Life lessons. A universal concept, life lessons are intriguing in that we each must have unique personal experiences to arrive at our own takeaways—even though so many of us share similar themes and values. As much as we may want to, we cannot vicariously learn these fundamental truths—as the term implies, we have to live them to realize them. Some of us, however, latch on to these key concepts sooner than others.

Jeffrey Fisher landed on these core lessons early and clearly: Be persistent, practice confidence, insist on authenticity, adjust and adapt, and, above all, value people. Wrap it up with a bow. You could say he was just being efficient—setting himself up on a distinct path that would carry him from childhood through to his accomplished career as a businessman and educator.

Stay the course. Swift and steady as she goes. That was until his course took a sharp left. On September 2, 2011, Jeffrey suffered a severe stroke leaving him partially paralyzed and unable to speak. “Not a lick,” he will often add. This single turning point changed his course completely—setting him down a path marked by years of trials and triumphs that would challenge him to revisit and reassess what he thought he knew about those fundamental life lessons he had held to be true for so long.

This is Jeffrey’s story, from start...to be continued, with all the key players and life lessons revisited along the way.