Happy Monday, Everyone!

Here are your three lessons for the week:

For Athletes: Be Antifragile

A couple of weeks ago, I had the tremendous opportunity to conduct a leadership training session with an executive team at Lululemon. It is an incredible organization comprised of competent, humble, and open-minded individuals—a wonderful experience. Vancouver, Canada, by the way, is one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever visited!

One of the concepts we explored was Nassim Taleb’s idea of antifragility. As shown in this image, there are three responses to adversity:

1. Fragile — Break under pressure.
2. Resilient — Bounce back to previous form.
3. Anti-fragile — Bounce back stronger than before.

Taleb’s insight is powerful: antifragile systems don’t just recover; they improve. They become sharper, smarter, and stronger due to the stress. It reminds me of the quote, “Wind can blow out a candle, but it fuels a fire.” That’s the image of antifragility.

As an athlete, the goal is to become antifragile. Learn from losses. Grow from failure.

Takeaway: Use adversity to make you stronger.

For Coaches: Beware of the "JIC"

In 2014, while I was with the Boston Red Sox organization, a very experienced coach, Glenn "Goose" Gregson, taught me a powerful lesson. One day during Spring Training, a few players were making excuses before they even stepped onto the field. One mentioned he hadn’t slept well. Another said that he doesn’t play well in the heat. A third said he had just finished a workout and wasn’t going to perform well because he likes to lift weights after practice.

Goose brought my attention to the micro-excuses players were making, explaining that they are using a “JIC”—Just In Case. It’s a subtle way players try to protect themselves. Just in case they don’t play well, they’re already offering a reason why: poor sleep, the weather, the workout. It’s a form of self-sabotage—planting a seed that lowers expectations before the performance even begins.

My wise friend explained that these “just in case” excuses quietly undermine an athlete’s ability to give their best. As coaches, we need to spot them, name them, and push back against them. Don’t let players pre-load reasons for failure. Don’t let them take their foot off the gas before the race even begins.

Takeaway: Help players recognize and eliminate JIC’s before they perform.

For Parents: When My Priorities Were Off

Many years ago, 13 to be exact, I was juggling three jobs and pursuing a master’s degree while my wife, Melissa, was home doing the most important work—caring for our kids. At the time, they were 5, 4, and 3 years old, respectively. I was doing my best to provide for my family, to be a good husband, and to be a present father. Up to this point, I had always believed that my schedule kept me away more often than I wanted, but I was about to learn that it wasn't my schedule; it was me.

One night, I came home late from school. The kids were asleep, and Melissa had stayed up to wait for me. As we caught up on the day while I ate dinner, a drawing on the refrigerator that one of my kids did that day grabbed my attention.

I asked Melissa, “Who drew that?”
She said, “Jarom did. It's our family portrait, but you need to ask Jarom to explain it to you tomorrow.”

Ouch. That innocent yet honest five-year-old perspective made me realize that my priorities required some adjusting. I didn’t need more time; I needed more focus. I didn’t stop doing what needed to be done at work; however, my son reminded me to be more intentional with how I spent my time at home.

Takeaway: The things that matter most last the longest.
Side note: From that day forward, I’d occasionally ask him to draw family portraits to make sure I was in it :)

Principles of the Week

If you want to share your thoughts or ask any questions, reply to this email and I'll see it!

Have a great week,

Justin Su'a

If this email was forwarded to you and you want it to come directly to your inbox, subscribe here: