More Yes. Less No.
The important thing is the memories that matter.
NEVER ZERO // ISSUE N0. 038
THE UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS START WITH: YES
I recently heard a story from a friend at one of our TRAIN HARD Men’s Club workouts that reminded me of an important lesson I wanted to share.
My friend was at a water polo team party with his daughter, who was graduating high school and moving on to play in college. It was a fun event to get the team and parents together, but there was an unexpected twist: parents were suddenly invited to jump into the pool fully clothed. The moment was a surprise and a unique opportunity to create a meaningful and symbolic memory between the kids, their parents, and their teammates.
There was plenty of laughter and surprised cheers, but only two parents took the plunge. The rest held back, perhaps reluctant to get wet or look silly.
But here’s the thing — those kids whose parents jumped in? I can imagine their faces lit up like magic. That moment, simple yet bold, probably became a core memory for them. I don’t know that for sure. I wasn’t there, but that was the first thought that crossed my mind. Imagine not jumping into the pool just because you didn’t want to get wet or feel silly.
KIDS DON’T ALWAYS REMEMBER, BUT THEY NEVER FORGET
Our kids might not remember every time we meet their expectations, but they will latch onto the times we didn’t.
That pressure is immense; I totally get it, but so is the opportunity. This parenting journey is hard. It is physically, emotionally, and mentally draining, but it is also incredibly rewarding.
The point is not to make it easier. The point is to TRAIN HARD so that you can always say yes and rarely say no.
ALWAYS DO THE THING
Always jump into the pool, especially when everyone else is sitting out. Be the parent who isn’t afraid to look silly and seizes every chance to make a memory. And even worse, never let your fitness be why you can’t say yes.
Remember — we train not just for physical strength but for the flexibility to handle unexpected moments with grace and enthusiasm. We TRAIN HARD because hard things make us more resilient. Training makes us confident and allows us to show up as the parent who will do the thing when most other parents decide to sit it out.
Show your kids and the loved ones around you that it’s okay to be different, to be the one who dives into life with both feet as a confident and capable human.
Our kids are always watching, and our choices will shape how they remember us. They may not remember every time we show up, but they will never forget the times we don’t.
P.S.
Getting after it early in the morning has been one of the most impactful habits I’ve adopted in my life. Especially during the hard times, getting a win under my belt before the day starts has helped me avoid letting my momentum ever get to ZERO.
I want to start encouraging everyone on this newsletter to get a win under their belts first thing in the morning. That can be a workout, a moment of mindfulness, setting up a goals list for the day, or just getting a glass of water in before your coffee.
WHATEVER IT IS, START THE DAY WITH A WIN.
YOU ARE THE AVERAGE OF THE PEOPLE YOU SURROUND YOURSELF WITH.
Share this knowledge with those in your life who are also driven to TRAIN, PROTECT, PROVIDE.
Together, we can build a brighter future by helping each other become the best version of ourselves.
