The Long Road to Mastery: Why You Should Never Stop Growing

At the end of February, I was honoured to receive the Master Butcher award from the Institute of Meat and The Worshipful Company of Butchers. It was one of the proudest moments of my professional life—a recognition of decades of dedication, craftsmanship, and commitment to quality.

But the journey to that moment was anything but smooth. And I want to share the truth behind the title—not for sympathy, but for anyone out there who feels like giving up.

Life Has Thrown Punches—And I Took Them All

In my twenties, I was dismissed from my role as a butcher. Not because I lacked skill—but because I was grieving. My first daughter was stillborn at 40 weeks, and I was devastated. I was angry at the world. When my emotions spilled over into my job and I had words with my employer, I was sacked. I can’t blame them. But it stung. Deeply.

Years later, I was let go again—this time from a company that couldn’t afford to keep me on past my probation. Another hit. Another moment of doubt.

But I didn’t quit.

Instead, I kept learning. I kept showing up. I kept refining my craft. I stayed in the trade, through the highs and the lows, because I believed in the value of good, honest work and the art of butchery.

And eventually, that belief paid off.

Risk, Growth, and Not Being Everyone’s Cup of Tea

Even today, in my current role, I take risks. I push myself, and I push others. I hold high standards, and I’m not afraid to speak up. That doesn’t always make me popular. But I’ve come to accept that being disliked for standing your ground is a fair price to pay for staying true to who you are.

Too many people water themselves down to fit in. I tried that once or twice. It didn’t work for me. I’d rather be authentic and uncomfortable than fake and quietly resentful.

Mastery Is a Mindset, Not a Medal

The Master Butcher award might sit in a frame, but what it really represents is years of resilience. It's a symbol of all the times I got back up, reinvented myself, and refused to let circumstances dictate my future.

I’ve learned this: You can go through some seriously tough times and still come out the other side better, stronger, and more grounded.

Whether it’s in your trade, your training, your health, or your relationships—growth is always possible. But it takes patience, consistency, and grit. You don’t have to be the loudest, the flashiest, or the fastest. You just need to keep showing up.

My Message to You

If you’re going through hell, don’t stop.

If you’ve failed, been fired, gone broke, lost someone, or feel like life is one long uphill climb—you’re not alone. I’ve been there too. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned through it all, it’s this:

Keep growing. The rewards come. Not always quickly, but they do come.

And when they do, they mean something real.

John Bye Master Butcher | Fitness Advocate | Author of 13 Foods to Build Muscle