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.

I haven't stopped thinking about this quote since I read it. This account constantly challenges me to take a step back and look at my belief and thought system. This post hits home for me. The world we live in is temporary. Time is finite. The truth is, we spend most of our time wasted on things that don't matter. Instead of doing things that light a fire in us, we choose the monotonous path that society has told us to live.

How many of us wake up and are truly excited to begin the day? My guess is it's significantly fewer than it should be. As athletes, are we appreciative of the opportunity to play our sport? Or do we let the business of the game steal our joy? Are we daring to live out our dream? Or simply playing defensively in hopes of not failing? If you're a former athlete, have you chosen a new career path that gives you the adrenaline rush you crave? I don't know the answers you will all have to this. I only know my own. I implore you to ask yourself these questions and answer them internally. For myself, I can share with you all that I have begun to live. I can look in the mirror and say I don't fear never beginning to live because I am living now. However, that wasn't always the case. I used to live a life that others chose for me. I used to live a life always looking at the past or future. I used to let material things dictate my happiness. I used to let people and things dictate my self-worth.

Now, I am in the process of living the life the way I want to. Does that mean I've achieved everything I want to achieve? No, not even remotely close. However, I look at myself in the mirror every night knowing two things: 1. I lived the day in the moment. I didn't wish my day away. 2. I chase my passions every day. I love writing. I love podcasting. I love working with athletes on building fortitude. I love working out. I do, at minimum, one of those things every single day. Above all, I love being Catholic, and I love being a family man. Those are always at the forefront of my mind and guide my every decision. I can't remember the last day I've lost, to be honest with you. I'm too focused on living my life to its fullest because I know my time here is short. If you knew your expiration date, what would you start doing differently? Once you figure out that answer, start doing it today.

My last question to all of you is: are you really living? Or are you simply trying not to die?

To Building Fortitude.

Warm regards,

Colin Jonov CEO & Founder, Athletic Fortitude

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