Phil Leffelaar: Holding Fast to What Matters in Life and Leadership
- Ihor Saveliev
- Jan 10
- 10 min read
Updated: May 28
At Hasel Magazine, we’re always captivated by stories of individuals who forge their own paths, and Phil Leffelaar is no exception. With a career spanning multiple industries, Phil’s narrative isn’t just about professional success—it’s about finding purpose, building relationships, and staying true to core values. Join us as Phil opens up about the lessons he’s learned, the challenges he’s embraced, and his vision for inspiring others through Holdfast Ventures.
Talent PHIL LEFFELAAR / Photography by IHOR SAVELIEV / Grooming ANASTASIIA SAVELIEVA
HASEL Magazine: It’s great to have you with us, Phil! Let’s explore the values and lessons shaping your journey. You’ve been involved in a wide range of careers, from construction and landscaping to non-profit leadership and agricultural investment. What common threads or values have guided you through these diverse roles?
Talent PHIL LEFFELAAR / Photography by IHOR SAVELIEV / Grooming ANASTASIIA SAVELIEVA
Honestly, I’ve always been someone who starts to feel restless after a few years in a role. I think it’s because I’m naturally drawn to new challenges and opportunities that present potential—not just for the work itself, but for the people involved. For me, the real thread running through all my career moves has been the pursuit of working with people I trust and respect, rather than just chasing the job title or industry.
Over the years, I’ve noticed that opportunities often come from relationships. Some of the best roles I’ve stepped into didn’t necessarily align with my skill set at the time, but they came about because I connected with leaders whose integrity and character I believed in. I’ve always thought that if I could trust the people I was working with then I could feel confident that they were acting in the best interest of the team or the collective, even when decisions didn’t align with my perspective. That’s been a huge guidepost for me.
Talent PHIL LEFFELAAR / Photography by IHOR SAVELIEV / Grooming ANASTASIIA SAVELIEVA
Another common value for me is this learner’s mindset I’ve carried into each role. Most job changes I made were career changes. I’ve often jumped into fields where I had little to no technical experience, but what I brought with me was a focus on improving processes and building operational efficiency. I figured that if I stayed curious and focused on problem-solving, I could create value. Beyond learning the technical side, I’ve always focused on positively impacting the culture of the teams I work on. My goal has always been to build relationships intentionally and contribute to a positive environment, one where people feel seen and valued. That focus on culture, I think, has opened a lot of doors for me to step into leadership roles, even in areas where I may not be the expert.
Talent PHIL LEFFELAAR / Photography by IHOR SAVELIEV / Grooming ANASTASIIA SAVELIEVA
One decision I’ve been intentional about is knowing when it’s time to move on. I’ve always been aware of when I no longer felt “in it” and my drive for a role started to fade. Instead of holding on too long and letting that lack of motivation show, I was intentional to leave jobs on a high note. I wanted my coworkers to wish I’d stayed, not see me no longer showing up with the same energy. That mindset helped me move forward into new roles without needing absolute certainty about what was next. I’ve found that trusting the timing and leaving with integrity always served me well.
Over the years I've struggled with this self-perception of bouncing around. There were moments when I wondered if moving through so many different roles might reflect poorly on me. But looking back, I see how each position equipped me with tools, insights, and relationships that serve me today. Those seemingly disparate experiences have shaped who I am and allowed me to adapt across industries and roles. I’ve come to appreciate that what matters isn’t the linear path but the values you carry with you—trust, curiosity, relationships, and culture-building. Those have been my constants, no matter the work I was doing.
HASEL Magazine: What motivated you to start holdfast ventures, and how do you envision inspiring men to grow and show up as their best selves?
The motivation behind starting Holdfast Ventures stemmed from a deeply personal realization: I wasn’t showing up as the man I knew I could be. A few years ago, I came across a quote by G. Michael Hopf that resonated with me: “Hard times create strong men, strong men create good times, good times create weak men, and weak men create hard times.” That quote forced me to take a hard look in the mirror and recognize moments in my life when I wasn’t leading with strength or integrity. I saw ways I had been selfish, insecure, or fearful, and I knew that wasn’t the man I wanted to be—not for myself, not for my family, and not for the people I interact with every day.
My kids—who are now 8, 6, and 4—became my biggest source of inspiration. I want to model for them what it means to be a person of character. I want them to have a father who embodies integrity, patience, kindness, confidence, and boldness. A man who loves deeply and serves selflessly. I’ve realized that many men face this same battle. There’s a desire to show up as better husbands, fathers, and leaders, but it’s a tough road to walk alone, especially when so much of society seems to encourage self-indulgence—this idea that “you should just do what’s right for you.”
Talent PHIL LEFFELAAR / Photography by IHOR SAVELIEV / Grooming ANASTASIIA SAVELIEVA
The problem is that this mentality often leaves men focusing on things that feel important in the moment—like the next work promotion, planning the next big hunting trip, or upgrading to a new lawnmower—while neglecting the things that matter most. How we show up at home with our families, with our neighbors and at work, these are the things that leave a lasting impact, that build a legacy. But when we lose sight of them, I believe we drift towards becoming “weak men,” caught up in comfort and distractions rather than purpose and growth.
With Holdfast Ventures, I want to create a space where men are challenged to take ownership of their lives, one where they can grow in how they lead at work and how they love and serve at home. I believe men need a space where they are reminded that they are called to more.
The name itself reflects the vision. Holdfast speaks to the idea of remaining tightly secured or firmly adhering to the principles and values that matter most—the ones that will truly stand the test of time. I want to challenge men to hold tight to the values in life that, when they're laying on their deathbed, have mattered most. Ventures suggests something bold and risky—an undertaking that carries uncertainty but promises incredible growth and value.
Holdfast Ventures is still in its early stages, and I’m not entirely sure yet what exact form it will take. But the mission is clear: to create a community of men committed to stepping into who they were created to be. To challenge each other to grow, to lead, to love, and to leave a legacy that matters.
This isn’t just a project or an idea for me—it feels like a calling. I’m excited to see how it unfolds and how it can inspire men to show up as their best selves, both for their own lives and for the people they impact along the way.
Talent PHIL LEFFELAAR / Photography by IHOR SAVELIEV / Grooming ANASTASIIA SAVELIEVA
HASEL Magazine: With your extensive experience in leadership and community supported, what do you think are the biggest challenges men face today in stepping us as leaders in their own lives?
I think distraction is one of the most dangerous challenges men face today. It’s not just about the constant noise from our phones or social media or work emails—it’s also about the deep-seated cultural distractions that skew our understanding of what it means to be a strong man. Society often paints this picture of masculinity that equates strength with arrogance, pride, or selfishness. Men are often expected to “hold it all together”—be confident, always have the answers, maintain a clear career path, and suppress emotions. These expectations can weigh heavily on men, creating this false foundation for how men structure their lives, a distraction from their families, from their emotions and how they show up in the world.
A lack of ownership is another challenge men face constantly. Far too often, we look outward for excuses. It’s easier to blame others or external circumstances than to take responsibility for not just our actions but also our reactions and attitudes. Ownership is about asking hard questions like, What role am I playing in this? How am I contributing to the problem or situation? Many of us avoid that level of introspection because it can feel uncomfortable and requires vulnerability, something men are often told not to show.
Talent PHIL LEFFELAAR / Photography by IHOR SAVELIEV / Grooming ANASTASIIA SAVELIEVA
Another big one is the fear of failure. This obviously isn’t unique to men, but I think it manifests differently for us because of those societal expectations. We’re scared of what happens if we don’t meet the benchmarks we’ve set or that others have set for us. What if we don’t get the next promotion? What if our salaries don’t stack up against our friends’? What if we don’t buy a bigger house? These fears can trap us. They stop us from taking risks—like leaving a secure job for something more meaningful—because we worry about what failure would look like to others. But I've been asking myself in my current season of life: what if we let go of that fear? What if we stopped letting the opinions of others dictate our future? These are questions many of us don’t ask ourselves and by avoiding them, we settle into comfort of the daily grind, potentially tethered to a life of mediocrity.
HASEL Magazine: You‘ve been described as someone with many hobbies, from playing drums to Muay Thai. How do these interests help you maintain balance and fulfillment in your personal and professional life?
My hobbies have been a source of balance and fulfillment in my life, providing a sense of grounding and joy, especially during challenging seasons. From as far back as I can remember, I’ve had a tendency to dive headfirst into whatever activity caught my attention—whether it was biking, snowboarding, wakeboarding, cars, hunting, or playing the drums. These hobbies weren’t just passing interests; they became outlets that fueled my passion for learning and experiencing life from different angles.
One of the most rewarding aspects of having so many hobbies is that they’ve fostered a learner mindset. When you’re trying to master something new—whether it’s the technique of a Muay Thai kick or learning a new song—you have to embrace sucking at it the first time! That mindset has spilled over into my personal and professional life, helping me adapt to new environments, step into unknown territory, and stay open to growth.
Talent PHIL LEFFELAAR / Photography by IHOR SAVELIEV / Grooming ANASTASIIA SAVELIEVA
One thing I love is how my hobbies naturally intersect with relationships. So many of my greatest memories involve doing these things with other people—snowboarding trips with friends, music sessions with some of the same guys for the past 10+ years, or creating memories over countless hours sitting in the cold on a hunting trip. Hobbies, for me, have always been about more than just the activity; they’re about creating meaningful experiences with others. That’s where the real magic happens—when passions overlap with connection.
Ultimately, my many interests are a reflection of what I value: growth, adaptability, experience, and relationships. They keep me grounded, energized, and continually excited for what’s next, both in life and in work.
Talent PHIL LEFFELAAR / Photography by IHOR SAVELIEV / Grooming ANASTASIIA SAVELIEVA
HASEL Magazine: You’re on a mission to inspire men, and you’re a father to three kids. How does being a dad shape the way you lead Holdfast Ventures?
Intentionality is the first word that comes to mind. As a father to three kids, I’ve come to understand that living a life of impact requires being intentional in everything we do. To show up as the dad I want to be, I need to be purposeful with my time, my words, my actions—every small choice I make in the day-to-day. The same principle applies to Holdfast Ventures and working with men stepping into more. None of us will randomly stumble into becoming the best version of ourselves. Growth doesn’t happen by accident—it takes deliberate effort, focus, and yes, intentionality.
In parenting, my wife and I try to approach things through a lens of calling them into more. That means we don’t let our kids off the hook easily. We challenge their thinking, their emotions, and the way they show up in their schools, with their friends, and in the world around them. We want them to see that they are active contributors to the world they’re living in—not just passive participants. This perspective is foundational to how I approach Holdfast Ventures as well. When working with men, it’s about calling them into more, too.
Talent PHIL LEFFELAAR / Photography by IHOR SAVELIEV / Grooming ANASTASIIA SAVELIEVA
I often ask: Are you open to being wrong about your thoughts, your beliefs? Are you willing to take ownership of how you show up in your work, in your relationships, in your life? There’s a phrase I’ve learned: “An experience I’m having is an experience I’m creating.” In other words, the way we engage with the world is our responsibility. So I ask, What experience do you want to have? This kind of intentional ownership isn’t about perfection—it’s about refusing to let a hard day at work, a frustrating moment with the kids, or something like a leaking water heater dictate how you show up. At the end of the day, it’s on us to take that responsibility seriously and get after it.
Being a father deeply informs my work with Holdfast Ventures. The lessons I want to pass on to my kids—accountability, resilience, and a commitment to growth—are the same principles I live out and instill in the men I work with. It’s about showing up fully and calling yourself and others into the people we’re capable of being. Whether in my home or in my work, my mission is the same: to inspire, challenge, and guide people into living lives of greater meaning and impact.
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