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Hey—it’s Clay.

Earlier this week, I wrote about failure—and why it doesn’t have to define you.
Not every misstep needs to become your origin story. Some things just don’t work out, and that’s okay.

Today’s Kindling picks up where that left off—because while failure isn’t your identity, it can be a turning point.
Chris Meston is proof of that.
After his life got knocked off course, he didn’t try to spin it. He did the hard work of rebuilding—with purpose.

In this issue, you’ll find his story, a few powerful takeaways, a quote that hits right in the gut, and a challenge that can help you move forward with clarity.

Let’s get into it. 🔥

Rebuilding with Purpose

Chris Meston’s journey from rock bottom to realignment

Some men hit rock bottom.
Others wake up one day and realize the life they built doesn’t fit anymore.

Chris Meston knows both.

After more than a decade in the fitness world, his life came unglued—first through divorce, then a serious burn injury during the COVID lockdowns. One stripped him of identity. The other forced him to stop moving. And in the stillness that followed, the questions hit hard:

What matters now?
What’s worth rebuilding?
And who am I without the old story?

Chris didn’t find clarity overnight. But pain has a way of pushing things into focus. Instead of running from what hurt, he leaned in. And what emerged wasn’t just healing—it was direction.

That reset became A Path to Purpose, his podcast and coaching work for men navigating uncertainty, transition, and everything in between. Chris isn’t offering hacks or hustle. He’s offering a different path—one built on reflection, vision, and ownership.

He starts with this:
Picture your future. Not just the job or the house.
Picture the man. His values. His relationships. His regrets.
Now reverse-engineer your way there.

That’s the work Chris is doing—helping men get out of autopilot and into alignment. Not by chasing more, but by choosing better.

His message is simple:
What happened isn’t the end.
It’s the raw material for something better.
But only if you’re willing to build it.

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Quote of the week

Most men don’t resist change because they’re lazy.
They resist it because staying the same feels safer than risking something new. Even if “same” is slowly crushing them.

Chris’s reminder is brutally honest: at some point, discomfort becomes the catalyst. Not inspiration. Not a perfectly timed opportunity. Just the simple, stubborn truth that this can’t go on.

But here’s the catch—you don’t have to wait until it hurts that much.
You can choose alignment before the crisis.
You can move toward something better while you still have strength.

Better too early than too late.

Resources worth your time

If you liked Chris’s perspective, check out this episode of his podcast:
A Path to Purpose — Ep. 37: Mitchell Osmond
Listen on Spotify »

This is the episode that first got me into Chris’s podcast.

In this episode, Chris and Mitchell Osmond dive into the identity crisis many men face today—around self-image, fatherhood, and finding direction. Mitchell brings a bold challenge: live to a higher standard and build a life worth imitating.

It’s honest, sharp, and exactly the kind of conversation that pushes you to think bigger about the legacy you’re leaving.

And in case you missed it—I had the chance to join Chris on his show too.
Here’s that episode »

This Week’s Challenge: Cast the Vision

Chris helps men clarify their purpose by starting at the end—not with goals, but with the kind of man they want to become.

Your challenge this week:
Fast-forward. Picture yourself 10 years from now—or sitting in a rocking chair at 80.

Ask yourself:
✅ What kind of man are you?
✅ Who are you close to?
✅ What do your days look like?
✅ What are you proud of—and what did you let go of?

Write it down.
Don’t worry about getting it perfect. Just get it honest.
Then pick one small step you can take this week to move in that direction.

Purpose isn’t a title. It’s a daily choice to live like your future matters.

The Real Work

Not turning your pain into a platform.
Not pretending you’re fine.
But quietly, consistently choosing to build something better.

That’s what purpose looks like in practice.

So here’s the challenge:

👉 Don’t wait for clarity to show up.
Create it—by making one small decision this week that moves you closer to the life you actually want.

Define the man you want to be.
Then take a step in his direction.

Until next time—
Keep the fires burning,
— Clay

If you’re digging Campfire Gentleman, check out a few other newsletters I actually read and recommend. No fluff—just solid stuff from like-minded guys trying to build something that matters.