Prioritize Those Who Prioritize You

Dear Collective,

This week, we need to talk about where you put your focus and your fire: prioritize those who prioritize you.

Look at the people you spend your time with and understand you become the people you spend your time around. If you hang out with five smokers, you will become the sixth. If you hang out with five driven people, you will become the sixth. It’s that simple. If these people are willing to step up or go out of their way to help you, you, therefore, should step up and go out of your way to assist them.

This isn't about keeping score; it’s about investing your energy where it will be reciprocated and amplified.

When someone commits to your corner, you need to commit to theirs. That support is shown in small and massive ways.

When you’re under the bar and they shout, "You got this!" you know they mean it. When you finish a marathon, it’s not just the personal pride that hits hardest; it's seeing those people at the finish line, praising your name like it’s the best damn thing they’ve ever seen. That shared joy is priceless.

It's the one who stays late to spot your heavy lifts or who shows up to your event just to lend a hand. They are putting you above themselves for a moment, and you need to ensure you circle back and take care of them.

I undeniably love seeing and feeling the joy when people do things they thought were impossible. This is the energy you need to prioritize:

The member who jumped from a 155 lb deadlift to 205 lbs for three.

The person stuck at an 85 lb squat for months who hit 110 lbs just today.

The teammate who tells me, "My pain is gone," after months of hurting in their shoulders or knees, when physical therapy wasn’t helping.

These victories aren't just for the person lifting the weight. They are for the community that spotted, encouraged, and celebrated them.

Sometimes, prioritizing others means celebrating them because this is the first time they’ve ever prioritized themselves over anything else. We need to remember the rule on the plane: you have to put your mask on first before helping somebody else. You can't be expected to save everybody if you're suffocating.

So, this week, take those moments. Recognize those people in your life who are going above and beyond for you, and ensure you take some time to put them as a priority for your life. By investing in them, you are investing in the strength of your entire collective.

With Strength and Gratitude,

Charlie