Culture + Leadership = Resilience

We’re Shifting Gears! I know you're used to getting this newsletter every other Friday, but there’s too much positivity and progress happening in my life—and in the lives of the athletes around me—for me to keep it all bottled up for two weeks at a time. So, from here on out, I’ll be sending you weekly content. We’ll stick to the regular schedule of the 1st and 3rd Fridays, but you can also expect a mid-week newsletter packed with insights, lessons, and stories I believe you can apply to your own journey.

The Start of Football Season

We’re in week 4 of Louisiana high school football, and I can already say our team has experienced more ups and downs than most teams see in multiple seasons. It’s been an emotional rollercoaster, but one that has ultimately taught us the value of resilience.

After a challenging week 1, playing in the pouring rain, we managed to secure a victory that nobody saw coming. However, the high didn’t last long. Our starting quarterback was diagnosed with mononucleosis, and our star wide receiver suffered a high ankle sprain shortly after. If that wasn’t enough, one of our key linebackers had to be pulled out due to a neck injury, and our outside linebacker also went down with a shoulder injury.

Week 2 didn’t get any easier. We were up against another tough opponent and suffered our first home loss in 4 years—by 7 points. Adding to the challenge, we were hit by a hurricane that knocked out power for 48 hours, leaving us without practice for 72 hours before our game on Saturday evening.

Despite these setbacks, we faced week 3 with grit, playing yet another formidable opponent. Even with our quarterback still out and losing our starting running back to a concussion, our junior varsity players stepped up in ways that left me speechless. We fought hard and walked away with a 21-18 victory.

Just as we were riding the high of that win, another blow struck. Our senior leader, Benjamin, took a hit to the shin, and what we thought was a bone bruise turned out to be a broken tibia. His football career is now over, as he opted for a procedure that will hopefully get him back in time for track season, where he’s a state champion triple jumper.

If that doesn’t define a rollercoaster season, I don’t know what does. But through the highs of victory and the lows of injury and loss, one thing has remained constant—our resilience.

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Culture

At the heart of everything we’ve faced is the culture we’ve built. When things get tough, it's our shared values, belief in each other, and the sense of family that keeps us pushing forward. Culture isn’t just what we do when things are going well. It’s how we respond when everything feels like it’s falling apart.

A key to maintaining this strong culture is having a bulletproof, consistent routine. Take, for example, Eric Hinman, a 5x Ironman finisher, professional CrossFit athlete, and entrepreneur. Hinman is known for his meticulously structured habits that keep him at peak performance, no matter the obstacles. Whether it's a 5 a.m. workout, regular cold plunges, or strict sleep discipline, Hinman’s routine serves as a foundation for success—this consistency is crucial for mental and physical resilience. It’s this kind of routine that helps create a culture of excellence, where we can weather any storm.

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Leadership

In times of chaos, strong leadership is what steadies the ship. Our coaches and team leaders have been unwavering, even when we’ve been tested by circumstances far beyond our control. Leadership isn’t just about giving direction; it’s about inspiring belief, especially when self-doubt creeps in.

Jocko Willink, a former Navy SEAL commander, talks about this in his book Extreme Ownership. He emphasizes that leaders must take full responsibility for their team's outcomes, good or bad. This principle has been a game-changer for us. We’ve faced adversity head-on by owning our circumstances and making no excuses. The leaders in our program have embodied this mindset, ensuring that every player feels empowered to step up and take ownership, especially when the pressure is highest.

What I’m listening to this morning

Resilience

Resilience isn’t something you learn in the classroom—it’s something you build through experience. And this season, more than ever, our team is learning that resilience is not just about bouncing back. It’s about enduring, adapting, and growing through adversity. It’s how we keep moving forward, no matter how many times we get knocked down.

The foundation of this resilience lies in our culture, which we start building in the early spring. Our motto is "Next man up." But that comes with a stipulation: the next man up better be ready. We prepare every player as if they’re the starter, instilling a mindset that every practice, drill, or workout is their opportunity to prove they belong on the field.

David Goggins, one of the toughest endurance athletes and motivational speakers in the world, speaks about putting yourself in uncomfortable situations to grow. His book, Can't Hurt Me, is all about mental toughness and finding strength through hardship. By challenging our athletes in tough conditions—whether it’s grueling practices or games without our star players—we’ve helped them develop a mindset that thrives under pressure.

The Power of Mental Performance Training

The difference in our mindset this season has been evident. We use visualization boards, talk about what we can control, and let go of the things we cannot control. We practice recognizing our emotional "signal lights," ensuring that we can identify when we’re in the red and need to reset. Positive affirmations during practice have helped lighten the mood on tough days, keeping the team unified and focused.

Our mental performance training, which I’ve learned through Brian Cain's 10 Pillars of Mental Performance Mastery, has been the game-changer. Cain's system teaches athletes how to develop habits that support peak mental and emotional performance. From controlling their routines to staying in the moment, these pillars have helped our players maintain their mental edge, even in the face of constant adversity. I’m currently enrolled in his course, learning the same techniques that have helped elite athletes across the world reach the next level.

This season has reminded me that mental performance isn’t just a skill—it’s a survival tool. It’s what enables us to stay focused, stay positive, and keep believing, even when everything else seems uncertain.

Let’s continue to grow, learn, and stay resilient together.

Until next week,
Grant

Resources

1. Eric Hinman-Movement Memo

2. L-theanine

3. Magnesium 

4. Brian Cain Routines and Habits

5. “Red Light” on Phone

6. 1 Minute Question Newsletter

7. Strength Framework Newsletter

8. The Power Up Newsletter