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“It’s a wonderful life; it’s just a different life.”

We interview Paul Avery, CEO of World of Beer; former COO of the parent company of Outback Steakhouse, father of two daughters diagnosed with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA); and chair of the board of the Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA).

The transition from being in the business of running successful restaurants to becoming forefront in the research and treatment of a rare disease was a sudden and unexpected change: but not a shift Paul hesitated to make. For him, his love for and concern of the well-being of his daughters, diagnosed with FA, made his decision to join the research and development of a treatment of FA a natural fit.

And in Paul’s willingness lies a lesson for all of us. We ourselves may not have a background in medicine, biology, or genetics. We may get overwhelmed at becoming part of whatever team is calling to us. But at some level, we all have something to contribute.

Paul was able to use his economic and negotiating skills to become a powerful voice in FARA. Not to mention the unbelievable benefits Outback Steakhouse and other companies under his influence have provided at FARA events.

What is your calling in life? Could the fact that your background seems unrelated to that be not a weakness, but a strength?

We want to thank Paul Avery for reminding us that strength and accomplishment comes from everyone bringing their diverse skills to the table.

Also mentioned in this episode:

• 2DD Challenges: https://n0f.88a.myftpupload.com/2dd-challenges/
• Instagram post by @texassmith: “We won’t stand on the outside of our lives, looking in, wondering what it would be like if we had the courage to show up and be seen. We’ll stand in front of the walls that tell our stories and show our scars. Those scars are a gift; they say, ‘See, I’ve been there, and here I am still standing and you will too.’ They become badges of honor, agents of healing. They become who we are.”