This month has been all about going to the mental gym. You have been purposeful in preparing for your day and becoming the best version of yourself each day. You have chosen to encourage yourself and the team around you. You have been envisioning your future self and pushing the needle just 1% to achieve this person. You have chosen to tame your thoughts. You explored and deconstructed your definition of your thoughts. You have realized your thoughts are not evil, but you have learned to ask yourself if your thoughts are true, accurate, and helpful and if they will productively push you. You have taken notice of your mental chatter. You have worked on managing your emotions. You have chosen to live victoriously rather than being a victim. You chose to live in a strong, courageous, creative, and compassionate place. You chose not to allow your feelings to own you. Chaos, pain, fear, anxiety, and disappointment are not a new concept, but you are actively learning second by second how to navigate all negative emotions with an optimistic viewpoint. You have chosen to make self-care a non-negotiable part of your daily routine. You realized that self-care looks different at different times: for example…. setting boundaries, saying no when necessary, getting enough sleep, eating nourishing foods, and engaging in relaxation and rejuvenation activities. You remind yourself daily, hourly, and sometimes by the second that you deserve this care. You are navigating the value of self-assessment. You may have begun journaling and regularly reviewing your mental health journey. You learned about the 321 rule. I learned about this from my mentor, Brendon Burchard. I don’t eat 3 hours before bed. I don’t exercise 2 hours before bed, and I do my best to stay off the computer or my phone 1 hour before bed. When my circadian rhythm is disrupted, I need to look at how disciplined I am with the 3 2 1 rule I set for myself.  You explored the power of pausing. Pausing is about mental rejuvenation.Take a moment to reset your mindset, shifting from self-doubt to self-belief. Reminding yourself of how far you’ve come and your limitless potential. Don’t stop moving forward. You are only stuck if you stop. You learned about the power of stretching and how stretching can enhance mood and emotional regulation. Emotional regulation is vital for your day-to-day success and the power of your choice. Choose to live in a mindless, stressful, bitter, or chaotic place, or you can choose a growth mindset, a calm presence of mind, a forward-thinking attitude, or an observant place. Just as a physical warm-up primes your muscles for exercise, taking a few moments each morning to mentally warm up can set a positive tone for the entire day.  You may have begun to purposefully choose to set intentions for the day ahead, envisioning the person you aspire to be. Whether it’s kindness, resilience, or creativity, remind yourself that you can cultivate these qualities. Your ‘why’ is not just a question; it’s a powerful tool that can ignite your motivation. It’s about understanding the purpose behind your actions, the driving force that propels you forward. How are you approaching your day? Who do you want to be today? How are you habit-stacking? What boundaries are you drawing for your success? What goals have you set? How are you measuring these essential things in your life?  Choosing not to take offense is more than a practice; it’s a potent tool that can unlock greater personal freedom and enhance mental well-being. It equips you to respond calmly and rationally, empowering you to control your reactions rather than being swayed by perceived slights or criticisms. Engaging in mindfulness practices further strengthens this ability, allowing you to be more present in the moment. By observing your thoughts and feelings without judgment, you can identify when you’re starting to feel offended and choose a more balanced response. You have learned the power of overcoming fear. Overcoming fear is not about banishing it entirely but learning to navigate through it. It’s about acknowledging its presence, understanding its roots, and reframing your perspective. Instead of viewing fear as an obstacle, you can see it as a compass guiding us toward what truly matters. You learned the power of learning daily for your mental and physical health. Keeping your brain active and healthy will give you physical freedom. Setting aside time each day to learn something new, whether small or big. You are choosing the powerful reset tool. Resetting your mind and body is crucial for optimal performance, whether in weight training or life in general. Taking the time to reset allows you to refocus, recharge, and approach the next set or event with renewed energy and clarity. When you commit to the process, embracing the challenges, setbacks, and lessons, you set yourself on a path of genuine growth and evolution. It’s a journey that demands patience, resilience, and perseverance. By not cheating ourselves out of the valuable experiences and insights from facing difficulties head-on, you cultivate a resilient, adaptable mindset and are open to learning. You are learning that mental and physical endurance builds you up. Mental endurance is the backbone of resilience, allowing you to persevere through adversity and maintain a positive outlook. Choosing to persevere through life’s trials will equip you with the tools to navigate life’s ever-changing status, bounce back from setbacks, and stay focused on your goals. Managing your emotions and making better decisions is part of cultivating endurance. In your journey toward optimal health, recalibrating means acknowledging when our bodies need rest, nourishment, or movement. It’s about listening to the whispers of fatigue and honoring them with self-care rather than pushing through the exhaustion. Recalibrating reminds us that progress isn’t always about trying harder; it’s often about finding balance and sustainability. Stress often carries a negative connotation in our fast-paced world, yet it can be reframed as a catalyst for personal growth and resilience. Through regular exercise, individuals can harness the power of stress to transform their mental well-being and emerge stronger than before. Exercise is a healthy coping mechanism, releasing endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine that act as powerful mood lifters and stress reducers. Going to the mental gym with each of you has been so much fun. I often like to work out alone, but this month has been very rewarding having you by my side. I am excited about May. We are going to plant a mental garden together. Remember, your happiness is your responsibility.  

Recalibrating is the art of realigning ourselves physically and mentally to reach our fullest potential. As weight equipment needs adjusting, we sometimes need to recalibrate our bodies and minds to stay on course toward our goals and well-being.

In our journey toward optimal health, recalibrating means acknowledging when our bodies need rest, nourishment, or movement. It’s about listening to the whispers of fatigue and honoring them with self-care rather than pushing through the exhaustion. Recalibrating reminds us that progress isn’t always about trying harder; it’s often about finding balance and sustainability.

Yet, recalibrating isn’t just about the physical; it’s equally crucial for our mental health. Amid life’s chaos, our minds can become cluttered with stress, doubt, and anxiety. Recalibrating allows us to pause, breathe, and realign our thoughts. It’s about letting go of what no longer serves us and focusing on what brings us peace and joy.

Just as exercise equipment needs to be recalibrated, we can also recalibrate our lives to navigate the ups and downs. It’s not about avoiding challenges but facing them with resilience and adaptability.

So, let’s embrace the journey of recalibration—of tuning into our bodies, listening to our minds, and adjusting our course as needed. In recalibrating, we discover our strength, stability, and the possibilities that lie within us. Remember, your happiness is your responsibility.  

There is a saying when lifting weights at the gym: Refrain from cheating the move. One of the fundamental principles for success at the gym is knowing and executing good form. Without good form, you are not allowing your body to receive the full benefit of the training you choose to spend your time on. The commitment to not cheating the move can not be overstated. Physical injury can set you back for months, and the same is valid for mental injuries.
This principle of not cheating the move extends beyond the gym and into our daily lives, particularly our mental and personal growth. Just as cheating undermines the integrity of the move’s purpose, taking shortcuts or bypassing essential steps in our personal development can hinder our growth and potential.
When we commit to the process, embracing the challenges, setbacks, and lessons, we set ourselves on a path of genuine growth and evolution. It’s a journey that demands patience, resilience, and perseverance. By not cheating ourselves out of the valuable experiences and insights from facing difficulties head-on, we cultivate a resilient, adaptable mindset and are open to learning.
Thriving in life is not about finding the quickest route to success but embracing the journey with all its ups and downs. It’s about understanding that each challenge we encounter is an opportunity for growth, and each setback is a chance to learn and improve.
Stacking more weight during lift time can be a measure of success; however, if you cheat on the move, you choose a shortcut and sacrifice your hard work. Like choosing good form, you choose a mindset of resilience and continuous evolution. Honoring and embracing the process will pave the way for genuine growth, fulfillment, and thriving in all aspects of our lives. Remember, your happiness is your responsibility.   

Each day is a new opportunity to learn. Learning to be teachable is a crucial skill to develop for success. Learning is a lifelong process that should never stop. Purposefully expanding your knowledge will set you in a growth mindset. The importance of learning each day cannot be overstated. By learning something new daily, you can improve your knowledge, skills, and abilities, which will mentally and physically benefit you. Choosing a growth mindset takes practice and dedication. Stepping outside your comfort zone daily will give you the confidence to navigate trials strategically rather than reactively.   Choosing to develop new skills and purposefully increasing your chances of success and personal growth takes dedication. Constructing a forward-thinking mindset may seem difficult initially, but with practice and commitment, you will find freedom in the unknown because learning is good for your brain. Research has shown that learning new things daily may reduce the risk of cognitive decline as you age. Learning can boost your confidence and self-esteem as you acquire new knowledge and skills. Choosing to stay in a stagnant place and purposefully repeating the vicious circle of critical thinking, embracing a lack of drive, and choosing distraction will never allow you to break through to the freedom you were created for. You were selected for this special day. You were not an accident, and this situation you are currently facing can either grow you and give you a greater compassion for those around you, or you can choose a stagnant life. You are always making a choice each day.
I encourage you to learn each day for your mental and physical health. Keeping your brain active and healthy will give you physical freedom. So, set aside time each day to learn something new, whether small or big. Remember, your happiness is your responsibility.   

It’s the beginning of a new week, and while we’ve been discussing which mental class you might take this month, I’d like to shift our focus to something equally important: the art of taking a class in
 non-offense. This perspective can be transformative, allowing you to live more freely in the moment and cultivate inner peace.
Choosing not to take offense is more than a practice; it’s a potent tool that can unlock greater personal freedom and enhance mental well-being. It equips you with the ability to respond calmly and rationally, empowering you to control your reactions rather than being swayed by perceived slights or criticisms. Engaging in mindfulness practices further strengthens this ability, allowing you to be more present in the moment. By observing your thoughts and feelings without judgment, you can identify when you’re starting to feel offended and choose a more balanced response.
It takes practice to understand the perspective of others, which can help you depersonalize situations and avoid taking things too personally. This empathetic approach fosters understanding and compassion.
Reflect on your sensitivities and triggers. Understanding why specific comments or actions affect you can help you develop resilience and a thicker skin, allowing you to navigate challenging situations easily.
If something bothers you, consider addressing it calmly and assertively. Open, honest communication can often resolve misunderstandings and prevent future conflicts, fostering healthier relationships. Focus on the good in people and situations to cultivate a positive outlook. This optimistic approach can help you maintain emotional equilibrium and a balanced perspective when faced with offensive or challenging situations.
By embracing these transformative strategies and choosing not to take offense, you can unlock a new level of personal freedom and live more authentically in the present moment. Remember, your happiness is your responsibility.