You may not know this about me, but the Fourth of July is my favorite holiday. It’s the 80/20 of holidays as far as I’m concerned; no decorations, gifts, or stress, but all of the family time, pool antics, and cookouts. Last night, we hosted our third annual 4th shindig, cementing this tradition as my favorite day of the year. The only downside on the day? I was robbed in the annual belly flop contest. 364 days to train for next year.
With it comes the halfway point in 2024 (can you believe it?) and my critically acclaimed half-year in review. So, without further ado, I give you:
3 Things I learned:
1. Discipline equals Freedom.
My goal this year was to become the healthiest I’ve ever been, measured both by a full battery of health testing and biomarkers as well as anecdotally. I was already well on the path after Q1, but in Q2, I decided to go all in. I started a 60-day challenge to complete 5 daily non-negotiables. The physical results were mindblowing, but the real gift was re-learning the power of consistency and compound interest. By eliminating choice, the world became incredibly clear. I’m learning more and more that moderation is exponentially more difficult than total commitment. Whether it be diet, exercise, or alcohol, I’ve found that a binary decision matrix frees up a tremendous amount of operating capacity. Here’s an example: last summer, I decided to limit drinking to two days a week. Every day, it seemed like there was a good reason to make that day the day, and I was constantly wrestling with the decision. I gave up drinking completely in September, and I was shocked to learn how much time and energy I was spending deciding whether or not to drink. The choice to cut it out completely gave me a deep sense of freedom and the ability to allocate that wasted energy elsewhere. I’ve now applied the same discipline to many other areas with the same result.
2. The difference in growth and scale.
This was a big one. Last week, I wrote about my experience at Dan Martell’s Empire Builder event, but perhaps the most important takeaway was the distinction between the mindset of growth and scale. If one is merely committed to growing their company, there is a lot of room to tolerate mediocre performance as long as things are trending in the right direction. When the decision is made to scale, there is a ruthless dedication to systems and standards that must be adhered to. Much like with my health journey, I have found tremendous freedom in setting clear standards and expectations (including of myself). In the past, I’ve always spent a lot of energy worrying about big decisions like where to allocate the marketing budget or whether or not to cut an underperforming team member. By getting crystal clear on my vision and the KPIs for success, I’ve completely removed what was once agonizing decision fatigue. It’s not always comfortable to hold the line, but the personal growth I’ve unlocked as a result is well worth it.
3. Cats are better than dogs.
Yeah, I said it. One of my favorite feelings in the world is having my mind changed, and this one is huge. Having always identified as a dog person, I must admit I was a bit skeptical when my wife wanted to adopt a cat last fall. Enter Daisy, a tuxedo kitten we adopted from a local cat cafe. This little ball of zany joy has stolen my heart. Her antics keep us cracking up day after day, and what’s been so refreshing is how much easier it is to care for a cat than a dog. Dogs are amazing, but man, they are a lot of work. With Daisy, I feel like we’ve gotten all of the upside with none of the downside. As of this writing, I’ve gone full cat dad, including going so far as to post cute cat videos to Instagram. Sure, it’s a controversial opinion, but this is a hill I’m willing to die on. Come at me, bro.
3 Things that worked:
1. X (fka Twitter).
This spring, I decided to go hard in the paint on X for a few reasons. First, whether I like it or not, this is where the conversation happens when it comes to finance. Second, it’s one of the few platforms that doesn’t penalize you for posting volume, so it’s great for testing ideas and hooks and seeing what resonates with folks to help refine my message. Finally, the potential for virality doesn’t depend on audience size. I was a little apprehensive because of its reputation for negativity and takedown culture, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised with the overwhelmingly positive response I’ve received so far. If you aren’t following me, I’d love to connect with you there – and I’ve got a lot of great content coming down the pipe. Here’s my favorite thread so far.
2. Sauna Squad
For the last two years, every Thursday morning, I’ve met with three other men who are deeply dedicated to growing both personally and professionally. The consistency and accountability have been nothing short of life-changing. We hit a quick workout and then do laps between the sauna and cold plunge. Inside the sauna, we share our biggest wins and deepest challenges. When I decided to go all in on the 60-day challenge, these guys were in the trenches with me, and that camaraderie was a huge part of my success. I can’t totally put into words the power of having a peer group of other men who are striving to become the best fathers, husbands, and entrepreneurs that they possibly can be. Looking to level up? Pick an activity, find a couple of peers who want the same things, and meet weekly. The frequent cadence seems to be the key to success for us.
3. Keeping my word to myself.
If you’ve been noticing a theme in this edition of the review, this is it. From fitness to business to family, I’ve been focused on keeping my word to myself. One of my favorite books, The Four Agreements, has this to say about the power of keeping our word:
“Be impeccable with your word. Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.” – Don Miguel Ruiz
Speaking with integrity and avoiding self-criticism are crucial aspects of maintaining integrity with oneself. By doing so, we build a foundation that then extends to our interactions with others. Keeping our word to ourselves fosters self-respect and authenticity, forming the basis for genuine and trustworthy relationships with others. My brother has adopted a daily mantra that I love: “Make yourself proud today.”
Now that the heavy lifting is out of the way, here are a few things that I found insanely valuable this year, and maybe you will too:
3 Products I love:
1. Dandy Del Mar
When it comes to summer fashion, men’s choices seem limited to ultra-casual or too formal. Enter Dandy Del Mar, my favorite new brand that bridges the gap between the two. I’d describe their stuff as smart resort wear with a stylish Cuban-inspired vibe. I’ve upgraded my closet with an uncomfortable number of their pieces, but the sheer number of compliments I get keep me coming back for more.
2. Tonal
If you’ve been following along on Instagram, then you know I love my Tonal. Here’s why: it’s a one-stop shop that gives you everything you ever need without having to build out a full gym. But beyond that, with powerful programming built-in, it also replaces working with a personal trainer because it sets the weights, tells you how long to rest, and gives you instructions on movements. The cables allow for some really advanced, asymmetric loading exercises like the Half-Kneeling Vertical Push-Pull, which is as crazy as it sounds.
3. Sens.ai
I’ve had a long-time meditation practice, but the Sens.ai is a total game changer. This wearable device is a cutting-edge tool designed to enhance cognitive performance and mental well-being. Utilizing advanced EEG technology, Sens.ai provides real-time brainwave monitoring and feedback, allowing users to optimize their mental state for focus, relaxation, or peak performance. After just a few weeks, I am blown away by the results – which are measured and tracked by the gamified interface.
3 Books I love:
1. Ishmael
Apparently, this is a classic, but somehow I missed it – until now. I try to keep reading fun by injecting books that are simply for pleasure into the steady rotation of personal development, business, and finance. Ishmael, by Daniel Quinn, is a thought-provoking novel that explores the relationship between humans and the environment through a Socratic dialogue between a man and a wise gorilla. This book challenged me to reconsider cultural narratives and take a hard look at the impact of human civilization on the planet. Let’s just say that it kept me thinking for weeks after I finished.
2. Built to Move
The latest book by my dear friends Kelly and Juliet Starrett is the foundation to better living through movement. My physical goal is to still be snowboarding when I’m eighty, and this book exposed some areas where I am in need of desperate improvement. A wonderfully entertaining read for the typically dry subject of human physiology, the Staretts do an excellent job of making underlying theory relatable while giving a very practical guide that can easily be incorporated into your daily routine. 10/10 recommend for anyone looking to incorporate more mobility practice into their fitness program.
3. Loving What Is
This seminal work by acclaimed personal development author Byron Katie is where the phrase “The Work” first originated. Katie offers a simple process for personal transformation based on four simple questions. It is truly rare to find a process both so simple and yet profound, but that is exactly what this book delivers. Whether you are new to personal development or a master of self-inquiry, her process is sure to reveal new perspectives and help shift narratives that no longer serve you. I’ve gone so far as to incorporate this process into my own coaching because, as with any great coach, I stand on the shoulders of giants.
So there you have it, folks: a few things I learned and some fun (and affiliate-free!) recommendations to help make the rest of 2024 your best yet.
To a fun and fruitful second half,
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