Video Courtesy of KSL.com

Summer is a great time to go back to our roots. Like ours, a lot of families take vacations to familiar locales where they have established memories…whether it’s a beach, a cabin or a creek where the fishing is almost legendary.

It’s important to remember where you come from. And it’s a good reminder of the road you’ve traveled to get to this point in your life…and renew the direction you’re headed.

I grew up in L.A. Going back brings a flood of memories. It also inspires me. We didn’t have a lot growing up. My mom, one of my personal heroes, worked three jobs, including at the Los Angeles Times, to support us.

That motivates me to this day to work hard to support my family…to thank my mom often…and to help other families who I see who face the same struggles.

Sometimes, we get to take it “full circle,” to give back to the people and places that have given us so much. My recent trip to Chonburi, Thailand reminded me of that too.

XanGo traces its roots to southeast Asia and Thailand, home of the mangosteen, the Queen of Fruits. We source the world’s most delicious fruit there and we take our leaders there every year to celebrate the culture that helped us create a new category of nutrition products.

On my recent trip to Thailand with Operation Smile we brought medical treatment to many children and families in need. It was a spiritual experience. I continue to be humbled and inspired spending time with the families and the children we serve through the XanGo Goodness Foundation.

And it’s a reminder of the importance of taking it the “full circle.” Remember where you’ve come from. Remember who helped you along the way. And remember to say thank you…and say it often.