Chris Garrido, Westshore Financial Group

06/07/2026

Felt some tightness in my knee after rep 8. Instead of forcing it, I stopped, stretched, worked on mobility, and came back to finish pain-free.

Building wealth works the same way.

The goal isn’t to blindly push through every obstacle. The goal is to recognize when something needs adjustment, make the correction, and keep moving forward.

Discipline isn’t just knowing when to press harder. It’s knowing when to pivot.

05/28/2026

Growth usually starts with being stretched.

In the gym.
In business.
In leadership.
In life.

Comfort rarely builds strength.

05/02/2026

After 7 weeks of being deactivated by FB, I’m back. I hope.

03/02/2026

Poured myself a glass of bourbon last night, and I had a thought: In bourbon, the barrel does two things at the same time. It protects and it transforms. That’s exactly what a good financial plan should do. It provides protection while creating the environment for long-term growth. Both require structure, patience, and the willingness to think beyond today - Even 7, 10, 12, 15, or 20 years beyond. 🥃

02/24/2026

The same principles that helped me lose 147 pounds are the same principles we use to build financial independence for our clients each day.

I’m extremely grateful to FOX 13 News - Tampa Bay and Ariel Plasencia for the opportunity to share my personal transformation.

The weight loss and the book get the attention, but the real story isn’t just fitness — it’s more.

Your body is your first ever balance sheet.

It reflects:
Your habits
Your discipline
Your consistency
Your long-term decisions

Financial independence works the exact same way.

No quick fixes.
No hype.
Just a proven process, followed consistently over time.

The families and business owners who succeed financially aren’t the ones chasing returns — they’re the ones committed to the plan.

Transformation is never about one big decision. It’s about the small, right decisions repeated daily. That’s true in the boardroom, on the balance sheet, in the gym, and beyond.

Ariel Plasencia sits down with the author of "Fit by 50" who lost 130 pounds in one year and is now sharing his journey of discipline, mindset, and life transformation.

02/21/2026

Went to our Tampa office & this was in the lobby

Proud and incredibly grateful that someone in our firm chose to display “Beyond Budgeting” — and even more humbled to see my work sitting alongside authors like Brené Brown and Gino Wickman, who have made such an impact on how we lead and serve others.

This isn’t about a book on a shelf. It’s about the mission to help the families we serve move from financial stress to financial balance and freedom.

Grateful for the platform.
Grateful for the people.
Grateful for the purpose.

02/19/2026

Forced to dress like a grownup today. 🤷🏽‍♂️

02/18/2026

Same people
Different mindset.
Stronger discipline.
Clearer purpose.

This picture isn’t just about weight loss — it’s about what happens when you finally decide to start doing the right things consistently.

You don’t need a perfect past.
You don’t need a perfect starting point.
You just need to start.

Your future doesn’t care how long you waited —
but it will absolutely reward you for beginning today.

It’s never too late to get in shape.
It’s never too late to take control of your money.
It’s never too late to build a plan.
It’s never too late to protect your family.
It’s never too late to change your legacy.

02/15/2026

Most people avoid resistance in all areas of life:
– they skip the hard workouts
– they avoid the tough conversations
– they delay the financial plan

But the weight doesn’t move…
until YOU do.

Stay under tension.
That’s where transformation happens in fitness and finance. 💪🏾💰

Not done yet.

02/13/2026

Growth requires resistance.

In fitness, resistance builds strength.
In finance, resistance builds wealth.

Market volatility.
Economic cycles.
Delayed gratification.

Those aren’t obstacles.
They’re the weight.

You don’t remove the resistance —
you train to handle it.

Strategy > Emotion.
Discipline > Impulse.
Long-term strength > Short-term wins.

Build it.
Protect it.
Grow it.