The "But" Behind Your Name

Hey Team!

Yesterday, I drove six hours round trip for a one-hour appointment. That probably seems a bit extreme... especially when I tell you it was for a physical therapy session. But here’s the thing: my health is one of the most important priorities in my life, if not the most important. Not only do I want to live a healthy life for as long as possible, but I also want to compete at the highest level. So when something has been off for a significant amount of time, in this case two full weeks, I’m willing to go to the extreme. As the saying goes, drastic times call for drastic measures.

Is it fair to call this ankle concern drastic? Probably not in the traditional sense. It isn’t dire, and I’m not experiencing extreme pain. But it is important. Two weeks without running and very little progress is a sign that it’s time to take action. For all intents and purposes, running is a foundational pillar of my life. And like any other pillar, whether it’s a partnership, friendship, career or our well-being, it requires consistent attention. Ignoring or avoiding the red flags rarely leads to the best outcome.

With all that said, we still haven’t gotten to the bottom of it. After I finish writing this newsletter, I’ll be heading to the local hospital to beg for some imaging and hopefully rule out a stress fracture. Those darn things can show up as sharp pain... or simply feel like a stubborn bruise.

A Mental Edge

“Go New York, Go New York, Go New York, Go!”

I’m still singing it in my head. Fun fact: Jesse Itzler, entrepreneur and husband of Spanx founder Sara Blakely, wrote the iconic anthem and sold it to the New York Knicks for $4,000.

My social feeds have been littered, in the absolute best way, with Knicks content. These 2026 NBA champions deserve every bit of it. I’m not a huge basketball fan, but what this team pulled off, how they came together and delivered one of the greatest playoff runs of all time, was electrifying. What a moment for the city, the fans and anyone who has waited decades to see the Knicks reach the top again.

But the story that continues to give me goosebumps is that of their captain and Finals MVP, Jalen Brunson.

When Brunson signed with New York in 2022, almost everyone seemed to have an opinion. He was overpaid. He wasn’t a top-10 point guard... maybe not even top 15. It was the wrong move and another disappointing decision by the Knicks. He had already been overlooked in the NBA Draft, falling to the second round despite winning two national championships at Villanova and proving he could perform when the pressure was highest.

There always seemed to be a “but” behind his name. He’s good... but. He’s talented... but. He’s a winner... but.

The Knicks organization believed differently. His coaches believed differently. His dad believed differently. And most importantly, Brunson believed differently.

That is what impresses me most. With doubters everywhere and the pressure of the New York media shining directly on him, he never allowed other people’s limitations to become his own. He kept working, kept leading and kept proving what he already knew about himself.

Knowing your worth when the results are visible is easy. Knowing your worth when almost everyone is questioning it takes something else entirely: dedication, resilience and an unshakable belief in what you are capable of becoming.

Jalen Brunson has quickly become one of my newfound inspirations... and someone I plan to study for years to come.

Quick Reminders Before You Start:

I was lucky enough to have my keynote at CITY SHRED recorded two weeks ago. What better reason to finally launch my own YouTube channel? I don’t know the perfect approach yet. Like the video, subscribe to the channel, send it to a friend... who knows. For me, this is simply about getting started. You can watch the full 10-minute talk, “The Belief Effect: How the Impossible Becomes Possible,” here.

And thank you to everyone who followed OPS RUN. Your support means more than you know. We have a lot of exciting things in motion... and I can’t wait to share what’s coming over the next few months.

The people around you may always have a “but” behind your name. The real question is whether you allow their doubt to become your own... or keep showing up until your belief becomes impossible to ignore.

Catch you on the Start Line,
—Matty