The Shower Discovery That Changed How David Barnett Runs His Business (And His Body)

David Barnett has sold 36 businesses. He knows what makes a company sellable and what kills a deal before it closes. But the biggest lesson from this episode did not come from a spreadsheet.

It came from a sore spot he found in the shower on a family trip.

The Trip That Changed Everything

David is 6 foot 2 and was carrying around 225 pounds through the mid 2010s. He took his kids on a 5-week adventure trip through the mountains. They stayed in a rented RV.

While showering one day, David felt a sore spot on one of his testicles. His first thought was that he had bumped into a countertop. That spot turned into a testicular cancer diagnosis.

The Vitamin D Discovery

After surgery, David lost his drive to be active. He wanted to lay on the couch, eat potato chips and drink beer. He assumed it was a testosterone problem from the surgery.

He researched it and found that testicles use vitamin D as a building block for testosterone. He started supplementing heavily with vitamin D. Within 2 weeks, his cravings flipped from beer and chips to fresh food.

David climbed to 244 pounds during the hardest part of recovery. He has since dropped down to 171 pounds and kept it off.

Why Health And Exit Planning Are The Same Problem

David says 80 percent of the time, a small business does not sell for retirement. It sells because of something the owner never planned for, and health is one of the biggest reasons.

A health crisis forces a sale on the worst possible terms. Buyers see risk everywhere once a business depends too heavily on one person. Brian connects the same idea to your body: wait until something breaks and you are negotiating from a position of weakness.

What This Means For You

David treats his body the same way he tells clients to treat a business built to sell. Prepare years before you need to. Do not wait for a diagnosis to force the decision.

He also treats his health the same way he built his business: with real research, real numbers and a plan he actually follows.

About David Barnett

David C. Barnett is an author, consultant and international speaker. He has helped thousands of entrepreneurs avoid bad deals and land successful business exits. His YouTube channel and podcast reach a global audience of small business buyers and sellers. He has written 10 books on buying, selling and investing in businesses.

Common Questions From This Episode

How much weight did David Barnett gain and lose?

David climbed to 244 pounds during his cancer recovery. He has since dropped to 171 pounds and kept it off.

How does vitamin D connect to testosterone?

Testicles use vitamin D as a building block for testosterone. David started supplementing heavily and his cravings changed within 2 weeks.

Why do most small businesses actually sell?

David says 80 percent of the time, it is not for retirement. It is because of something the owner never planned for, and health is one of the biggest reasons.

How many businesses has David Barnett sold?

David has sold 36 businesses. He has also written 10 books on buying, selling and investing in businesses.

What is the connection between exit planning and health?

Both work the same way. Wait until a crisis forces your hand and you negotiate from a position of weakness instead of strength.

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