Two weeks in a row. Damn, I'm on a roll.
I have a question for you.
What do you want to do?
Today.
This week.
For the rest of this year.
The reason I ask is that if we're not careful, we fall into, or even back into, many things in life. It's like driving home for the thousandth time and realizing you don't even remember the drive.
We do this with everything as time passes.
Sometimes it works out well. There's nothing wrong with mindlessly following a good routine. The trouble comes when that routine is no longer taking you where you actually want to go.
So the theme of today's newsletter is intentionality.
Be intentional with your training.
Be intentional with your work.
Be intentional with the people you spend time with.
The days have a funny way of turning into months, and months into years. If you're not paying attention, you'll wake up six months from now wondering why nothing changed.
Don't just let the second half of 2026 happen to you. Decide what you want it to look like.
Here's what I have for you this week.
Fitness
Exercise Selection
Exercise selection isn't nearly as important as people think.
As long as you're training hard, using good technique, progressively adding reps or weight over time, and doing enough volume, the specific exercises you choose don't matter all that much.
Are some exercises slightly better than others? Sure.
But the "best" exercise depends on your training experience, goals, injury history, body structure, and even what you enjoy doing. Exercises are just tools.
One mistake I see is people constantly chasing the perfect program instead of getting really good at a good-enough program.
Intentionality matters here too.
Instead of asking, "What's the best exercise?"
Ask, "Why am I doing this exercise?"
If you have an answer, keep it.
If you don't, maybe it doesn't belong in your program.
Mindset
Set New Goals For The Second Half of 2026
Most people only set goals in January.
That's a mistake.
I actually like doing a reset halfway through the year.
Go back and look at what you wanted in January.
How are you doing?
Did you accomplish it?
Has anything changed?
Maybe some goals aren't important anymore. Maybe new opportunities have shown up.
Then I like to set 2-3 clear targets for the rest of the year.
One fitness.
One business or career.
One personal.
They're really more like achievements than goals. I like things I can cross off the list.
Big, vague goals are motivating for about three days.
Specific targets give you something to chase every morning.
What I'm Into
Neck, Forearm, and Calf Training
Hear me out.
These three muscle groups might be the missing link between looking like you lift...and actually looking like you lift. Especially in a T-shirt.
They don't get much attention, but they make a surprising difference in how athletic and complete your physique looks.
I've always had a decent neck from years of wrestling, but lately I've been training all three consistently.
A few favorites:
Neck: Weighted neck curls, extensions, and neck harness work.
Forearms: Hammer curls, reverse curls, wrist roller, wrist curls, and farmer's carries.
Calves: Standing calf raises, seated calf raises, and tibialis raises.
None of these exercises are flashy.
They're just another reminder that the little things done consistently usually beat the exciting things done occasionally.
This Week's Podcast
No podcast this week...
But I do have a big announcement coming.
Make sure you're subscribed so you don't miss it.
Final Thought
There's an old saying that goes, "If you don't know where you're going, any road will get you there."
I don't think that's true.
If you don't know where you're going, you'll probably end up exactly where you already are.
Spend ten minutes this week deciding what the rest of your year should look like.
Then figure out what you need to do to actually get yourself there.
Have a great week.
-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.
