Dear Fortitude family,

Welcome back to my midweek motivation! Each day and week brings its own set of experiences and inspirations, compelling me to share my thoughts with all of you.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! In the Spirit of Thanksgiving I felt the need to write about the importance of choosing gratitude and its positive effect on our lives.

It's easy to lose sight of the things that are truly important in life. Amidst the chaos of work and training, we often forget to pause, reflect, and express gratitude for the blessings we have. How often do we wake up and genuinely appreciate the gift of another day? How often do we acknowledge the privilege of having basic human functions like sight, speech, and the ability to walk? It's humbling to think about how many people in the world lack these simple joys, yet still find immense happiness.

I must confess, I, too, often overlook the little things in life that I take for granted. Though I religiously maintain a gratitude journal, I sometimes forget to appreciate the most fundamental aspects of my existence. Research has shown time and time again that journaling is one of the best practices for building our psyche. However, I don't want to burden you with adding another item to your already extensive to-do list. Instead, let's focus on the impact that choosing gratitude has on our joy, mood, and, most importantly, our fortitude.

Thanksgiving, with its spirit of gratitude, provides us with the perfect opportunity to develop a habit of appreciation. It serves as a gentle reminder to acknowledge not only the big victories in life but also the small triumphs and everyday blessings. By consciously choosing gratitude, we strengthen our mental and emotional fortitude, preparing ourselves to endure even the toughest of times.

So as we gather around the table this Thanksgiving, let's take a moment to truly count our blessings. Let's express gratitude for the people who have positively influenced our lives, for the opportunities that have come our way, and for the simple pleasures that bring us joy. By making gratitude a regular practice, we can build a foundation of mental and emotional resilience that will carry us through any challenges that lie ahead.

Wishing you a Thanksgiving filled with gratitude, joy, and the strengthening of your fortitude.

To Building Fortitude.

Warm regards,

Colin Jonov CEO & Founder, Athletic Fortitude