Don’t Wait to Break—Protect Your Mind Before It Cracks
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Strong minds don’t happen by accident. They’re built through intention, protection, and proactive care—not just crisis recovery.
Yesterday, I took an impromptu mental health day. Not because I was at my breaking point, not because I was spiraling, but because I believe in taking care of my mind before I ever get close to the cliff.
I hit the trails with my dog, let him lead the way, watched cardinals, dragonflies, and soaked up the quiet. I caught a movie. I hit the sauna. I breathed. I was present. And in that stillness, I realized something: this is what high performance requires—mental maintenance before you hit E.
Mental Health Isn’t Just a Crisis Tool
We live in a society where mental health days are seen as red flags—something you take when you’re at your limit. But what if, instead of waiting until we’re drowning, we scheduled time to swim on our own terms?
We prioritize gym time for our bodies, but often neglect our minds—until we crash.
Let’s change that narrative.
You’re Not at Your Limit—You’re at 40%
There’s a Navy SEAL concept that says when your body feels like it’s done, you’re only at 40% of your actual capacity. That same principle applies to your mind.
The reason you feel stuck isn’t because you’re maxed out—it’s because your mind is tired. The mind gives up long before the body ever will.
So if you protect the mind, everything else stays online.
When the Mind Goes, Everything Else Goes With It
That’s why I focus so much on confidence, clarity, and mindset. Because your ability to show up for your career, your family, your goals—all of it—is anchored in your mental state.
And if your mind is weak, you’ll spend your life tiptoeing through it. You’ll slow down near every proverbial cliff. You’ll hesitate instead of launch. You’ll think small instead of leap big.
But when your mind is strong? You move. You act. You build.
Don’t Wait Until You’re on E
When your gas tank is low, your entire drive changes. You second guess every route. You can’t push the pedal with full force because you're worried about what’s left in the tank.
Life is the same way. If your mind is depleted, everything slows down.
That’s why it’s critical to take care of yourself before the engine lights come on. Not when you break. Not when you burn out. Before.
Mental Health Is Maintenance, Not Repair
You don’t ask someone in the gym why they’re working out if they’re already in shape. That’s how they stay in shape.
The same is true of your mind. I don’t want to wait until my mindset needs fixing. I want to keep it sharp, focused, and energized so I can stay consistent at the level my life—and my purpose—requires.
So should you.
Here’s What You Can Do Today:
✅ Schedule 1 hour this week just for you—no devices, no work, no obligations.
✅ Reflect on your current mental load. Where are you running low?
✅ Start treating your mindset the way you treat your fitness—daily deposits, not occasional repairs.
When you’re at your best, the people around you benefit. You think clearer. You lead stronger. You love deeper.
Take the time. Protect the mind. Don’t wait to break.