Just Be Your Damn Self

Finally back down by the lake, soaking in the sunshine like a lizard on a hot rock. The last few weeks of late-winter bullshit really took a toll on me. I don’t know how I survived so many years up north. Honestly, I think that’s why people in the South are friendlier. Hard to be polite when you spend six months under a blanket of grey misery.

A few months ago, I thought Kallie and I might move back to Cleveland for a bit before finding our forever spot, but lately, that’s looking less likely. I miss everyone back home, but I’m not willing to sacrifice our mental health. So, when we’ve got our big beautiful property in the hills of Eastern Tennessee, come visit. Fair warning—I plan to convince you to never go back.

Ok this is a fairly quick one today so let’s get to it.

A Conversation with God… in the Shower

Normally, I talk to God down by the lake, but yesterday, our chat happened in the shower—while washing off the sweat (mine and others…hot) from jiu-jitsu. Lately, I’ve been struggling with my conversations with Him. My brain constantly jumps to random tangents, like a dog chasing squirrels. So, last week, I made two changes:

1. I started talking to Him out loud. It keeps my mind from wandering and makes it feel like a real conversation instead of an internal monologue.

2. I added structure. Every day, I ask Him three things:

   • Forgive my sins as I try to make fewer mistakes each day.

   • Bless Kallie and me with the gift of life when He feels we are ready.

   • Continue to guide me as I work on becoming a better man.

Yesterday, that last question led me down another tangent—but this time, I rolled with it.

The Realization That Slapped Me in the Face

As I was talking to Him, I started thinking about content ideas—the exact thing that normally distracts me. My brain went straight to:

• "Oh, this would make a great reel!"

• "How do I word this to piss someone off just enough to get engagement?"

• "How do I make this bold and viral-worthy?"

Then it hit me. The weather hasn’t been the only thing kicking my ass. Content has been draining the life out of me.

I’ve been at this for almost three years now. And my cycle looks like this:

• Get excited

• Post a ton

• What I really want to talk about goes no where

• My ego tells me to drop a content bomb (something divisive)

• Get stressed out and overwhelmed

• Say “fuck it” and drop off for a while

• Repeat

Yesterday, I nearly hit that wall again but then I remembered the third thing I ask God for every day: His love and guidance in becoming a better man.

Has He delivered? 100%. I know it by how I show up for the people in my life—Kallie, my parents, my friends, the guys in Gobundance.

And then came the gut-punch realization: Is that how I show up on social media?

No. Not even close.

Why I’ve Been Doing It All Wrong

I don’t sit there and script conversations with my wife or friends, thinking, How can I make this bolder? How can I push their buttons? I just show up for them. I hold space when they need it. I challenge them. I lead by example. I call out their bullshit when necessary. I am just myself.

So why haven’t I been that way online?

Ego. But also… social media is a complicated game. And I hate complicated. I like simple.

To navigate it, I’ve leaned on two amazing guys who are personal branding and social media experts. They’ve given me incredible advice—but I’ve realized something: I don’t want to be a student of this game. Why? Because it doesn’t align with one of my personal values, simplicity. But you know what does align? Being my fucking self. And I’m confident, that by simply doing that, I will help the right people along the way.

So, no more ChatGPT.
No more trying to stir the pot just for engagement.
No more bullshit.

I’m either going to make it by being myself—or I won’t. And either way, I can live with that. Hopefully, I can inspire others to do the same.

Final Thought

If you’re out there trying to make a name for yourself, good. I love it. But make sure you’re doing it authentically. No level of success is worth sacrificing who you are.

But to paraphrase The Dude… that’s just like, my opinion, man.

As always, thanks for reading.

Kyle

Song

Touch of Grey - The Grateful Dead - I know this is the most mainstream song they ever made but…you can’t deny that it’s hard to listen to it and not feel good and that’s why I’m sharing it with ya. Put this on and kick back for a few minutes and just jam.