Community Saved My Life.


Hey friends,

I want to share the full story of what happened at The Thing this year. Many of you have heard bits and pieces, but I want you to hear it directly from me.

What Happened at The Thing

Tuesday night started like every other amazing kickoff.

We hosted our VVIP Welcome Dinner in our suite, and it was special. One of the attendees said something that hit me hard:

“I knew I’d get a ton of help. What I wasn’t prepared for was how much everyone cared for each other… and how much you would care for me.”

Wednesday was maybe the best VVIP Day we’ve ever had. Then we ended the night with an incredible meal at Toledo at Disney. Everything felt right. Everything felt full of purpose.

Then came Thursday... and things changed fast.

During our Hollywood Studios VIP Day we rode Midway Mania and I suddenly started shaking. Everyone else was hot, but I couldn’t get warm, and the color had drained from my face. So I went back to the room.

Friday morning, ten minutes before the VIP morning session was supposed to start, things went downhill quickly. I started turning blue so Leslie called 911.

I was taken by ambulance to Dr. Phillips Hospital, then transferred downtown for better care.

I had sepsis, and most of my organs were shutting down. Turns out it was all caused by the bacteria Streptococcus.

I spent 7 days in and out of the ICU. Then several more days in a step-down unit.

After 11 days in the hospital, I was discharged to a friend’s Airbnb. We spent a week resting before finally being safe to fly home after the holiday travel rush.

I’ve never walked through something like this before. And I’ve never been more proud of this community.

While I was in a hospital bed, the event continued. Speakers stepped in. Attendees cared for one another. The Thing didn’t just run – it thrived.

That’s what real community looks like.

Currently, we are at home outside of Nashville, with few plans for the next 30 days other than for me to rest and heal.

How You Can Help

This recovery is a 75-day journey, and I won’t be able to work much. Maybe a couple hours here and there… with some book writing sprinkled in. That means I've got an unexpected December and January with almost no revenue.

My friend Diana helped set up a GoFundMe, and to be honest, it’s been one of the most humbling things of my life.

Your generosity has helped us cover:
✔️ Meals
✔️ Travel
✔️ Medical-related expenses
✔️ Even friends donating flights and helping drive our car home

It has been supernatural. A full activation of love and support.

But now what I really need is financial strength for December and January while I recover.

If you’re able to help, here is the GoFundMe:
👉 https://gofund.me/f0775e2fa​

I can’t do this without you all. Thank you for every act of kindness.

How I Can Help You

While I’ve been healing, I’ve been thinking a lot about The Thing and what it’s become.
Next year marks 10 years of The Thing.

Ten years of people finding clarity.
Ten years of building community.
Ten years of “I’m not alone anymore.”

So I’m opening up something special:

The 10 x 3 Pass for 2026

You get:

✔️ The Thing Nashville 2026
✔️ The Thing Orlando 2026
✔️ Plus one extra Main Thing ticket to bring a friend… or donate it

This is my favorite part.
Every year someone shows up because someone else believed in them.
And they leave changed. It happens every single time.

If you’ve been thinking about coming back—or coming for the first time—this is the moment.

All the details are here:
👉 https://thething.live/10-years-thing/​

The special rate ends December 31st, 2025 at midnight.

Come get clarity.
Come get around your people.
Come help us make year ten unforgettable.

Lastly… Mastermind Spots

I opened 5 spots in my Mastermind Herd.
There are now 3 left.

Here’s what you get:

✔️ Two mastermind calls every month
✔️ A coaching call with me
✔️ Text access when you need help
✔️ A community of sharp leaders growing together

It’s $597 a month with a year commitment.

And if you grab one of these final three spots, I’ll add something big:

🎁 A private in-person VIP Day with me in Nashville in the second quarter of 2026.

If you want clarity, strategy, accountability, and a group of people who will push you forward… this is for you.

All the details are here:
👉 https://terryasyourcoach.carrd.co/​

If you still have questions, reply to this email, and I will get back with you.

⸻

Thank you for reading all of this.
Thank you for caring.
Thank you for praying, giving, sharing, and showing up.

I am alive because of God’s grace…
and because of people like you.

Let’s keep going.
Let’s keep building.
Let’s keep doing our thing.

With gratitude,
​Terry

Terry Weaver

I’m Terry Weaver — business coach and idea strategist who specializes in helping remarkable leaders navigate the galaxy of entrepreneurship. My biggest goal is to help YOU discover what you really want and help discover the map to head in the direction and arrive at the destination. You desire. It’s the age old Spice Girls question I ask all my clients:“ Tell me what you want, what you really really want.” Almost immediately after high school I became a full time speaker speaking to students in middle school, high school, and colleges. During that time I accidentally found myself in the music business helping artists navigate moving their dreams from their garage to selling out shows and topping the charts. Standing on stage in a packed arena things began to shift for me.

Read more from Terry Weaver

Two weeks from today, we’ll be together in Orlando for THE THING. Yes, I’m excited about the speakers, the conversations, and the Moments of Magic we have planned. But what I’m most excited about? The people. The speakers bring brilliance. But some of the best moments happen offstage. At lunch. In the hallway. Over dinner. In the hotel lobby, when someone says exactly what you needed to hear—and you realize you have something they need, too. That’s why I built THE THING. To bring people...

There’s cake-and-candles gratitude, and then there’s getting another birthday after wondering from a hospital bed if you would see another. This year, I’m feeling that second kind. I get more time with Leslie. More conversations with friends. More chances to help somebody see what’s possible. More opportunities to do the work I believe I’m here to do. At 51, if I know anything, it’s that stuff collects dust. Our relationships are a gift. The people who show up, tell us the truth, believe in...

Last October, I was too busy planning The Thing to celebrate my 50th birthday. Less than a month later, I was lying in a hospital bed wondering if I would get another one. On October 17th, I turn 51, and I want to celebrate by helping you get into that room. I know it’s my birthday and I’m the one giving the gift. Before I give you the details, I want you to understand why this matters so much to me. Last November, I was in Orlando for The Thing. We’d spent months preparing. People had booked...