The Power of Staying Present

This week, I ran further than I have in years. Four miles.

Not because I had to, but because on mile 2.5, something shifted. I heard myself say:

It wasn't just about the run. It was about everything I've been building—the businesses, the family moments, the choice to stay present instead of distracted.

This week, I faced challenges head-on without looking for shortcuts. And I moved projects, money, and momentum—all while remembering why I started.

The world may be falling apart, but I'm building something beautiful from the inside out.

THE CLIMB — 004

The View from Here

This was a week of presence over performance. Of feeling over avoiding. Of building systems instead of chasing kills.

I hit some serious milestones:$905 in passive income, $33K pipeline booked, 3 Purpose Design Build site visits including a $15K closet project. Weight down to 186.7 even with birthday cake. STOKED onboarded as a client with a$30K invoice processed.

But the real breakthrough was simpler: I stayed present. Whether coaching my son, swimming with my daughter, or riding to the Pride Parade—I showed up.

I'm learning to work through discomfort instead of around it. The anxiety is real, but so is the clarity that comes after staying with the feeling.

What I'm Testing

Emotional Presence
Instead of avoiding discomfort, I'm staying present with it. The challenges are real, but so is the growth that comes from working through them.

Systems Over Stress
I'm not chasing the kill anymore. I'm building a kingdom—intentionally, slowly, and smart. One design, one sale, one block at a time.

Presence as Strategy
Whether it's family time or client meetings, I'm testing what happens when I show up fully instead of multitasking my way through moments.

"You can do hard things when you stay present."

What's Working

The Power of Showing Up
Every time I chose presence over distraction this week, something good happened. My kids' energy shifted. Client relationships deepened. My own momentum increased.

Building vs. Chasing
That $33K pipeline didn't come from hustle. It came from consistent relationship-building, quality work, and letting people see my process in real time.

Physical Foundation
That 4-mile run wasn't just exercise—it was proof that my body can handle what I'm asking of it. The marathon training is working, even when I don't feel ready.

"I'm building a kingdom—intentionally, slowly, and smart."

Your turn: What would change if you stopped avoiding the hard feelings and started noticing what they're trying to tell you?

🎯 What You Can Carry Forward

1. Presence is your competitive advantage. In a world of distraction, the person who can stay fully present wins—in business, parenting, and life.

2. Don't avoid, notice. The discomfort you're running from might be pointing you toward your next breakthrough.

3. Systems beat stress every time. When you slow down to build the right foundation, everything else accelerates naturally.

4. Your body keeps the score. Physical breakthroughs often unlock mental and emotional ones. Keep moving.

📊Week 4 at a Glance

Physical Wins: 4-mile run (longest since injury), weight down to 186.7
Business Pipeline: $905 passive income,$33K pipeline,$30K invoices processed for STOKED
Project Momentum: 3 PDB site visits, $15K closet project, STOKED client onboarded
Personal Growth: Emotional clarity rising, staying present with challenges
Family Moments: Coaching, swimming, Pride Parade presence

Where I'm Climbing Next

Week 5 Theme: Building the kingdom, one block at a time.

This week I'm focusing on:

• Finalizing Sovereign Sprint (3 core services) for BuilderGrowth

• Launching "Been to The Mountaintop" podcast for storytelling and community building

• Continuing to choose presence over avoidance

• Closing 2 more PDB jobs to finish strong

• Starting summer coffee sessions for community connection

Final Word

Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is stop running from what you're feeling and start running toward what you're building.

The discomfort you're avoiding might be the exact thing pointing you toward your breakthrough.

If this resonated, reply and let me know what you're choosing to notice instead of avoid. Or forward this to someone who's building something beautiful from the inside out.

We're not just climbing mountains. We're building kingdoms.

See you at the next altitude check,
—Steve Larosiliere