Alright, well, it's been another month.
I'm not going to dwell on it, but we are back. Hopefully for good this time.
Not just with the newsletter, but with the podcast as well. A new episode of the Absolute Strength Podcast is live right now. More on that below.
We are officially about halfway through 2026. The good news is that if you haven't made as much progress on your goals as you'd hoped, there's still plenty of time.
The bad news?
The second half of the year won't magically be different from the first.
More information isn't the answer. Neither is waiting until life slows down.
Change happens when you start doing the things you already know you should be doing.
Most people don't need a breakthrough. They need a restart.
So wherever you're at right now, take inventory, make a plan, and get moving. Six months from now, you'll either be glad you started today or wish you had.
Here’s what I have for you this week.
Fitness
Back to the basics
A random fact you might not know about me is that I'm kind of a history nerd. Especially American history. I've been fascinated by it since I was a kid.
But I'm also a nerd for lifting history.
I love reading old strength and bodybuilding books from the 1940s, '50s, and '60s and comparing what they were doing back then to what we do today.
Now, I don't want to sound like the old guy yelling at clouds, but fitness content isn't in a great place right now.
Not because there isn't good information available. There is.
The problem is that there's too much information.
Every day you're bombarded with new exercises, new supplements, new recovery tools, new training methods, and new "hacks" that promise better results.
Most of it is just noise.
People spend more time worrying about whether they should do a cold plunge, wear a glucose monitor, or optimize their pre-workout stack than they do consistently training and eating well.
They're majoring in the minors.
When you look at the strongest, most muscular, and most athletic people throughout history, the common thread isn't that they found some secret.
It's that they mastered the basics.
So if you're feeling overwhelmed, here's your reminder:
Lift weights 3-4 times per week.
Focus on the big movements: squats, deadlifts, presses, rows, pull-ups, and dips.
Get 8,000-10,000 steps per day.
Eat roughly 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight.
Eat fruits and vegetables every day.
Sleep as much as your life allows.
Spend some time outside.
That's it.
The basics aren't sexy, which is why people ignore them.
But they work.
And they'll still work 50 years from now.
Mindset
Unfulfilled Dreams
There are few things more dangerous than carrying around unfulfilled dreams for too long.
Not because the dream itself is bad, but because eventually it turns into frustration.
You start wondering why you're not where you thought you'd be. Why other people seem to be moving forward while you're standing still. Why the life you imagined never quite showed up.
And that frustration rarely stays contained.
It spills into relationships. It affects your attitude at work. It changes how you view yourself.
I've seen it happen.
Someone wanted to lose 50 pounds. Or start a business. Or compete in a sport. Or write a book. Years go by, and because they never took action, they become bitter about the goal itself.
But unfulfilled dreams don't have to become regrets.
They can become fuel.
The fact that you still think about something after all these years probably means it still matters to you.
Maybe the timeline wasn't what you expected. Maybe life got in the way. Maybe you took a few wrong turns.
That's okay.
The dream isn't dead unless you decide it is.
Use the frustration as information. Let it remind you what you care about. Then take one small step toward it.
You don't have to accomplish the dream today.
You just have to stop moving away from it.
What I’m Into
Buckwheat
Okay, I tried buckwheat for the first time recently.
I honestly don't know why it's not more popular.
It has a nuttier flavor than brown rice, a great texture, and it's loaded with fiber, minerals, and other micronutrients. If you're tired of rice, oats, or potatoes, it's an easy way to add some variety to your diet.
I've been using this: Uvelka Buckwheat
The biggest surprise was how filling it is. A serving sticks with you longer than most carb sources, which makes it a great option if you're trying to stay satisfied while dieting.
It's also incredibly easy to make. Cook a batch, throw it in meal prep containers, and use it exactly like you would rice.
This Week’s Podcast
After a couple of months away from the podcast, I’m back behind the mic for a listener Q&A. In this episode, I talk about why I took a break, what I’ve been up to, and what’s next for the podcast. I also answer questions on my return to grappling, how my training has changed, getting great workouts in when you’re short on time, and what parents can do to help maximize their kids’ athletic potential without becoming overbearing sports parents. Plus, I share my thoughts on the UFC White House card and a few other topics along the way.
Final Thought
Half of 2026 is already gone.
Don't let that discourage you.
Let it wake you up.
Six months is enough time to get in shape.
Six months is enough time to learn a new skill.
Six months is enough time to completely change the direction of your life.
But only if you start now.
-Kyle
PS – Ready to take the guesswork out of your training and nutrition?
Whether your goal is fat loss, muscle building, or staying strong without wrecking your joints, I’ll build you a plan that fits your life and keeps you consistent enough to see real results.
