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Mindset & GrowthPublished February 8, 20261 min read

Being in the Presence of Greatness Changes You

by Ali Novitsky, MD

In honor of Super Bowl Sunday, I want to share something that’s been on my heart all week:
Being in the presence of greatness changes you.

This week, I had the honor of meeting Leigh Steinberg — yes, that Leigh Steinberg… the legendary sports agent who inspired Jerry Maguire.

And what struck me most wasn’t the fame.

It was the values.

He spoke about leadership, legacy, and the responsibility of truly understanding the people we serve. Not just what they want… but what matters most to them.

And honestly? That hit me deep.

Because success without integrity isn’t success.
And influence without purpose is empty.

I also met some absolutely incredible humans — including Dr. Andrew Mock, an extraordinary strongman competitor doing amazing work as a doctor who truly does it all for his patients and colleagues (talk about the ultimate combination of strength + service).

The connections I made were humbling.
The conversations were inspiring.

And I’m walking away reminded of something so important:
Our greatest impact comes when we uphold our values and stay committed to the mission — especially when no one is watching.

More reflections coming soon.
But today, I’m just grateful.

Wishing you a powerful Super Bowl Sunday,
Ali

Back to all postsAli Novitsky, MD · Updated February 8, 2026
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