Rising from the Ground Up: Healing, Growing, and Choosing a Better Life

There’s something uniquely humbling about starting from scratch—about looking around and realizing that no one’s coming to save you, and if you’re going to build something meaningful, it’s going to have to be from the ground up.

That’s exactly what Josh Hatter, CEO of Curated Vacation Properties, shared on this week’s Thriving Changes episode. His story isn’t the polished highlight reel we see so often. It’s raw, honest, and full of the hard-won lessons that only come from surviving the days that make you question everything—and choosing to keep going anyway.

Living Two Separate Lives is Exhausting

Many of us have tried to be two people—one version of ourselves at work, and another at home. On the outside, we might look like we have it all together. But inside, that division wears us down. As Josh said, it’s nearly impossible to show up fully anywhere if part of you is hidden away.

The truth is, no matter how much we think we’re keeping it together, that internal tension leaks out—in our words, our body language, or the weight we carry on our shoulders. People are intuitive. They can sense when we’re not fully there.

Eventually, you have to ask: What would it look like if I stopped trying to be two people and just brought my whole self into every space I’m in?

The Hard Truth: You Can’t Have Everything, But You Can Create What You’re Missing

One of the most beautiful parts of Josh’s story was hearing how he came to terms with this simple but painful truth—sometimes, life doesn’t give us what we want. Maybe it’s the childhood we wish we had. Maybe it’s the mentor we longed for but never found.

But Josh learned something powerful: just because you didn’t get something in your past doesn’t mean you can’t create it for yourself now. Whether it’s the family you never had or the career you once thought was impossible—you can build it. It might not look exactly like what you dreamed of, but sometimes, what you create becomes even more fulfilling.

Risk is Part of the Journey, But You Don’t Have to Do It Blind

Josh is the first to admit that entrepreneurship—or even just starting over—isn’t for the faint of heart. There’s risk everywhere. But the difference between people who build something that lasts and those who burn out is this: they learn from other people’s mistakes.

It’s humbling to admit we don’t know everything, but it’s freeing too. Surrounding yourself with mentors, asking the tough questions, and listening to the people who’ve been there—it makes the road ahead a little less lonely.

Your Team Will Make or Break You

One thing Josh couldn’t stress enough: building a team is hard. People are unpredictable. You’ll get burned. You’ll trust the wrong person. You’ll think someone is in it for the long haul and find out they’re not. But when you get it right—when you build a team where people feel safe, valued, and heard—that’s when the magic happens.

Learning to let go of tasks, trusting people to do things their way (even if it’s not perfect), is part of what allows a business—or a life—to grow. Micromanaging is a recipe for burnout. It only prevents employees from developing confidence and ownership in their roles; Support and guidance are crucial, but excessive oversight stifles creativity and innovation. 

 Remember: Freedom, trust, and shared purpose—that’s what creates something sustainable.

You Have to Know What You’re Working Toward

Here’s what hit me the hardest: so many of us spend our days running—working harder, chasing goals—but we never stop to ask why. What does happiness even look like? What does success really mean to us?

Josh talked about how dangerous that is. If you don’t know what you’re aiming for, you’ll wake up one day somewhere you never intended to be. And the truth is, figuring out what you actually want is harder than it sounds. It takes time, reflection, and brutal honesty.

Journaling about an ideal career and lifestyle can provide clarity. Experimenting with different experiences such as taking courses, volunteering, or networking can uncover hidden passions. Reverse-engineering goals into actionable steps makes aspirations more achievable.

But once you get clear on your vision, everything changes. You stop running in circles and start walking toward something real.

Your Past Doesn’t Define You, But It Can Teach You

One of the most powerful takeaways from Josh’s story is how he reframed his past—not as something to run from, but something to learn from.

He could’ve let his childhood, his pain, or his failures define him. But instead, he asked: What can I take from this? What does this teach me about who I want to be?

That shift—from regret to learning—is where resilience is born. It’s where growth happens.

If You Don’t Share Your Vision, No One Can Help You Get There

Josh said something that stuck with me long after the episode ended: “No one can help you if they don’t know where you’re going.”

We spend so much time trying to figure things out alone. But people want to help—friends, mentors, even strangers. The problem is, we don’t let them in. We’re so afraid of failing or looking foolish that we stay quiet.

But when you finally share your dreams, your vision, your hopes—people show up. The right people find you. And suddenly, you’re not building alone anymore.

Final Thoughts

Josh’s story isn’t about overnight success or having it all figured out. It’s about grit. It’s about the slow, steady process of building a life you’re proud of—from nothing if you have to.

It’s a reminder that no matter where you come from or what you’ve been through, you have the power to create something new. You can heal. You can grow. And you don’t have to do it alone.

So ask yourself: What do I really want? What am I building toward? And who do I need in my corner to get there?

Because thriving isn’t about having a perfect plan—it’s about taking the next right step, even when you’re scared. And that’s how you build from the ground up.