This blog is based on an inspiring episode of the Time to Thrive podcast featuring motivational speaker, bestselling author, and Common Goal founder, Nick Prefontaine. Host Bethany Meadows dives into Nick’s remarkable journey—from a life-altering snowboarding accident to building a purpose-driven business helping others move through trauma. His message is simple but powerful: you don’t just survive trauma—you can thrive because of it.

Let’s explore some of the key takeaways from this extraordinary conversation.

From Tragedy to Transformation

At just 14 years old, Nick was in a devastating snowboarding accident that left him in a coma. Doctors told his parents he might never walk, talk, or eat on his own again. But Nick had other plans. Guided by inner strength and an unshakable belief in what was possible, he made a full recovery—eventually running out of the hospital on his own two feet.

What’s most remarkable is how he turned that personal crisis into a system to help others: S.T.E.P., a four-part framework designed to move people through trauma and into action.

Key takeaway: Your story isn’t over just because you’ve hit a wall. Often, that’s where the breakthrough begins.

The S.T.E.P. System: A Path Through Trauma

Nick’s recovery wasn’t just physical—it was mental, emotional, and deeply purposeful. Over time, he realized he had unknowingly followed a system that helped him overcome the impossible. That system became the foundation for his business and his mission.

S.T.E.P. stands for:

• Support – Lean into your community and relationships. Healing begins with connection.
• Trust – Trust the process and your intuition. Your next step will reveal itself once you take the first one.
• Energy – Maintain your physical and emotional energy so your body and mind can do the work of healing.
• Persistence – Keep moving. Even small steps create unstoppable momentum.

Key takeaway: Systems aren’t just for business—they’re for life. Having a roadmap can help anyone move from crisis to clarity.

Fear Is a Compass

Nick’s story resonates with every entrepreneur who has ever faced fear, self-doubt, or the temptation to give up. Instead of being paralyzed by fear, Nick reframed it: he was more afraid of not listening to his inner voice than of pushing through the unknown. That shift in perspective became the fuel for his mission.

Key takeaway: Fear isn’t a stop sign—it’s a signal that you’re on the edge of something meaningful.

Aligning Business with Purpose

After years of working in real estate, Nick couldn’t ignore the calling to help others navigate trauma. That inner voice eventually led him to start Common Goal, a company focused on empowering individuals through his S.T.E.P. system and keynote speaking.

His advice to entrepreneurs? Start by reconnecting with your why. You may have started a business for practical reasons, but there’s a deeper purpose driving you—uncover it, and let it guide your decisions.

Key takeaway: The most powerful businesses are built on purpose. When you align with your mission, momentum follows.

You’re Not Stuck—You Just Haven’t Taken the First Step

For entrepreneurs feeling stuck or overwhelmed, Nick’s message is clear: don’t try to figure out the whole journey. Just take one step. Then another. And then another. Action builds confidence. Movement builds clarity.

You can download Nick’s full S.T.E.P. system for free at www.nickprefontaine.com/step to start your own journey forward.

Key takeaway: You don’t need the full picture to start. Progress begins with the first move.

Nick Prefontaine’s journey is a testament to human resilience, purposeful living, and the power of consistent action. His story will challenge you to see your setbacks not as dead ends, but as launching pads to something greater.

More than survival is possible. Thriving is within reach—one step at a time.