Welcome To The Community

Together, we’ll dive deep and find the strength to never give up because Great Things Take Time.

Don’t believe someone who says they have it all figured out, I certainly don’t! But, I have been on this planet for 41 years and like my mom says, “you have to make mistakes to know what doesn’t work for you.”

I often get asked for tips and tricks on how to optimize life, and while I strongly believe that I do not have all the answers, I can share some things that have worked for me. From products to mindsets to people, below is a short list of some of the things that get me through my days. Some of the things are linked, so you can find them, and that’s the only reason.

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Here's what's in today's email

• I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends

• Moments with Maurice

• What's Got Me Smilin'

I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends

Maybe friends are just the things we find along the way that get us through life…?

Family

Roll your eyes if you need to, but I wouldn’t be anywhere without my biological or chosen family. I was lucky to be raised by two strong women (my mother and my grandmother) and to witness the unrestricted love of my step-father. My sister and brother have taught me countless lessons and provided me with support in ways I could never have dreamed of. In fact, I feel like my brother can read my mind as he always knows when to call me to check-in on me.

There is a lot I owe to my family and a lot of mistakes I’ve made along the way. No matter how dumb the mistake may have seemed, they never made me feel guilty and treated it as a way for me to learn from my mistakes and grow. In times of frustration, Nana would tell me things like “never give up, Maurice, because great things take time.” Clearly, it stuck with me, but it also gave me the safety net to know that I wasn’t going to achieve things overnight and that it was okay to do things on my schedule. 

Don’t ASH Me Anything!

Speaking of Nana, let’s talk about one of her number one rules: don’t be ashy! Nana was a stickler for presentation. If you had a hair out of place or gunk on your face, she’d be coming in hot with a well-licked finger to get you looking sharp and in “tip top shape”. So, because of her emotional scarring lessons, I’m always focusing on skincare. If you catch me looking ashy, I owe you some burpees on the spot. 

If you think I just wake up and go, you’re going to be sorely disappointed, I too, use some potions. Currently, in my anti-ash rotation for my body are SheaMoisture Massage Oil and CreamBlends Body Butter. For the face, I try to keep you coming back to my classes with Kiehl’s products: Anti-Aging Retinol Serum, Midnight Recovery Concentrate Moisturizing Face Oil Serum, and Age Defender Eye Repair, as well as Weleda Skin Food. Finally, because I don’t want any Black to crack, especially where my tattoos are concerned, I use Papatui Tattoo Enhancing Balm. You know I’m going to trust a fellow bald man, gotta keep the skin looking good, there’s no hair to hide anything!

Working Through vs. Around

In this case, Google Maps is not one of my favorite things because I’m not looking for a shortcut or a detour; I’m going straight through. If you haven’t heard me talk about this before, it’s how I attempt to approach life. When difficult situations arise or complex emotions hit, I’ve learned that trying to avoid them or delaying facing them only makes things worse. You always have to deal with them one way or another, and the delay usually makes the problem bigger.  

Movement > Fitness

Bigger, faster, stronger used to be my motto. So was punishing myself in the gym. I had a lot on my mind, and it seemed like the best way to avoid it (ha, see section above) was to tire myself out so I couldn’t think. It made it hard to think about relationships, what I should do with my life, money problems, plus anything else that kept me up at night. If I ran, it was only if I could run fast, if I lifted, it was only to max capacity. Things got less stressful once I learned that movement didn’t have to check any boxes except making me feel good. Runs could be a run/walk, lifting was not one rep max, and I didn’t need to walk away with a shaking body. Sometimes you need to go all out, but sometimes you just need to move your body. Removing judgment from your movement and meeting yourself where you’re at is less likely to burn you out, and I’ve burnt myself out, so I can tell you it ain’t fun.

Oh, and don’t forget: YOU CAN’T WIN THE WARM-UP!

Body = Temple*

*Sometimes… Sometimes the temple is closed for construction, and they’re serving pizza at the door because that’s what everyone’s in the mood for. Here’s the thing: a lot of my physique comes naturally. There isn’t a secret way that I eat other than trying to put something green in my body at least once a day. I was absolutely spoiled growing up with my grandmother and mother (Shay Shay Gourmet) cooking the most wonderful meals. I got used to a variety of flavors and cuisines filled with nutrients which means I LOVE FOOD.

Now, I start my days with yogurt and granola (it gets the people GOING, if you know what I mean). After workouts, I get Naked (not like THAT) and supplement with Naked Pea Protein Powder, Creatine, BCCAs, and Glutamine. I’ve also started delaying my caffeine intake, which means that my Blue Bottle Nola Iced Coffee comes later in the day. I’ve noticed a difference in caffeine dependency and mental processing by doing it.

Fun fact: Frankie’s name was almost Nola. 

Sometimes dinner is roasted veggies, rice, and a protein. I’ve cut back on red meat BUT that doesn’t stop me from having it a few times during the week. If I’m out, there are no rules except that I should order at least one thing with a veggie and that I need to eat or I turn into the Hulk and YOU WON’T LIKE ME WHEN I’M HUNGRY! I love a good steak or fried chicken sandwich, and believe that all fries should be cooked well-done. (The fries, NOT the meat).

Save The Toes for Only Fans (at least in NYC)

Being 41 means you have your quirks and things you will die on a hill over. 41 also means that you can’t just act without a second thought for your body. I’m talking about footwear. Whether it’s everyday wear, something you wear while working out, or in your house, once you reach my age you have to get strategic, you can’t afford not to.

One thing you’ll never catch me doing in NYC (or really anywhere that’s not a beach or pool) is wearing flip-flops. Have you seen what happens on those city streets?! You just think that all that grime magically disappears and doesn’t turn into an urban jungle juice of sorts that you are marinating your toes in. Have you ever seen the dirt that comes off your feet when you rinse them? And what if you have to run for whatever reason… stay ready y’all.

However, when you’re lifting, it’s good to be as close to barefoot as possible. This helps strengthen the muscles in your feet and provide more of an even platform for you to stand on. It’s the reason why it’s harder to balance if you try to stand on one leg with a cushioned running shoe vs. barefoot. When I lift or do strength workouts that don’t involve a lot of running, you can find me in Vivo Barefoot Primus shoes. It’s like wearing your beloved flip flops without the V-tan, dirt coating, or foot problems.

For running, I go the opposite direction with the Beyondfeel. There is cushion and support that I need for my body because I just can’t get into a more barefooted approach for running. I wear them for all my running classes, the lululemon 10K yesterday and every emotional lap I take. No matter what you wear, hide those toes unless you’re making some extra cash.

No Thanks: It’s Not That Deep

If there is one thing I say that I hope you listen to and do the same as me, it’s listening to your own preferences. Hitting forty put me in to the f-it mentality. I stopped caring about what other people thought and doing things the same as they did. I’ve been okay that my 24 hours in a day will not look the same as my peers, or that I’m going to be made fun of for having a small dog that’s not “manly”. You can’t live your life based on other people’s opinions. I tried it, and it left me with regrets (and I really don’t have regrets or really believe in them).

So when you’re introduced to something that isn’t for you or doesn’t sit right, just hit them with the “no, thanks” and keep on moving. I guarantee you that no one will think about it or hold it against you, it’s not that deep.

Moments with Maurice

If you only pause to reflect on your life for one moment today, do it now.

Something is going to get less attention, and that’s okay!

When on the journey to Great Things, there comes a time when you have to make difficult choices as to where your energy will go. Not everything and everyone can get 100% of you.

Where you focus your presence is where your energy will go. But while you do this, you have to be okay that things will be different. Don’t forget, while you’re going through this, tell those around you who are impacted what the meaning is to you and the timeline, it makes it easier to digest and leads to less frustration.

Because no matter what, there is always something to smile about.

lululemon 10K

My face says it all: total blast of energy! Anytime I get to be in the community and feel the energy is a good day. Even though it’s classic Miami weather: hot and humid, and ya boy is a swear monster, I loved every bit of it. If you were racing yesterday, let me know what your favorite part was! 11:30 pace team for the win.

Every pacer needs a pacer and in this case I have Eddie. We all have that friend who struggles to touch a veggie with a ten-foot pole.

Feed The Guy Behind The Camera!!

A quick behind the scenes moment of some things I’ve got cooking up for ya.

It Might Be Hot Trash Summer, But The Views Are Still 💯 

Remember:

-Adrian