The Story Behind Fish on Fridays
Why I Finally Decided to Tell This Story
Some books are written because the author has something to say. This one was written because I had something to share.
THE STORY BEHIND THE TITLE
Why “Fish on Fridays”?
01
Simple Beginnings & Deep Roots
The title comes from something much simpler than the difficult chapters of my life.
It comes from family. From childhood. From traditions that stayed with me through military deployments, health battles, and decades of leadership. It’s an anchor to the little things that become part of who we are without us even realizing it.
02
It Was Never Really About Fish
Fish on Fridays is about the people, memories, failures, successes, and unexpected moments that shape a human life.
Looking back, you realize that the ordinary moments were never ordinary at all. They were the ones quietly keeping us grounded through every storm.
“Sometimes, looking back, we realize that the most ordinary moments were the ones keeping us grounded all along.”
Life Lessons & Turning Points
THE CHAPTERS I NEVER EXPECTED
Four key moments that shaped the book and redefined true strength.
1. Loss
The Day Everything Changed
I was only ten years old when my father collapsed and died. Losing him changed my life in ways I didn’t fully understand at the time. Some losses never really leave us—we simply learn how to carry them.
3. HEALTH & SETBACKS
When Life Didn’t Follow the Plan
Cancer, harsh treatments, injuries, and losing my independence forced me to confront battles I couldn’t solve with sheer determination alone. I had to learn how to accept help when pushing harder wasn’t enough.
2. SERVICE & LEADERSHIP
Learning to Prove Myself
Eagle Scout. College. 20 years as an Army Officer. The military gave me purpose and taught me discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. But the most important lessons had nothing to do with rank—they were about people.
4. RESILIENCE
Learning to Walk Again
There is something deeply humbling about having to learn how to walk again. You discover progress isn’t always impressive—sometimes progress is simply getting out of bed, standing up, and trying again tomorrow.
WHAT I KNOW NOW
“Success isn’t measured by how many times life goes according to plan. It’s measured by what we do when it doesn’t.”
— Greg P. Smith
EXPLORE THE THEMES
WHAT YOU’LL FIND INSIDE
Click through the six defining pillars of this personal journey.
Loss
Military Service
Leadership
Family
Cancer & Recovery
Faith & ResilienceTHEME 01
Loss & Unexpected Grief
At ten years old, Greg Smith watched his father collapse and die on the staircase of their home. In a single moment, the foundation of his world disappeared. Some losses never really leave us—we simply learn how to carry them and find meaning in the quiet empty spaces left behind.
THEME 02
Military Service & Purpose
From ROTC to over 20 years as a U.S. Army Officer training soldiers, doctors, and nurses. The military gave Greg purpose, discipline, and taught him how to handle high-stakes responsibility. Yet the most enduring lessons had nothing to do with military rank—they were about human connection.
THEME 03
Leadership & Chasing Accomplishment
Eagle Scout, Army Officer, business executive, and global speaker. A lifetime of driving relentlessly toward success and building an identity through achievements—only to realize that titles and accolades cannot protect us from life’s most unexpected personal storms.
THEME 04
Family & Roots
Rooted in simple childhood traditions like Fish on Fridays. It’s a testament to the quiet power of family memories, lasting traditions, and realizing that what we spend our lives chasing often matters far less than the ordinary moments spent with those we love.
THEME 05
Cancer & Unexpected Battles
Navigating harsh treatments, surgeries, and severe mobility loss. When self-reliance and willpower weren’t enough to solve the problem, Greg had to learn one of the hardest lessons for any leader: how to stop pushing harder and finally learn to accept help.
THEME 06
Faith & Learning to Walk Again
Learning to literally stand up and walk again proved that true strength isn’t about standing invincible—it’s about getting out of bed and trying again tomorrow. It is in the quietest, hardest trials that spiritual strength, grace, and genuine resilience are forged.
ESSENTIAL TRUTHS
What I Learned
I don’t pretend to have all the answers. But through loss, service, cancer, and rebuilding—I have learned a few fundamental truths.
01 SURVIVAL
You can survive things you once thought would break you.
02 COURAGE
Asking for help is not weakness—it is courage.
03 IDENTITY
Your title, career, possessions, and accomplishments don’t define your worth.
04 PRIORITY
Family matters more than almost everything we spend our lives chasing.
05 PROGRESS
You don’t have to understand everything that happens to you to keep moving forward.
06 WISDOM
Sometimes the hardest chapters of our lives teach us the most important lessons.
THE BOTTOM LINE
“I didn’t write this book because I had all the answers. I wrote it because I learned that life isn’t measured by how many times things go according to plan—it’s measured by what we do when they don’t.”
— Greg P. Smith
A MEMOIR OF RESILIENCE & FAITH
Begin Your Journey Through Resilience
A powerful story of perseverance, laughter, camaraderie, and hope.