Skip to content

Category: Living Well

Life’s Spirit Test

Published on June 2, 2025

One of the masters in the martial arts school I teach at has had a very challenging month.

It started off with kidney stones.

Continued with a neuroma in his foot.

And was topped off with a bicep tendon tear that separated from the attachment joint.

After sitting on the masters panel to evaluate the black belt pre-test, he was chatting with another student and I about how he just couldn’t seem to catch a break and how it felt like it was just one challenge after the next.

I looked at him and said, “That’s what those spirit tests are really for, aren’t they…?”

“Not just to prove your grit and ability to persevere when you’re healthy and in black belt testing shape…” I continued.

“But to prepare you for life… the ultimate spirit testing grounds.”

Because the thing about spirit is that the deeper it’s developed… the more of it you’ll have ready whenever it’s needed. Whether it’s needed on the mat, at home, or for your health. Spirit is spirit is spirit.

And having a deep pocket of spirit to pull from—that you’ve developed from years of training when you were healthy and didn’t need it—is about as close to a cheat code to overcoming the spirit test of life as one can get.

“I Never Get Sick”

Published on May 30, 2025

I like to think of myself as a healthy person with a strong immune system.

So much so that I’ve been known to say at times: “I never get sick.”

30+ hours in bed over the last two days has me humbly updating that motto.

It’s one thing to use confidence to create a sort of placebo effect on my immune system—as a sort of reverse Munchausen syndrome mentality.

And it’s another thing to allow confidence to replace best practices for supporting my immune system.

In retrospect, there are certainly a few things I could’ve done better to both a) prevent this sickness from even getting access to my body and b) better support my immune system so it was stronger and more prepared if/when it did.

This is my humble reminder to you to yes, be confident in yourself to create that sort of reverse Munchausen syndrome mentality, but two, to simultaneously be supportive and unwavering in your efforts to keep it *actually* ready.

Hard Is Where The Magic Happens

Published on May 28, 2025

It takes me less time to complete these daily 1-minute insights these days.

When I first started, it would take me close to 2 hours on average—mostly because I had no word count constraint which made them way longer than 1-minute.

When I added my 280 word count constraint, It started taking closer to 1 hour on average.

And as I’ve been writing these pieces for the past several years, I’ve noticed it is taking me less and less time to get my thoughts into their final, shareable form. Some days, it’ll only take me 5-15 minutes.

Which isn’t to say this process of coming up with unique insights on the daily is becoming more and more easy—because it’s still as challenging as ever to write concise and clear pieces that I’m proud to share.

It’s simply an observation that I’m getting better as a thinker and writer.

Just like sprinting never gets easier for the track athlete—they just get faster… so, too, is it the case for anybody who is learning and improving upon a performance or expressive based skill.

Don’t wish it was easier… stay steady focused on improving your skill and becoming better.

Easy is a trap—because nothing worthwhile comes easily…

Hard is where the magic happens—because just on the other side is better.

P.s. If you find value in these daily insights, you can support my continued work by grabbing me a cup of joe here.

Make “Ahead” Happen

Published on May 27, 2025

One of my students told me he wasn’t going to do his next level black belt test because he has prom the same day… another one of my students was well remembered and celebrated for going to prom right after he got his next level black belt.

This month, the martial arts school I teach at is allowing moms to train in our adult program for free. Some of the moms have said they love the classes, but it’s too late or isn’t in their budget to continue. Another mom I spoke to today said it’s kind of late and will be tough on her budget, but with the support of her family and some mindful spending cuts—she’s going to find a way to make it happen… because she loves the classes so much.

One of my favorite writers shared that he, too, is struggling to stay off social media apps. He said, “It’s not uncommon for me to open that goddamn app a dozen times a day and spend two to three hours mindlessly scrolling through it.” Some people acknowledge this and do nothing about it. What did he do? He said, “Every time I open up Instagram, I drop down and do 25 pushups and 50 crunches.” …And that over the course of a week lead his screentime to drop 70%.

The difference between those who get ahead and those who don’t… is that those who get ahead find ways to make “ahead” happen—even when (especially when) it isn’t convenient or comfortable. Those who don’t… don’t.

Pure Entertainment Junk Food

Published on May 27, 2025

I am by no means perfect when it comes to practicing the things I write about.

In fact, the #1 person I’m writing to when I mention inner work ideas or practices—is myself.

Just this morning, for example, I found myself 40 minutes deep into a social media binge.

And this was the third or fourth day in a row where I was starting my day this way.

In the shower, I was thinking about how I felt from it… I was trying to notice my state of mind… I was trying to see if there was any value…

And I came up short… noticed anxiety and regret… and felt behind on my day.

Am I saying that all social media binges are like that? No.

But, from my experience… they almost always are.

I sometimes get a nugget or two from conscious creators… but, 99% of the time, it feels like pure entertainment junk food that leaves me exactly as it did today.

So, I once again logged out of the apps and am going to try starting my morning a little differently tomorrow.

Maybe it’s time for you take a closer look at the value you’re getting from your social media binges / morning routine…

I Threw The Colors In The Whites Pile…

Published on May 23, 2025

I was separating whites from colors when doing laundry today.

And I had a moment where I threw the colors that were in my hand into the whites pile because I was looking ahead at the whites that I was going to grab next after tossing what was in my hand into the whites pile.

It was a subtle reminder to slow down. To not get ahead of myself. To be where my senses were and not on fast forward in my head.

…The moments spend doing laundry are moments just as worthy of presence as any other moments of the day.

Don’t Let Busy Steal Presence

Published on May 16, 2025

What’s the difference between a stereotypical modern day busy person and a monk who both have a day completely full of back-to-back tasks ahead of them?

…Presence within each of the day’s moments.

Take your time.

Slow your mind.

Soak in each moment in full.

Just because you have a busy schedule doesn’t mean you have to be busy minded.