🍁 Happy Thanksgiving from Paris, with Love 🇫🇷❤️🇺🇸
While I may physically be walking the streets of Paris today, my heart is very much back home with all of you - my friends, my family, and everyone who has walked beside me during this unforgettable year.
Thanksgiving has always been a time for reflection, and this year, more than ever, I feel overwhelmed with gratitude. Not for things, but for people. For the souls who shaped my life in ways big and small, and who helped me step into the very best version of myself.
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To Christopher Kidawski
There is no world in which I could reflect on this year without starting with you.
Last Thanksgiving, when you told me to skip Thanksgiving dinner to stay committed to my 40-day water fast, you weren’t being harsh, you were being the kind of friend who sees someone’s future before they see it themselves.
Because of that decision, and your constant guidance, I’ve experienced the greatest physical transformation of my life. You have spent years caring about my health, long before I cared about it the way I should have. At this point, calling you “Doc” feels appropriate, because you are hands-down the greatest healer I know. Doctors worldwide should be learning from you.
I’m grateful for your friendship, your belief in me, and the many chapters of life I know we still have left to share. Italy or bust my friend!
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To Titus Jean
If Chris helped me shed what no longer served me, you helped sculpt what remained.
You took “skinny fat” Eric and turned me into a stronger, more disciplined, more confident version of myself. Through your strength-training wisdom, your simplified nutrition framework, and your relentless consistency, you’ve helped me build a body, and a mindset, that will stay with me forever.
But more than that, you’ve become a real friend. A brother in the building in Miami. Someone I admire, respect, and trust. Thank you for what you’ve done for me and for my brother. You are a good man, Titus, and I am grateful you’re in my life.
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To My Best Friend, Patrick Combs
Patrick, you are the one friend I trusted enough to hand my soul to, disguised as a script titled “The Inspired Way”.
You read it, felt it, understood it, and then you gave me one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever received: the offer to direct it on a stage.
That offer created a feeling in my stomach I rarely experience - fear. And you, of all people, know my life story… and what tends to happen when fear shows up in my path. 😉💪 Still processing your incredible offer!
I’m thankful beyond words for your friendship, for your belief, and for standing by me for so many years.
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To Chris Duggan
You hold a special place in my heart for the past year as well. You’re not a fan of Facebook, so the mushy stuff will happen over the phone, but don’t think for a second that you aren’t part of this Thanksgiving list.
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To the Three Most Important Women in My Life
My wife. Lori Lochtefeld
My mom. Gini Lochtefeld
My sister. Sue McDonald
You three are my rocks.
My emotional anchors.
My quiet strength on every hard day, and my loudest cheerleaders on every victorious one.
I feel loved, supported, and unstoppable because of you. And I want you to know: I celebrate your wins every bit as deeply as you celebrate mine. My love for each of you is solid, permanent, and etched in my heart.
I would also like to give a shout out to my East Coast cousin Tom Lochtefeld who has repeatedly had my back this year. It’s been a pleasure bonding with you, Tom, in the way that Beth envisioned we would.
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And Finally… To All of You in This Group
Five years ago, I created The Inspired as a counterweight to the negativity that floods social media - a place where I could write openly, honestly, and hopefully inspire a few people along the way.
The fact that so many of you take the time to read these posts - long as they may be - means more to me than you know.
You are not just an audience.
You are not just passive readers.
You are my Inspired Family.
Thank you for being here, for cheering me on, for allowing me to share my journey with honesty and vulnerability.
I am grateful for each and every one of you.
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Happy Thanksgiving, my friends & family.
From Paris, with a full heart. ❤️🇺🇸🍁
