Mettle | Issue #001 | 09.10.25
Presence
The Power Move
Do Better Than Cheers.
"Cheers" is fine. But it's forgettable. You’re better than default. When you raise a glass, say something intentional. Doesn’t need to be deep — just confident.
“To the right people in the right place at the right time.”
“To the nights that blur but the friendships that don’t.”
“To the brothers we chose, not just the ones we were born with.”
“To the stories that start with ‘Remember when…’ “
“To the nights we don’t plan but never forget.”
A good toast makes the moment. People remember it. And they remember you for it.
Own the room. Set the tone.
Wellness
Stay Sharp
Water Before Coffee.
Grabbing coffee the second you wake up? You’re starting in a hydration deficit. After 7–8 hours of sleep, your body is already low on fluids — and coffee, while energizing, can amplify that deficit.
Why you should hydrate before you caffeinate:
Stay sharp: Even mild dehydration kills focus, short-term memory, and motor skills.
Boost metabolism: Water on an empty stomach revs your system.
Protect your gut: Coffee’s acidity hits harder on a dry stomach; water cushions the blow
Protect your teeth: Water encourages saliva, which guards against the tannins in coffee that discolor teeth over time.
Beat the crash: Hydration buffers the fatigue and headache of a caffeine crash.
Think of water as the warm-up lap for your body. Tomorrow, down a glass of water first — then sip. Your brain will notice the difference.
Start sharp. Stay sharper.
Know This
The Bottom Line
What’s the Difference Between APR and Interest Rate?
They sound the same, but they’re not.
Interest rate = the baseline cost of borrowing money.
APR (Annual Percentage Rate) = the interest rate plus fees (origination, closing costs, etc.), expressed over a year.
Example: A loan might advertise 6% interest, but after fees the APR is 6.8%. Both numbers cost you money—the interest rate is the foundation, the APR is the real price tag.
Because you’re not the only one who wondered.
Food
Salt & Swagger
The Marinara Every Man Should Master
Forget jarred sauce. This is hands down the best marinara you’ll ever cook — rich, bold, and ridiculously simple. The secret? Tomatoes that actually taste like tomatoes. Get them from your garden, a buddy’s garden, or the farmers market. Mix Roma and heirlooms for a meaty base that won’t water down. (Skip supermarket tomatoes — they’re all water, no flavor.)
Ingredients
3 lbs ripe roma + heirloom tomatoes
2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
½ lb each: hot Italian sausage, ground pork, ground beef
1 medium onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp sea salt + black pepper to taste
1 Tbsp tomato paste
2 tsp balsamic vinegar
¼ tsp dried oregano
Fresh chopped basil (optional)
Directions
Blend tomatoes until smooth; set aside.
In a Dutch oven or large pot, brown meat in olive oil until crisp; salt lightly. Remove and set aside.
Add onions, cook 3–4 min. Add garlic + salt, stir 2 more min.
Return meat to pot, stir briefly.
Add blended tomatoes, pepper, oregano, tomato paste, balsamic.
Bring to a boil, then simmer low for 90 min, stirring occasionally. Adjust salt at the end. Add chopped basil if desired.
That’s it. Easy, straightforward, and the recipe every man should keep ready — for date night, Sunday dinner, or when you want to flex a little Salt & Swagger in the kitchen.
Because feeding people well is never just about the food.
Fitness
Built to Last
Best 20-Minute Workout When You’re Short on Time
No excuses—whether it’s a packed schedule, a hotel room, or your living room, this 20-minute workout covers strength, stamina, and core in one shot.
Warm-Up (5 minutes)
Bodyweight squats: 2 sets of 10
Banded or dumbbell curls: 2 sets of 8–12
Arm circles or banded shoulder dislocates: ~30 sec each
Main Circuit (12 minutes)
Perform as a circuit, 3–4 rounds, rest 30 sec between rounds.
Kettlebell swings: 12–15 reps
Pushups (standard, incline, or decline): 10–15 reps
Walking lunges: 10 reps each leg
⚡ No kettlebell? Swap swings for glute bridges (12–15 reps).
Finisher (3 minutes)
Rotate through core with minimal rest, repeat 2–3 times:
Plank hold: 30–45 sec
Mountain climbers: 20 reps each side
Crunches or ab rollouts: 10–12 reps
Why it works: You hit push, legs, core, and the posterior chain in one tight package. The kettlebell swing builds explosive power and conditioning, but the glute bridge keeps it beginner-friendly and equipment-free.
Train with focus. Fuel with purpose.
Stay Sharp,
The Mettle Team
