The Real Recap: Training Boys, Watching Markets, and Finding Joy

Last week kicked off one of my favorite summer rituals — training camp.

Every year, Lincoln brings a crew of teammates and friends over, and I put them through real work. Not just cones and drills. I mean the kind of sweat, discipline, and intensity that teaches boys how to push their edge. Some of y’all might say it’s too much. I say it’s not enough, and nowhere near what I wish I had at their age.

This tradition is about more than speed or footwork. It’s about legacy.
These boys get a dose of something different. Structure. Accountability. Mindset. The kind of presence that most of us, especially as young Black or Brown athletes, never got consistently.

They love it.
I love it.
And yeah — it brings back a little of the old glory days for me too.

Now, people always ask:
“Stoy, why don’t you just coach? High school? AAU? Something?”
And the truth is — I don’t know. Maybe one day.
Right now, I’m exactly where I need to be. Showing up for these boys in the pocket of summer, creating memories and momentum that they’ll carry into the fall and beyond.

Some things don’t need a title to be valuable. Sometimes presence is the purpose.

CURRENT REALITY CHECK: ISRAEL VS. IRAN — THE GEOPOLITICS NO ONE’S EXPLAINING

You’ve probably seen the headlines — Israel and Iran tensions are heating up again. Potential pre-war movements. Strategic posturing. Everyone’s bracing.

You’d think the markets would freak out, right?

But nope. Crickets.

Here’s what’s wild — according to insight from The Kobeissi Letter, the financial world seems to be brushing off geopolitical risk like it’s just background noise.

Why?

Because modern markets are high on liquidity, momentum trading, and artificial optimism. Not reality. Not humanity.

But if this tension does escalate into a full-blown conflict?
You can expect:

• Oil prices to spike

• Risk assets (stocks, crypto) to pull back

• Gold and defense stocks to rise

• A chilling effect on already uncertain global trade dynamics

And yet, most Americans are more worried about gas prices than the macro consequences of global conflict. That’s not your fault — that’s how the system trains us.

So here’s your call to action:

• Diversify your understanding.

• Don’t just watch TikToks — watch patterns.

• Understand how conflict anywhere can shift wealth everywhere.

Because trust me — the big money already knows. It always does.

WHAT I’M RELEASING THIS WEEK:

Let’s Get Real Episode of the week:

THE SOUL CHECK-IN: FINDING JOY IN THE IN-BETWEEN

Let me tell you something that doesn’t get said enough in our hustle-glorifying world:

It’s okay to slow down.

Not every moment has to be productive. Not every hour needs to be optimized.

This week, I want to challenge you to find joy in the ordinary:

• Sitting on the porch with your kids, watching a summer storm

• Walking before the city wakes up

• Reading a book that has nothing to do with business or money

Because the wealth we’re chasing?
It’s not just numbers.
It’s peace in your chest.
It’s presence with your people.
It’s joy without performance.

And sometimes the richest thing you can do… is nothing at all.

FINAL WORD

Summer is here. The world is loud. But your peace doesn’t need permission.

Train your body. Challenge your mind. Watch the world — but don’t forget to live in it.

Let’s get real.