They met while Barry was studying electrical engineering and Pat was pursuing her bachelor's degree in elementary education at the same time.
Barry eventually went on to medical school, and they were married after only one year of his studies.
He was board certified by the National Board of Medical Examiners in three separate medical disciplines - Internal Medicine, Nuclear Medicine, and Diagnostic Ultrasound - as well as by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
It was there that Barry joined the faculty of Vanderbilt University Medical School, where they settled in Nashville, Tennessee.
Barry entered private practise in 1979 after seeing that his income potential as a professor at the university level was limited. Pat had a lot on her plate as a full-time mother and homemaker.
Barry and Pat believed that his medical practise, which earned him a salary in the top 1 percent of the income distribution, would provide them with the means to fulfil their objectives.
They discovered, however, that they had little time to spend with one other or their children, or to do the things that were truly important to them in their lives.
Because of the stress and frustration he was experiencing, Barry decided to have bypass surgery at the age of 37.
Pat understood at that point that she had no protection! When Pat's relatives presented them a business plan, he saw a solution and the two of them began their own company.
Barry did not become enthused until several months later, when, according to him, "It was encouraging to see other young professionals like myself who were not just excellent in their industries, but who were also financially self-sufficient and able to manage their time.
I also discovered a community of people that shared my beliefs, were honest and trustworthy, believed in the power of free business, and with whom I could be happy to be associated.
We made the decision to proceed and were able to achieve the Platinum level in 12 months."
Barry was able to reduce his medical practise to a part-time basis as a result of reaching the Sapphire level.
They made the decision to join Emerald in 1989, and Barry was able to completely retire from his medical practise in 1993, achieving the financial independence and personal freedom that they had hoped to achieve.
As Barry explains, "Freedom is the capacity to govern your time, allowing you to live life as you like and do the things that are essential to you."
Our children, Julie (who is married) and Randy (who is self-employed), are among the things we look forward to doing together.
Barry is also a licenced amateur radio operator and a collector of Lionel electric trains. The activities that Pat enjoys include reading, shopping, and decorating their home.
It was necessary for Barry to endure shoulder surgery and a second bypass operation during their Diamond qualification year.
According to Pat, "we had amazing support from our business team, as well as from the many friends we have made through this business," and as a result, the company's revenue increased.
As Diamonds, their reward is the freedom, security, and peace of mind that comes with having the time, money, and independence to live life how they choose to live it, with friends, freedom, and security.
"We believe that this business is the best vocation we could have chosen for ourselves, as well as the most useful activity we could do with our free time.
Ultimately, we want to assist as many people as possible in realising the financial success and personal freedom that this business provides.
Our vision is continually evolving, and we can confidently state that the best is yet to be discovered."
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