100 Issues Strong: Lessons in Growth, Commitment, and Helping Others

Celebrating 100 Issues: A Journey of Growth, Sharing, and Commitment

Reaching the 100th issue of this newsletter is more than just a numerical milestone—it's a testament to a journey rooted in growth, dedication, and the desire to make a meaningful impact. When I started this newsletter, it wasn't solely about putting thoughts into words; it was about embarking on a path that aligns closely with the core principles of Argent Alpha. As we celebrate this landmark, I want to share the driving motivations behind this endeavor and the lessons that have unfolded along the way.

A Commitment to Lifelong Learning

One of the foundational reasons for launching this newsletter was to develop and refine my writing skills. Embracing the role of a lifelong learner, I saw writing as a powerful tool to challenge myself intellectually and creatively. Each weekly issue has been an opportunity to explore new ideas, reflect deeply, and continuously improve—a practice that underscores the importance of never ceasing to learn and grow, regardless of age.

Sharing a Unique Perspective

I believe that everyone has a unique point of view shaped by their experiences, and I wanted to share mine with a broader audience. This newsletter has served as a platform to articulate my thoughts, insights, and observations on various topics that matter to me and, hopefully, resonate with you. Through sharing, I've aimed to foster connection, provoke thoughtful discussion, and contribute positively to the lives of others.

Creating a Powerful Forcing Function

Committing to a weekly newsletter established a powerful forcing function in my life. It required discipline, consistency, and accountability—qualities that are essential for achieving any significant goal. This regular commitment has not only kept me engaged and productive but has also reinforced the value of setting and adhering to personal commitments as a pathway to growth and accomplishment.

Helping Others Thrive Beyond 50

Perhaps most importantly, this newsletter was created to fill a noticeable gap: providing valuable information and guidance on how to live better, especially for men over 50. I wanted to offer insights, advice, and encouragement to help make the second half of life the best half. By addressing topics ranging from health and wellness to mindset and lifestyle, my hope has been to empower readers to embrace this stage of life with vigor, purpose, and joy.

The Journey So Far: Growth Through Consistency

Over these past 99 issues, we’ve dug deep into the essentials of health and longevity—body composition, sleep, nutrition, fitness, resilience and mindset. But beyond these, we've explored how simply showing up consistently can transform your life.

Dan Sullivan’s concept of The Gap and The Gain has been a game-changer for us. By focusing on our progress (the Gain) rather than what we haven't yet achieved (the Gap), we've embraced a growth mindset that’s critical for lasting transformation.

We’ve learned that consistency trumps intensity, but we also recognize the need for periodic bouts of intensity to push our boundaries and expand our capacity. These moments of intensity show us what we’re really made of. Getting comfortable being uncomfortable is what opens the door to breakthroughs in every aspect of life.

Success, as we’ve come to understand it, is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal—a concept grounded in the teachings of Earl Nightingale and Viktor Frankl. Men are at their best when they’re pursuing a worthy ideal. Without that pursuit, men don’t thrive; they merely survive.

A big part of this journey, both individually and as a community, is about becoming examples of how to live intentionally. This emphasis on intention is reflected in our daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual planning. The quote, "Never begin the day until it is finished on paper," by Jim Rohn, perfectly encapsulates our approach. Our actions, behaviors, and habits should inspire those around us—our families, colleagues, and friends. Leading by example and leading from the front are timeless principles. As men, we need to walk the talk.

We’ve also come to value the power of community. The Kipling quote, "For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack," speaks directly to us. The Argent Alpha community isn’t just a group of individuals; it’s a pack—a support system that makes each of us stronger.

Where We Are Now: The Role of Mindset

From the start, it was clear that mindset would be crucial for lasting transformation. Our initial testing showed that those who embraced a growth mindset saw the most significant and enduring changes.

Our focus on mindset has deepened over time. We’ve been working on reframing—turning challenges into opportunities, scarcity into abundance, and retirement into reinvention. This shift has been transformative. Resilience isn’t just about bouncing back from setbacks; it’s about using setbacks as stepping stones to greater success.

This newsletter reflects those principles. Each issue has been about turning the challenge of weekly writing into an opportunity to lead by example, to prove that persistence pays off, and that consistency is a force multiplier.

Core Ideas That Stand the Test of Time

At the heart of everything we’ve done are a few key principles that have remained true through all 100 issues:

• Consistency: Track your progress regularly, whether it's in your fitness, nutrition, or mindset. Just like the weekly rhythm of this newsletter, your personal growth hinges on consistency.

• Intensity: While consistency is key, periodic bouts of intensity are necessary to push boundaries and expand your capacity. These moments reveal your true capabilities and lead to real breakthroughs.

• Reframing: Turn obstacles into opportunities. Whether it’s reframing a limiting belief or viewing a setback as a setup for a comeback, how you perceive challenges defines your journey.

• Purpose: Embrace the pursuit of a worthy ideal. Success isn’t a destination; it’s a process. With purpose, you thrive; without it, you merely survive.

• Intentional Living: Plan with intention daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annually. "Never begin the day until it is finished on paper." — Jim Rohn. Your actions, behaviors, and habits should inspire those around you. Walk the talk, lead from the front, and embody the values you advocate.

• Community: Lean on the pack. The strength of our community lies in our shared commitment to growth and resilience. Together, we go further than we ever could alone.

• Measuring and Testing: Regularly measure and test your progress to determine if you’re on track or off track. This allows you to make necessary course corrections and ensures you’re moving toward your goals.

• Growth vs. Stagnation: You’re either growing or shrinking—growing or dying. I recently asked Robert Hamilton Owens, a 72-year-old endurance athlete and motivational speaker, why he does what he does. His response was simple yet profound: "Most men over 50 choose to exist and enjoy. I choose to grow." Robert’s reputation and accomplishments as a man over 50 are impressive, and his mindset is a model for us all.

• Milestones, Not Finish Lines: There is no finish line, only milestones. Life isn’t fair, so focus on what you can control. Stay out of the circle of concern and within your circle of influence, as Stephen Covey teaches.

• Process Over Goals: Goals are important because they drive processes and systems. But don’t dwell on them. Spend 10% of your time on goal creation and adjustment, and 90% on executing the processes and systems that lead to your goals. Regular testing and measuring help you course correct and make changes to your processes. Remember Robert Brault’s warning: “We are kept from our goal not by obstacles but by a clear path to a lesser goal.” If you do a good job setting your goal, you rarely need to change it; instead, use your results from measuring and testing to adjust your process.

The Road Ahead: Just Getting Started

As we celebrate this milestone, it’s important to remember that we’re just beginning. Our goal is to help 100,000 Men over 50 become harder to kill, and with each issue, we get closer to that vision.

In the coming months, we'll continue to build on the principles that have brought us this far. We’ll explore advanced techniques in building mental resilience, release an improved strength training program, delve deeper into the power of mindset, expand our live events, bring in more guest speakers to share their expertise, and extend our community’s reach. The best is yet to come.

I invite you to take an even more active role in this journey. Whether it’s by applying these principles in your own life, forming your own group of like-minded people, joining Argent Alpha or simply sharing this newsletter with others, your engagement helps spread the message and strengthens our collective effort.

Call to Action

As you plan your week, identify one challenge you expect to face—whether it’s a known obstacle or a potential temptation. For example, if you're traveling and know the airport is filled with ultra-processed food, take control: either fast until you reach your destination or pack healthy meals or snacks. By anticipating the challenge and transforming it into an opportunity, you set yourself up for success.

Take this approach into every area of your life. When faced with an obstacle, ask yourself: How can I turn this into an advantage? Prepare, act, and thrive.

Explore More: If you’re looking for more insights and actionable advice, take a moment to scan through our previous issues. Whether you’re interested in fitness, mindset, nutrition, or personal development, there’s a wealth of information waiting for you. Start anywhere—each issue offers valuable tips and strategies to help you make the second half of life your best half.

Conclusion: Gratitude and Vision

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. Your dedication and support have been instrumental in reaching this milestone. As we look ahead to the next 100 issues, I’m more excited than ever about what we can achieve together.

I also want to acknowledge the growth of our community beyond the newsletter. When we started, I had 2,000 followers on LinkedIn. Today, that number has grown to over 7,700. This growth reflects the impact we’re making and the collective power of our pack. If we haven’t connected on LinkedIn, let’s fix that.

Please share this 100th issue with others who might benefit from becoming harder to kill. The more we grow, the greater the impact we can make.

Here’s to the next 100 issues and beyond. Let’s continue to build a community of people who are consistent, resilient, and harder to kill.

Envision your Future Self 20 years from today. If you don’t see a fit, functional, and independent man, it’s time to course correct before it’s too late.

Take action now to build the future you desire. Visit Argent Alpha and start your journey towards a healthier, stronger, and more resilient you. Don’t wait for tomorrow—your transformation begins today.