Erik Baylis is the President and Co-Founder of the charity, Never Had a Bad Day. In 1994, while visiting a family member in hospice, Erik met an elderly man who would forever change his life perspective. This man said, “I have never had a bad day in my life,” which sparked Erik’s curiosity and led him to ask how that could be. His response was simple that maintaining a positive viewpoint will shape how you perceive life’s situations, even the difficult ones. Erik internalized the conversation with this man, and has embodied this outlook since that day. Now, if you ask him, “How are you?” You will most likely receive the reply, “I have never had a bad day in my life!”
Erik is passionate about philanthropy and it has always been a dream of his to start a charity. For many years, he has supported and volunteered for various Chicagoland organizations. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus with St. Alphonsus Church and serves on neighborhood boards throughout Chicago and the suburbs. A former wrestler himself, Erik now coaches a youth wrestling program in Park Ridge.
Erik has said, “I believe the goal in life is affecting as many people as possible. In my mind, the ultimate objective is how many people remember you in a positive light when your day comes,” and he lives by these words. Through NHBD Foundation, Erik is excited to put 365 smiles on 365 people every year. He looks forward to growing this charity to be recognizable in every hospital in the Chicagoland area.