Some of you know some you may not know, and a few of you are in the beta forge right now. We are coming into the last two weeks. Two weeks from today will be the close of the very first forge man. It has been an epic journey that we have been on, and so powerfully inspiring, motivating, and in the for progress for myself and I believe for the men inside of the forge has been astronomical. We've had weight loss, financial gain, connection with family and self—nobody's business. The team has really moved forward this group of brothers, the founding fathers of the forge. Our moving towards completion and the close of our test, and we're going to start using this thread here as the place that we throw out all the amazing successes we have had so far. That financial increase above and beyond what we expected and thought was possible. And that possibility was even still a risk, and still we've successfully achieved and exceeded those numbers. We are on a weight journey, fitness journey, a connection with our kids, ourselves, and financial growth— all things which most people say you got to get focused on one thing and give up on everything else. To really be a successful, an incredible man, the best father and man you can be in this world is not about doing one thing and leaving everything else to ruin. But being able to manage and handle all aspects of your life to completion and success. This is where it's at. This is how it happens. This is where we make change. The forge is real. And you're welcome to join next week. We're going to open up the beginning of the next forge sign-ups, and we look forward to you being part of the very first forge. What will you forge in 2026? 💪💰😂👪🛝🔥

I knew he was only three, but looking at that empty tree, I still felt like I had failed him. A couple of years back, I didn't have my stuff together. I was distracted by school and work, telling myself I’d get to the holidays "later." Suddenly, it was Christmas Eve, and I was in a panic. I remember obsessively refreshing my Amazon app every five minutes, praying the status would change from "Delayed" to "Delivered." My chest was tight, and I was snapping at everyone because I was so stressed. The package didn't show. My son woke up to only a couple of presents under the tree. He was too young to really know the difference, but I knew. I had let my lack of planning steal the joy from the morning. I made a promise to myself right then: Never again. I learned that being a provider isn't just about the paycheck. It's about the planning. When we don't look ahead, we force our families to live in our chaos. Real leadership is anticipating the needs of your tribe before they even know they have them. It’s doing the work now so they can have the peace later. That is the standard we hold for each other in this brotherhood. We don't just hope for the best; we prepare for it. 1. What are you putting off right now that is going to turn into a crisis by December 24th? 2. What is one specific thing you can buy or schedule today to secure peace for your family later? Your action today: Open your calendar. Map out the travel, the parties, and the gift deadlines. Buy the "big" gift today so you aren't refreshing a tracking app on Christmas Eve.

I spent years trying to engineer the "perfect" holiday memory. I usually ended up ruining the actual moment. I remember standing in the living room one year, sweating in a wool sweater that scratched like crazy. We were trying to take the "perfect" family Christmas card photo. The baby was crying, the dog was chewing the wrapping paper, and my wife was stressed out of her mind. And there I was, barking orders like a drill sergeant. "Just sit still! Smile! Look happy!" I was so focused on capturing the image of a happy family that I was making my actual family miserable. I wasn't present; I was performing. And the tension in the room was thick enough to choke on. I realized that day that I was trading connection for perfection. A perfect photo of a miserable family isn't a win. It’s a lie. The "good enough" holiday isn't about being lazy. It's about choosing presence over performance. My kids won't remember if the gingerbread house looked like a masterpiece or a disaster. They will remember if Dad was laughing with them or yelling at them about the frosting. We are here to be memory-makers, not stage directors. The men in this brotherhood know that the real magic happens in the messy, unplanned moments. 1. Where are you suffocating the joy in your home by demanding perfection right now? 2. What is one thing you can let be "messy" this week so you can actually enjoy your family? Your action today: Pick one "perfect" expectation you have for this month (the card, the meal, the decorations). Intentionally lower the bar. Choose to laugh at the chaos instead of fixing it.

Two years ago, I had locked in some serious fitness goals. My girlfriend was a bartender, which meant our holiday season was a marathon of parties. The air was thick with the smell of spirits, music was blasting, and the shots were lined up on the bar. Every time a tray came around, I had a choice. People offered me drink after drink. I had actually already hit my physical goal, so the excuse of "I'm training" was wearing thin. They cracked jokes. They told me to loosen up. They told me "just one" wouldn't hurt. It would have been so easy to lift a glass just to stop the ridicule. But I had made a promise to myself to stay dry until my birthday. So, amidst the noise and the pressure, I looked them in the eye and said, "No." Over and over again. It wasn't about the calories anymore. It was about the contract I signed with myself. When I walked out of those parties sober, I felt something shift. I realized that their pressure couldn't touch me. I learned that a boundary isn't a wall you build against others; it's a foundation you build for yourself. Staying true to my word gave me a depth of self-respect that a night of drinking never could. That’s the work we do here. We prove that we are the masters of our own actions. 1. Where are you saying "yes" just to avoid an awkward conversation or a joke at your expense? 2. What is one commitment you need to protect this holiday season, no matter what they say? Your action today: Identify one situation this weekend where you know you'll be pressured. Decide your exact "no" right now, before you step into the room. Stick to it.

The way I see it, The Proving Grounds isn’t about being perfect it’s about showing up when most people would quit. Life, business, fitness, mindset… all of it gets tested here. Lately I’ve been pushing myself to stop overthinking and just take action. Even on days when I feel tired or unmotivated, I remind myself that this is where growth actually happens. This is the stage where you prove to yourself that you’re built for more. I joined this community because I want to keep challenging myself and stay consistent, no matter how messy the journey gets. If you’re here for the same reason, then we’re already on the same path. Let’s keep pushing and show ourselves what we’re really capab le of.