Inspiring Conversations with Craig Sotkovsky of From This Point Forward

Today we’d like to introduce you to Craig Sotkovsky.

Craig, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Craig Sotkovsky what i figured out early on is that if life throws obstacles in your life, it’s definetly a choice to stand back up again.

I lived an unconventional life. I’ve been an Importer and Exporter, Author, Real Estate investor, 9/11 Volunteer, Cancer Survivor, Dad, and now a speaker on a mission to travel across America sharing a message of resilience and hope.

One of the defining moments of my life was being a Ground Zero Volunteer at the World Trade Center. Like Thousands of others i wanted to help. None of us Knew that we would feel the affects years later. After a Lung collapse in 2012 and Pneumonia, I eventually was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2017 from my exposure to the dust and debris.

Hearing that word ‘ Cancer ” changed my life.

It forces you to look at life different. It makes you decide what is really important

I wasn’t about to feel sorry for myself. It was figuring out what i was going to do with my time left, afterall i was married and my daughter was 11.

I always believed our struggles can make us bigger or stronger. I choose the latter.

Along the way, I wrote my book Everybody Pays A Vig. The title comes from that we all pay a price for everything we do in this life. Some through illness, addiction, heart break, failure or disappointment, nobody get’s out of this life without paying something, there are no free rides. The question is what are you going to do when life wants its payment?

Later on i became a Les Brown Power Voice Speaker, that changed my life for the better.

Today, at 60 years old, I’m preparing for what may be the biggest adventure of my life.

I’m building a nationwide journey across America in an RV, stopping in cities and towns to speak with people, share stories, visit communities, appear on podcasts and media outlets for the Anniversary of September 11, the journey starts July 28 in Atlanta and ends on 9/11 in NYC, and it is all about reminding people that they are stronger than what they think they are.

It’s not about me, it’s about building connections.

I’ve spent years chasing the wrong things that never really mattered. Now it’s about making an impact. If one person here’s my story and can connect with it and gives them the strength to keep moving forward, then everything I’ve been through had a purpose.

Recently i was featured on Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show With John Jay Wiley, Which reaches millions of listeners and now this interview which is another highlight in my life. Every interview reinforces the message that people want authenticity and tired of all the highlighted reals that people show on social media.They want real stories from real people who have been through hard times and found a way forward.

That’s what I hope to bring.

I don’t claim to have all the answers. I’m still learning every day. But I’ve survived things that should have broken me, and I’ve learned that resilience isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you build.

One decision at a time.

One step at a time.

One day at a time.

And that’s exactly what I’m doing now.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like many people I’ve had my challenges. When I was a kid, I was molested something I carried for years before I learned how to confront it and stop letting it define me.

I’ve been through divorce and emotions that comes along with watching a life, you built, fall apart. I’ve had addiction issues i had to face with the hard truth that nobody was coming to save me. And recovery required me to take full responsibility for my own actions.

I’ve had both successes and failures financially. I’ve had bankruptcies. I’ve lost homes, cars, and many times I thought about how it was gonna be rebuilding myself. I remember being a high achiever, one point in my life battling cancer I couldn’t even pay the light bill.

16 years later after 911, had a lung cancer diagnosis that was connected to my service at Ground Zero. That forced me to confront my own mortality in a way most people never have to.

I would’ve never chosen any of this stuff in my life. But each thing I went through taught me about resilience. Taught me that setbacks don’t have to become a permanent identity. You could lose a marriage or business, a house, your health or your sense of direction and still find your way.

Today people hear my story. They often speak about how I survived. What I focus on is the fact that I’m still here. Your obstacles don’t have to be another chapter and definitely don’t have to be the end of your book.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about From This Point Forward ?
​For three decades, I’ve been helping entrepreneurs discover their true identity, define their purpose, and apply both to move their business and life forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.craigsotkovsky.com
• Instagram: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craigsotkovsky
• Facebook: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18gU9gGmrH/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Other: https://www.gofundme.com/f/documenting-september-11th-cancer-stories-across-the-usa