Special Edition: Gratitude + Tested This Week

Hey Team!

In this special edition of Start Line Ready, I'd like to open with a moment of gratitude. No matter what season of life we're in... whether we're in the middle of something heavy or on top of a mountain... there's always something we can acknowledge. Before you read on, take 30 seconds, close your eyes, and bring one person or moment to mind that deserves real thanks. Let it land.

(Intentional pause.)

Life has a way of mixing the beautiful with the hard. Through all of it, the thing I’ve been most grateful for lately is the people in my life... including this community. I’ve been seeing the world with a lot more clarity, and with that comes a deeper appreciation for how friends show up in their own ways. Some are loud and visible. Some are quiet but steady. Some tap every post. Some never tap anything. All of it counts. I’m grateful for the full spectrum.

Something that has been sitting with me this week is how we support the people around us. Coming from the start-up world, I’ve learned how much courage it takes to launch something new. People risk their savings, their energy, their vision... all for a chance to build something meaningful. The best thing we can do is show up for them. Buy the product. Double tap the post. Reshare. Tell someone about it. Send a text saying, “I’m proud of you.” None of it is small. The smallest actions often carry the most weight.

Tested This (Special) Week

With that in mind, and in the spirit of a special Thanksgiving edition, I wanted to share a handful of products that have earned a permanent spot in my routine. I try to balance consistency with evolution: stick to my staples, but add one new thing each month so my performance and recovery continue to move in the right direction. And because it’s Black Friday/Cyber Monday, these are all discounted right now.

Here’s what I’ve been testing and loving:

Kreature’s Sleep by Kreatures of Habit. This one has become a nightly ritual. Zero sugar, packed with the right sleep-supportive nutrients, and tastes like the hot chocolate I grew up on. My WHOOP metrics don’t lie: my sleep has been consistently better since using it. Their whole site is 25% off right now... easy win.

Othership — Pack Friday. If you’re in Toronto or New York, this is honestly the time to stock your packs. Nothing beats a sauna session with friends when the weather drops. Their 33% off deal is the biggest of the year and worth jumping on.

KANE Footwear. These have basically become an extension of my feet. Walking Coconut... post-run... making lunch... they’re on. A simple shoe that over-delivers. They’ve got a BOGO running this week that is genuinely great value.

Bandit Running Up to 50% off. Enough said. Technical. Stylish. Pure NYC energy. I try not to browse because my credit card would suffer, but if you don’t own a piece from Bandit... are you even a runner? Now’s the moment.

That’s the BFCM roll call. Let me know what you end up grabbing.

I’ll be in Toronto this weekend, NYC next week, and potentially San Antonio for The Running Event. If that’s not a sign that I can officially call myself a runner now, I’m not sure what is.

Sending you one of those warm 23-second virtual hugs today. I’m over here cheering you on.

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