A stick figure lifts a barbell over its head. It’s struggling due to the weight. The bar is bending with three plate weights on each side. The inner most weight is largest, the middle weight is smaller, and the outer weight is smallest, indicating different weights of each plate. There are wing clips outside of the smallest weights, keeping the plates in place. The stick figure is looking up and its mouth is open in shock. It’s worried the bar might snap in two. The figure’s back is arched and its knees are bent. Wavy lines imply the figure’s knees and back are shaking under the heavy weight.

What makes it worth the weight

February 22, 2026Leave a comment

Insight on purpose and perspective from a personal trainer. In 672 words on The Davis Daily.

This is an image of a green curtain. The curtain is hung by a yellow curtain rod, which curves around to the right. The curtain hangs down and has several wrinkles in it. The wrinkles give the curtain depth, while darker green along many of the creases add shadows. The left side of the curtain is pulled back at the lower edge, revealing the back of a person. It looks like the person is hiding behind the curtain. They’re wearing a brown blazer, brown pants, and black dress shoes. Only a third of the person is visible. Their upper body and head are still tucked behind the curtain out of view.

The wizard or the sweaty guy behind the curtain

February 15, 20261 Comment

Be the character you were born to play: a lesson in acceptance from funny fellow Jim Carrey. In 692 words on The Davis Daily.

Zoom in on a baseball resting on a field of grass. You can see the stitching in wavy lines wrapping around the ball. The grass is textured and scattered. But it’s all facing the same direction, leaning toward the right. The background is empty. It feels quiet and reflective. Will the ball be picked up or left alone?

What could have been

November 15, 20252 Comments

Regret versus redemption. In 239 words on The Davis Daily

The ferryman, Charon, stands in a small boat. He wears a robe of black, his face hidden beneath the hood. He moves a boat as black as his garb along the river Acheron with a long, ebony pole. A light hangs from the leading end of the pole. Its yellow light guides Charon to the souls awaiting transport to the other side.

From Dead Week to New Year: your guide to crossing over

December 27, 2023December 26, 20242 Comments

The benefit of reflection and how tiny wins live longer than New Year’s resolutions. In 581 words on The Davis Daily.

This is a black and white winner’s podium. There are three platforms. The tallest is in the centre. It has the number one engraved on the front. The second tallest platform is on the right, with the number 2 engraved on the front. And the shortest platform is on the left. It has the number 3 engraved on the front. Each platform of the podium is empty. The winners are yet to be determined.

Squash (the sport) and 5 universal lessons about success

December 16, 20233 Comments

What it takes to win in life, your career, and a meaningless squash tournament. In 618 words on The Davis Daily.

Three brown square tiles are laid out on a white background. The centre tile is propped up slightly, sitting atop the bottom-right corner of the left tile and the bottom left corner of the right tile. The left tile is slightly angled away from the centre tile; the right is also angled away from the centre tile. A black letter and a black number are etched into each tile. On the left tile is the letter W and the number 4. The centre tile features the letter T and the number 1. The letter F and the number 4 are on the right tile. The tiles are from the board game Scrabble, and they form the acronym WTF.

Scrabble: how my mom “rigged” the game (and why you should, too)

October 1, 2023October 1, 20233 Comments

Small but mighty. A short lesson about the compound effect in 264 words | The Davis Daily.