There’s a line from one of my favorite movies: “I don’t want to be a product of my environment. I want my environment to be a product of me.” Now, Frank Costello in The Departed wasn’t exactly a role model—but that line still carries weight if you put it in the right light.

It’s so easy to look around at what others are doing, where they’re going, how they’re succeeding, and feel like you’re falling behind.

If you really want to know where the best food is, don’t ask the loudest guy on the internet.

You ever fire off a thought in your head that sounds brilliant… Only to say it out loud and immediately think, “Welp… that didn’t land like I imagined”?

Here’s the truth no one wants to say out loud: You don’t get what you want. You get what you expect.

Let’s talk about who the future really belongs to.

Coaching, parenting, teaching. They all may seem like roles rooted in rules, structure, and technique. And while there’s definitely science involved, I’ve come to realize this: I’m more artist than scientist.

We live in a world that’s quick to judge. We make snap decisions based on first impressions—a flashy label, a polished exterior, or a well-rehearsed presentation. But real value? That’s found on the inside.

You don’t win championships overnight. You win them one purposeful practice at a time.

Life and art reflect each other. Both shaped by struggle, creativity, beauty, and meaning.

Lately, my Thoughts for the Week have been sounding more like mixtapes. First, the Grateful Dead. Now Dave Matthews Band.

Growth rarely happens when we feel ready. It happens in the fire.

Here’s a Thought for the Week about life, love, the occasional sock in the eye, and why it’s all still so very worth it. 

In the final part of the Non-Negotiables series, I reflect on how small daily choices shape the lives we build—in family, marriage, work, and beyond. Success isn’t accidental; it’s the result of consistent standards and intentional commitments we refuse to compromise on.

Marriage, like anything worth building, takes more than love—it takes daily attention and intention. In Part 2 of the Non-Negotiables series, I reflect on the small, consistent choices that strengthen relationships and keep us grounded when life moves fast.

Since my father’s passing last summer, I’ve found myself reminiscing about his wisdom—his wise one-liners have made their way into a few of these thoughts.

My father used to say, “Son, you can choose to be a lubricator or an agitator.” At the time, I didn’t fully grasp the wisdom in those words. But since his passing this past summer, I find myself thinking about his clever one-liners. Like much of his advice, this one seems to come back to me right when I need it most.

Ever notice how your thoughts start shaping reality before you even say a word? Words have power–but even before we speak, our thoughts are already laying the foundation for our reality. The way you think becomes the lens through which you see the world–your choices, your relationships, even your confidence in achieving goals.

With football season in the rearview mirror, it’s time to shift our focus to college basketball.

While watching the two-time defending champion UConn Huskies take on the rising St. John’s Red Storm, now led by the legendary–or, depending on your perspective, infamous - Rick Pitino,
I heard the announcer drop a line that stuck with me: "A peacock today, a feather duster tomorrow."

In the restaurant world, there’s a saying: “Whatever goes together, grows together.” The idea is simple–ingredients from the same region naturally complement each other. They’re made to work in harmony. The more I think about it, the more I see how true this is for life.

Growing up in Louisville, Coach Curley reflects on the importance of resilience, using lessons from his love of basketball and Rick Pitino’s coaching to highlight how we respond to life’s challenges. He stresses that while adversity is inevitable, choosing to persevere is what leads to success.

Life moves fast. Ferris Bueller said it best: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

Last week, I talked about what it feels like to be uncertain–stuck between not knowing where to go next and the desire to move forward.

I encouraged you to take a step anyway.

Trust that the journey can lead you where you’re meant to be.

We all have things we’re not naturally good at - areas where we feel unsure, uncomfortable, or even frustrated.

But I’ve come to believe that those very challenges are often where the greatest growth happens.

No one likes to lose, whether it's the presidential election, the Super Bowl, the Academy Awards, or the 200 IM at the Liz Kazeck Invite.

Perhaps modern-day reality TV started with The Real World on MTV and exploded with shows like The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, and Keeping Up with the Kardashians.

We are just seven days into the New Year. With the New Year, many people remember last year's achievements and disappointments. And most look forward to the promise of a new beginning.

When recently reviewing my past Thoughts for the Week, I noticed the tendency to write about my father. True, he was and is a great influence in my life. But certainly not the only significant figure.

My wife and I just recently moved. Those of you who have ever been involved in a local ‘MOVE’ know that after moving, there are occasions you must visit your last residence to pick up packages and mail that persistently get delivered to your old haunt.

Failure is one of those life experiences most of us would rather not encounter. We tend to connect failure with intense self-judgment and inner criticism. Well, there’s a little-known formula for success–success happens because of failure.

It might have been November throughout the world, but it was springtime last week at the Lake Highland Pool House.

I have a massive drawer dedicated to socks. Most of them are what you would expect to find in a sock drawer.

There are certain times of the year when we find ourselves focused on giving to others.

Recently, I attended a concert at the new Kia Center – formerly Amway. The Show – The Eagles The Long Goodbye. Anyone who believes rock is dead wasn’t witness Monday evening.