The People You Surround Yourself With Will Shape Your Life

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There’s an old saying that has guided me for years:

“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”

I’ve found it to be profoundly true.

As an entrepreneur, husband, and father, I’ve realized that who you choose to walk through life with matters more than almost anything else. The right people will challenge you, inspire you, and hold you to a higher standard. The wrong people? They’ll drain your energy, limit your vision, and pull you away from the person you’re meant to be.

A Weekend That Reinforced This Lesson

Recently, I had the privilege of spending three days at our family’s Rocking Bar K Ranch with three of the men from my Front Row Dads “Band.” In Front Row Dads, we use the term “Band” to describe a small group of men who intentionally invest in each other’s lives. This isn’t a casual gathering. It’s a deep, purpose-driven brotherhood.

We don’t skim the surface. We go deep.

For three days, we leaned in and pushed each other to level up in every area of life. We focused on three key areas:

• Mindset – We shared meaningful conversations about health, leadership, family, and purpose. These weren’t just feel-good chats; they were real, vulnerable discussions about what it means to live with intention.
  
• Standards – We challenged each other—physically, intellectually, and spiritually. Each of us brought a different perspective and strength to the table, which made us all better.
  
• Resources – We traded tools, frameworks, supplements, and strategies that are moving the needle in our lives and businesses.
  

Here’s a glimpse into how we spent those days together:

✅ Built a pen for a protein and cottonseed feeder—hard work, side by side.
✅ Prepared and shared healthy meals, much of it harvested right from the ranch.
✅ Discussed fasting protocols, supplements, cold plunges, and biohacking techniques we’ve each been experimenting with.
✅ Sat by a roaring campfire under a blanket of stars, talking about fatherhood and faith.
✅ Traded stories of how EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) has transformed our businesses.
✅ Watched a demo of Cassidy.ai and brainstormed practical applications for our companies.
✅ Shared our favorite books, leadership frameworks, and family-friendly movies.
✅ Knocked out pushups together—multiple times a day!
✅ Hiked 3.25 miles across the ranch, taking in the beauty of nature and the clarity it brings.
✅ Refined our shooting skills at the range, sharpening focus and precision.
✅ Watched inspirational videos from Eric Thomas, Mateusz M, and Zig Ziglar, fueling our spirits.
✅ Most importantly, we bonded as brothers.

The Power of Proximity

There’s a different energy that comes from being surrounded by people who are living life on purpose.

These are men who:

• Challenge me to be better.
• Hold me accountable to my highest standards.
• Share their wisdom and resources freely, without ego.
• Inspire me to show up as the best version of myself—for my wife, my kids, and the people I serve.

Proximity matters. The people in your inner circle will either raise you up… or hold you back.

Choose wisely.

And when you find your people—your true people—invest deeply in those relationships. Nurture them. Show up for them. Because they will help you become the person you were created to be.

I’m grateful beyond words for the men in my Band. They make me a better husband, father, and leader. They remind me of the man I strive to become every single day.

Who’s In Your Circle?

Take a moment to reflect:

• Are the people around you pushing you forward or holding you back?
• Do they inspire you to raise your standards?
• Are they living life with intention and purpose?

If not, maybe it’s time to make a change. Your future self will thank you.

Stay intentional. Surround yourself with greatness. And never stop growing.

Final Thoughts

If you want to learn more about the power of intentional brotherhood, I highly recommend checking out Front Row Dads—it’s been life-changing for me. So has my other tribe, Gobundance. It is from within these two groups that many of my closest friendships have emerged. Check them out, you won’t regret it.

And if you’re ever out near Rocking Bar K Ranch, maybe we’ll share a campfire and some pushups.

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