Staying Active

In 2025, I set out to play tennis 100 times. For me, tennis isn’t new: I started playing when I was 3. My earliest memory is playing with my toys on a tennis court while my mother took a lesson with “Big Bob.” In fact, my first job in high school was teaching tennis. But two shoulder surgeries in my early 20s set me back and now being a startup founder for eight years alongside having a toddler at home has not been conducive to free time.

This year, however, I set out to prioritize something for myself.

For me, the beauty of tennis is the time on court. As any tennis player knows, there are good days and there are bad days, but for me time on court is a sanctuary. The intensity of tennis gives you no opportunity to think about anything other than the present: the shot you’re about to hit, the point you are constructing, your footwork underneath you. For all of the 996 talk that went around in 2025, these moments of focus – specifically away from work – made me a more productive and valuable employee.

This focus also breeds clarity. Innate understanding built from repetition allows for split second decision making. This muscle is the same that I am constantly honing as a founder, not only built on an understanding of our industry, but also thinking about where the ball is going (and being the one hitting it there).

Overall, staying active in 2025 was not only a personal North Star, but I can also unequivocally say that it contributed to my personal and professional progress. It’s nothing new, but I can’t recommend it enough, especially for those on a founder journey.

So how did I do with my 2025 goal? Well, I didn’t make it to 100. But truth be told, I never intended to count. As they say, it was about the journey and not the destination. Over the year, I got to play tennis around the world with some amazing friends old (my father, Patrick, Enrique – I’m looking at you three in particular!) and new. I also picked up some injuries along the way: a knee, an elbow, a thumb. But at the end of the day, I leave 2025 feeling like I hit my goal and I’m excited about doing it all over again in 2026.

See you on the courts, folks.

P.S. If you’re reading this and want to get on court, don’t be a stranger!