Why “The Barracuda Foundation”

The name is a reminder that no matter how many times you find obstacles blocking your path to success and the attainment of your goals, remember who you are and keep pushing toward your dreams. Be the “Barracuda” you are meant to be.

Griffin Brackman Davis founded The Barracuda Foundation at the age of 26 years old, just a few years after sustaining an injury that put an end to his college swimming career at the University of Cincinnati. He finished his undergraduate degree at UC and completed an MBA focused on Business Leadership. It was during this time that he became familiar with a story shared by Michael Hyatt, President of a leadership development firm, about an experiment that was conducted several years ago by a marine biologist. This story held a special meaning for him.

I share the story below in hopes that if you can relate to the “Barracuda”, you will find encouragement, determination, and renewed strength to continuing fighting the battle. Likewise, If you know and love someone who is the “Barracuda,” I hope that the story provides a glimmer of insight into the struggles that “Barracudas” endure, oftentimes quietly, privately, and that you remember to reach out and remind them that they are not alone.

The Barracuda & The Baitfish

The biologist placed a barracuda into a small tank and then added some small bait fish. As you would expect, the barracuda quickly ate the smaller fish. Then the researcher inserted a piece of glass into the tank, creating two separate sections. He put the barracuda on one side and new bait fish into the other.

The barracuda immediately attacked. This time, however, he hit the glass and bounced off. Undaunted, the barracuda kept repeating this behavior every few minutes. Meanwhile, the bait fish swam unharmed in the second section until the barracuda eventually gave up.

The biologist repeated this experiment several times over the next few days. Each time, the barracuda got less aggressive, until eventually he got tired of hitting the glass and stopped attacking altogether.

Then the researcher removed the glass. The barracuda, now trained to believe a barrier existed between him and the bait fish, didn’t attack. The bait fish swam wherever they wished, free from harm.

This story is a great reminder that sometimes after receiving multiple setbacks, we just give up and stop trying. Even when there are no longer obstacles in our path, we have a tendency to train our mind to think that because we were unsuccessful in the past, then there is an unpassable barrier in our way. Don’t fall for it! Make sure that any obstacles to your success are real and not just mental barriers.

And then work out a plan to overcome them.

Griffin passed away on March 3, 2019 at 29 years old. The legacy and mission of The Barracuda Foundation is continued by Griffin’s loving family. We thank you for your support and hope that you will always be the “barracuda” that you are meant to be.