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.   

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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Markets Update

Be back next week!

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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.

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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!

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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).

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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.  

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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.

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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. 

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Discover Your Unique Strength

Yesterday, I had a conversation about a project I’ve been passionate about, a project that I've been told "NO" to since 2017. Yes, you read that right—8 years of being told “NO” by someone on the other side of a screen, table, or phone. 

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Markets Update

Anyone who predicted it would be a bumpy ride in Q1 of ’25 for public markets would have been right, so far.  Last week we saw a number of moving pieces that contributed to a risk-off atmosphere, before we grinded higher on Friday to close the week down ~ 1%.  Let’s start with the 2 most obvious stories from Trump, where policy uncertainty continues to be cited as 1 of the reasons for the recent sell-off. 

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Why You Aren’t Getting More Flexible: 

Flexibility is one of those fitness goals that many people struggle with. Whether it's trying to touch your toes, achieve a deeper squat, or just feel more comfortable moving your body, improving flexibility seems like a simple goal—yet it often proves elusive. While some people seem to gain flexibility with little effort, others can stretch daily and still see little progress. So, why aren't more people getting more flexible? Here are three key reasons why your flexibility might not be improving:

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Interview with Toby Bodner

Curator & Marketing Consultant at sourced by T.

I’ve always been drawn to merch that tells a story—the vacation tee or hat, college hoodie, concert shirt, even the free tote with purchase. Some I wear constantly; others I keep as memories. Whenever I walk into a business, my eye goes straight to the merch before anything else. But why is the apparel and souvenirs in most destination town stores so generic and uninspired?

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Uncomfortable Conversations in Challenging Environments Build Resilient Children

I often walk a fine line when it comes to pushing my sons, especially at a young age. I constantly check in with myself, reflecting on how they react—how they wake up, how they return home from practice or a game. I rarely offer feedback on their performance unless they bring it up and seek my perspective.

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Business & Markets Update

Be back next week!

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Training with an Injury: How to Stay Active While You’re Hurt

Injuries are frustrating. Whether you're an athlete or just someone who enjoys staying fit, dealing with an injury can make you feel like you've lost your ability to train altogether. But the good news is, there are ways to stay active and continue improving, even while healing. The key is to focus on what you can do rather than dwelling on what you can’t.

Here are some tips to help you train smart and stay on track with your fitness goals while managing an injury.

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Interview with Dr. Jason Wersland DC

Founder & Chief Wellness Officer of Therabody

I like to remind people when I am asked this question that wellness is a practice, and health is a state, and your daily wellness practice directly affects your health; mental and physical health. Wellness, to me, is about daily balance—mind, body, and spirit. It’s not just about how strong you are physically or how much recovery you’re doing; it’s about how you’re feeling overall. Are you present? Are you listening to your body? Are you connected to yourself? I prioritize wellness by making it part of my daily routine. Movement, recovery, nutrition, and mindset—they all work together. I use Therabody products because I know they work, but I also meditate, get outside, and take time to reset. Life moves fast, but if you’re not checking in with yourself, you’re missing the point.

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Rolodex vs Rolex

I vividly remember my first night working in the Hamptons, when I met the Vice President of Real Estate for Nike, and another time, the Vice President of American Express at The Ainsworth. In the early days of my hospitality career, I was drawn to the excitement of chasing what I thought would fulfill me. But soon, I realized I was in rooms filled with some of the most influential decision-makers, and I had direct access to them because I offered something they needed. They wanted to appear even more important than they already were, securing preferred reservations and exclusive access to our biggest sports viewing events—especially since we were the official Alabama Football Bar and the pioneers of Sunday Funday.

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