The Weekly Review
JULY 4TH, 2026
HAPPY 250TH BIRTHDAY AMERICA! Wow. Pretty neat day. 250 years of independence. I hope you are celebrating accordingly! At the time of this publication, I will be on a golf course donning red, white, and blue. I hope you have a great 4th of July celebration and stay safe. Today’s review is slightly longer so let’s not waste any time! HAPPY 4TH!
Things I Found Interesting
All article links are in bold italics.
250 years of America is pretty insane. Something I read this week that was interesting came from the 1440 newsletter: “Since July 4, 1776, the US has grown from 13 colonies with 2.5 million people to 50 states, 14 territories with more than 342 million people. We’re all connected by some 5,000 airports, 161,000 miles of federally supported highways, and 5.5 million miles of power lines.” WILD! Wonder what the next 250 years will look like! There is a time capsule being put into place that will be opened in the year 2276. Crazy!
Speaking of American success, the USA team has been on a heater in the World Cup, winning their first knockout round game since 2002. Got a challenge on their hands with Belgium, but think they can do it!
I love a good movie. Especially a good movie with Americana themes. Ones that leave you feeling patriotic after watching them. Check out this list of most American movies of all time.
Another big thing this weekend will be fireworks. And apparently, in Washington D.C., the world record for fireworks will be set.
Picture of the Week
On My Mind
Freedom requires you to build something. We celebrate freedom on July 4th. Fireworks, barbecues, celebrating liberty and independence. It’s good and we should celebrate it. But here’s what I’ve been thinking: most people celebrate freedom while building nothing with it.
We’re free to choose our careers, our families, our faith, our bodies, our futures. We live in a country where that freedom is actually real. And yet most of us drift. We take the job that was offered. We skip the gym because it’s easier. We nod along at church but don’t actually think about what we believe. We let other people’s expectations become our life.
We have freedom yet, we just don’t use it.
True freedom means you get to choose. And choosing means you’re responsible for the outcome. You can’t blame circumstances. You can’t blame luck. You can’t blame your parents or your boss or the economy. If you’re free to choose, then you’re free to fail. That’s heavy. So we don’t choose. We default.
The irony is that avoiding the weight of choice doesn’t make us free. It makes us prisoners of other people’s plans.
When you look at your life right now, whether it’s your work, your body, your relationships, your faith, did you build that intentionally? Or did you wake up one day and realize you were living someone else’s version of your life?
This is the real celebration of July 4th. Not just that we’re free. But what are we free to do? What are we free to build? And are we actually building it?
Workout for the Week
It is here. The peak weekend of the summer. The last thing we want to do is spend Independence Day inside a gym. Therefore, let’s be efficient and knock it out so we can go enjoy the day!
WARM-UP:
Dynamic Stretches
Jumping Jacks - 20
WORKOUT:
4 Rounds, 40 seconds of work / 20 seconds of rest
Dumbbell Thrusters
Burpees
Mountain Climbers
Jump Squats
Rest as needed during the 20 second window.
COOLDOWN:
Walk
Breathwork
GET SOME.
*P.S. If you are traveling this summer and want some workouts you can do on the road, shoot me a DM and I will give you some!
What I’m Listening To
Feels so right on a day like today.
Motivation for the Week
“It’s not a question of whether you will hurt, or of how much you will hurt; it’s a question of what you will do, and how well you will do it, while pain has her wanton way with you.”
- George Pocock (From the book "Boys in the Boat")
Final Word
This weekend, I want you to think about something: What are you actually building with your freedom?
Pick one area. Maybe it’s work, body, marriage, faith, fitness, whatever. Name what you’re building there. If the answer is “nothing,” then you know what you need to choose next.
Freedom isn’t the finish line. It’s the starting point. What you build with it is what matters.
Enjoy the weekend. Spend time with people who matter. And remember: you’re free to choose. So choose something worth building. Have a great 4th!
Cheers,
P.S. How are you spending your July 4th weekend? Shoot me a DM! I’d love to hear what you’re up to!
Your write up on freedom reminds me of Galatians 5:13. That’ll preach! Appreciate the reminder