Mike
top producer By Zachary Cohen
R O L E W I C Z renewing his focus
It’s not what happens to you but how you react to it that matters. When something happens, the only thing in your power is your attitude toward it. - E P I C T E T U S
When Mike Rolewicz was diagnosed with stage III cancer in March 2016, his life was turned upside down. Up until that point, Mike’s life was an image of success. He had been running the HR staffing and recruiting firm he founded for over twenty years. He was happily married, comfortable financially, and rooted in his community. Then, the cancer diagnosis came. The next several months were a struggle. He underwent twice-daily radiation to the head and neck and weekly chemotherapy for more than six weeks. He lost around 35 pounds during the radiation treatments, resulting in needing to be put on a feeding tube. A few months later, he needed surgery to remove the final remnants of the cancer. Despite the obvious physical and mental challenges, Mike found a way to make his battle with cancer a positive event.
20 • December 2023
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He took a painful few months and found renewed purpose. “During that time, I thought, ‘What is God’s lesson? Why am I here?’ I knew there was a purpose but didn’t know what it was yet. As I was getting dragged face-first in the mud, I had faith. I was one step closer to remission, one day closer to the old me.” After regaining his health, Mike returned to the office at his staffing company. But as he got back to work, he had a realization: he was not passionate about his work. He was going through the motions, uninspired to create something truly extraordinary. “It was a sustaining lifestyle business. It provided for the family, but I didn’t love it anymore,” he shares honestly. “I was just going through the motions.” After such a close encounter with death, Mike’s zest for life
Jacksonville Real Producers • 21
