The Most Powerful Drug: Belonging

We’ve been watching Adolescence, and it’s one of those shows that really makes you think, especially as a parent.

I’m deeply involved in social media—it’s how I build real community, make a living, and even unwind. From the very beginning, I recognized that social media could be a powerful tool if used with intention. But I’ve also witnessed its harm, particularly for adults, because, much like with our kids, it often triggers deep-rooted issues around belonging. While many point to social media as the main cause of the mental health crisis—and yes, it’s a major factor—it’s really just a symptom of a much larger issue. Phones, tablets, and devices are part of the problem, too. As parents, we sometimes hand them over as a quick fix to maintain peace. But at its core, the real issue is the universal human need for belonging.

Read More

Markets Update

Woah.  Last week was a doozy, this week could very well be a doozy… again.  President Trump’s long awaited tariff plan was announced last Wednesday.  Here is the crash course:  10% baseline tariff on all imports, with additional reciprocal tariffs being applied on 60 nations.  More importantly, the plan included a 34% tariff on China, 32% on Taiwan, 46% on Vietnam, and 20% on all European Union nations.  This was not the baseline expectation.  In fact, the interpretation on the Trump press conference Wednesday afternoon quickly pointed to a worst-case-scenario relative to what the market was anticipating, which could be described as more nuanced / measured / less drastic.  Markets got smoked.  Let’s stretch on what that means.

Read More

The Calorie Label Lie: What the FDA Really Allows (and Why It Matters If You’re Overeating)

If you’re someone who tracks your food, counts calories, or even just tries to stay somewhat mindful of what you eat, you’ve probably glanced at a nutrition label and trusted the numbers. After all, it’s regulated by the FDA, right?

Well, here’s the kicker most people don’t know: the calorie count on a food label can legally be off by up to 20%—and still be considered accurate.

Read More

Interview with Jay Siano

Co-Founder + CEO of SABRE

E-commerce is here to stay however if you’re not blending online and offline, you’re already behind. Retailers have to level up with omnichannel strategies, no question. But here’s the kicker: there’s a massive push for service-based businesses that can't be replaced online. My firm SABRE is continuing to crush it in the wellness space, leading the charge with expansion strategies for clients like [solidcore], SWTZHZ, and Pura Vida.

Read More

7 Harsh Realities That Will Empower You

Early on taking on a lot of responsibility during my Hospitality career in a thriving New York City, I was forced to realize some harsh realities early on. As much as I was burned throughout those early years, I am very thankful I was able to experience real life lessons. Here are 7 harsh realities that will empower you.

Read More

Markets Update

US stocks were lower last week again, with the S&P 500 back near correction territory (-10% from recent highs).  The index is now down 5 of the last 6 weeks, with fairly broad-based weakness across sectors but big tech takes the brunt of the losses.  Ongoing trade wars, and total lack of clarity around tariffs in general, continue to dominate news flow.  The risks to the American consumer, and the inflationary impacts of the tariffs, is and will be a talking point for months.  We’re also continuing to see signs of a stretched consumer.

Read More

How Weekend Eating is Ruining Your Diet – And How to Fix It

You’ve been crushing your diet all week—meal prepping, tracking your calories, and staying on top of your nutrition. Then the weekend rolls around, and suddenly, your discipline vanishes. A couple of drinks, a night out with friends, and before you know it, you’ve consumed enough calories to undo an entire week’s progress. Sound familiar? You’re not alone.

Read More

Interview with Eric Hinman

5x Ironman + Brand Builder

How do you balance training with business and personal life?

Time blocking. My days are incredibly structured. I attached what my day looks like and the tiny wins I check off each day. 

Read More

When you’re ready.. you will!

There’s no damn motivational speaker good enough,

no self-help book detailed enough,no love strong enough,

no retreat, affirmation, meditation technique, crystal, podcast, plant medicine, seminar, mentor, healer, or Instagram quote that’s going to change you.

Read More

Markets Update

US stocks eked out a small gain last week after trading lower for 4 straight weeks, with 2-3% daily selloffs feeling like the norm.  The S&P 500 seems to be stabilizing a bit after the move lower that started that 3rd week of February.  The daily headline ping-pong around Trump’s tariffs appear to be slowing down, it feels like they are very consciously rolling out messages in a less chaotic fashion after the stock market went straight down for the better part of 3 weeks during peak headline-volatility.  Chairman of the Fed, Jerome Powell, spoke to the press last Wednesday and takeaways helped with more positive sentiment.  Rates were left on hold, and Powell’s commentary appeared upbeat, suggesting inflationary impacts from future tariffs could be transitory and not long-lasting.   

Read More

Understanding Stress: Different Stress, Same Response

Stress. It's something we all experience in different forms and at various levels. Whether it's the pressure of deadlines at work, a tough workout session, or the stress of daily life, it can feel overwhelming. But did you know that all types of stress—work stress and exercise stress alike—are essentially the same? And just as important as knowing how to handle them, is understanding how to recover from them. In fact, recovery is key to managing stress, no matter the source. Let’s explore this idea in depth.

Read More

Interview with Dr. Isiah Robinson

Chiropractor, Developer of xFitLab

VO2 max measures the maximum amount of oxygen your body can utilize during intense exercise. In simple terms, it’s the gold standard for measuring cardiovascular fitness and aerobic capacity. The higher your VO2 max, the more efficiently your body can deliver and use oxygen to fuel your muscles. The importance of this is that it is a key indicator of how well your pulmonary and circulatory system are working. 

Read More

My Children Will Never Get Participation Trophies

Not everyone deserves a trophy, and that includes our children. We need to normalize telling our kids "You don’t deserve it"—not when they want another toy, but especially when they don’t win or feel upset about not achieving something they think they should.

There’s a place for soft parenting—the cuddles, the affection, and nurturing—and I’m all for it. But there’s also a time for tough truths, delivered in a way that resonates. Just because our children are young doesn’t mean we should shelter them from reality.

Read More

Markets Update

Be back next week!

Read More

You’re Eating More Than You Think: How Hidden High-Calorie Foods Sabotage Weight Loss

When it comes to weight loss, many people think they’re eating very little, yet still struggle to shed pounds. They might claim, “I don’t eat much,” but the truth is that the foods they’re consuming are often far more calorie-dense than they realize. While they may not be overeating in terms of portion size, the types of foods they choose are sneaky, high-calorie options that can quickly add up. This can interfere with their weight loss goals, even though they believe they're sticking to a calorie-controlled diet.

Read More

Interview with Francesca Sipma

Founder of Mastry + HypnoBreathWork®, Author of Unblock Your Purpose

It was getting to the peak of the mountain and realizing I wasn’t happy. I had the promotion, title, and goals, but I was stuck in a never-ending chase for success and significance. This forced me to look deeper into my values and start listening to my body and intuition instead of external validation. That led me to Bali, where I discovered breathwork – and it was life-changing!

Read More

Your Child Isn’t A Competitor Because You’re Not One

Teaching our kids that they always have to share can actually hinder their competitiveness. If you have siblings, you know exactly what I mean. When Leo takes Luke’s toy, Luke turns into the Hulk, doing whatever it takes to get it back. But when Luke grabs Leo’s toy, I used to say, "Leo, he’s younger, you need to share." I’ve stopped that, and if you follow me on social media, you’ll see that my two boys often go head to head when it’s time to settle things, especially when we’re competing. I encourage them to “fight” for what they want and earn their ball back (no punching, of course).

Read More

Markets Update

Yikes!  Last week felt like 2 months…  Risk-off sentiment is a real thing at the moment, with major focus on both softening of the macro/economic picture, along with volatile (daily) tariff-related headlines. The debate by the middle of last week was: Is this a technical unwind where we ultimately find support and see a meaningful bounce in the near-term, or is this part of a larger and longer-term growth scare that would suggest stocks are going lower from here for some time.  

Read More

Is Weightlifting Safe for Kids? A Guide for Parents and Young Athletes

Weightlifting is often associated with bodybuilders and professional athletes, but can it be a safe and beneficial activity for children? Many parents and coaches wonder whether weightlifting could stunt a child's growth or cause injury. In this blog post, we will explore the safety of weightlifting for kids, when and how they can start, and the benefits it offers.

Read More

Interview with Jason and Nicole Ruscio

Operating Partners of Squeeze Massage Westport - Darien

After moving to Southport during the pandemic, we quickly fell in love with the area and knew this is where we wanted to raise our two daughters. We wanted to invest in something meaningful for our community. We’ve always prioritized health, wellness, and recovery in our own lives, and when we discovered Squeeze, we knew it was the perfect fit. The brand's focus on personalized care, employee well-being, and a seamless guest experience aligned perfectly with what we wanted to bring to Westport. Our goal is to create a space where people not only receive high-quality massage therapy, but also feel valued, supported, and empowered in their wellness journey. 

Read More