Welcome To The Community

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

At the end of the day, I’m just a guy sharing my life and my experiences on the endless pursuit for Great Things. Consider this newsletter like a chat between friends. Just like the next person, I’m just trying to figure things out.

Don’t miss the end of this newsletter where you have the opportunity to help me name a section!

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Here's what's in today's email

• I've Noticed a Difference. Are You Okay?

• Moments with Maurice

• What's Got Me Smilin'

I’ve Noticed A Difference. Are You Okay?

Today, I wanted to address a common question that has been coming up. I know a lot of you have been asking… 

[Cut to salesy pitch about a magic product]

All jokes aside, today is the last day of Men’s Mental Health Month, and it feels like no better time to talk about where my mental health is.

For me, I’m aware that in certain situations, I’ve been coming off rough. I addressed it lightly in one of my classes last week, but wanted to share more today.

Like many, I’ve hit a bit of a mental rough patch. The reason I’m sharing this is not because I want pity or sympathy, but because I believe it’s important to be honest about your life. Someone once said to me that they’re surprised I feel any type of mental struggle because I come off as happy in my classes. 

That’s intentional. 

I know that most of you look for 40 minutes to disconnect from the world and focus on building yourself up. Who am I to throw a wrench in those plans? You want a hard workout, or a fun workout, you don’t necessarily want anything serious. My goal is to give you the best possible experience, because you deserve it. There's plenty of time left in the day for me to discuss everything else; that’s why I have this newsletter.

Comparison is also something that I’m wary of, and what even gave me pause about sharing where I’m at today. One person’s heartbreaking situation is another’s best-case scenario. Something that can shake you to your core is something that someone else would barely bat an eye at. It can be hard when you start talking about what’s going on, not to feel a bit of worry about judgment from someone else.

So while it may seem that I’m walking on clouds, and no, I’m not talking about those cushy lululemon sneakers I’m always in, there are times when that is not the case.

It’s not always easy to pinpoint, but sometimes every little thing hits you at once. Of course, there are situations where there are big moments that can easily influence your outlook, but sometimes it’s just a bunch of random things that all compound and start to weigh on you. Kind of like jumping in the water with all your clothes on. Individually, each piece doesn’t weigh much, but together they make it hard to tread water and keep your head where you can breathe.

I find myself in a place where there is not much I can change, and even the little things start to frustrate me. Think about when you were younger: you could change your major, or start a new sport or hobby that would impact your entire schedule and friend circle. You experience the joy of feeling like you're becoming a new person by making a change, or even cutting your hair. (Damn, something I could never know #TeamBald)

But that’s the joy of the steady nature of adulthood: many of us look to build a life where things can’t change in the blink of an eye. We slowly compound our successes over time to make something that we can be proud of, that can’t be changed by picking up a new hobby.

It’s almost like another example of Great Things taking time…

Now, I’m aware that I can’t let outside forces dictate my mental health. Whether it be social media, the news, or whatever else is trying to bring me down, I recognize that it’s my responsibility to take what comes at me and either avoid it or find a way to cope. Life doesn’t offer a reset just because the something that knocked you down wasn’t your fault.

There’s not always a lot that one can do when you feel like you jumped in the water with all your close on, but right now, I’m counting on two things in my control to get me through.

First off, I can’t go without mentioning my therapist and the support they give me. An impartial party who is dedicated to helping me work through mental blocks is paramount to my success in ALL areas of my life. I will never think I’m too good to get by with a therapist. When it comes to mental health, you can’t have an ego. It’s not something you can just muscle through.

I won’t say that finding a therapist is easy; some say it’s even harder than dating in NYC. But when you find the one, it makes it all worth it. 

On top of a therapist, I try to find at least 40 minutes of escape. Yes, that is also the time period of a special little class I get to teach, where I get to yell, spray people with sweat, and enjoy feeling the energy of being in close proximity to people who are all working towards a common goal.

40-minute pockets of happiness are things that are doable for me and give me something to look forward to. Some days I feel like I bounce between 40-minute blocks. Finding the time for joy allows me to refocus and come at my problems from a different angle. It can also put things in perspective, and I sometimes realize that something that’s getting me down isn’t all that important. (Try telling that to someone in the middle of it, and they will probably rip your head off.)

Again, I’m no expert in mental health, but I do believe that it’s important to be honest about where you are and what you’re going through. For guys, it can be even more important because we may have been taught that any type of non-primal feeling is wrong.

It’s okay for even the littlest things to get you down on occasion. We’re human, and we need to humanize the experience. You can’t feel the Great, the wonderful, or the incredible without also feeling the bad, the low, and the sad. 

We’re all on a journey to achieve our Great Things and it’s important to address the challenges we face along the way. It still sucks, it’s not fun, but it’s common and you’re not alone.

Moments with Maurice

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

Plastic vs. glass balls

Consider all the responsibilities in your life as balls that you’re juggling. Some are glass, and if you drop them, they will shatter, leaving it almost impossible to put the pieces back together. Others are plastic; you drop them and they bounce and roll away, waiting for you to pick them back up.

When you're in the middle of a difficult juggling act, it can be tough to register what you can drop and what you should focus on.

Most of us can't do it all, although we'd really, really, really like to think we can.

Heather’s response below is a great example about how you can use tools to find balance. Not everything needs to be a yes or no, there is a lot of gray area and what works for YOU.

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

Words from Mama Shay to start the week.

Mom sends words of wisdom in the family group chat and of course I have to share it here. Sometimes seeing something like this gives me a jolt and reminds me to reframe my thinking.

Get Your Sweat On

Doing sprints in 98-degree weather for content… would not recommend. As hot as it was, I’m pumped to share with you some of the stuff I’ve been filming. I hope it goes without saying that while my outdoors workout was hard, in my opinion, the man behind the camera is doing the more impressive work!

40 Minutes+ of Happiness

Sometimes little pockets of happiness come in the form of a coffee outside, sometimes it’s friends, and sometimes a good meal. It doesn’t have to be a big spectacle, it’s just whatever makes you happy.

Join Me!

Join me in the Hamptons for lululemon Summer Club or at Troutbeck in Upstate New York for a BMW retreat with plenty of driving experiences.

Something Something Cars

It’s time there was a better name for the car section in my newsletter. Want to help me name it? Drop your name recommendations HERE and I’ll make my selection and include a feature in the newsletter.

The new BMW M2 CS (below) which has generated a lot of buzz in the car community.

This candy red car is a 90’s BMW 8 series. You almost never see them on the road so it was special to see it at the car meet.

Remember:

-Adrian