When I interviewed Vincent Catanzaro for this special Never Been Promoted episode, I knew we were in for a real, raw, and deeply personal conversation. Vincent is a father of six, an entrepreneur, and someone who’s lived through challenges that most of us can’t imagine. His son, Victor, was born prematurely and diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and Vincent’s journey raising him has shaped the way he approaches both life and business.
We got into some heavy stuff—dealing with challenges you never saw coming, like raising a child with special needs. But instead of letting it crush him, Vincent found a way to not only handle it but use it as fuel to keep pushing forward.
Here are two key takeaways from my chat with Vincent, and if you’ve ever found yourself facing a tough situation, I think you’ll find them as helpful as I did. It’s packed with lessons that stick with you long after it’s over.
1. Resilience in Chaos, Powered by Faith
Vincent didn’t hold back when he talked about the early days after his son Victor was born at 29 weeks. It was chaos from the start—pulmonary hemorrhages, experimental drugs, weeks in the NICU. One thing he said really hit me: “I was pissed at God. We did everything right. Why us?” And honestly, who wouldn’t feel that way?
But instead of staying stuck in that anger, Vincent and his wife leaned into their faith and fought for their son’s life, one terrifying moment at a time, even when nothing was guaranteed. That’s what real resilience looks like—not pretending everything is fine but doing what needs to be done even when it feels impossible.
Key Takeaways from Our Discussion:
- Lean into faith when life gets chaotic.Vincent and his wife found strength in their faith during Victor’s early struggles. It helped them stay resilient when everything felt out of control. Whether it’s faith in a higher power, in others, or in yourself, trusting that there’s a purpose beyond the pain can give you the strength to keep going.
- Control is an illusion. We often like to think we can control everything. The truth is, we can’t. Sometimes, life blindsides you, and you just have to deal with what’s right in front of you.
- It’s okay to be angry, but don’t stay stuck. Vincent was honest about his anger, but he didn’t let it paralyze him. Instead, he used it as fuel to fight for his family and push through the chaos.
“People want to be included. Victor always wanted to be included. On the outside, people may see his wheelchair, but inside, he’s living a full life—full of achievements, family trips, and school awards. It’s important to remember that there’s a spirit inside everyone, and they’re all reachable.” – Vincent Catanzaro
2. Embracing the Unexpected Through a Shift in Mindset
One of the most powerful parts of our conversation was when Vincent talked about how he shifted his mindset over time. When Victor was first diagnosed with cerebral palsy, it felt like a loss. All Vincent could think about were the things Victor wouldn’t be able to do—no playing catch, no running around, no football games.
But slowly, his perspective changed. He started seeing Victor’s condition not as a limitation but as an opportunity to experience life in a different, deeper way.
He shared a poem called Holland that resonated with him. It’s about expecting to go to Italy for a dream vacation, only to end up in Holland. It’s not where you planned to go, but you eventually discover that Holland has its own beauty. Vincent’s life with Victor became his Holland—different than expected but just as beautiful, if not more.
It made me think—how often do we get so stuck on what should have been that we miss the beauty of what is? Life might not take you where you thought you were headed, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth enjoying the view. Changing your mindset isn’t easy, but if you’re willing, you just might find something more valuable.
What I Learned From His Experience
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- Shift your mindset to find an opportunity.Vincent stopped focusing on what his son couldn’t do and started embracing what Victor’s life brought into theirs. This mindset shift allowed him to appreciate life’s beauty—even when it didn’t go as planned. The same goes for any of us—there’s always something valuable if we’re willing to look for it.
- Use your experiences to fuel growth.Having dealt with intense personal challenges, Vincent’s business mindset became stronger. Once you’ve survived the tough stuff, you realize everyday work problems can be handled with confidence and clarity. That’s a perspective any entrepreneur or leader could benefit from.
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- Inclusion matters more than you think.Vincent made sure Victor was part of everything—whether it was school, church, or family outings. We all deserve to feel included, and Vincent’s story is a powerful reminder of how important it is to create space for everyone, no matter their circumstances.
3. Reflections from the Interview
What really hit me during our conversation was how Vincent’s experiences with Victor shaped him as a businessman. He’s been running an executive placement company with his wife for over four years now, and it’s doing well. But when you’ve dealt with the kind of challenges he’s faced at home, the business problems seem small in comparison.
Vincent talked about how, after going through the ups and downs with Victor, he feels like he can handle just about anything. “What’s a tough day at work compared to the things I’ve already survived?” That’s a mindset I think a lot of us could benefit from. When you’ve already faced down one of life’s biggest fears, the little daily struggles—whether that’s an upset client or a lost deal—don’t feel so overwhelming anymore.
There’s something liberating about realizing you’re capable of handling the hard stuff. And once you’ve proven that to yourself, nothing can knock you down. For Vincent, it’s given him a kind of confidence that carries over into his business. He knows he can adapt, push through, and find a way, no matter what gets thrown at him.
Here’s What I’m Taking Away:
- Resilience is about showing up, even when things feel impossible.Vincent didn’t know what was coming, but he kept showing up for his son. Faith helped him keep pushing forward, and that’s a lesson for all of us. Whether you’re dealing with personal struggles or business problems, resilience is built by pushing through uncertainty.
- Mindset shifts can turn struggles into something valuable.Vincent started out feeling like cerebral palsy had taken something from him, but eventually realized it gave him a richer life. The same can go for any challenge—if you look for the opportunities, they’re there.
- Inclusion matters more than you think.Vincent made sure Victor was part of everything—whether it was school, church, or family outings. We all deserve to feel included, and Vincent’s story is a powerful reminder of how important it is to create space for everyone, no matter their circumstances.
Final Thoughts
Talking with Vincent got me thinking about how I can deal with my own challenges a little differently. It made me realize that no matter how tough things get, there’s always something to be gained if you’re willing to see it. For Vincent, that something was a deeper understanding of resilience, a shift in perspective, and a life full of meaning, even if it didn’t turn out the way he once imagined.
When things don’t go the way you want them to, take this to heart: “You’ll face challenges, but if you keep pushing through, those challenges can turn into your greatest strengths.” Learn into them, learn from them, and grow through them.
If you want to hear more about Vincent’s journey, check out the full episode: Raising a Son with Cerebral Palsy: How Faith and Mindset Lead to Success with Vincent Catanzaro
CONNECT WITH VINCENT CATANZARO:
Website: https://www.reneevincent.win