Mettle | Issue #002 | 09.12.25
Essentials
The Upgrade
The Ice That Levels Up Your Pour
Standard cubes kill a great drink fast. They melt quick, water down whiskey, and flatten cocktails.
The move? Large sphere ice molds. Bigger surface area means slower melt. Denser freeze means fewer bubbles. The result: ice that lasts longer, looks sharp, and keeps your pour cold without stealing flavor.
And it’s not just about function. Drop a sphere into bourbon and suddenly it’s not just a drink — it’s an experience.
You could drop $30+ on “luxury” molds, but you don’t need to. Mettle’s pick: a $9.99 set on Amazon with nearly 24,000 five-star reviews.
Details that do more.
Reviewed
Battle Tested
Field Trip Jerky: Fuel, Not Filler
Jerky is one of the highest protein-rich snacks out there — perfect for a mid-day break. The Mettle team recently tried Field Trip’s full lineup of Jerky and Meat Sticks, and we were impressed.
Field Trip started in 2010 when three friends in a NYC apartment, fresh off a Vermont ski trip, decided jerky could be better. The snack aisle was broken, so they fixed it — turning gas-station mystery meat into real, protein-rich fuel. Their promise: 100% grass-fed beef, no preservatives, no added MSG, no nitrates, and packed with protein.
Here are the standouts:
Carne Asada Jerky — Tangy with a hint of sweetness, garlic, onion, and citrus. Super tender with 21g of protein and 200 calories per 2.2 oz. Hands-down favorite.
Gochujang Jerky — Korean BBQ with umami punch and a perfect spice-sweet balance. 21g protein, 200 calories. Close second.
Pepperoni Meat Stick (Beef & Pork) — Bold, snappy, and one of the best-tasting sticks we’ve tried. 8g protein, 80 calories.
Spicy Mango Habanero Chicken Stick — Packs serious heat with just a hint of mango to balance. At 8g protein and only 50 calories, it delivers the best protein-to-calorie ratio.
Field Trip passed the Mettle taste test with flying colors. It’s the kind of snack that actually works for real life — an afternoon pick-up, pre-workout fuel, or a clean swap for mindless snacking.
Tested. Trusted. Mettle-approved.
Mindset
Heavy Mettle
Owning It
Men are wired to double down when challenged. Pride kicks in, and the instinct is to defend, even when the facts don’t back you up. But here’s the truth: saying “I was wrong” isn’t weakness — it’s command.
Owning mistakes signals confidence. It shows you’re not fragile, you’re not afraid of accountability, and you’re secure enough to learn fast and move forward. The guys who never admit fault? They stall. They get stuck.
The strongest play is to drop the armor. Say it straight, fix it quick, and keep momentum. That’s not weakness — that’s power.
Hard paths forge successful men.
Tech
The Download
A Calendar Hack That Makes Scheduling Frictionless
Stop wasting hours chasing meeting times. Tools like Calendly and Zencal let you send a link, they pick a slot, and it syncs automatically—no back-and-forth. Calendly is the more established option (its free plan is limited, but the $10/month plan is robust). Zencal is newer, but its $4/month plan competes well with Calendly’s $10 tier. Either way, whether it’s your main job or side hustle, frictionless scheduling makes you look sharper and saves brain space.
Smarter Tech. Simpler Life.
Drink
One Bottle To Know
Chateauneuf-du-Pape: A Wine that Wins the Room
A few years back I visited this estate on a trip through the Rhône. It’s one of the larger, more widely available producers — but make no mistake: the wine is consistently excellent: Chateau de Beaucastel Coudoulet Rouge, 2022.
Why it belongs in your arsenal:
The style: A Grenache-driven blend (with Mourvèdre, Syrah, and Cinsault) that delivers rich fruit, velvety tannins, and a long, suave finish. Think elegant ruby color, fresh red berries, and a touch of spice.
Food pairing: Versatile. Grilled lamb, short ribs, roast chicken, or even a burger — it levels them all up.
The flex: Pulling a Châteauneuf-du-Pape at a party looks sharp. It’s a wine that signals you know what you’re doing.
The kicker: This bottle clocks 92 points and at $35, still comes in at a price that won’t wreck your wallet.
Not the bottle they expect. The one they remember.
Stay Sharp,
The Mettle Team
