10 Random Thoughts…from the car! [TD Times]

Good morning. I was on my way up to Long Beach, CA, yesterday where I’m speaking and presenting today at one of my favorite fitness conferences, PERFORM BETTER. I’ve been teaching at “PB” for 20-years (literally) and I can’t wait to go on stage in just a bit to light-up about 400-trainers/coaches.

On the way up last night, I had about 2-hours of alone time in the car to think and dream. It seems like that’s rare nowadays to get 2-hours of “alone time” but it was really nice. I actually love “car time” as there can be such solitude and peace in there (even when there is traffic).

Here are 10 “random” thoughts I had on my drive. I’m going to let you in my head here for a few minutes (proceed with caution). Isn’t it funny when you are driving (or thinking), how scattered your brain can get and how many different/random thoughts you can actually get?

So a new “style” of writing today as I really wanted to just share completely from my “head” the random thoughts that crept in my head on the car ride up yesterday. LMK what you think.

And please see if any of them resonate with you and I’d love to know which one, if so…

(I’m going to talk to YOU…as I’m talking to MYSELF…and share my inner thoughts from the car ride up to Long Beach). Here. We. GO….

“10 Random Thoughts from the Car Going to Perform Better Long Beach”

1. I can’t believe I’m going to be an empty-nester in one-month. Yep, McKenna is leaving next month for High Point University and it’s going to be a real mind-screw. I go back and forth of “feeling sorry for myself and Melanie” to “excited for McKenna and her new adventure.” #RealTalk

2. I’m so pumped to start up my IRON SHARPENS IRON program in 10-days. This is something I’ve wanted to do for 2-years. And we are doing it. ALL-IN. Buckle-up fellas. Faith, fitness, family, finances, and a whole heckuva lotta FUN. Iron Sharpens Iron is going to change some men. Who’s IN?!!

3. A lot of travel coming up. Between Perform Better Long Beach, PB Providence, Drew Brees’ NFL Hall-of-Fame Induction Ceremony in August, and McKenna leaving in August, there will be some miles covered. Speaking of which, man, can’t believe #9 going in the Hall already. It seems like yesterday that I had him doing “Side-Lying Bosu Side-UPS” in his 1st session. Man, what a summer it’s going to BE…heck, what a summer it already IS…

4. IXP. Man, LOVING the energy—whoah! It was popping yesterday. I was looking around this week and saw about 100 new faces that I did not even know 3-months ago. Now, they are in our IXP family. Regular peeps, pro athletes, kids, grandmas/grandpas. 2 people who drove down from Temecula. Several from Escondido. One from Bonita. Another from Chula Vista. Rancho Santa Fe. Del Mar. The rest from within 10-miles. Heart was smiling.

5. Patience. It’s funny how the MIND works. I must continually remind myself that this is under God’s dominion and time-plan. Not my own. Anyone else relate to that? Or am I the only one?

6. Optimization. I can’t optimize anyone else unless I’m first optimized. In other words, the better I take care of myself, the better I can take care of others. But why do we often put everyone else first and we are secondary, tertiary, or further more, maybe even last. As Melanie says, “The Cobbler’s wife has no shoes.” So true. Time to pick it up!!

7. Sprint. Rest. Sprint. Rest. Wayne Cotton has been in my head a ton lately. I know it’s time for a vacation soon. It’s been a hard-sprint since March 21st when we opened IMPACT-X Performance in San Diego. Heck, it’s been a hard-sprint since January 2026 when we were ramping it up. Yes, going to need some “rest” here soon.

Remember, don’t wear fatigue, exhaustion, or burn-out as a badge of honor. Take care of yourself BEFORE you keel over.

8. Teamwork makes the dream work. I can’t believe the team we have already at IMPACT-X Performance. 15-peeps between trainers, massage therapists, and Directors of First Impressions. That’s a lot of people in 90-days. Sometimes it feels like it’s been a year. Sometimes it feels every bit of just 90-days. Either way, I am proud of our growing team and the heart & soul they put into it. Best is yet to come. Can I get an “Amen” anyone who is a part of the IXP Family?!!

9. Change. What changes do you most want to create & manifest in the 2nd Half of 2026? What is it that I most want to change in the next 6-months? So much to think about but the perpetual suit of ‘better’ fires me up. Perhaps though, a better question is “Who is God calling me to BE?” versus “What does he want me to DO?” #DeepThoughts

Either way, whatever those changes are that need to happen, they NEED to happen. #MakeEm

10. Perform Better. I’m pumped to return to stage for the 2026 Perform Better tour. Something always interesting happens at these events. It could be a conversation with a young trainer or business owner; it could be a deep heart to heart with a burnt-out, veteran coach who needs life breathed into him/her. It could be an epic breakdown in the huddle to my classic Phil Collins “In the Air Tonight.” Either way, I can’t wait to get on stage in just a few hours. #GoTime #Time4IMPACT

It’s amazing to think about how many thoughts one could have in less than a 2-hour drive. But I must admit…It was nice to think. It was nice to dream. It was nice to have quiet time (even if I spent 30-minutes on the 405 in a traffic jam). Haha.

Again, I’d love to know WHICH ONE(S) most resonated with you? Drop me a message back and let me know. I’d love to hear from you…

My friends, get in your quiet time. Whether it be on the plane, at a lake, in your backyard, on a hike or during a workout, or even in a car during a long drive…turn off the radio/music and get in some time to THINK & DREAM. You can thank me later…

Much love…and lots of THINKING.

Todd Durkin