Most of us are taught to view our rivals with disdain. They're the enemy to be crushed, intimidated, and defeated at all costs.

 

But what if we flipped the script? What if our biggest rival became our most valuable asset — not someone to tear down, but someone who can lift us up? Who can help us reveal the best version of ourselves?

 

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, as explored by Brad Stulberg, embody this understanding. They don't engage in competition with hatred or aggression. Instead, they compete with respect, knowing that their rival's excellence is a catalyst for their own greatness.

 

 

“​Research​ shows that if you are in close proximity to a high-performer, your own performance improves by 15 percent.” 

 

Tom Brady and Peyton Manning understood this deeply. During their greatest rivalry, they practiced together in the offseason — because they knew competing against excellence made them both better. 

 

This is what true competition looks like. The goal is to find your best effort, to see what you are capable of. You versus You. And as we discussed in last week's letter, it's not reflected in the results, but only in a deep knowingness that you gave it everything. In preparation, in competition, and in recovery.

 

Everything is on the line to find YOUR greatest.

 

 

 

okay, now:

WEEKLY CHALLENGE

Instead of focusing on your opponent's weaknesses, identify one strength they have that you respect. Use that as fuel to elevate your own game — the energy shift from seeking their worst to finding your best changes everything.

Little by little, greatness grows.