Gordon's Path

For most of my life, success was measured in numbers. Grades. Sales. Lap times. Social media followers. Pairs of sneakers sold. There was a time when I would wake up every morning and chase those metrics like they were the only thing that mattered. But over the years through swimming, building a business, working in solar, and pushing through school while managing ADHD and dyslexia I’ve learned that real success goes much deeper than what can be counted.

The Chase: Numbers as Validation

Growing up with learning disabilities, I was constantly told what I couldn’t do. That I wouldn’t make it through high school. That university was out of the question. So, when I began to prove people wrong, I clung tightly to every measurable win. A passing grade felt like a gold medal. When I launched Sneakers Canada in high school, every sale validated the time I spent packing boxes in my bedroom at midnight. Over 600 pairs sold and same-day delivery across Toronto and London? That was success.

Later, in the solar industry, I worked as a representative for Polaron Solar at Home Depot. I engaged with 200–300 people daily, educating them on solar power and identifying those truly ready to switch to clean energy. The volume was high, and the conversations were fast-paced. It was easy to get caught up in the numbers: how many people I talked to, how many leads I generated, how many appointments I booked. On the surface, it looked like I was thriving. But behind the scenes, I was stretching myself thin trying to be everything, everywhere, all at once.

The Pool Taught Me More Than Speed

As a varsity swimmer, I used to focus only on my times. Every practice was a grind toward shaving fractions of a second. I eventually made it to the Olympic trials, which was an incredible milestone. But ironically, the most powerful lesson I took from swimming wasn’t how to swim faster it was how to be consistent, how to suffer well, and how to keep showing up even when the scoreboard doesn’t show progress.

In swimming, like in life, improvement isn’t always linear. Some days you do everything right and still fall short. But you learn that real success comes from your discipline, your recovery, and your mindset not just your results.

When Numbers Stop Making Sense

At one point, I was doing everything: working full-time in solar, building a business plan for a solar shingles company, and trying to train and stay healthy. I was checking all the “achievement” boxes but burning out. I started sacrificing my physical health, my focus, and even the quality of my work. That’s when I realized: if success means winning at everything and losing myself, it’s not success at all.

This was my turning point. I had to prioritize paying off student loans, rebuilding my energy, and letting go of the need to always be “on.” I learned to structure my life around impact and sustainability, not just output.

Redefining Success

Today, here’s what success looks like to me:

• Purpose over volume: Whether I’m in a customer conversation at Home Depot or writing a business plan, I aim to provide real value not just meet quotas.
• Health before hustle: If I’m not well physically or mentally, nothing I do will be sustainable.
• Long-term vision over short-term wins: The solar industry, like life, is a long game. I’m more interested in building something meaningful than cashing out quickly.
• Learning over ego: I embrace feedback, even when it’s hard. I’ve made peace with not always being the best but I refuse to stop getting better.

Final Thoughts

I used to think success was about proving people wrong. Now, it’s about proving to myself that I can live with integrity, build something that matters, and stay healthy and grounded while doing it.

The numbers still matter but they’re no longer the whole story. And that’s what makes the journey worthwhile.