Rooted and Relentless

Rooted and Relentless

Each sunrise gives me another chance to root myself and level up—to lead myself toward a better version of who I was yesterday. That takes real work. Grit. Discipline. The kind that doesn’t clock out or take a day off.

It means improving my body, sharpening my mind, strengthening my family, and serving my community. Growth requires eliminating idle time and clearing out the static that distorts the signal. When I’m tuned in—connected—I can hear clearly. But when distractions creep in, the noise robs me of direction.

As a man, husband, and father, I know that if I can’t lead myself, I can’t lead my tribe. That’s why the grind matters. Waking up early. Lifting weights. Centering on my values and culture. When I do those things, the best version of me begins to surface—the version my wife Barbi and my daughter Bella deserve to see.

They see not a victim but a man pursuing excellence. I know I’ll never be perfect, but the pursuit of perfection brings progress. Every act of discipline—reading, learning, moving my body, or doing the small hard things—builds momentum. Whether it’s taking out the trash, turning the water to cold, or washing the dishes, greatness is built in those moments.

Raising standards means looking for needs, finding ways to serve, and pushing to expand. The older I get, the more I feel the urgency of time. Not scarcity, but awareness. None of us get out of here alive, and that truth reminds me to spend my time with purpose. Am I scrolling, numbing, and wasting away—or am I focused, disciplined, and alive with awareness?

It’s easy to talk about excellence. It’s harder to live it when no one is watching. The true test is who you are in private—when no one’s there to applaud.

I’m called to move toward greatness, to serve God and others, and to create a space of connection and contribution. Because when I give, my cup fills again. If I feel empty, it’s a signal to serve more. Giving and receiving are one in truth.

So today, I end the day proud. It’s been challenging, but challenges make us worthy of our own respect. One of my mentors once asked his son if he was proud of himself for doing easy things. The boy said no. The lesson? Do hard things. That’s where pride and growth live.

That’s what I want my wife and daughter to see—that I’m doing the work, one percent better every day, becoming the man God created me to be.