2011: My Year In Review. A “Rat” In a “Rabbit’s Year”

2011 has been a very interesting year for me. As I began reflecting over the past twelve months my immediate thought was to label this year the best one yet, but it’ll have to wait as I’m still undecided. A few days prior to writing this article I was browsing the internet when I stumbled upon a subject that caught my interest. According to Chinese Astrology 2011 was the year of the rabbit. I imagine your first thoughts are, “Ok, Kyle you are not Chinese, where is the connection?” Indeed you are right, I am not Chinese. There is, however, after reading into Chinese Astrology some interesting predictions that came true for my 2011.

Being a “Rat” (born in 1984, nothing to do with your feelings towards me!) in a “Rabbit Year” I was predicted to have a stressful year (at times yes!), see fruits from my labor in 2010 (yes!), experience loss of wealth (yes, student loans kicked in and the 401(k) is down), experience emotional instability as well as single “Rats” should keep a clear head and avoid being taken (yes and yes), guard against energy loss and regulate my mood (I promise I tried), avoid sleepless nights (there were a few) and finally avoid cold food (come on, I’m a “Rat.” I eat whatever I can!)  

“Rat” business aside, 2011 was a year of growth through experiences for me. For possibly only the second period in my life I often found myself looking in the mirror and asking, “What’s going on? What is the plan?” I had a few of those “kick you in the chest” lessons I learned the hard way this year! However, this ol’ farm boy from Indiana (or sometimes a self proclaimed Texan) made it through the valleys to find the peaks. Looking back at 2011 I’d say this “Rat” did an O.K. job! Let me take a moment to share some of the truths I found in 2011…

Matt Guzik: Living Life to the Fullest ‘Extraordinaire’

One of my favorite fables of all time as stated by Ancient Greek Writer Aesop (620-560 BCE) “A man is known by the company he keeps," causes me to subconsciously decide whether an individual comes or goes in my life. I adhere to this fable through the continually evolving process of trying to find and keep successful and motivated individuals in my life which through mere interaction causes me to push myself towards higher levels of achievements than days prior. One of the founders of motivational literature, Napoleon Hill, said this belief so well in his timeless classic when he wrote "We emulate those with whom we associate most closely." It is my hope this article serves as an important reminder to us all of Aesop’s fable as well as an opportunity to see how one man has made a difference on his journey as a “Living Life to the Fullest Extraordinaire.”


In early July 2011 I had the pleasure of being invited to travel to Montana for some golf, relaxation, breath-taking scenery, lots of laughs from stories I won't soon forget. Although I had previously met the individual we were traveling to see, Matt Guzik, I was unaware at the time of how impactful this trip would prove to be.


Over the past few months my professional and personal relationship with Matt has grown as well as my admiration for him as individual and a leader! As I sat in a room full of the country’s top leaders in the private club industry this past November I was intently listening to Matt tell his story when my thoughts came full circle and I quietly said to myself, "My God, what hasn’t this guy accomplished." From running twelve marathons in twelve months to raising over 1.25 million dollars for charities ( just to name a few of his achievements), let Matt’s list of accomplishments serve us as a reminder that we are only as extraordinary as we chose to be!
I respect and admire Matt substantially; so much so I feel it’s my duty to share his recent article, 7 Continental Characteristics of Leaders with you (recently featured in October's issue of Board Room Magazine). I'm very proud to say I have an association with Matt Guzik. I'm very proud to be known by the company I keep.


Visit Matt's website to read other articles and hear more about all he's achieved thus far: www.dutri26.com


“Here’s to another crummy day in the Bitterroots!” Enjoy. Be inspired.

 7 Continental Characteristics of Leaders

While reflecting upon my running career I realized that during the last fifteen years of training and running I have run fifty-six marathons, competed in 3 long course Ironman’s including the Ironman Championship in Kona Hawaii in 2003 and have logged enough miles to have run around the world (27,000 miles). Additionally, I have raised over $1,250,000 for charities, worn out 77 pairs of running shoes, have had hernia and knee surgery, four visits to the medical tents for I.V.s, 150 massages, 90 chiropractic visits, raced in 39 cities in 17 states, in 9 countries on seven continents.
I have also come to realize that there are certain characteristics that leaders and runners share in order to be successful. 

Athens, Greece, Europe

Sense of Purpose.

This is where it all started. In 490 B.C., the soldier Pheidippides

Two of the Most Important Questions

As I was driving home from work today I was listening to leadership extraordinaire Jim Rohn answer interview questions during his Weekend Leadership Event in Anaheim, CA, I was exposed to yet another opportunity for a series of enlightening thoughts. I immediately pulled my vehicle to the side of the road to listen and take notes from Mr. Rohn’s eloquent follow up to a question with two very intriguing questions that may require some time for self reflection. Ask yourself these: