Everyone has a band that speaks to them. For me, that band has always been Aerosmith.
My love for Aerosmith dates back to 1989. I remember watching the music video for “Love in an Elevator” and seeing Steven Tyler strut across the screen. What struck me wasn’t just the music—it was how thin he looked. At a time when I was struggling with my weight, seeing Tyler’s energy and confidence actually motivated me. It sounds silly to some people, but role models come from unexpected places. Watching Steven Tyler helped inspire me to lose weight and take better care of myself.
Over the years, I realized that it wasn’t just the music I loved. It was the themes. Aerosmith’s songs often reflected the way I viewed my own life.
“Dream On” is probably the greatest example. The song is about getting older, making mistakes, facing disappointments, and continuing to dream anyway. As someone who has experienced professional successes, personal disappointments, family challenges, and life’s inevitable setbacks, that message has always resonated with me. You keep going because the alternative is giving up.
“Back in the Saddle” speaks to resilience. There have been times in my career and personal life when I could have stayed down after a setback. Instead, I got back to work. Every lawyer, business owner, and entrepreneur gets knocked around. The key is getting back in the saddle.
“Just Push Play” has become something of a life philosophy. When things go wrong, you don’t stop the music. You keep moving. Write the next article. Serve the next client. Book the next conference. Life rewards motion.
“Nine Lives” reminds me that reinvention is possible. Throughout my career, I have changed firms, built my own practice, written books, launched conferences, and continually adapted. Like the song suggests, sometimes it feels like you’ve lived several different lives within one lifetime.
“Draw the Line” reflects the importance of boundaries. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned that not every relationship deserves unlimited access to your life. Whether it’s business relationships, friendships, or family dynamics, there comes a point where you have to decide what you will and will not tolerate.
“Walk This Way” reminds me of the role of mentorship. Throughout my career, I’ve tried to help retirement plan professionals navigate the complicated world of ERISA. We all learn from those who came before us, and hopefully we leave a path for others to follow.
“Eat the Rich” appeals to my independent streak. It’s not about wealth. It’s about challenging hypocrisy and entitlement. Throughout my legal career, I’ve never been impressed by titles,
prestige, or power. If something is wrong, it’s wrong. If someone is right, they’re right. The facts don’t care about job titles.
And then there is “Full Circle.”
The title became so meaningful to me that I used it for one of my books. Life has a funny way of bringing us back to lessons we thought we had already learned. The older I get, the more I realize that success isn’t about money, status, or recognition. It’s about understanding who you are and staying true to yourself.
When I look at these songs together, I realize why Aerosmith has remained my favorite band for nearly four decades. Their music isn’t really about success. It’s about survival. It’s about getting knocked down and getting back up. It’s about refusing to quit. It’s about believing tomorrow can be better than today.
In many ways, those songs tell the story of my life.
And it all started with a skinny guy named Steven Tyler walking through an elevator in a music video back in 1989.
