FLM
FLM
Fete Lifestyle Magazine
Publisher's Note
Inspiration has a way of finding us when we least expect it. It comes in many different forms, at different stages of our lives, and often from people who may not even realize the impact they’re making. For me, growing up as an athlete, inspiration came from my football heroes. I admired not only their athletic ability but also who they were off the field. In middle school, I was particularly struck by high school players who excelled as both athletes and students. Watching them set an example made me believe that I, too, could go to college and play football.
As my athletic career ended and I transitioned into Corporate America, my sources of inspiration shifted. I found myself looking up to people who had built successful careers. Although I didn’t yet know where my own professional journey would take me, I knew I wanted to do something different, meaningful, and impactful. Along the way, I was fortunate to have mentors who guided me, and when I moved to Chicago, I found inspiration in professors, investment bankers, politicians, and professionals from diverse walks of life. Their success stories opened my eyes to new possibilities.
Now, in this chapter of my life, my greatest inspiration comes from my kids. Watching them grow from boys into young men inspires me daily. I celebrate their successes, help them through their setbacks, and do my best to model what it means to navigate life with resilience and integrity.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that inspiration doesn’t just motivate us — it empowers us. It pushes us to become better and to do better, even in moments when we feel uncertain. It shifts our perspective from receiving to giving, and it reminds us that empowerment is connected to expression.
This month’s Empowerment & Expression issue is about exactly that — stories of people who’ve found inspiration in unexpected places and used it to transform their lives. I hope as you read this issue, you’ll feel some typr of inspiration that encourages you to live your best lifestyle.
Enjoy.
D.C.
Empowerment Through Inspiration
Cover Photo Credit James Gustin
On the Cover: Ryan Chiaverini
Location: Chicago, IL