FRD Chief Transformation Officer

Today I get to share something…

• Something new and meaningful in my life.
• Something real and exciting.
• Something rooted in years of courage, commitment, curiosity and love.

Today I’m deeply grateful to share my new role with Front Row Dads as their Chief Transformation Officer!

Chief what???

Time for a quick story –

Way back in 2019 I found a podcast that changed the trajectory of my life…

It was grounded in a clear and powerful message for entrepreneurial fathers – “Family men with businesses, not business men with families.”

At the time, I was very much a business man with a family. I knew something was off in my life, and I knew there was something for me to learn from this podcast.

So I leaned in…

As I listened to the podcast every week, I realized this was much more than a podcast. This was a men’s group called “Front Row Dads,” led by Jon Vroman. Jon would interview other fathers who’ve had success in business, but he always brought the core message back to family, including insights from his own unique stories at home.

The group offered membership for access to retreats and deeper connection with other men. Two things I lacked in my life at the time. In fact, I didn’t even know what retreats were! They just sounded really cool every time Jon described them on the podcast.

Soon enough, enrollment for membership opened.

So I leaned in again…

I became a member of this new group that I found only a few months earlier! It was exciting to join and feel a part of something new. They also sent an awesome welcome package.

I also remember feeling nervous and unsure. Self-sabotaging thoughts raced through my mind:

Am I worthy to be in this group?
Will I fit in?
Will they accept me?

But I pushed through the fear and showed up to the group calls. I was greeted by warm men with big smiles and open hearts. Guys who asked great questions, offered insight, and shared where they were winning and losing in life.

I started to feel at home.

The self-sabotaging thoughts quickly vanished and I realized this was a safe space. A space where I could show up and be vulnerable.

Then a couple months later I received a text from Jon –

“Hey man, we have a few open spots for the upcoming retreat in San Diego. You want in?”

I was instantly struck by YES lightning! Of course I wanted in. I felt honored and grateful to be invited.

So I leaned in even further.

That first VIP retreat in San Diego was unlike anything I ever experienced before…

I was warmly welcomed by everyone there. From hugs to high fives, it felt like being with guys I had known for years. This was way more inviting than other conferences or business events I had attended.

I felt truly welcome.

We formed circles to share things happening at home.

I’m not talking about the surface level stuff like weather and sports. I’m talking about real things – challenges in our marriage, important moments around raising our kids, unique books we were reading.

These were real conversations about fatherhood.

We played volleyball and ate meals together.

This would be known as “sweat time” at retreats. Time for us to move, play and exercise as a compliment to some of the other mental and emotional work we do. To this day I still cherish sweat time at our events.

Time to play and sweat with men is vital for our well-being.

Most importantly, I learned all kinds of new things I could take back home.

I learned new things from Jon, veteran members, guest speakers and all the unique conversations that took place at the event. It was like a waterfall of learning!

I left that retreat with new insights, perspective, tools and resources to take back to my family.

On the plane ride back to Denver I remember knowing that THIS was a group for me. It was the group I didn’t even realize I needed.

I had found my tribe.

I also knew it was a special space for men to become intentional fathers.

The things we did at that event were REAL.

• Real stories, curiosity and ideas.
• Real tears of joy and sadness.
• Real belly laughs at jokes that only entrepreneurial dads would understand.
• Real sweat and fun with other awesome dudes!

Real things that created real change at home.

And after 6+ years of leaning in, attending more events, and more recently helping lead some of them, I’ve realized what really happens at these events.

Transformation

That’s the word that best describes what I’ve experienced from FRD. I’ve experienced transformation in so many ways:

• Emotionally – I’ve evolved as a man who can hold space for the full range of my masculine and feminine energy.
• Mentally – I’m more clear and connected with where I invest my time and attention.
• Spiritually – I’m further aligned in my relationship with god, my soul and my purpose.
• Physically – I’m in better shape than most 40 year old dads, and I’m more aware of what a “healthy Ali” feels like.

In addition to that:

1. I’m deeply connected to my wife and children. I see them, feel them, and choose to play an intentional role in their lives every day.
2. I’m more clear and creative in my businesses. I’ve evolved into a conscious leader and creator that follows real energy and passions.
3. I’m aligned with my unique gifts and deeper purpose. FRD has been an important part of my journey to becoming more fully expressed.

Being in Front Row Dads has changed my life.

And I don’t say that lightly.

A lot of people [and businesses] talk about how they’re “changing lives.” They come up with a clever value prop to evoke some emotion and sell you something shiny. When in reality, most of them are just putting on performances and making money.

That’s how the game of business works. That’s how most people play it.

But not Front Row Dads.

This community is real. It’s unique and it’s powerful. It’s a place for men to evolve and embody transformation.

That’s why I accepted Jon’s invitation to help lead. That’s why I thoughtfully chose this new role. That’s why I’m committed to more co-creation with the 330+ brothers in our community.

I have so many stories and experiences from the last 6 years of being a Front Row Dad. I could literally write a book about the journey… which I may do some day!

Below are some random moments of Brotherhood over the years –

And that’s just a sample!  I’m blessed to have hundreds of meaningful moments with other Front Row Dads, just check my Instagram account 🙂

And… I’m even more blessed to have thousands of moments as a Front Row Dad.  Moments with my family, friends, teams and peers.  The transformation I’ve experienced is touching all the lives I touch.

That’s the power of Front Row Dads.

That’s what happens when you lean in.

So what will I be doing in this new role?

What’s on the horizon for me and Front Row Dads?

New Learning Journeys

We’re rebuilding the online learning experience to support more connection, learning and accountability. These will be unique training programs facilitated on Zoom that support men to go “do the work” in real life.

The first Learning Journey is scheduled to launch in May!

This will be available to all existing members. We also plan to make some journeys available to non members who want to get a taste of FRD.

Challenges

We’re designing brotherhood challenges that will test our range and capacity in new ways. Get ready to dance with discomfort and do things that offer new growth opportunities.

These challenges will bring us together in healthy competition and camaraderie. As Front Row Dads, we’re always looking for new experiments and growth opportunities.

The first challenge is scheduled to launch in March!

New Events & Experiences

We’re introducing a new Rites of Passage event this year for dads and their teens, led by my friends Chris Emick and Mike Brcic. This event it exciting new territory for FRDs to co-create meaningful moments with their children.

We’re also introducing a new Summer event this year that I’ll be leading, in addition to the annual Colorado Adventure. I intend to bring my full expression and creativity to these experiences.

I also intend to stay curious and aware on how our events may need to evolve.

The VIP retreats are a special experience, for example, that Jon has masterfully designed for years. He will still continue to design and lead most of them, but we’re going to call more veteran members forward to share their gifts and leadership.

We have amazing leaders in our community that offer so much wisdom.

Overall, we’re entering a new season of the Brotherhood where new leadership will be cultivated.

It’s an exciting time to be a Front Row Dad.

Finally, a few personal details that are important for me to share:

1. I’m still a member.

You will still see me at events, on Zoom and anywhere else that members participate. While I’ve chosen this transition and deeper work with the FRD team, I still plan to be a Front Row Dad.

2. I’m pumped and ready!

I’m ready to support Jon, the FRD team and our members as we evolve the Brotherhood. Ready to build some new stuff, experiment, fail and cultivate deeper learning!

I’m also ready to invest further into men’s work. I think the world could use more men who are grounded and intentional about their role as a father. Men who lean in, show up and speak up (that’s part of our FRD ethos).

We are co-creating something extraordinary. I believe that.

3. I’m also scared…

This is new terrain for me. I haven’t “joined a new team” in years. I was hesitant to lean into a formal leadership role at risk of messing with something I love and cherish…

But the fear is just knowing that this is my next chapter.

I feel called into deeper work with FRD. Jon and I are very aligned after years of friendship and months of navigating conscious agreements on this new role. I’m grateful for his invitation and trust to help lead.

I’ve also been warmly accepted by Rach, Tonia and the rest of the team. They do some heavy lifting behind the scenes to help our community thrive. Collaborating with them these last couple years has been a gift, and now I’m clear that my path is to support them as they also continue to grow in their roles.

In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever been more clear.

This is exactly where I need to be.

This is also exactly where you need to be. Now and in every moment. So I would invite you to pause and reflect on the following:

• What has your own journey of transformation looked like?
• What’s calling you forward?
• What do you want to help co-create?

These questions have guided me here. I’m excited to see where they guide others as they walk their path.

To that extent, I want to end with some gratitude.

Thank you to Jon, the FRD team, and all my amazing brothers who invest in FRD. Thank you for also investing in me. I’m here because of the membership and collective energy I’ve experienced from FRD. We’re all connected in beautiful ways, and the journey just keeps getting better.

I’m deeply grateful to keep walking with Front Row Dads.

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