Posts by Michael Earls
Mental Strength: Training the Inner Mind
Negativity has a way of amplifying itself. One slight doubt becomes a storm, and suddenly your energy is consumed by what might go wrong. I’ve felt that myself as a runner—during pushes, all-outs, and half marathons. The inner voice says, “Stop, this hurts, it’s too much.” But when you train your mind to push through, you discover…
Read MoreRemembering 9/11: Lessons Passed Down
It’s hard to imagine how much time has passed. My daughters, Sydney, now 20, and Olivia, 24, grew up with stories of a day they were too young to remember, but a day that has forever shaped all of us. Olivia was born just 11 days before the September 11, 2001, attacks. We were at…
Read MoreFrom Streetlights to AI: Lessons in Fear, Change, and Opportunity
I was recently listening to a podcast with Simon Sinek where he shared a story about Thomas Edison and the invention of the light bulb. At the time, people weren’t just skeptical, they were scared. Electricity was new, unfamiliar, and disruptive. Communities had to put up signs to educate the public, explain the benefits, and…
Read MoreSalt Water, Palm Trees, and Owning Your Calendar
There’s something about salt water that heals in ways no conference room or Teams notification ever could. Standing with my hand on a palm tree, the ocean stretched before me, and I felt the rhythm of the waves syncing with my own breath. It wasn’t just a vacation, it was a reminder. The ocean doesn’t…
Read MoreSuperfood Aruba: Where Groceries Feel Like Treasure Hunts
Every trip to Aruba has its own rhythm—sun, sand, ocean breezes, and a little ritual of wandering through Superfood, the island’s Dutch-inspired grocery store that feels like a blend of local culture and European tradition. Walking through the aisles, you’ll find everything from fresh produce and local fish to Dutch cheeses, specialty wines, and the…
Read MoreSurprise Find: Montes Cabernet in Aruba
There’s something magical about stumbling onto a familiar taste in an unexpected place. On a recent evening in Aruba, I found myself sitting on a balcony overlooking the Caribbean sunset, a glass of Montes Cabernet Sauvignon in hand. The best part? I didn’t discover it in some tucked-away wine bar or resort list. I found…
Read MoreFinding Forward Motion
Explore the journey of Finding Forward Motion through personal scars and the challenges of leadership and team dynamics.
Read MoreManfredi Barolo 2020: A Taste of Piedmont in Paradise
When you think of Aruba, you picture white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and sunsets that paint the horizon gold. You don’t necessarily think of Barolo—the “King of Wines” from Piedmont, Italy. But sometimes travel surprises you, and in Aruba, I found myself with a glass of Manfredi Barolo 2020, bringing Old World elegance to the…
Read MoreVacation, Time Management, and Life
There’s something about standing on a quiet beach, looking out at the ocean, that makes you think differently about time. In our day-to-day lives, we’re surrounded by pings, meetings, inboxes, and endless to-do lists. We measure time in 30-minute calendar blocks or in how quickly we can clear out our notifications. But when you step…
Read MoreParini Montepulciano d’Abruzzo: Rustic Italian Charm in the Glass
Sometimes the best wines are not the most expensive or the most complex, but the ones that feel effortless—wines that invite conversation, complement a meal, and capture the heart of their homeland. That’s exactly what I found with Parini Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, an Italian red that carries the warmth of Abruzzo straight to the table. The…
Read More