Doing the right thing will give you the right life
“Let us choose for ourselves what is right, and let us pursue it with all our might.” – Abraham Lincoln
We started the Ascend Academy several years ago with nothing but a vision. There wasn’t a big project to model after or a wealthy fund to back us, just the belief that we could make a difference. In Mozambique ( where I spent much of my childhood), one of the poorest countries in the world, many kids grow up in shantytowns around Maputo without role models to inspire them to dream big. Without access to the internet, computers, or the ability to speak English, they can’t imagine a future as professionals because they’ve never met one.
We believed we could change that by creating a "second home" where these kids could go every day after school—a place to be mentored by middle-class professionals who would teach them character, communication skills, English, and computer literacy. With these tools, they could begin to imagine a life beyond poverty.
And so, the Ascend Academy was born. Friends and family rallied around the idea, helping us fund the work, and today, we’re in our third year. This summer, we’ll take a group of donors to Maputo to meet the volunteers and kids, visit their families, and brainstorm ways to make an even greater impact.
In just a few years, the transformation has been remarkable.
Kids with no vision for their future now dream of becoming doctors, lawyers, police officers, and entrepreneurs. They’re learning to navigate computers and speak English. Our long-term goal is to see these kids escape poverty before graduating high school.
And we’re doing all of this for an average of $90 a month per child.
Why Sacrificial Giving Matters
I believe deciding where to give sacrificially is important before you have the means to give. Why?
Joy – There’s nothing quite like the joy of seeing lives transformed. Watching these kids grow and thrive is one of the most fulfilling experiences imaginable.
Gratitude – Helping children in a country where 50% of the population lives on less than $2 a day gives you perspective. Suddenly, the things we often stress over seem trivial.
Vision – Few things empower you more than seeing the incredible good you can do with your resources, time, and talents.
Community – The donors who join us on our trips form deep bonds with one another, the volunteers, and the children they help.
Love – Love overflows when you choose to help others. And in the end, isn’t love the most precious thing we can give or receive?
A Call to Compassion in Action
As we enter this season of giving—and perhaps consider tax-exempt donations—don’t wait for a “better time” to do something meaningful. Choose to act now. If you’re looking for a cause to support, I’d invite you to join the Ascend Academy. You can give a one-time gift or a recurring monthly donation. Perhaps you’ll join us on a trip one of these days.
Here’s a video that offers a glimpse of what we’re doing. If you’re seriously considering joining this effort, I’d be delighted to personally welcome you and share more about our vision for the future. [Book a call with me here.]
Family Over Fame
As we reflect on our lives, we know that what matters most isn’t just the work we do but the relationships we build. Studies consistently show that no one regrets working too much at the end of life—they regret not investing enough in family and friends.
I recently shared this lesson on the Lifestyle Investor Podcast with my friend Justin Donald. We discussed my journey from entertaining millions in my first career to stepping back from fame to focus on building a strong family. Life has seasons, and doing the right thing in the right season creates the good life we all long for.
If you’re curious about how to make that shift, this episode describes what it looked like for me. I’m proud of this conversation.
Another conversation you may enjoy is on the Something for Everyone pod, where we focus on the power of Purpose in Consistently High Performance, Embracing Uncertainty, and Navigating life transitions.