Say Yes. Then Follow Through.

Hey Team!

Well, that seemingly happened quick... we’re officially in the holiday season. Seeing the snow fall in New York this weekend was wild, especially watching so many runners still getting their miles in on white-covered streets. I’m learning that New Yorkers are a different breed when it comes to running. All conditions. No excuses. I rarely see my NYC friends on treadmills. Note taken from over here on the west coast.

This Week’s Shift

As we move toward the new year, I’m hearing more conversations about “words of the year” or big defining challenges... what Jesse Itzler often calls a Misogi. What I’m not hearing much of is the classic New Year’s resolution. Maybe it hasn’t come up. Maybe the language has shifted. Or maybe, collectively, we’re starting to understand that resolutions don’t usually stick. And honestly, I’m all for that.

Here’s the shift I want to offer. Regardless of what you choose for 2026, a word, a challenge, or a commitment, think less about a single outcome and more about changing behavior. Not a one-and-done goal. Not a temporary sprint. But something that shapes how you show up, day after day. Instead of subscribing to a diet, a number on the scale, or a rigid program, consider the behaviors that would naturally support the life you want to live long-term.

A close friend recently shared her word for 2026. I love this idea of a north star for the year. Something to come back to when decisions get murky. “Should I or shouldn’t I?” A declared commitment becomes a filter. In her case, the word was powerful. It clearly disrupted old patterns she’s intentionally moving away from. That’s how you know it matters. I’m excited to support her, and many of you, as these commitments take shape.

One important reminder though. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s for you. Not because it’s trendy. Not because it sounds impressive. Not because you think it’s what others expect. When a commitment is truly yours, you feel it. You go to bed thinking about it. You wake up with it on your heart. There’s an energetic pull toward it. When we choose commitments that aren’t aligned, motivation fades fast. And when we don’t follow through, not because life got hard but because the commitment wasn’t real, we quietly erode our confidence. Integrity slips. We stall. And before we know it, the year is over and the thing we declared never happened. Choose wisely. Go all in on one thing. Follow through. Regardless of the outcome, staying in integrity builds pride and momentum.

From The Field

I want to share something personal. I finally overcame my resistance to creating Instagram reels with voiceovers. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a while, but they felt time-consuming and technical, so I kept putting them off. Last week, I committed. I made my first one. And it landed.

If you haven’t watched it, it’s here… I called it, Becoming A Runner.

But this isn’t about social media or content creation. It’s about the message behind it. Creating it, and then watching it back, genuinely moved me. It brought up emotion. Just a year and a half ago, I completed the Whistler ultra. This year, I ran with thousands of runners across New York. Both moments changed my life. And when I strip it all back, the common thread was simple. I said yes. And I followed through.

Was it hard? Absolutely. Did it feel impossible at times? Without question. But you move forward anyway. One step at a time. One decision at a time. Toward the commitment you made. And along the way, you don’t do it alone. It’s always a team effort. In both cases, we didn’t just get through it... we crushed it.

Quick Reminders Before You Start:

For those in Vancouver, I’ll be checking out the HYROX competition this Sunday, December 21st. If you’re competing or attending, let’s connect. And good luck out there.

As we head into the Year of the Horse, don’t just say yes to everyone else. Say yes to you. Say yes to the commitment that’s been quietly waiting for your attention. That’s what this is really about.

Giddy up, team.

I’ll catch you on the Start Line,
—Matty