Anturas Newsletter
Systems and stories to help you live a happier and healthier life Delivered to your inbox, every Friday
Become Your Own Hero
A while back I watched a clip of Matthew McConaughey. He was being asked who his hero was. His answer? “My hero is me in 10 years.” At first, I rolled my eyes a bit. Classic McConaughey. Confident, cool, maybe a little too smooth. But the more I thought about it, the more it clicked. That answer isn’t cocky. It’s genius. Most of us spend our lives trying to find someone to look up to. A mentor. A role model. Someone who seems like they’ve got it figured out. But usually, that person is just...
I Never Thought I’d Be a “Mantra Guy”
I’ve never been a mantra guy. They always felt a little forced and a little silly. But lately, I’ve been focused on one thing: being present. Enjoying the process. Letting go of distractions. Focusing on what actually matters. I’ve noticed whenever I was present and at my best, I was doing three things. I was focused on simplifying the task, slowing down, and single-tasking. When I simplify, I think more clearly. When I slow down, I feel more calm. When I single-task, whether I’m writing,...
Conformed or Transformed (There is No Option C)
You’re always being conformed or transformed. Every day, something is shaping you. The content you consume. The people you hang out with. The habits you keep. The stories you tell yourself. The routines you follow (or don’t). The scary part? Most of it happens without you noticing. This is unintentional formation. It’s letting life shape you by default instead of by design. But here’s the good news: The moment you become aware of it, you can start to change it. Want to make conscious...
Turns out, doing nothing is really hard.
Last week, Kel and I tried something new: taking one full day off. No work. No screens. No “productive” tasks. Just rest. We were inspired by John Mark Comer's take on the Sabbath: a full day each week to disconnect, recharge, and just be. Sounds simple, right? We thought so too. We started strong. Woke up. Turned off our phones. Went out to brunch. But within the first hour, we caught ourselves trying to make a plan for the day, something structured, something productive. Not traditional...
What If Every Year Got Better?
Every year on his birthday, one of my best friends would say something that stuck with me: “I am continuously peaking.” Not jokingly. Not half-heartedly. With full conviction that this year would be the best one yet. At first, I just thought it was a funny, confident thing to say. After all, how can the real world be better than college? But then I graduated, and the next year was better. And over the last decade, this silly saying has become a personal philosophy. Because what if that was...
Would You Watch the Replay of Your Life?
Imagine this… A documentary crew has been secretly filming your life for the past six months. Every decision. Every morning routine. Every night out. Every moment in between. (Am I poet??) And now, you’re sitting in a private theater, watching the footage back. No edits. No filters. Just the raw, uncut version of how you’ve been living. How would you feel? Would you be proud? Inspired? Motivated? Or would you feel that pit in your stomach. That quiet voice saying, “This isn’t it…” I love this...
Do You Want the Life… or the Lifestyle?
Do you want the life or the lifestyle? This has been on my mind a lot lately. There’s a difference between wanting the life and wanting the lifestyle. When I was in college, I really wanted the life of a fit guy. Someone who never got tired, who could out lift and run everyone, and a six-pack would have been nice. But I didn’t want the lifestyle. I didn’t want to track my food, say no to booze, or to the nights out. After graduation, I craved mental peace. I wanted to be the calm, confident...
The Real Reason You’re Spinning Your Wheels
If I asked you, what do you want your life to look like in 1 year? 5 years? 10 years? 20 years? Could you answer with clarity? Do you have 1-year goals you’re actively working toward? Most guys I talk to aren’t stuck because they’re lazy. They’re stuck because they’re directionless. They don’t like their job, but they don’t know what work would actually excite them. They don’t like how much they drink, but haven’t defined what a healthy relationship with alcohol looks like. They hate waking...
This Is Why Life Design Matters: 30 Miles Through Glacier National Park
Lately, I've been thinking a lot about life design. In other words, not living someone else’s definition of success, but creating and living your own. For some, that might mean a house in Connecticut and a high-powered job. For others, it might mean a cabin in the woods with unlimited free time. It doesn’t matter what the vision is. What matters is that it’s your vision. That you chose it, intentionally. And it might even change down the line, which is OK. Last week, I got a powerful reminder...
The Danger of a B+ Life
Are you stuck in a B+ life? B+. Good enough. Great some days. Solid overall. And that’s exactly the problem. A C- life? You escape it fast. It stings enough to make you move. But a B+ life? That’s where most people get stuck. It’s comfortable—not thrilling, not painful, just fine. So they stay. For years. Maybe decades. But there’s an A+ life waiting for you. So why don’t more people go after it? It’s not because they lack talent, discipline, or drive. To change, you need three things:...
Systems and stories to help you live a happier and healthier life Delivered to your inbox, every Friday