Are You Holding Onto Something That’s Keeping You From Moving Forward?
The hardest part about growth isn’t starting something new—it’s letting go of what no longer serves you. Seasons change, and so do our paths. For years, The Chris & Sandy Show has been a platform where stories were told, dreams were shared, and conversations flowed. It has been one of the most meaningful parts of my journey. But as I reflect on where I am today and where I want to go, it’s becoming clearer that the time has come to truly close this chapter and fully embrace the journey ahead with The Customized Ride.
The Temptation to Hold On
Letting go isn’t easy, especially when you love something deeply. The Chris & Sandy Show wasn’t just a podcast—it was a passion, a place of connection, and something that defined a huge part of my life. That’s why the idea of bringing it back in a limited way kept creeping in. I thought, Maybe I could still do a few interviews here and there? Maybe I don’t have to fully walk away?
But the more I sat with that idea, the more I realized it would be a mistake.
Holding onto something just because it’s familiar or comfortable isn’t a reason to keep it alive. The truth is, trying to balance both The Chris & Sandy Show and The Customized Ride would only split my focus. And at this stage, The Customized Ride demands everything I have. If I want to take it to another level, it requires my full attention and commitment.
The Cost of Holding On
We often think keeping a door cracked open is harmless, but there’s a real cost to not closing doors that need to be shut. Here’s what I’ve learned:
- Divided Focus Weakens Your Impact: You can’t give your all to something new if part of you is still tied to the past.
- Holding On Slows Your Growth: Progress requires space—holding onto old things crowds that space and keeps you stuck in limbo.
- It Prevents New Opportunities from Fully Developing: When one door stays cracked open, the next one can’t fully swing wide.
- Emotional Drain: Holding onto something out of nostalgia or obligation weighs you down more than you realize. It makes moving forward harder than it should be.
This is why I’ve come to accept that keeping The Chris & Sandy Show on hiatus isn’t just a practical decision—it’s the right decision.
The Power of Focus
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned over the years is that true success often comes down to one thing: focus. When you try to juggle too many things at once, you risk never truly excelling at any of them.
The Customized Ride has grown tremendously, and the vision for where it can go is bigger than ever. In just 2 ½ years, we’ve built a thriving community of over 400,000 followers and amassed more than 200 million video views. The goal is to scale to over 1 million followers this year and eventually hit 5 million. That’s not going to happen by splitting energy between two projects. It requires a laser-focused effort on content, partnerships, and community-building in the custom automotive space.
A Full-Circle Moment
This shift isn’t just about numbers—it’s personal. My journey into the custom automotive world started at 16 years old. Back then, I was just a kid who loved custom cars and trucks, never imagining that decades later, I’d be running a platform dedicated to showcasing them. In many ways, stepping fully into The Customized Ride is like coming home. It’s proof that sometimes, our passion finds a way back to us in an even bigger way.
Knowing When to Let Go
There’s wisdom in knowing when to keep pushing and when to step back. The Chris & Sandy Show has had an incredible run, and I’ll always be proud of what Sandy and I built together. But keeping it on hiatus feels right for many reasons:
- Shifting Priorities: My passion and energy are now fully aligned with The Customized Ride.
- Bigger Goals: The vision for The Customized Ride is ambitious, and achieving it means going all in.
- Seasons of Life: Just because something was great in one season doesn’t mean it’s meant to continue forever.
I won’t say I’ll never do another Chris & Sandy Show interview again. I’ll always love deep conversations, storytelling, and connecting with incredible people. But right now, my calling is in a different space. And that’s okay.
A New Way to Keep the Passion Alive
While The Chris & Sandy Show may be on hiatus, my passion for conversations and storytelling isn’t going away. Instead, it’s shifting. One of the most exciting aspects of The Customized Ride is that I will still get to interview people—just in a different way. Instead of artists, actors, and entertainers, I’ll be sitting down with builders, creators, and enthusiasts from the custom car world. Their stories, their passion, and their journey will now be at the heart of what I do.
This realization has been freeing. I don’t have to give up what I love—I just have to embrace a new way of doing it. And honestly, that’s what growth is all about.
Moving Forward with Purpose
By choosing to put The Chris & Sandy Show on indefinite hiatus, I’m not closing the door on storytelling—I’m just shifting where and how I tell those stories. The world of custom cars is filled with passionate builders, unique creations, and inspiring journeys. That’s where my focus belongs now.
So now, I challenge you: What are you holding onto that’s keeping you from fully stepping into your next chapter?
If something in your life is pulling at you, telling you it’s time to let go—listen. It doesn’t mean what you had wasn’t valuable. It just means it served its purpose, and now it’s time to make room for what’s next.
A Call to Action:
- Identify – What is something you’ve been holding onto that’s no longer serving you?
- Acknowledge – Why has it been hard to let go?
- Decide – What would it look like if you fully closed that door?
- Act – Take one action today toward fully embracing your next chapter.
You can’t build your future while living in your past. It’s time to let go and move forward.
For those who supported The Chris & Sandy Show over the years, thank you. Your encouragement and belief in what we created meant the world. And for those who are on this new journey with me, buckle up—The Customized Ride is just getting started.
Chris Benton
The Customized Ride covers car shows, car meets, car events etc..