by Mike Jones
Pursuing your personal legend means moving towards your goals and relishing the experiences on the road to meeting those goals. Alchemy is founded on those principles, and its founders seek to pursue their legends as well.
My path into adulthood led me to join the Marine Corps as an infantry officer out of college. I knew this wouldn’t be my career for the next thirty years, but I wanted to 1) do something cool, 2) serve my people, and 3) challenge myself; looking back that was probably the order of priority. Mission accomplished! In four short years I fought in two wars, led Marines in battle, travelled to foreign lands, learned about different cultures, leadership, history, and humanity.
I left the Marines a more capable person, armed only with the knowledge that I wanted the type of work I deemed important, and that directly helped people. I also thought I might want to start a business someday. I’ve spent the past 10 years pushing hard towards that ambiguous but at the same time clear goal. I continued my education by getting an MBA. I worked at one of the world’s great companies (3M). I started a business over six years ago that I continue to work on and grow(Union Fitness). I had three kids in the last 5 years. This year, with some amazing partners I started Alchemy, a feat I’d have been incapable of executing if I tried to launch it 10 years ago. You see, the road less travelled, the sacrifices and choices I’ve made, marked the milestones and lessons I needed to make Alchemy happen.
I don’t know exactly what I’ll be doing 10 years from now, but I’ll be pursuing my legend, which has refined into this – I do work that helps people live better lives. I will pursue this legend with vigor, and I’ll enjoy the ups and downs that I will experience along the way.
Now let me ask you, what is your legend and how will you pursue it?
Coach Mike Jones is a founder of Union Fitness and Alchemy. He is most proud of his long locks, raw denim, and pistol shooting skills.
