Redefining Masculinity by Showing Up, Not Showing Off “Real masculinity defends the defenseless, punches up not down, has compassion, and fights only on behalf of others to battle injustice or evil.”— Adam Kinzinger Somewhere along the way, masculinity got hijacked. It was whittled down to something hollow. Loud. Fragile. A checklist of traits that have … Read More
The Smart Way Isn’t Soft: A Response to “The Smart Way Is STILL the Hard Way” When I wrote “When the Hard Way Isn’t the Smart Way”, I didn’t expect it to make waves. I was simply trying to articulate something I’ve felt for a while: that many endurance spaces have become more about image … Read More
Every spring, as the rain gives way to longer days and the mountain trails come back to life, we hear it again: the call of the trails. A quiet voice that says, “Come and see what you’re made of.” We find ourselves planning, building, and pouring our energy into something that, at a glance, doesn’t … Read More
In a time when division runs deep and empathy feels in short supply, the unlikeliest of role models comes not from a history book or a politician’s podium, but from a Japanese anime about ninjas. His name is Naruto Uzumaki. Born an orphan, shunned by his village, and burdened with a destructive power he never … Read More
Inspired by Jon Townsend’s “Development is Not Winning” “This mindset fosters a culture of blame and insecurity. Players conditioned to seek external validation often mirror their coaches’ behavior, shifting blame onto teammates in the same way their coaches may blame them.” —Jon Townsend, Development is Not Winning Jon Townsend’s recent article stopped me mid-scroll. As … Read More
Recently, Joe De Sena shared a post celebrating the chaos of our current moment—economic downturns, political instability, and societal strain—as if it were all part of some glorious training plan. He wrote, “This is exactly what we train for,” casting suffering as a badge of honor for those who’ve supposedly prepared to thrive in it. … Read More
Trigger Warning: This post contains discussion of sexual assault, trauma, and mental health. Please take care while reading. If you’re in a vulnerable place, feel free to skip or come back when you’re ready. When I met my wife, she saw through me faster than anyone ever had. She asked a question that cut straight … Read More
When the world feels like it’s spinning out of control, most people look for comfort. Me? I lace up my shoes, shoulder a log, and head into the unknown. The Death Race is pure chaos. No course map. No guaranteed finish line. No mercy. But I’ve found more clarity there — and on the flanks … Read More
The stock market is crashing. Again. Tariffs. Politics. Panic. The kind of headlines that make your stomach drop before breakfast. For some, this means retirement accounts shrinking. For others, it’s the creeping dread of another financial storm we’re not ready for. I get it. I’ve felt that squeeze too. But here’s what I’ve learned after … Read More
We all love a good struggle story. You pushed through the pain. You crawled through the mud. You clawed your way to the top, bloodied but victorious. There’s something primal and poetic about doing the hard thing—especially when you didn’t have to. Joe De Sena, founder of Spartan and the king of the “suffer more” … Read More