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Category: Living Well

Never Underestimate The Power Of Full Spirited Coaching Moments

Published on August 19, 2025

A friend called me tonight and was telling me how he felt weird being thanked for big changes he made in people’s lives… from what felt like small moments of coaching he had with them.

He said it really didn’t feel like much at all for him to stay after a martial arts class and work with people for a few moments here and there…

…And for them to come to him later on—weeks, months, or even years later—and tell him how much of an impact it made on them felt—disproportional.

But, what I told him is that it isn’t the length of the moment that makes the impact on students…

…It’s the depth of energy and attention that’s brought into those moments.

Because there’s a distinct difference between a long, half-hearted effort and a short, full life-force one.

…All it takes is a one degree difference in a plane’s trajectory to have it land in an entirely different country given enough time.

…And the same is true in this example.

We’re not changing people’s lives in the coaching moments themselves—but we ARE changing their direction (or at least that’s the goal). And then they’re changing their lives by following that slightly altered path given enough time. And THIS is the way any real change in other people’s lives is done.

When the student is ready—the teacher arrives…

And when the teacher is ready (to fully commit)—THAT is how and why a student thrives.

P.s. I wrote a 30-day guide that’ll help you build unshakable confidence in your life’s direction. Deets here.

Soft-Spoken Leadership?

Published on August 18, 2025

I invited a young martial arts student of mine onto my school’s Leadership Team tonight.

…And yet she is one of the most soft-spoken students in the entire school.

She doesn’t project her voice or speak with conviction… she doesn’t try to claim the spotlight or do things that give off “main character” energy… and she definitely doesn’t cause a ruckus or make sweeping impacts on the vibe of an entire class…

And some of you might be confused by this… because isn’t that what leaders do?

But, I learned long ago that leadership is influence, nothing more and nothing less.

And what I’ve noticed is that she’s always on top of her curriculum… and people tend to go to her for help… and she’s one of the first people I go to when I need help helping another student… she comes in early and stays late… she’s selfless and takes above and beyond initiatives to help her family, our school, and even other charities… and she always influences the class with a warm, focused, committed energy that may not sweep up every student… but definitely impacts a few each time.

My intention sharing this with you today is to remind you that leadership doesn’t always have to look like what you might see at the top of our local, regional, and national social hierarchies. Leadership is influence. And if there are people around you who are influencing others to act in a way that you (or your organization) would love to have them act… maybe you should consider acknowledging that person, too.

What Fun Costs

Published on August 17, 2025

I went to, what I estimated to be, a multi-million dollar nighttime light display event at my local zoo today.

…And what did the other person, child, and I spend the sweeping majority of our time interacting with the most?

…A puddle of water, a light up floor, and a swing.

Sure, the multi-million dollar event itself made for an incredible experience, offered awesome scenery, and gave all of us plenty to talk about.

…But, don’t think that the multi-million dollar budget was (or ever is) necessary for fun and entertainment.

A little imagination, or maybe more appropriately said—zoo-magination—is (and always will be) all that’s ever truly necessary.

Sliding Down Bleacher Stairs

Published on August 15, 2025

I saw a kid today, maybe 10 years old, sliding down high school bleacher gym stairs, on his butt (hear: thump, thump, thump…), with his martial arts uniform wide open exposing his chest and tummy, laughing hysterically, giving zero cares to any of the other hundred or so people in the gym, concluding planted on the gym floor, laying on his back, giggling like it was the best thing he had done in his entire life.

…I hope one day I can unlearn my way back to a place where I can un-self-consciously do things like that at such a high level.

It’s amazing how far away from presence, joy, and healthy carelessness we’re taught to be—in the form of “Grow up” “Be cool” “Fit in” “Don’t act like such a child” “Don’t be so immature” “Don’t be such a loser…” When in reality… it’s the younger version of ourselves that—in so many ways—had it right all the way from the start.

Random Theory About Live Music

Published on August 13, 2025

Random question: If I asked you to place your hand where you think your soul hangs out, where would you place it?

…I don’t know about you, but my hand tends to go somewhere between my heart and my stomach—near the very center of my being.

If this wasn’t you, then go ahead and just disregard the above two sentences.

Okay, now random theory about live music: one of the reasons we love it so much is because we can align the very center of our being with the type of music that we innately and have always indescribably loved… and we can feel it vibrate into that sacred center—what some might describe as our soul.

Which is also why I think we love to sing our favorite songs—because the vibrations from our voice box resonate into that same place.

…And whatever vibration our soul has always been craving, is finally shaking its way inside.

…And for that brief span of time—everything in our world feels aligned, in rhythm, and alright.

P.s. This extra post is being sent to make-up for the one missed on Friday, August 8th, 2025.

On Toxic Work Environments

Published on August 7, 2025

I student of mine asked for advice on working in a toxic workplace.

Step 1, I said, is to figure out if the toxicity is coming from one or a few rotten apples—that are contaminating the rest of the lot—or if it’s the tree as a whole that’s toxic and it’s the source itself that’s contaminating the lot.

Step 2, of course—if we’re talking of one or a few rotten apples—is to take the appropriate actions to either remove the apples that are rotten or perform some kind of corporate/systemic/HR alchemy and cure them of their rot. Even if it’s the biggest, sweetest, highest yielding apple of the lot… it’s never worth ruining the rest of the harvest. Cure or remove are the only options.

…And if it’s the tree as a whole that’s toxic, well, I told my student, you’re better off taking your apple to another tree. Because the time, energy, and effort that would need to be invested into curing an entire tree, would be taken away from the time, energy, and effort that could be invested into yourself and a different tree that’s healthy and postured for growth.

Which is the last point I made: A massive tree that’s toxic is not better than a smaller tree that’s healthily growing. Always invest in trajectory as much as you do any other factor.

Stop Complicating Your Morning Routine

Published on August 7, 2025

I’m sure you’ve heard the expression, “Win the morning; win the day.”

And I bet you’ve heard countless suggestions from countless sources on how exactly you can do that. You might’ve heard things like:

  • Wake up at 6am; better yet, join the 5am club; and don’t ever snooze more than once.
  • Read; then journal; then set intentions; oh, and review your to-do list; and meditate for sure.
  • Go for walk; in nature; with family or dog; for at least a mile; while listening to a motivational podcast.
  • Cold plunge; shower; skin care routine; foam roll; stretch all muscles in body.
  • Exercise; eat protein; and superfoods; oh, and lots of water; and don’t forget to include every single supplement that’s ever been recommended to you.

Let me share with you a secret that you already know: complicated is the enemy of consistency.

Try and complete that above list of items every morning and my bet is that it won’t be long until you’re burned out and doing exactly none of them again.

Simplicity is consistency’s best friend.

Want to know what I do each morning?

Generally speaking, it’s exactly three things: Shower, exercise, protein.

If I can accomplish those three things, my morning is won.

…And the other things? Some I’ll do later in the day… some I’ll do occasionally on a weekly or monthly base… and some I don’t do at all.

And guess what? That’s okay.

Because I know what’s most important to me. And if you figure out what’s most important to you, you’ll have a MUCH easier time getting it done consistently and over a life-changing span of time.