Before we begin, I’m excited to share that my next book, The Greatest Personal Trainer in the Universe, will be released on March 16, 2026. If you would like a personal message from me when the book is live in addition to the best pricing, please tap here to add yourself to the early-interest list.
Next, here are a few short thoughts this week.
Money
1
“Most people claim they want to be an influencer, but the truth is that they’d be happier with a simple life, impacting the lives of their customers, making a good living, and enjoying their spare time with family and friends. But everybody’s different. Some want to work hard and make as big an impact as possible, and others are happy to do their thing in their quiet corner of the world. Neither person’s right, and neither person’s wrong. What’s universally true is that nobody you don’t know will be impressed if you ignore social media and focus on real-life humans for a while. In our backward world, what’s bad for our ego is often great for our wallet.”
-An excerpt from The Obvious Choice: Timeless Lessons on Success, Profit, and Finding Your Way
Health
1
“Your goal tells you what rep range. Rep range tells you what exercise, how long to rest, how fast to move, and how many sets to. Everything else is just execution.”
-An excerpt from The Greatest Personal Trainer in the Universe (Tap here to put your name on the pre-interest list for best pricing and early copies.)
2
Jacked nerds start the day with a barbell and end it with a good book.
3
“Although we age in different ways and at different rates, everyone wakes up a day older. Aging is difficult, but few of us opt out, and the passage of time confers very real benefits upon us.”
-From The Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism by Ashton Applewhite
Relationships
1
“The best cup of coffee I ever had was made from a packet of Folgers instant in a cheap yellow plastic cup, the kind they give toddlers at parties.
It was the final day of a four-day trip to Ometepe, an island in Nicaragua made up of two volcanos. I brought my wife, nanny, mother in-law, and two sons. Our mode of transport: ATV.
We got stranded on the island a few extra days due to high winds. The boat couldn’t return. Scrambling, we found a new place to stay and, on the other side of the road, there was a bamboo shack that served food to the local workers.
The woman who served me the coffee didn’t speak English. There was no breakfast menu because there was only one breakfast item: A plate of overcooked eggs, rice with beans, and fried plantain.
We were lost, hopelessly, and in the middle of nowhere.
My wife was sitting beside me and our nanny beside us. My mother in-law was exploring the rocks with my two boys. And I was looking out at Lake Nicaragua, wondering how in the hell we all got here, drinking the best coffee of my life.
I heard a quote once that said that there are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.
Maps, assistants, and Googling every damn thing you do diminishes the magic. In many ways, the worst thing that can happen is things going to plan. To be lost is to be fully present.”
-An excerpt from Unhinged Habits
If you enjoyed this, please consider forwarding a copy via the link below to somebody else today:
www.theptdc.com/articles/5-reps-Oct-23-2026
-Jon
Promo
Get an early copy and the best pricing on my next two books!
Below’s a bit of info on each. If either seem interesting, please add yourself to the early interest list on that page.
The Greatest Personal Trainer in the Universe is the first fitness parable in the tradition of The Go-Giver and Who Moved My Cheese, but set where we live: on the gym floor. (Learn more and early interest list)
The Invisible Heist is a memoir about getting robbed for $1.6 million. There wasn’t a gun. Nobody got hurt. It wasn’t a smash and grab thing. They got into my safety deposit box without opening it. There was no alarm. I don’t know who did it or what country they are in. (Learn more and early interest list)
My Books
Below are my top 3 bestselling books. Each was written for a different audience. If you enjoyed this email, please consider buying a copy of whichever best suits you.
All books are available worldwide in all formats (hardcopy, kindle, and audio) wherever you buy books. Linked below is the Amazon USA link for your convenience.
Ignite the Fire: The Secrets to a Successful Personal Training Career – For personal trainers (Buy here)
The Obvious Choice: Timeless Lessons on Success, Profit, and Finding Your Way – For small business owners and coaches. (Buy here)
Unhinged Habits: A Counterintuitive Guide for Humans to Have More by Doing Less – For people looking for habits and self-improvement. (Buy here)
Jayson Gaddis with his copy of Unhinged Habits
Coach. Author. World explorer. But mostly, Dad.
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Books: Ignite the Fire and The Obvious Choice
Mentorship: Online Trainer Mentorship
The post 5 Reps: Aging, maps, and assistants appeared first on The PTDC.