Your brand is your reputation at scale

(& how to build yours)

read time: 5 minutes 

Welcome to The Movement Memo, a bi-weekly newsletter where I share actionable tips to help you live your best day ever, every day.

Today's Programming 

  • Movement: Sprint and hold on

  • Quote: Wooden on the difference between reputation and character

  • Lesson Learned: Your brand is your reputation at scale

  • Optimization: Introducing the new Ice Barrel Chiller

Today's Movement 

Complete 4 rounds for time:

  • 20/16 cal fan bike

  • 15 thrusters @ 135/95

Hell on Hogs Back with @peternelsonii, the founder of SISU Sauna’s.

Today's Quote

“Your reputation is what you’re perceived to be, your character is what you really are.

— John Wooden

(If you don’t, John Wooden was a legendary American basketball coach and player, best known for leading UCLA to 10 NCAA championships in 12 years, earning him the title “Wizard of Westwood” and recognition as one of the greatest coaches in sports history. His book, Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court is an incredible read.)

Building a personal brand has become incredibly powerful in the past couple of years.

This is what allows me to live my life by design.

But what most people don’t realize is that having a personal brand gives you a reputation at scale.

People meet you and have a preconceived notion about who you are.

If your brand doesn’t live up to your character then you have a problem.

It’s why authenticity is so important.

Your character counts.

Today's Lesson Learned

Your brand is your reputation at scale: 

I was reflecting on something from my work that I think applies just as much to life as it does to building brands, and I wanted to share it with you. It’s about how we shape our reputation—who we are and how others perceive us—through our behavior.

The Values We Live By

Just like a brand has core values guiding its decisions, we all have personal values that influence how we behave, treat others, and spend our time. These values aren’t just abstract ideas; they shape our character and define us in the eyes of others. Whether we realize it or not, how we live day in and day out cements these values into our identity.

But here’s the catch: our behavior over time makes these values apparent to the world. It’s not enough to declare what we stand for; we must live it. Consistently. And this is the reputation you build.

The Human Brand

In the world of brand building, companies are increasingly being seen as human entities, with their own personalities, values, and behaviors. Just as we judge people based on how they act, we judge brands the same way. Our experiences with a brand—whether good or bad—shape our perception of them. This often happens subconsciously, but it’s powerful.

Research suggests that 95% of buying decisions are made subconsciously.

This got me thinking: isn’t it the same with our personal relationships? Most of what people think of us happens below the surface, based on a series of interactions that either reinforce or contradict the values we claim to hold.

Consistency Is Key

For brands, having clearly defined core values is essential. They set the tone for how the brand behaves, ensuring consistency in every interaction. Inconsistency breeds confusion, and confusion leads to mistrust. The same is true for us as individuals. If our actions don’t align with our values, we create a gap between who we are and how others see us.

Think about it: we don’t walk up to new acquaintances and announce our values. Instead, we show them through our actions. This is how you build a reputation. Over time, people judge us based on these behaviors, not our words.

A Harsh Truth: The real test of our character is how consistently we live by our values, especially when no one is watching.

Building a Life of Substance

Just as brands need to build a strong foundation rooted in their core values, we need to do the same in our lives. It’s easy to get caught up in the more immediate, flashy aspects of life—our achievements, our outward successes—but what really matters in the long run is the foundation we’ve built underneath it all.

Values like integrity, kindness, and commitment might not always be the sexiest things to focus on, but they’re what give our lives substance. They’re what others will remember us for and what will guide us through difficult times.

Here are a few thoughts on how we can start building that foundation.
*Break out a pen and paper when you perform this exercise

  1. Define Your Core Values: What do you stand for? What principles do you want to guide your life? Take some time to really think about this and write them down.

  2. Live Them Consistently: Once you know your values, commit to living them every day. It’s not about perfection; it’s about consistency. Over time, these values will become part of who you are.

  3. Reflect on Your Actions: Periodically, take a step back and ask yourself if your actions align with your values. If they don’t, think about what changes you can make.

  4. Surround Yourself with People Who Share Your Values: Just as a brand is strengthened by a team that believes in its mission, we are influenced by the people we surround ourselves with. Seek out those who share and support your values.

  5. Be Patient: Building a life of substance takes time. It’s not something that happens overnight, but the rewards—both internally and in how others perceive you—are worth it.

Life, like branding, isn’t just about the flashy, immediate wins. It’s about the long game. By building our lives on a solid foundation of values, we’re setting ourselves up for true, lasting success. 

And that, in the end, is what it’s all about.

Today's Optimization

As we all know, cold therapy is one of the most powerful ways to recover faster, boost your immune system, and sharpen your mental edge. I have been using the Ice Barrel daily for years. But finding the right tools for the job has always been a challenge—until now. (I always had to buy ice)! After years of research and development, I’m excited to introduce the Ice Barrel Chiller, the world’s most advanced cold therapy system designed to make cold therapy more effective and accessible for everyone.

Here’s what sets it apart: The Ice Barrel Chiller isn’t just another retrofitted stock tank. It’s a purpose-built system that delivers superior performance, durability, and connectivity. With the innovative SmartSense™ technology, the Chiller adjusts to real-time weather data, ensuring your ice bath is ready when you need it and conserving energy when you don’t. It can cool water down to a bone-chilling 37°F, even in scorching 120°F ambient temperatures—all while using less energy than traditional chillers.

Plus, it’s built to last in any environment. With IP67-rated waterproof components and system-wide monitoring, you can trust the Chiller to keep running smoothly. And the best part? You can control everything from your phone with the Ice Barrel App.

Upgrade your cold therapy routine today with the Ice Barrel Chiller and feel the difference.

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Publisher: Eric Hinman

Editor-in-chief: Bobby Ryan