Stronger You, Stronger Us

By Ralph Schonenbach Former Consultant Andersen Business Consulting , Founder and CEO of Meerkat, Inc.

The world feels heavy sometimes. News cycles, deadlines, the sense that everyone’s rushing but no one’s really connecting. I feel it too, like a weight pressing on my chest.

I’ve learned that the best way to lift that weight is to start with myself. As I wrote in Relationships Matter, healthy relationships begin with a healthy sense of self. If I’m not steady, I can’t be there for anyone else.

Here’s what I do to make sure I’m the person I’d want by my side:

1) Time Alone

I carve out space for quiet. A slow breakfast while the sun creeps in through the window. A walk without my phone. Time to let my thoughts settle like leaves drifting to the ground.

2) Fitness

When I’m not moving, my confidence dips. I make it a point to get my heart beating every day, even if it’s not the gym routine I used to do. It’s about energy and reminding myself that I’m alive.

3) Writing

Sometimes on paper, sometimes in conversation with ChatGPT, writing helps me untangle the mess in my head. It’s my way of sorting out what matters so I can bring my best to the people who matter.

4) Engaging with People

I reach out even when it feels like I don’t have time. A quick note, a call, a comment on someone’s post. Connection can make even the heaviest days a little lighter, and I want to be that for others, too.

5) Staying Positive

Shit happens. It always will. I remind myself that I have today, and that’s enough to smile about. Even a small smile can ripple out and lift others.

I do this work not because it’s easy but because it’s necessary. Being someone who lifts others starts with lifting myself. Each step I take to care for myself makes me stronger, more present, and more able to show up when others need it most. That, to me, is the heart of building deeper, lasting connections.

Ralph Schonenbach is an entrepreneur, author, and relationship expert with over two decades of global experience. As the author of Relationships Matter, he offers practical strategies to foster meaningful connections, combining deep personal insights with actionable advice. With a strong consulting, leadership, and product development background, Ralph has helped individuals and organizations enhance their networks and achieve lasting success. Passionate about personal and professional growth, he enjoys writing, international travel, and meeting new people, continuously advocating for the power of relationships in creating impactful opportunities.