The George Foreman Guide to Business Reinvention
Why your next evolution might look nothing like your last success
The other day, a client asked me a question that made me think:
"What if everything that made me successful is exactly what's holding me back?"
It reminded me of a fascinating transformation story - and no, it's not about Steve Jobs or Elon Musk.
It's about George Foreman, and what might be the one of the greatest second acts of all time.
See, most comeback stories follow a familiar script: someone recaptures their former glory by returning to what made them successful in the first place.
But that's not what happened here.
Foreman didn't try to become his younger self. He didn't attempt to recreate his past. Instead, he did something far more interesting - and far more relevant for entrepreneurs today.
He completely reimagined who he could be.
I see this pattern play out in my work coaching business owners all the time. Markets shift. Client needs evolve. Technology transforms entire industries overnight.
And suddenly, the very things that brought us success start holding us back.
Here's what most do: they grip tighter to what used to work. Push harder. Move faster. Like trying to win a race by running the same track, just with more intensity.
I know this dance intimately.
Back when I was running my consulting business, bringing in six figures monthly, everything looked perfect on paper. But inside? I was exhausted, disconnected, and running on autopilot.
I kept pushing harder, thinking that was the answer. More clients. More calls. More hustle.
But here's what I've learned about true transformation:
It's not about trying harder. It's about becoming different.
Think about it - when Foreman returned to boxing in his 40s, commentators focused on everything he'd lost: his speed, his youth, his old fighting style.
But they missed what he'd gained: wisdom, patience, and a completely new way of approaching his craft.
He didn't win despite his transformation - he won because of it.
This resonates deeply with where many business owners find themselves today. You might be:
Feeling trapped by your own success patterns
Sensing that what got you here won't get you there
Hearing a quiet voice calling you toward something new
Here's what I've discovered about reinvention:
Your greatest strengths, left unexamined, become your biggest blindspots
The market always rewards authenticity over imitation - even imitation of your former self
Real transformation requires letting go before you can see what's next
The hardest part?
Being willing to release who you think you should be, to become who you're meant to be.
This isn't about small pivots or surface-level rebrands.
It's about fundamentally reshaping your relationship with your work and your purpose.
Carolina and I call this the Love-Led Leap - that moment when you trust enough to release the old and allow something entirely new to emerge through you.
Yes, it's uncomfortable. Yes, it's uncertain.
And yes, it's absolutely necessary for growth.
Consider:
Where in your business are you forcing things that used to flow?
What would become possible if you fully embraced who you are now?
What's the transformation you're avoiding because it seems too radical?
Remember: Foreman's greatest legacy isn't just that he became champion again. It's that he went on to become something entirely new - transforming from an intimidating fighter into one of America's most beloved personalities.
The question isn't whether your audience will demand your reinvention.
The question is: Will you lead that change, or be dragged by it?
With deep appreciation,
Phil
P.S. If you're feeling called to explore your own business reinvention, I invite you to take our Harmony Map Assessment. It's a powerful tool for seeing where you might be holding onto old patterns that no longer serve your highest vision.
This is such a great story Phil, thank you for sharing it. I absolutely believe we can have 'eras' in our life where we transform into a new version of ourselves and let go of the old. It's not easy but it's so rewarding once you do it.
Couldn't resonate more with this: "Your greatest strengths, left unexamined, become your biggest blindspots"