Build the Place That Builds You
What if your home environment drains you?
Your home should restore you.
But for one of my athletes, his home did the opposite.
Every morning was a sprint:
rolling out of bed
rushing for the car
even getting dressed at the office just to avoid traffic
He thought he was saving time…
But as we dug deeper, we uncovered that this wasn’t just a schedule problem…
It was an environment problem.
His home wasn’t a place that gave him energy.
Instead, it drained him.
So he subconsciously looked for the fastest way out…
The result?
He started every day behind the 8 ball.
Stuck in constant catch-up, craving more time for himself but never finding it.
I’ve seen this pattern before. The fix isn’t more discipline.
It’s a better environment.
Made From Dirt
Environments don’t start perfect. They’re built, piece by piece.
Take my backyard for example…
When I bought my house, the backyard was nothing but dirt.
It was an abandoned lot. Empty and lifeless.
But that’s not what I wanted…
I wanted a place that gave me energy and made me feel alive.
A place my dog could run without tracking mud inside.
A place to host people and make them feel comfortable.
So one by one, I added to it.
First came grass
Then…
a bird feeder
a slack line
a swing for my son
a sauna
5 chickens
a chicken coop
a picnic table
a mulch path with stepping stones
lights strung across the fence
None of those pieces were revolutionary by themselves. And all of them were done on a budget.
But together, they transformed the backyard into a space that gives life, energy, and connection every time we step outside.
They gave me physical proof that I was making huge progress in how I was experiencing everyday life.
It’s Ok To Swing And Miss
But not every backyard addition has been a home run…
I added a garden bed that never grew a thing
I planted 3 aspen trees that never took root
That’s fine.
Because it’s not about finding perfect solutions from the start.
It’s about taking action, learning, and continuing to swing the bat.
Even the “misses” built momentum.
They taught me what worked, what didn’t, and reminded me that failure doesn’t need to be a big deal.
Keep going anyway.
Getting Started With Imperfect Conditions
Back when I lived in Philly, I didn’t have a yard.
We lived in a tiny row home on a city street.
But I still followed the same strategy.
turned a blank wall into a mural
added a bench and flower pot out front
planted ivy and set a pig figurine in the back
Each of these small moves brought new life into my space.
They gave me fresh energy, and made me feel creative and capable.
They helped me see that I was in control - of my space, my vibe, and my attitude toward life.
Cultivating A Desire To Be Still
When it comes to personal development, establishing new habits, and living life on our terms…
I’ve had the most success creating an environment that brings me peace right where my feet are.
I love the mountains, the cool coffee shop in town, the outdoor pool…
But truth is… a majority of my time is spent at home.
And if I want to step into the life I desire, I can’t always be stepping away from the place I spend the most time.
Making environment upgrades often just means spending $100 at Home Depot
The truth about environment: you build it one rep at a time
It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be a little more YOU.
Get a coffee machine you love.
Hang a picture that inspires you.
Paint the bathroom a color that pops.
Put a speaker in the kitchen.
Over time, these small moves compound.
You don’t just live in your environment. It lives in you.
When your space restores you, mornings shift from rushed to grounded…
And life shifts from constant catch-up to unstoppable forward momentum.
Celebrating Progress and Showing Up Daily
When bringing my back yard to life, I didn’t wait for the finished product…
I chose to feel empowered along the way.
Watching grass sprout from bare dirt
Seeing the first patches spread across the yard
Watering daily and tracking progress photos week over week
That process was energizing!
It made the finished product mean so much more.
And seeing progress unlocked new ideas for how I could add to the evolving environment.
The grass is greener where you celebrate it.
Tribal Lifestyle Challenge
This is the first installment of the Tribal Lifestyle Series: small upgrades, repeated often, that change the way you live each day
Here’s your challenge this week:
Make one improvement to your environment - add, subtract, or fix.
Then take a picture and tag me on social.
Build the place that builds you.