The Story:
We had a couple of friends over last night-- just them, us, and Jax. It was a chill evening. Jax was running around, fully engaged with our friends, especially with one of our closest college friends that he hasn't gotten the opportunity to spend much time with in the past. Jax knocked out, stayed up telling stories and having a few drinks until about 11pm -- at which point there was a unified yawn that occured from 3/4 of the table occupants.
The next morning, I woke up early (as I usually do), had my coffee, and soaked in the quiet before the house came alive. Slowly, everyone else got up—Jax, my wife, and our friends.
What happened next surprised me. Without hesitation, our friends suggested getting in a quick workout before breakfast. No dragging feet, no hangovers, just an immediate, “Let’s move.” I had a little moment -- this never happens, I'm always the odd bird working out solo before anyone else was up -- so OFC, we hit that f*ckin garage RIGHT QUICK.
We grabbed kettlebells, a weight vest, a sandbag, and got after it with a thousand-second workout. Jax joined in for a bit, moving weights around and imitating our movements. He wasn’t just watching—he was engaged, and swinging from the TRX. He's always interested in my workouts, but it was different when 3 people he hung with the night before were all moving.
The Lesson:
Kids learn by observing. And in that garage, Jax wasn’t just seeing a workout. He was witnessing what community looks like. He was absorbing what it means to have people in your life who prioritize action, follow-through, and health.
It reminded me of the old saying: “You are the sum of the five people you spend the most time with.” That truth doesn’t just apply to you—it trickles down to your family.
Your kids watch everything.
- Are you dragging yourself through the morning after a late night of drinking?
- Or are you up, moving, and showing them what “follow-through” looks like?
The people you choose to bring into your life matter—not just for your own growth but for the environment they create for your kids.
Why It Matters:
When you surround yourself with people who embody the habits and lifestyle you aspire to, you make it easier to live that way. Your kids see it. They internalize it. And over time, it becomes their norm.
That morning workout set the tone for the day. Jax didn’t ask for shows. He wanted to be outside, ride his bike, and head to the beach. He was fired up—not because I told him to be, but because he felt it.
DISCLAIMER: Modeling behavior is not as simple as working out in the morning, but for the simplicity of a Newsletter is a great place to start.
The most important thing you can do when modeling behavior for your kids as it relates to how your COMMUNITY behaves is to call out when said behavior is something you want to promote or avoid. Good or bad, its important to consistently interact with your kids as they experience behaviors that they may have never seen at home. If they see some shit Mom and Dad don't do, its going to have an impact -- so get ahead of it by calling it out and linking it to the emotional response.
The Takeaway:
If you want to build habits that inspire your kids, start with your community. Find people who live the way you want to live—people who make it easy to stay aligned with your values.
Because in the end, you’re not just building a lifestyle for yourself. You’re modeling one for your family.
Call-to-Action:
This week, think about your circle. Are the people around you helping you become the person you want to be for your kids?
If not, start small. Invite someone over for a workout. Build momentum. And watch how it changes the energy in your home.
Here’s to building a community that inspires—not just you, but the next generation.
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