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- The Fortitude Chronicle: A Weekly Digest of Athletic Determination
The Fortitude Chronicle: A Weekly Digest of Athletic Determination
Colin Jonov
October 09, 2023
The Fortitude Chronicle: A Weekly Digest of Athletic Determination
Welcome to The Fortitude Chronicle, a weekly newsletter devoted to helping you enhance mental fortitude and conquer life's challenges.
In this edition, we explore the impact of a life well-lived and the power of character, illuminating paths to growth and wisdom. Whether you're an athlete facing public scrutiny or someone aiming to be your best self, the insights here guide you towards not only personal growth but understanding values that matter, celebrating life's essence and the lasting marks we leave through kindness, humility, and love.
Monday’s Mindset
This week’s writing will be short and sweet. The concept of death is tough for many to grasp. Losing loved ones is about as hard as anything we can experience here on earth. This past week, my grandmother-in-law, Mary Ann Rizzo, passed away. Her viewing and funeral occurred this weekend, serving as a beautiful celebration of her life. It’s hard to imagine that the next time my wife and I visit her house, she won’t be there with her big smile to greet us. Although she won’t physically be present, her spirit and memory will forever live with us.
Funerals invariably serve as a great reset for me, compelling introspection and prompting examination of my life and choices. As I observed conversations about Mary Ann, two key themes were unmistakable: her caring nature and her ability to uplift those around her. No one spoke of her wealth or traditional markers of success. Rather, everyone discussed the significant impact she had on others - which, in my opinion, is what life is genuinely about. As I sat there, I couldn’t help but wonder: “What would people say about me if I died today?” If conversations were to center around my athletic or professional accolades, then my time on earth would be a failure. While in my youth I may have been arrogant and self-serving, I now strive for humility and a commitment to serve others. My hope is that every interaction leaves the other person feeling better than before, providing a positive impact they didn’t know they needed.
Money comes and goes. Fame and recognition fade. However, the impact we have on others can last for generations. I don't wish to minimize the time and effort we invest in our sports or professional careers as these are undoubtedly important. Rather, I want to emphasize what truly matters in life: how we treat ourselves and those around us. Thus, I challenge you to start putting things in perspective. Will it truly matter if you miss a game-winning shot, drop a pass, or lose a sale? Will these be the stories shared at your funeral? Unlikely. If the pain of losing a game is greater than the remorse from harming a loved one, then it’s time for introspection. Strive for excellence in all heartfelt endeavors, understanding that success and failure are temporary and fleeting, while your character is eternal. Most importantly, focus on uplifting those around you, like Mary Ann.
3 This Week:
Mike McDaniel is one of the NFL's best coaches — and the story of how he got there is WILD.
It involves a fortuitous meeting at 10 years old, an academic scholarship to Yale, getting fired by the Houston Texans, a stint in rehab, and much more.
Here's what you need to know 👇… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano)
3:28 PM • Oct 3, 2023
The best in the world pay attention to detail in a way that makes other people uncomfortable.
— Alex Auerbach, Ph.D., MBA (@AlexAuerbachPhD)
8:30 PM • Oct 5, 2023
If shit is painful right now, keep pushing.
They call it growing pains for a reason.
It’s not good or bad.
It’s a price we willingly pay for the things we want.
— Alex Hormozi (@AlexHormozi)
7:45 PM • Oct 7, 2023
