Welcome to SWELL

Welcome to the inaugural issue of SWELL Insights—a weekly sobriety and wellness newsletter designed to help you take control of how you feel. Insights will begin with weekly issues and will eventually include shorter updates, tips, and helpful resources.

This first issue is a brief introduction of SWELL and what it is all about. Thanks for taking the time to read it—I hope you find it worth your while.

What does SWELL stand for?

SWELL is built on 5 interconnected pillars that work together to support a vibrant, energetic life:

S – Sobriety: Freedom, clarity, and presence

W – Wellness: Self-respect through self-care

E – Energy: Fuel for the journey of living

L – Longevity: Extend the number of healthy years we can enjoy

L – Learning: Nourish the mind and continue to grow

We’ll explore the 5 Pillars more in future issues of SWELL Insights.

Where it began

SWELL began as my own journey toward a healthier life, but the momentum of that journey, well, it swelled to a point where I wanted to share my enthusiasm with others.

SWELL exists to help align how we live with how we want to feel. It’s a recognition that these two things are deeply intertwined, and that we have the power to dramatically influence how we feel based on the choices we make and actions we take each day.

The SWELL Perspective: Taking control

When I say choices and actions, I’m not talking about overhauling your life (at least, not all at once). I’m talking about empowering yourself to have more control over outcomes by shifting some of the paradigms that limit or impede change. These assumptions serve as invisible yet restrictive forces which often surface as thoughts like:

• But I like drinking, it’s fun!
• You only live once; I’m going to eat what I want.
• I’m not an expert, I don’t know what’s best.
• Heart disease runs in my family, so I’ll probably have it too.
• I’ve always had a sweet tooth.
• I just don’t sleep very well.
• I’m too old to change my lifestyle.

And so on…

These thoughts, especially when taken individually, don’t sound like much of a cause for alarm, which is what makes them so powerful. Unlike the many external forces that work against us achieving our goals, these statements come from within. It’s us working against our own progress.

Wield the weapons of progress

Rather than viewing this as a self-defeating, internal struggle, I see it as an opportunity. Because as much as there is in the world that we can’t control, what we can control are:

• the thoughts we choose to bring forward in our minds and
• the actions we choose to take in response

These are more than just powerful tools, they’re weapons we can use to cut down obstacles and clear a path for progress. This is how we can reclaim control of how we feel right now, tomorrow, and years into the future.

That is what SWELL is about.

It’s not about fixing all the problems in the world, or even about fixing all the problems in ourselves. It’s about reframing the way we think about and talk to ourselves. About giving ourselves the agency to be executives in our own lives: the Chief Health Officers (CHOs) with the authority to make decisions and take action to achieve our desired outcomes.

You don’t need a guru

You need a YOU-(ru?). Sorry, I couldn’t help it.

Whoever you look up to, whoever inspires you, don’t pour that energy outward toward them. Instead, recognize that they are reflecting the best attributes of you, and that’s what catches your eye. That’s what resonates. When you look up to someone, you’re seeing a person who has optimized a part of themselves that you know you have inside you. So it strikes a chord, and inspires you to act.

I want you to be inspired by you. I want you to respect yourself so much that when you talk, you listen. After all, if there’s anyone on the planet you should be able to trust—it’s you.

What to expect

To start, I’ll be sharing new issues of SWELL Insights weekly. Sometimes I’ll focus on one or more of the pillars, sometimes I’ll share valuable resources such as books or podcasts I find insightful, and sometimes I’ll ramble a little, like I’ve done here today.

Whatever it is, I promise not to waste your time. I want you to take something of value from every issue, so don’t hesitate to let me know if I’m getting the job done, or if I’m missing the mark.

Also, the first episodes of the SWELL Podcast are in production, and I’ll you know as soon as they are ready for your listening pleasure. I hope you tune in!

Final thoughts

I’ve been on this journey with the support of my wife, Amanda, for several years now. And while it’s been rewarding, what I’m really excited about is having more people along for the ride.

If you’ve read this far, you’ve already crossed the starting line and your journey is underway.

So, welcome! And thanks again for reading. I’m truly happy you are here.

All the best,

Nate