Foxhole Friday: Vol. 1

Welcome to Hook & Barrel Magazine’s “Foxhole Friday.” This new email is brought to you by our CEO, John Radzwilla, delivered to your inbox on the first Friday of each month. It’s motivation. It’s inspiration. It’s damn solid advice. All wrapped up in one email from John and those in his foxhole.

The purpose? To equip our H&B tribe to be the best versions of “you” you can be. You may feel like you’re on an island by yourself or don’t have a mentor, let H&B fill that gap. Know someone who would benefit from this email? Share it now - sign up as an H&B VIP.

Time to Soar into 2025
words from John Radzwilla

You’re the average of your top five friends. This is a cliché that if I had a dollar for every time I have either said it or heard it said, I’d be rich. Birds of a feather flock together. The cream rises to the top. The list of cliches is endless, but they are all true.

When I first began investing in myself, my aim was to become the best version of “me” possible—for me and my family. That started with taking control of my life and starting H&B. From there, I upped my fitness game, then followed by curtailing my drinking to special occasions. I cleaned up my diet. I began to read more and started listening to personal and business development podcasts and audiobooks rather than iTunes or watching Netflix. Also, I dove headfirst into nutrition, supplementation and more.

While on this journey (fun fact: once you commit, it never ends), I started posting on social media about my athletics. I would and still do post my run times, distances, successes, wins, lessons learned and even maybe my failures (but, come on, it’s Instagram, no one posts those).

READ ON FOR MORE.

SEASONS: REFLECTIONS ON LIFE’S JOURNEY
from Talon Smith
Chief Fleet Marine Force Hospital Corpsman, Owner L3 HYROX

The word season often makes me think about life as a whole. Just as nature experiences seasons, so do we—some filled with warmth and growth, others marked by challenge and adversity, much like the contrast between summer and winter.

Seasons in life vary in length. Some are fleeting, while others linger. My current season has lasted nearly 13 years—a prolonged period of relentless grind. Yes, you read that right—13 years. From the day I got back from Afghanistan to now has all been dedicated to the pursuit of one goal.

It's easy to dwell on the challenges of such a season, but it has also been an incredible teacher, offering valuable lessons that continue to shape my journey. Whether your current season is brief or feels endless, navigating it can be tough. While I don't claim to have perfected the process, I’ve learned a few principles that help me stay focused, grounded, and on task:

1. Always Focus on the Goal: For me, the goal has always been simple: to create the best life possible for my family. Keeping this goal front and center makes the difficult moments more bearable. If you’re in a low point or grinding endlessly, remember your goal. It will provide clarity and purpose.

2. Control What You Can; Accept What You Can’t: This lesson has been the hardest for me but also the most liberating. Letting go of the things you cannot control is not easy, but over time, it brings immense relief. Accepting what’s beyond your influence allows you to redirect your energy toward what truly matters.

3. Prioritize Time for Yourself: No matter where you are in life, taking time to recharge is essential. As much as I invest in others, I’ve learned that I can only give my best when I pour into myself as well. Prioritize self-care to stay fresh, focused, and effective.

4. Embrace Growth Through Difficulty: Even when a season feels overwhelmingly difficult, it’s an opportunity for growth. While we may not always understand the “why,” every season—good or bad—teaches us something valuable. Closure may not always come, but growth always will.

In Closing: Life is a series of seasons, each presenting its own challenges and opportunities. Embrace them for what they are: chances to grow and evolve. As we close this chapter of the year, I hope you’ve had an amazing holiday season and are ready to start 2025 with renewed purpose and determination.

Here’s to new seasons and new opportunities!