Magnetism / Michael Thompson
Greetings, ladies and gentlemen (the term is to be reasonably applied),
Welcome to those new to Serendipity. As always, the premises of these essays can be found in the provenance email. (In short, it is five minutes of reading that, since we know each other, it is somewhat of an awkward obligation mixed with a mildly charming but at times irreverent anecdote.)
I recently met a young man on a flight from Detroit to Phoenix. Given my recent cresting of middle age, I am now allowed to say “young” about anyone who looks under 30. He was bulging out of a faded black T-shirt and basketball shorts and carried an overstuffed rucksack. Despite his ordinary attire, I could tell he was an elite athlete of some kind, which seemed odd given we were huddled up next to each other in economy on a Delta flight. For the benefit of large swaths of the email recipients on this list, “economy” is in the rear part of the plane where seats are uncomfortably close together, reclining your seat is rude, and personal space is belligerently compromised.
The young man had played the season before for the Baltimore Ravens but had been released. He was moving from Long Island, NY to Phoenix, AZ to escape the cold (I can relate) and expand his non-profit, which helps kids use football to escape poverty. We spent the four-hour flight quietly discussing everything from entrepreneurialism to how to market insurance brokerages (he owns one) to why his friends who are YouTube influencers have such big entourages (we concluded that the bigger the entourage, the smaller the self confidence, or something like that). Again, I feel the need to explain that plane conversations with strangers in 2024 are somewhat of a rarity in economy class. Most people sit down, put headphones on, and stare at their phone the entire flight. Talking to strangers is so nineties.
At 26, he had a master's from Villanova, an NFL career, an insurance brokerage, and a non-profit and he was just getting started. His next step was real estate in Phoenix. This young man was a magnet for knowledge and despite his early success, he was understated, humble, and determined to work even harder for more.
I bring this story up because there was nothing loud about this young man's magnetism. It was delightfully refreshing.
Let’s forgo my natural instinct to complain, but I am pretty drained by the decibel levels we have reached in everyday posturing, bravado, and communication. The news yells at me, social media screams at me, and my kids squawk and squeal upon waking - decorum seems to only pertain to apples anymore (notice I mention nothing about my wife here).
I am not really sure how we undo the societal need people have for attention nowadays but I do know that I really appreciate meeting people who don’t have it. Perhaps cell phones won't work when we move to Mars.
Moving on.
This all segways perfectly into the focal point of this newsletter. This month, I would like to introduce you to Michael Thompson.
Michael Thompson
Mr. Michael Thompson is the global epitome of understated greatness.
Michael is a writer, storytelling coach, lecturer, and now author with a unique and vulnerable style. His deep, relatable, and moving stories remind us of what it’s like to be a person with struggles.
Michael was born in the US but lives in Spain with his wife and two boys. After finding himself broken after a betrayal to the tune of $250k, he bought a one-way ticket to Barcelona, and the rest is history (read the blog post here). But the best part is that Michael is unabashedly shy and has a debilitating stutter. His stories are told through the lens of someone who should be uncomfortable speaking about the subjects he discusses. This is what makes his work magic - pure magic.
Michael’s new book, Shy by Design: 12 Timeless Principles to Quietly Stand Out, is a gift that will empower people who may need help but are perhaps less likely to ask for it. If you are or know someone who is shy by nature - this book is an absolute must. Get it here.
Beyond his book, I recommend that you follow Michael’s work and journey. He is magnetic but also in the best way - quietly. He won’t boast or scream. His words will soothe and soften your head and heart when you need a break from the drabs of mainstream media.
If you want to read his blog, which is guaranteed to brighten your day, go here.
As always, thank you for reading and for all the feedback as I journey on this quest to connect interesting and like-minded people to help one another.