Gratitude is not just about being thankful; it's about meeting challenges as they are and recognizing their role in personal growth.

I think the early challenges in fundraising were beneficial because they instilled a culture of discipline and efficiency that has contributed to our long-term success.

Having gone through significant personal and professional challenges, I now see my role as a coach to help the next generation of founders build impactful products.

In the military, medals are awarded to those who sacrifice themselves for others, while in business, bonuses are given to those who sacrifice others for personal gain, highlighting a fundamental misalignment in values.

To maintain culture as we scale, I focus on designing every moment to reinforce our values, like reminding employees to champion the mission.

The most fulfilling aspect of my role is the opportunity to build something extraordinary with a dedicated team, where the journey itself is the prize.

I feel immense gratitude for the relationships in my life, as they have shaped who I am and contributed to my success.

This challenge taught me that when you decide to pursue something, you can achieve it, reinforcing that nothing is impossible if you plan and prepare well. Teamwork is essential; it's about a group of people who trust each other and work towards a common goal, just like in sailing where 120 people collaborate to support one individual in winning a challenge.

It's often more valuable to undertake challenges for personal reasons rather than for external validation, as this can lead to deeper personal insights and growth.