It’s been a while since I’ve hopped on here to update you on life, work, family, and everything in between. Things have been busy, but not in the same chaotic sense as in years past. With the holidays storming through like they always do, it feels like there just aren’t enough hours in the day. I’m doing my best to work hard, exercise, spend quality time with my family, set goals, and trust the process.
Right now, my wife is in Vietnam for work. Her company was recently acquired, and with the election results and much of her production overseas, she’s been scrambling to plan and adjust for what’s coming in the next few years. It’s been a while since she’s had to travel for work, and it feels easier now. I remember when the girls were younger, she’d leave, and I’d be pulling my hair out, sleep-deprived and overwhelmed. But the girls have grown older, they’re more responsible, and thankfully they finally sleep. I’d like to think I’ve changed too. I’ve found healthier, better ways to cope with stress and manage life.
Times like these are a not-so-gentle reminder of how much my wife does for us. I always enjoy the time alone with the girls, though. When she’s home, they naturally favor her because she handles the brunt of the parenting. But when she’s away, I get to be the favorite for a while. We eat out, overload on ice cream, plan fun activities, sleep in the same bed, and spend as much time outside as possible. It’s funny, when my wife is here, helping with the girls can feel like a nuisance because there’s so much else going on. But when she’s not, I actually enjoy the morning routines, dinner prep, practices, errands, and bedtime. I hope she feels the same way when I’m away because, let’s be honest, she shoulders the bulk of it for 99% of the year.
Lately, I’ve been riding my dirt bike a fair amount, which is the perfect time of year for it. A few weeks ago, my buddy Ryan organized a long group ride for our club. The weather was cold, but the trail was perfect, and the company was even better. There’s nothing quite like riding dirt bikes with friends. It gets your blood pumping, your heart racing, and your adrenaline flowing. Plus, it gets you outside and in the woods, which are absolutely beautiful this time of year.
The race season is over until March, and while I don’t race much, it’s nice to ride just for the fun of it. No program, no agenda, no stress, just riding. For me, dirt biking is a zen experience. It’s the only place where I can fully disconnect. No phone, no work stress, no worrying about money or being “in my body.” It’s a pure flow state. If you don’t have something in your life that provides this kind of healthy outlet, I urge you to find it now.
On the work front, I’ve been putting most of my energy into the podcast, coursework, marketing, content, and consulting. I promised myself that I’d dedicate as much time to these things as I could afford at the end of the year, and I’m holding myself to it. It’s always been tough for me to step away from my day-to-day projects and focus on the podcast and social side of the business, but the inspiration and contentment I’ve been getting from it have kept me coming back for more.
Nick and I talked about this on the last podcast, but I’m in that tenacious, voracious stage of learning and development right now. The podcast, course creation, education, and consulting have ignited a fire within me. When I wake up, I’m thinking about how to make it better. When I’m sitting on the couch, I’m thinking about the value we can provide. When I lay down at night, I’m considering what we could do differently. There’s so much opportunity to share knowledge and insight, and it excites me to my core.
Nick and I have spent nearly seven years building this podcast platform. We’ve had the privilege of interviewing some of the brightest minds in our industry and beyond. The experience we bring to the table isn’t just ours; it’s a blend of everything we’ve learned from our guests, peers, vendors, partners, friends, and family. We’ve built friendships and networks that tie directly back to the Modern Craftsman Podcast, and I believe it’s selfish not to share all of this knowledge.
I wish I could say that everything I know came from my own wisdom, but that’s just not true. What we teach in our courses and share on the podcast comes from years of conversations, questions, and experiences—both personal and professional. Over time, those two worlds have blended, and it’s been the greatest gift.
As the year winds down, I’m genuinely excited about where we’re headed. I’ve always been curious about how I can create the greatest impact—not in a “legacy” sense, but in a way that makes a difference while I’m here. How can I help people avoid the mistakes I’ve made? How can I elevate this industry to its full potential? How can I help the self-performers, remodelers, and builders out there build lives they’re proud of—lives that provide for their families and align with their values?
I hope we’ve contributed to you finding purpose and creating success—whatever that looks like for you. For me, success is about freedom. Freedom to live my life on my terms, to provide for my family, to work for clients who appreciate and value what I do, to have the time to pour into this platform and our supporters, and to have meaningful conversations with clients every week, providing clarity in their lives and businesses.
That’s what it’s all about. And as I look ahead, I’m grateful, fired up, and ready for what’s next.