An Inspired Chat with Michael Holtz of West Knoxville

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Michael Holtz. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Michael, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I believe I’m walking a path now. I wandered for a long time, being involved in too many organizations and not feeling a whole lot of joy in the work; it felt like a job. I decided about two years ago to narrow my focus, and that has brought me joy that I hope exudes through all aspects of my life.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Michael Holtz. I am a 13-year survivor of stage-3b rectal cancer and a passionate cancer activist. I am chairman of the board of directors for Man Up to Cancer, an organization dedicated to helping men facing cancer social and emotional support through connection to other men. I am also a volunteer for Fight Colorectal Cancer, where I am a regional policy advocacy leader and a research advocate. For my day job, I am senior communications and marketing specialist for ORAU, a federal government contractor.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
I was angry at my dad for a long time. We had a very fractious relationship. He was emotionally and mentally abusive. If he was angry at me, he could go for months without speaking to me. We could literally be in the same room and he wouldn’t acknowledge my presence. He passed away when I was in college. I carried anger toward him for a long time, and I didn’t want to have children out of fear of repeating the same kind of behavior. He wasn’t a good father because he didn’t have a good father. I needed that trauma to end with me. And it has. Therapy, life experience and time has transformed the anger I carried into empathy. At the end of the day, I think I am a more empathetic person because of that relationship.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
When you hear the words, “you have cancer,” you literally stare death in the face. You learn very quickly who and what is important. I learned that life is a gift and that relationships are more important than things or accomplishments. I’ve advanced in my career and won dozens of awards for my work and for my cancer advocacy. My relationships — with my wife, Sarah; my late best friend, Ryan; the guys I’m close to at Man Up to Cancer, my family, my co-workers — mean far more than any accomplishment.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
Trevor Maxwell, the founder of Man Up to Cancer. To be fair, he is one of my closest friends so I’m more than a little biased, but I was on the sidelines of MUTC for a few years before I decided to dive in and get involved. Trevor’s humility, vulnerability, authenticity, passion to help other men because of his own experience needing support during his cancer journey, is what drew me to get more involved. A visionary idea launched a movement that is growing everyday. I am honored to work alongside a man of his caliber.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I would retire from work and spend more time with my wife, traveling to all of the places we want to to go. I would also dedicate more time to my advocacy work. Changing the world is a long game, sometimes, and I believe what I am part of will change the world.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Evan Michio (photo of me holding photo at Capitol)

Brian Fitzgerald (MUTC photos)

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