step back. Sometimes, it’s a spouse saying, “You’re not the same person I married.” Other times, it’s a tragedy that shakes them to the core. The key is not waiting for a breaking point to force you into change. How to Start Your Own Reinvention If you’re feeling disconnected from the energy, passion, and creativity you once had, here are some steps to help you find your way back: 1. Assess Where You Are (Know Thyself) Be brutally honest with yourself. Are you excited about what you do? Do you have time for the things you love? Or are you just going through the motions? If you’re feeling stuck, it’s time to realign. 2. Prioritize Joy & Creativity (Take Time Off) Entrepreneurship can’t just be about scaling and strategy. It has to be about you . Find a way to inject fun back into your life—whether it’s writing, playing music, traveling, or simply making time to be with your family without distraction. 3. Set Boundaries (Know Your 100%) Success means nothing if you burn out along the way. Set clear limits on your work hours, unplug when needed, and be intentional about the time you spend with the people who matter most. 4. Surround Yourself with the Right People Entrepreneurship can be lonely. Find a community that challenges and supports you. Whether it’s a mastermind, a mentor, or a group of like-minded entrepreneurs, make sure you’re surrounded by people who help you stay true to yourself. I am currently in The True Self mastermind with Gino Wickman and Rob Dube and it has been great! 5. Tap Into the Right Tools & Resources If you want to maximize your energy, impact, and inner peace, you need the right framework. That’s why I love The 10 Disciplines and the book Shine —because they help me and other entrepreneurs stay aligned, avoid burnout, and operate at our best. Where Are You on Your Journey? John Mashni’s story is a powerful reminder that who we are is just as important as what we do. If you’re an entrepreneur feeling exhausted, uninspired, or disconnected from the things that once made you come alive, now is the time to make a shift. Don’t wait until your spouse tells you, “You’re not the same person I married.” Don’t wait until tragedy forces you to wake up. Start now. Take the True Self Assessment Are you living in alignment with your true self? Are you maximizing your energy, your impact, and your inner peace? Find out where you stand— take the True Self Assessment here : https://www.the10disciplines.com/assessment Because when you free your true self, you don’t just build a better business—you build a better life.

My Story of Transformation Two years into my entrepreneurial leap , I hit rock bottom. I was trying to be everything—a husband, a father, a business owner—and failing at all of it. The pressure was overwhelming, and I turned to unhealthy escapes. It all came crashing down when I overdosed on fentanyl in 2017. That moment was a wake-up call from God, a proverbial two-by-four to the head. When COVID-19 hit, the isolation and disruption forced me to reassess everything. That’s when I discovered EOS and Rocket Fuel , which introduced me to a framework for running my business and life with intention. I started attending EOS conferences, and in 2023, I attended a breakout session with Rob Dube and Gino Wickman on the 10 Disciplines. It was profound. Later that year, I was invited to be the keynote speaker at the EOS Conference. That experience was life-changing, not just for the honor of the keynote but because I connected with Rob Dube, the co-author of Shine : How Looking Inward Is the Key to Unlocking True Entrepreneurial Freedom Since then, I’ve joined the 10 Disciplines Group Coaching Program and the True Self Mastermind. These have been game-changers in helping me align my life and business with my true self. Below, I’ll walk you through the 10 Disciplines that have had the most profound impact on me. In November, I traveled to Harbor Springs, Michigan, to sit down with Rob and soak in his wisdom. That conversation turned into a podcast episode that I think you’ll find incredibly valuable. Listen Here The 10 Disciplines 1. 10-Year Thinking Shift your mind from short-term thinking to thinking in 10-year timeframes. Every decision is a 10-year decision. This perspective brings clarity, slows time, and allows you to make better decisions that lead to faster results. Action: Write the date, your age, and your goal 10 years from now. Do all of your actions and decisions align? 2. Take Time Off Take 130 days off per year, and don’t think about work the entire day. Turn it off, recharge, and sharpen the saw. Avoid burnout and show up more creative and effective when you’re on. Action: Write your number of days off. 3. Know Thyself Be your true self 100% of the time—24/7/365. Shed the layers that aren’t authentically you. Understand your skills, personality, strengths, and blocks. Let your freak flag fly. Action: Commit to one thing you will do that aligns with your true self. 4. Be Still Sit in silence for 30 minutes every day. Stop and let your soul catch up. Stillness brings clarity, creativity, and energy. Action: Do it tomorrow morning. 5. Know Your 100% Decide on and commit to the perfect number of hours per week and weeks per year that you will deliver your craft to the world. Set boundaries around your work container. Work within your capacity to maintain maximum energy and impact. Action: Write your perfect number of hours per week and number of weeks per year. 6. Say No…Often Say no to everything that doesn’t fit into the first five disciplines. Protect your time and energy. Saying no allows you to say yes to what truly matters. Action: Say no to something in the next 7 days. 7. Don’t Do $25-an-Hour Work Never do anything that you could pay someone $25 an hour to do. Delegate and elevate. Focus on high-impact work and free yourself from tasks that drain your energy. Action: Write down your current hourly rate. 8. Prepare Every Night Before your head hits the pillow, document the next day’s plan. Go to bed with clarity. A prepared mind sleeps better and wakes up ready to execute. Action: Do it tonight. 9. Put Everything in One Place Pick the one place where you will capture every idea, commitment, thought, action item, and promise. Consolidate your thoughts to stay focused and productive. Chaos drains your energy. Action: Do it tomorrow. 10. Be Humble View yourself as an equal to every person on the planet. Practice gratitude and avoid arrogance. Humility fosters better relationships and personal growth. Action: Place a mark on the humility spectrum and ask someone if they agree. Go Deeper If you’re ready to dive deeper into these disciplines, I highly recommend taking the True Self Assessment . It’s a powerful tool to help you identify where you’re at and where you can grow. You can also explore the 10 Disciplines Group Coaching Program or the True Self Mastermind to truly master these principles. These programs have been instrumental in helping me and countless others find inner peace and maximize impact. If you’d like to chat about how these disciplines could transform your life, book a free 30-minute call with me here . I’d love to hear your story and help you take the next step. Thank you to Rob Dube for his guidance and the profound impact of the 10 Disciplines. To learn more about Rob’s work , check out his book Do Nothing and his Do Nothing Retreats . The journey to stillness and inner peace is one worth taking.

There are moments in life when everything else fades away—your to-do list, your goals, your worries—and you’re left standing in the raw reality of now. I’ve experienced those moments more than once: when my brother was murdered, when Brittany and I lost Ellie Hope at 21 weeks, when we held her and said hello and goodbye all at once. In those moments, time slows, and the weight of what’s happening crushes you, but somehow, you’re there. You’re present. You’re standing in the gap. Hearing Jon LoDuca founder of Playboook Builder tell his story on the podcast brought all of that rushing back. Jon shared about the day his father-in-law, Jay, was tragically hurt in his backyard during a family gathering. Jay was the kind of guy who was the heartbeat of his family—soft, humble, kind, and the one everyone looked to. But in that moment, as Jay lay there injured, Jon had to step up. He had to hold him down, keep him steady for the paramedics, and stand firm in a situation no one should ever have to face. The way he described it hit me hard because I know what it’s like to feel the world stop and to have no choice but to lean into the pain. The Surreal Mix of Pain and Presence What struck me most wasn’t just the story of Jay’s accident, but how Jon stayed present through it all. He didn’t let the chaos pull him away. He didn’t break down or run from the responsibility. He stood in the gap. He gathered his family. He made sure everyone was cared for. And isn’t that what resilience looks like? Not just surviving the tough moments but using them to become someone stronger, someone more grounded. For me, resilience was holding Ellie Hope in my hands and choosing to remember her not for the pain, but for the gift of her life. It was standing with my family when my brother was taken from us and deciding to let his memory drive me to something bigger. How Will You Be Remembered? Jon’s story of his father-in-law left a mark on me. Jay wasn’t famous. He didn’t have his name on a building or a long list of accolades. But he was the kind of man everyone in town knew and respected. When he walked into the bank, they greeted him by name. When he passed, the line at his funeral wrapped around the building. Hearing that reminded me of what really matters. It’s not just the businesses we build, the deals we close, or the numbers we hit. It’s the impact we leave behind—the people we make feel seen, the lives we touch, and the stories they tell about us long after we’re gone. Jon’s 10 years ahead of me at the age of 53, but his story pushes me to start thinking about my legacy now. And if you’re reading this at 33 or 23, let me challenge you: Why not start today? What are you doing right now to live a life that leaves people better than you found them? The Power of Being Present What stood out about Jon, and what I hope to carry with me, is his presence. He’s sweet but powerful, kind but firm. He’s the kind of guy who can make you feel seen in a way you didn’t even know you needed. And isn’t that what we all need more of? So here’s my challenge to you—and to myself: How do we become the kind of people who leave the world better than we found it? How do we live in a way where people feel valued, loved, and seen, not just in our big moments but in the small, everyday ones? If you’re ready to think about that, or if you just want to hear a story that will move you, go listen to the full episode. It’s one of the most impactful conversations I’ve had, and I promise it’ll leave you thinking differently about your own life and legacy. 👉 https://bennyfisher.com/the-inspiring-journey-in-building-legacies-that-last Let’s start building our legacy—not someday, but today. That’s exactly what Jon LoDuca is doing with his passion project, Playbook Builder . It’s a simple, powerful tool that helps business owners take all their processes, training, and wisdom and organize them into a system that lives forever. At Big Fish Contracting, we’ve seen firsthand how it transforms hiring, onboarding, and training—and it can do the same for your business. 👉 Start your free trial here: https://playbookbuilder.com/trial/

Time Stands Still: Reflections from the Birth of Isabella Eden Fisher

Are you stepping into 2025 with the clarity, energy, and peace you hoped for at this time last year? Or does it feel like you’ve been sprinting on a treadmill—moving fast, but never really getting anywhere? New Year’s Eve always feels like a moment to pause, doesn’t it? A moment to look back at the last 12 months, to celebrate the wins, mourn the losses, and ask ourselves if we’re on the right path.

We did it! We hooked 100 episodes of the Big Fish Cares podcast ! What a long journey this has been for a passion project that started as a way to help other business owners like me. To celebrate our centennial episode, we welcomed no other than Gino Wickman , founder of the Entrepreneurial Operating System® (EOS®) and so much more. Gino came on to share some more insight into the revelations he had that prompted him to write his latest book, Shine , and start the Shed and Shine podcast with Rob Dube. Episode 100- How to Balance Ambition and Inner Peace as an Entrepreneur Understanding Your Shit Have you ever felt like you were “too much” for the people around you? Many entrepreneurs learn to fold in pieces of their personality, dim their light, or play small to better fit into school systems, workplaces, or social circles. Gino calls this the cocoon. While meant to protect us, we end up smashing down feelings while understanding the traumas weighing us down. Discovery 1: I am driven. I had boundless energy as a kid and young adult, and I still do. I move at a speed and with an endurance that most can’t match. Research says only 10% of the population has this genetic “blessing/curse.” And only 3-4% of the population are driven entrepreneurs. The rest are usually highly driven athletes, salespeople, Navy Seals, or stockbrokers. (Interestingly, only ~5% of the general population have adult ADHD …coincidence?) Are you one of the few? Gino calls this a blessing and a curse. The blessing for people who are driven is that seemingly endless energy. The curse? People who are driven also do a lot of mental, physical, and emotional damage to themselves and others around them. Driven entrepreneurs don’t have the same dopamine hit as others from achieving a goal, which means they’re addicted to more and more endorphin hits. Addicts use different things to numb the pain. Driven entrepreneurs tend to be the hardest on themselves, especially when making decisions. Homework: Read Driven by Dr. Douglas Brackman and Rocket Fuel Discovery 2: All decisions are made out of love or fear. After listening to Gino describe this discovery, I understood how many of us make decisions dozens of times a day by reacting out of fear. We fear the embarrassment of being discovered as a fraud or that people will judge us by whatever skeletons we hide in our closets. So we armor up and thicken the walls of those cocoons with alcohol, drugs, or whatever other addictions numb our pain and give us the illusion of feeling safe. Plus, driven entrepreneurs tend to be incredibly curious, risk-taking people. You know the old saying, “Curiosity killed the cat.” Well, our curiosity may not have killed us, but it definitely got us into more trouble (read trauma) than the average person. But, if we make decisions based out of love, we shed those layers to reveal our true selves. Gino said that when we make decisions based out of love, we don’t feel the dread or excitement that the ego gives us. Instead, we feel nothing. For a driven entrepreneur, this can sound profoundly counterintuitive. Homework: Read Untethered Soul by Michael Singer and Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday Discovery 3: It is possible to be driven and have peace. I don’t know about you, but I tend to be an all-or-nothing kind of guy. I go hard and do everything I can to have an impact on the world. But in the past that has been at my own expense to my health and well-being. I used to believe that the other side (the love, peace, and inner calm woo-woo shit) wasn’t for me. I was too driven. Gino found, though, that it is possible to create balance and have both. Obtaining an enlightened state with inner peace won’t dull your edge as an entrepreneur. Gino says it actually makes that edge stronger and helps people vibrate at a higher frequency. He coined the term FLOWt™ (a combination of flow and float) to label that sensation.

I have spent the last few days in prayer and contemplation and it’s been really tough but at the same time an eye-opening experience for me. I want to start by speaking directly to those of you who were hurt or triggered by my recent podcast episode #99 that I have already taken down. I’m truly sorry for the pain I caused. I know now my decision to give this guest a platform and share a difficult story was careless and reckless, and I didn’t think strongly enough about how it might affect victims and family members of unthinkable acts. Some have pointed out that this could be seen as a tacit endorsement, and I want to clarify that this was never my intention.

If we’re lucky, in our lifetimes our paths cross with real-life angels. Like shooting stars, they light up the lives of everyone they come in contact with… and they leave us too soon. John Ruhlin was one of those shooting stars. Even though I only knew him for a short time, I was lucky enough to have felt the awe and “love bombs” from his brilliance. Every time he sent a message, he would sign off with a heart emoji and a bomb emoji. He always wanted to send people heart bombs. John wasn’t just a generous person. He made you feel seen. Important. Valued. And he encouraged you to do the same for others. John knew that everything in life came down to relationships and emotional connection. He once said that when you make people feel something, they’ll remember you. They’ll seek you out to do business with you, become ambassadors of your brand, and go out of their way to make sure you win. Through his company, Giftology , he encouraged others to do the same. John and I were introduced through Facebook by a mutual friend. We got on a call and hit it off right away like old friends. John told me a little bit about his business, but he really cared more about me and my story. At the end of our conversation, he asked me for my address. I thought that was strange, but a short time later, I received a package from him with a copy of his book, Giftology . Only John never just sent a book. He made everything he did a whole experience. So, he’d sent his book in the most beautiful box. When I opened the box, he had a personalized video commemorating everything we’d talked about during that call. He’d created such an emotional experience for me that it melted my face off. Who takes the time to send something like that? John did. And he created a business helping others make the people in their lives feel special. The more I thought about it, the more I understood this was what he was put on this earth to do. Not long ago, I was doing a webinar for The Arena Mastermind with Gary Vee . I mentioned John and Giftology when Gary was talking about sending clients surprise-and-delight gifts. Later, I shared the clip with John. He was so appreciative and posted it on LinkedIn . That was the last post he ever made. I never met John’s wife and four beautiful daughters, but he talked about them constantly. I knew how much they meant to him and how he wanted to travel less and spend more time with them. I never met John in person, either. Actually, I’d just bought plane tickets to go to St. Louis to do a podcast with him on August 20 when I heard the news of his sudden passing. Like everyone who knew John, I was devastated. I wanted to use Giftology’s services to surprise and delight the people in my business. John wanted to get started right away, but I was dragging my feet. We were finally going to hash out my whole gifting program and what I wanted to do when I went to interview him. Only he left us too soon. I wish I’d acted faster on these things. I wish I’d gone earlier to meet John. I wish I’d been a better friend to him during the short time that I knew him. John’s faith was paramount to him. He emulated Jesus's teachings and modeled them through his life and business. Almost like Jesus, John was only here for a short time but did so much while he was with us on earth. I believe Jesus sent John as an angel down to earth as a gift. Heaven took John back so early, so we wouldn’t forget the emotional impact he had on our lives. After all, John’s birthday was March 16 (3/16) . John 3:16 : “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John once said : You’ll never regret giving more than is reasonable. Love others how they want to be loved. There are no accidents; we’re all here on purpose. Clearly John was put here on purpose to make an impact on thousands and thousands of the most influential people in the world. He inspired everyone he met to give and give and give. That’s how we can honor John and ensure his legacy lives on. I pledge to make a positive impact on the people in my life. Now. Today. Because John has shown us that you can be young and in excellent health, but tomorrow is never guaranteed. How will you impact on the people in your life? To help his family as they grieve the loss of this amazing angel, please consider donating to the GoFundMe page set up to support them.

As I Meet Roofing Contractors Nationwide, I'm Always Amazed by Their Stories.

Last May, I was at VeeCon in Indianapolis with my video content team. It's a trip we take every year, but that time, I met a street artist named Robin Hoodd. This wasn't just a chance meeting. It has been a moment that has stuck with me ever since.

It was back in the nexus of 2012 and 2013 when the world of marketing began to captivate my professional curiosity.