I want to take a second and say thank you to every one of you who has been part of this community. What we’ve built here isn’t normal. It's people showing up, doing the work, and holding themselves to a higher standard — even when it’s not easy. And we’re not stopping. We’re simply continuing the journey in a place that lets us reach more people, connect more consistently, and grow this into what it’s meant to become. 👉 Join us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailygrindclub Same standards. Same mission. Stronger reach. If you’ve been part of this from the beginning, you’re part of the foundation. Let’s keep building.

Today I wrote about a man who had a huge impact on me - Mr. Story. He wasn't my family. But he was such a big part of my life that I feel like he was. Mr. Story was a psychology teacher, made you take your hats off in class, a strength coach when I met him, and coached high school football for many years. If it wouldn't have been for him, I wouldn't be training today. I may not have even started martial arts. He shaped everything - how I train, how I think, who I became as a martial artist and a coach. My Foundation Challenge is daily writing so I can give back. This Substack is part of that commitment. Today's action step: Share a pic of someone who's had a big influence on your life. Could be family. Could be a coach. A teacher. A mentor. A training partner. Someone who's still here or someone you lost. Doesn't matter if they're famous or if nobody knows them but you. Drop the pic + one sentence about what they taught you. If you want the full story about Mr. Story, here's today's Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/tkdjreed/p/how-i-train?r=1xf896&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true Let's see who's shaped this community. 💪

We all have things we don't feel like doing. We push them off. We negotiate. We wait to "feel ready" or "be in the mood." Here's the problem: emotions come and go. When you're frustrated, stressed, or stuck - it feels permanent. But emotions follow what you've been focusing on. Back in 1996, I hit a low point. I read Tony Robbins' Awaken the Giant Within and it changed who I am. One of the biggest shifts was understanding how to change your STATE - not wait for motivation. Two ways to shift your state: 1. Change what you focus on The questions you ask yourself create your energy. Lower-level questions: • "Do I HAVE to do this?" • "Do I even WANT to?" • "I'm upset and I don't care." Stronger questions: • "What am I thankful for?" • "Who do I love? Who loves me?" • "How can I improve? Get better? Help someone?" Change the question = change the state. 2. Move your body Motion creates emotion. Sitting all day = stuck energy. Get up. Walk. Stretch. Train. State-changers people use: • Music that flips the switch • Getting to class (people + energy) • Coffee ritual • Pre-workout • Breathwork • Cold shower • Getting dressed for training • Calling someone who lifts you up My lifting playlist + getting my shoes on = automatic state shift. By the time I hit the garage, my body already knows what to do. No negotiation. Drop yours below: What tools do YOU use to shift your state? List as many as you want.