Most people are only fulfilled at work when they are doing something rewarding – which usually entails service to others. It’s not always the case, of course – but more often than not, human beings crave human connection. We are social creatures, so it makes sense that we want our work to mean something to someone else. David Fichman wasn’t happy in his career until he was doing impactful work that facilitated the growth of other people: he started changing people’s lives with his work.
David Fichman is the founder and creator of Bootcamp. It’s a program that helps people overcome personal obstacles where they are ultimately supported in becoming the best version of themselves. At Bootcamp, David Fichman helps people deconstruct their issues and their bad habits, so they can build better lives, both personally and professionally. David Fichman created an Instagram account for Bootcamp. There are inspirational videos from celebrities; the Instagram page gives us a taste of what one experiences at Bootcamp. The videos are from men and women – and they capture snippets of extremely moving and insightful moments. It’s no wonder there are over 100K followers of Bootcamp on Instagram.
“We have individual consultations, create videos, and promote values that we feel encapsulate our message,” Fichman says of Bootcamp. They help people through both social and psychological issues at Bootcamp because those are the things that will affect every other aspect of our lives, even our work lives. “We follow a disciplined, strict moral code to really deconstruct the issues of those who come to us for help,” Fichman says. “We believe this is the most effective way to create profound change, but it requires a strict, clearly defined rubric of how to improve,” he says.
David Fichman understands well the energy and work it takes to improve, as he had to do it for himself. Fichman grew up never feeling like he fit in with others. He wasn’t satisfied with common interests like sports, girls, and school. Fichman attended one of the top schools in Melbourne, Australia, but he always felt disconnected from the monotony of the system. He wasn’t inclined to pursue college or work for someone else. “I never quite felt as though my calling in life was to pursue these traditional avenues of success,” he admits. Fichman was constantly on a mission to get more out of life.
It’s no wonder he started a business at the young age of 12. Because Fichman was so unimpressed with daily life, he was motivated to find work that would be fulfilling. After high school, he worked for one of the top real estate agencies in Australia. It didn’t take long for Fichman to realize it wasn’t for him. After just six months, he left real estate and worked for a media company where he quickly moved into management and oversaw 25 employees, but even leading a company and making a lot of money wasn’t it for him: “A paycheck will never bring me the same happiness and fulfillment as hearing the words ‘you have changed my life,” Fichman explains.
Bootcamp has been David Fichman’s love. “What excites me most is the thought that I can love every moment of my work and make a significant change to the world, rather than just money,” he says. That has always been his goal. He may not have known it as a young person, but as he experienced different areas of business, being unfulfilled in all of them moved him to pursue one that he would find joy in. “The idea that there are others in the world who feel alone and without support motivates me to continue to grow this business,” Fichman says.
