#1: Do Hard Things

Welcome to Cheers with Chance! 🍹 Grab a Beverage & Let’s Dive In

Hey Friends,

Welcome to the FIRST EDITION of Cheers with Chance! Each week, I’ll be serving up five things I’ve learned—spanning from Health, Business, Life, Mindset, Travel, Tech, and a Beverage Rec. Think of it as catching up over a great cocktail, coffee, or cold beer. Let’s dive in!

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🍹 5 Things I Learned This Week

1️⃣ [Health] – I recently started incorporating the Kettlebell Mile into my walks with Shelby 👩🏻 and Beau 🐕, inspired by Pavel Tsatsouline’s discussion with Andrew Huberman (GREAT Episode).

For those who don’t know, Pavel Tsatsouline is a strength-training legend and the founder of StrongFirst. He’s known for popularizing the use of kettlebells in the U.S. and emphasizing strength as a skill, focusing on functional strength and longevity.

This exercise involves walking a mile while holding a single kettlebell. The benefits? It improves grip strength, boosts cardiovascular health, and offers a full-body workout—all indicators associated with longevity. The episode offers a formula to help you determine the right weight to start with. I chose to start slow with 16kg and am working up to 24kg.

If you’re not sure where to start, just pick up something (other than your cell phone) and carry it with you on your next outing. :)

2️⃣ [Mindset] – “Doing hard things isn’t about being tough—it’s about being adaptable.” — Steven Magness, Do Hard Things

In his book, Magness breaks down the misconception that toughness is sheer force and bravado. Instead, true resilience comes from adaptability, flexibility, and being present in the moment.

This week, I have been focusing on embracing this mindset through the lens of challenge and vulnerability, for more impactful growth and navigating hard things with more grace and less stress.

"To increase performance, raise the floor, not the ceiling. It's easy to show up when everything is clicking. But our success is often defined by how we perform on our 'just okay' days. Make your okay days better."

There are numerous quotes and lessons from this read that I have found myself reverting to as I encounter daily situations and conversations.

I'll leave you with this— "Confidence comes from doing hard things and realizing that you have to want the outcome more than you fear the work, discomfort, criticism, and unknowns." This alludes to the idea that true confidence is built by actively facing challenges and overcoming them, rather than relying on external validation; the more difficult the task, the greater the sense of accomplishment and self-belief achieved. Embrace a challenge today!

Grab a copy (or hit the cliff notes) and let me know what you think!

3️⃣ [Business] – Kraft Heinz is no stranger to iconic brands. With a legacy dating back to 1869, Kraft Heinz boasts a powerhouse lineup including household names like Heinz Ketchup, Kraft Mac & Cheese, Philadelphia Cream Cheese, and Oscar Mayer. Oh, and let us not forget A.1. Sauce 👀

But they’re not just resting on nostalgia—they’re mixing things up! Their latest venture brings Crystal Light into the seltzer space, partnering with The Boston Beer Company to create a line of "vodka refreshers" inspired by Crystal Light’s classic flavors. This strategic move taps into the booming ready-to-drink seltzer market while keeping their brand both fresh and fun.

Read more about this boozy twist here.

💡 Lesson: The takeaway here? Be Agile. Never underestimate the power of reinvention. Even legacy brands need to innovate to stay relevant. Pay attention to social listening cues and be willing to pivot when needed. Sometimes, the best way to shake things up is—quite literally!

4️⃣ [Tech Tool] – Embracing ChatGPT: My Secret Travel Hack ✈️

Okay, I’ll admit it—I was slow to the AI party. While I like to think I’m an early adopter in some areas, when it came to ChatGPT, I was resistant. I did not want to put in the work to learn this new tool, and the task seemed daunting because I didn't know where to begin. But hey, here we are, better late than never!

On a recent trip, I spent hours planning every detail: mapping routes, hunting down must-see spots, and reading every travel blog I could find. Then, on a whim, (Shelby) typed a prompt into ChatGPT. Within 30 minutes, it had mapped out an itinerary that not only hit all my points but added unique gems I’d never considered. We were impressed. I was humbled. I have since begun incorporating it into many other facets of my daily routine. Welcome to my AI Era!

Here are a couple of prompts I recommend to get you started on your next adventure:

-For Itinerary Planning: "Plan a 3-day itinerary for [Destination] with must-see attractions, local eats, and hidden gems. Include travel times and activity suggestions for each day."

-For Packing Help: "Create a packing list for a 7-day spring trip to Italy with a mix of casual and dressy outfits, toiletries, and travel essentials."

Try it out, and let me know where you’re headed! Maybe ChatGPT will even save you from reading 37 conflicting Yelp reviews.

5️⃣ [Beverage Recommendation] – For the inaugural Beverage Recommendation and as an ode to Oklahoma roots, I'm sharing a classic Oklahoma favorite—the Club Special. This drink originated at Oklahoma golf courses (Twin Hills G&CC) in the 1960s, where it quickly became a go-to refreshment for golfers looking to beat the heat.

The Recipe:

• 2 oz vodka

• 1 oz Limeade

• Splash of Sprite

• Top off with club soda

• Freshly squeezed lemon and lime juice

• Garnished and served over ice with a salted rim.

It's light, crisp, and has just the right amount of fizz. Perfect for a day on the links—or by the pool!

Pro Tip: Use Deep Eddy Lime Vodka and a Tajín rim (thanks, Scott) for an extra twist!

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🍻 Closing Thoughts

Thanks for kicking back with me this week! What’s something cool you learned recently? Hit me up and let me know!

If you enjoyed this, forward it to a friend who’d love Cheers with Chance. More fun coming next week. Until then, stay curious and thirsty. 🍹🍷☕

Cheers,

Chance