A Night of Reflection and Connection
Last Friday, I had the opportunity to attend the 50th anniversary celebration of my high school, and it felt like a 25-year reunion. Fourteen members of my class showed up—the most from any graduating class—and seeing so many familiar faces brought back a flood of memories. The event was filled with laughter, shared stories, and a surprising realization: everyone looked great! It was heartwarming to reconnect and reflect on how far we’ve all come. Adding to the joy was seeing BattleGrounds Fitness represented; I ran into few current members (but I saw a few others that I missed connecting with) and at least 3-4 past members (and a past coach too!), which made the evening even more special.
Under the Weather, But Pushing Through
As it turns out, the excitement of the weekend came with a little extra surprise—by Sunday night, I was feeling under the weather. It’s ironic how, after a weekend of catching up and celebrating wellness, I ended up needing some recovery time myself! So, while I’d planned to share this update sooner, I’m posting now with a slightly foggier head but a renewed commitment to health and wellness. Sometimes, life has a way of reminding us to rest and recharge, whether we choose to or not.
Diving Deeper into Wellness
This experience of slowing down also reminded me of the importance of investing in health for the long haul. Recently, I wrapped up Clean(ish), a book
that inspired me to explore intermittent fasting more deeply. That led me to pick up Fast. Feast. Repeat., which dives into the science of fasting windows and their impact on glycemic levels and metabolic health. The insights resonated with a recent conversation I had with my brother-in-law about glycemic spikes at the event on Friday. We both hope that more people are waking up to how detrimental highly processed foods can be. It seems to be becoming mainstream now.
New Perspectives on Nutrition
Alongside Fast. Feast. Repeat., I’ve started reading Dark Calories, which sheds light on how different types of calories are processed by our bodies, challenging the “all calories are created equal” idea. Both books emphasize the importance of being intentional about what we consume and reinforce the value of eating nutrient-dense foods. Even as I’m recovering, these insights are making me appreciate the role that nutrition plays in resilience and overall health.
Listening and Learning
In addition to my reading, I’ve been tuning into Joe Rogan’s podcast, where he’s highlighted some eye-opening topics on food. He’s been discussing “non-foods”—products so processed that they barely 
resemble real food. This conversation echoes what we teach at BattleGrounds: prioritize whole, natural foods and steer clear of ultra-processed items with long ingredient lists. Real food fuels performance, health, and longevity, and it’s a simple idea that carries more relevance now than ever.
Countdown to the Battle Buddy Brawl
Looking ahead, we’re just one week out from the Battle Buddy Brawl! The excitement is building, and I can’t wait to see the energy and camaraderie that will unfold. I’m disappointed to have missed the Mead Mile, which BattleGrounds proudly sponsored, but seeing our members show up and run was a proud moment for our community.
Stay Committed to Finishing Strong
Finally, I want to encourage everyone in our Finish Strong Challenge—50 WODs before the end of the year—to keep pushing forward! It’s no small commitment, but every day you show up, you’re proving your resilience. Remember, every rep and every effort counts, building not just physical strength but mental toughness. 
Personally, I just passed the 30 day mark of Hard 75 and am on my own for the next 30 days until I rejoin the app at day 60. Combined with some new IF protocols, I’m interested to see where the next 30 days take me on my fitness journey.
Let’s keep supporting each other as we finish the year on a high note. BattleGrounds family, we’re in this together—let’s finish strong!
