I just finished reading Jump by Larry Miller. Larry who? 

Larry Miller was the former chairman of The Jordan Brand and also served as the General Manager of the Portland Trailblazers. 

His rise to business fame, however, was a bit different than most. 

I recently finished Shaken by Tim Tebow. While this book has been around for a while (2017), I'm glad I finally took the time to read it. 
While some are turned off by Tebow's rather open spirituality, I walked away pretty convinced that just about anybody could benefit from reading this. With that, here were my key takeaways. 

Hey everyone, it's John. 

Something I think a lot about is just how each day is ultimately as successful as I want it to be. 

You mean, every day is great? No, in fact, I'm affirming that not every day can be great if your definition of "great" involves outcomes. 

It's taken me a long time to figure this out. 

Years ago, if a game wasn't won, a business deal completed, or a day off maximized, I felt unsatisfied. And maybe that's what today's post is really about: satisfaction. 

For me right now, I find it much easier to find satisfaction because it's less about the outcomes and more about myself: what did I do to move the ball forward? What positive interactions did I have with other people? How many times did I make my kids smile? 

The beauty of all of this is that I control the actions. Not in a micromanagey way, but in a way that simply echoes responsibility. How others behave towards me, the final decision from a potential client on a business deal, the volatility involved with having young children at home. All of this is a part of my life, and while there are certainly emotions that I feel during the challenging parts, ultimately I choose how I react. I choose my demeanor when my wife walks in the door or when I drop the ball. I choose how to say "I'm sorry." 

You see, my life isn't perfect, and neither is yours. And with social media and remote work, it can be tough sometimes to feel heard, validated, and/or praised. But even then, the perspective you have is the silver lining in this whole equation. Tell me your whole story.....explain the setbacks, external factors, mean people...the list goes on and on. 

Perspective is that ace in the deck. The ability to overcome it all. The opportunity to put your head on the pillow at the end of each day and simply say "great job." 

May you find the peace that comes with it. 

With the start of the NBA season tomorrow, it's time for a 2025 NBA champion prediction. 

While I'm not a huge fan of trying to predict something that's eight months into the future, I did correctly predict last year's champion. 

A whole slew of things will happen between now and next June, but that has to be a part of the prediction: which rosters can stomach an injury or two, what players will struggle to play well together, etc. 

With that said, here is my pick. 

Bill Havens? Who is that? 

I recently heard this story and had to share it. ​

Katie Ledecky just left Paris with four more medals, making her the winningest female swimmer in Olympic history. In fact, she now has the second most Olympic medals of any swimmer, behind Michael Phelps' 28. 

To many, Ledecky feels like she's been around forever, despite the fact that she's only 27 years old. Today, we look back on Katie's career and highlight some of the incredible accomplishments that make her the GOAT of women's swimming. 

​With the Olympics kicking off tonight, I always look forward to watching track & field.

The sport was my first love when my parents let me join a track club when I was 8. At that time, the youngest division for races was 9-10 years old, so I'd go to these track meets and get smoked. I'd get smoked at practice too because all the other kids were much older than me. In hindsight, I was blessed to be training with some incredible athletes, but they were just the "big kids" then. (For context, one became a Division One decathlete and eventual doctor, another played in the NFL and is now the offensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers, and another would actually win a track gold medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens). 

Bronny James was just drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft. While many fans cry nepotism, the entire situation requires a deeper dive into how we got to this point. From Cleveland to Sierra Canyon, and USC to the Lakers, Bronny has had quite a ride. Today, we peel back the curtain and offer our opinion on the newest Laker. 

Jayson Tatum has rapidly emerged as one of the brightest young stars in the NBA. Today, he became the highest paid player in league history, signing a 5-year contract extension worth $314 million. While most know Tatum's game as a Celtic, few know his story to get there. 

Today, we dive into Jayson's background, what makes him great, and make a bold prediction for his future. 

In the pages of baseball history, few names shine as brightly as Rickey Henderson. Known for his electrifying speed, unparalleled base-stealing ability, and longevity in the game, Henderson's career spanned over two decades, leaving an indelible mark on the sport. From his record-breaking achievements to his colorful personality, Rickey Henderson was one of my favorite players as a kid.