The Joy of Writing My Book

Did you ever groan when the English teacher assigned a five-page paper on some random topic? Same here.

I was the classic math-and-science kid and writing essays felt torturous. The only part of English class I actually liked was diagramming sentences because it felt logical like solving a puzzle.

The funny thing is, even though I dreaded English assignments, I secretly dreamed of writing fiction novels. I’ve always been hooked on detective stories where the hero chases down serial killers and solves murders. Those books grabbed me from page one and wouldn’t let go.

In my spare time, I actually liked writing but only when it was poetry or short stories, where I could unleash my imagination. Research papers? Forget it. They felt like too restrictive and prescriptive, all rules and no creativity. Creative writing, though? That was where I found freedom.

It wasn’t until my freshman year of college that I finally got excited about a writing assignment. My English professor told us to pick a song that meant something to us and write about why. BINGO! I could talk for days about music and how it shapes my life.

Naturally, I chose a Pearl Jam song, which won’t shock anyone who knows me. As I wrote, it felt like the words were pouring out on their own. It was one of those moments where time disappears, and I was in the flow.

When I got my paper back, it was an A+ with two paragraphs of comments from my professor saying how moved she was by my passion and honesty.

But it would be more than twenty years before I felt that same kind of energy again.

It happened right after I ran my first marathon just 346 days after my kidney transplant. I knew I wanted to share my story and inspire others, but I wasn’t sure how. So, during some holiday time off work, I sat down at my computer and started typing.

At first, it was painfully slow because I kept trying to make it perfect. Eventually, I decided to let go of writing the “perfect” essay and just write.

Ten days later, I had a rough manuscript for a book. Two weeks after that, I’d cleaned it up enough to send it off for editing.

Little did I know that writing a book was the easy part. Getting it onto shelves? That’s a whole different beast. I’ll have to save that for another blog post.

Here’s what I’ve learned about writing:

Writing my book felt so effortless at times because, in many ways, it had been 47 years in the making. Every experience, every setback, every victory, every lesson I’d collected over nearly five decades poured into those pages. The words flowed because they were simply waiting for me to finally give them a place to live.

Here’s what I take away from that experience:

Sometimes the thing we’re meant to create is already inside us, waiting patiently for the right moment and the right version of ourselves to bring it into the world. Don’t let your doubts, your fear of imperfection, or the enormity of the process hold you back. Whether it’s writing a book, starting a business, launching a podcast, or chasing a new goal, you don’t have to have it all figured out.

Like most of my messages, it takes action. So, start writing, start building, and start creating. The clarity and momentum come through the act of doing.

Call to action:

Have you ever felt like there’s a story, a message, or a mission inside you waiting to get out? What’s the “book” you’ve been waiting to write: literally or figuratively? I’d love to hear about it. Drop me a comment below or send me a message. Let’s remind each other that our stories are worth sharing and that it’s never too late to start.

Setting Goals and Achieving Dreams

How many of you make New Year’s resolutions? Or set performance goals at the start of each year at work? How many of you start off strong, only for the enthusiasm to wane after a couple of weeks?

Motivation is often temporary and without purpose, most of our goals drift into the ether.

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, yet expecting different results. So why then, do we make resolutions each year? False promises of a new diet, going to the gym, or quitting a bad habit like drinking or smoking.

Why? Because simply writing down a goal is not enough. Here are three things that can help you set goals and actually achieve them:

1.      Discover your ‘why’. Why is that the goal? Why is it important? And what would it mean to you or others if you were to achieve it?

2.      Create an action plan. Writing down you goal or goals is just one step in the process. You need a plan of action; specific things you can and will do to turn your goal into reality.

3.      Be Patient. We live in a right now society, where whenever we want something, we have to have it “right now”. This leads to giving up before even micro results can be seen.

Discovering Your Why

Most goals are set at the beginning of a year and why not, starting a new year is about renewal and fresh starts. Simply starting a goal or resolution just because the day or year changed, is not enough to last. When I decided to run a marathon after having a kidney transplant, I asked myself three questions:

1.      Why is that the goal? I wanted something beyond my perceived capabilities and considering I had never run a race of any distance, setting my sights on a marathon would test how strong my mindset was.

2.      Why is it important? This wasn’t just a goal that you go out and do one day. It would require months of dedication, discipline, and resilience. It would require me to train even when I did not feel like it. Setting such a challenging goal, would require me to test myself in nearly every aspect of my life, and that seemed like a worthy cause.

3.      What would it mean if I were to achieve it? For me, it would prove to myself that I can do hard things. That I can set a goal, stick to the plan, and persevere even when things got super hard. To others, it would be a living example of what is possible when you have purpose and use it to drive you to achieve your goals. It would demonstrate to others that our limitations are self-imposed and we have the power to write a new narrative for ourselves.

Creating an Action Plan

Cool. You have written down your goal. Now what? Wish or hope it magically comes true? That’s not how goals work. They require effort, attention, and discipline. But they also need a plan; a set of actions that when completed result in accomplishing a task or goal.

Here are three things to consider when creating your plan”

1.      Break your goal into consumable chunks. Don’t try to do everything at once. Decompose your goal into smaller pieces.

2.      Create a reasonable timeline. If you are going to run a marathon for the first time, don’t make your deadline in two weeks, it’s not reasonable. Set a target that is right on the edge of achievable and challenging enough to push you to show up. Too much time can be as bad as too little time.

3.      Celebrate the small wins. By breaking your goal into smaller pieces with a timeline, you now have inchstones and milestones along the way to your main objective. Each time you can check another item off the list or you stayed consistent for another week, take time to acknowledge and reward yourself – No this does not mean with a bucket of cake and ice cream.

Being Patient

The old cliché is “Rome wasn’t built in a day” is still used because it’s true. Reaching your goal will take time. If it doesn’t, then was it a challenging enough of a goal?

As you work towards your goal, you will need to trust the process. Know that what you are doing is making a difference, even if they are only micro shifts. Make that 1% daily change and over time it will begin to add up.

There will be road bumps along the way, you will need to be resilient and believe in yourself. This can be challenging, difficult, and often disheartening. But believe me, it will only make your victory that much sweeter in the end.

So, are you ready to achieve your goals? This week’s challenge is to pick a goal, come up with a plan, and take action. You can do this.

Celebrate Yourself More

When was the last time you told yourself, “Good job”? Not for perfection. Not for being the best. But just for showing up. Trying. Beginning again.

Let’s be honest, if you spoke to your friends the way you speak to yourself, would you still be friends?

A question hit me like a brick wall this week as I was scrolling through Instagram. It asked:
“Name three people you love.”
Then it followed with:
“Did you include yourself?”

Oof.

That moment made me stop in my tracks. Because I hadn’t and that seems like a problem.

The Truth Is, We’re Often Our Own Worst Critics

This week, I caught myself spiraling just a bit. I was thinking, “You’re not doing enough. You’re not making progress. You’re failing.” ---  But then I paused and took inventory.

And realized I had accomplished far more than I gave myself credit for. I’m building something that matters, moving forward. Just maybe not as fast as my ego wants.

I had to remind myself: Progress doesn’t have to be loud to be real.

There’s a Difference Between Critical and Cruel

Being critical is rooted in care. It’s you saying: I know I’m capable of more. That’s healthy. That’s growth. It’s the positive fuel you need.

But being mean to yourself? That’s sabotage. There’s no badge of honor in bullying yourself into success. And honestly, that kind of sabotage will not lead to success.

We live in a world where we applaud others for their first 5k, their 10-pound loss, their 9th Spartan Trifecta... But turn around and beat ourselves up for walking a mile or “only” losing 5 pounds.

Let me tell you this right now:
If you laced up your shoes and moved today, you’re a champion.
If you made one better choice, you’re a fighter.
If you got up and tried again, you’re winning.

This Week’s Challenge: Hype Yourself Up

This week, I want you to shift your inner voice. Instead of punishing yourself for what you didn’t do, praise yourself for what you did.

• Ran/walked a mile? 🔥

• Ate clean all day? 🔥

• Started something you’ve been putting off? 🔥

CELEBRATE – IT – ALL

• Give yourself the same grace you give to others.

• Speak to yourself like someone you love.

• Because you should.

The Power of Others

One of the hardest things you’ll ever do? Ask for help. Trust me — I know because I’ve struggled with it my entire life.

 Why do we so often go it alone?

• Fear of rejection

• Fear of being disappointed

• Fear of being a burden

• Lack of trust

But here’s the truth: you were never meant to do this life alone.

We are wired to be stronger together. Sometimes, you have to swallow your pride, open up, and let people into your fight. And here’s the surprising part: people want to help. More often than not, you’ll be amazed at how willing they are to lift you up and share whatever weight you’re carrying.

When I was younger, I played team sports, and I relied on my teammates just as much as they relied on me. We sweated together, we fought together, and we celebrated victory together.

But off the ice? I was a lone wolf. I convinced myself I could, and should, do everything alone. Sure, I achieved a lot that way. But when I look back, every major breakthrough had one or two key people helping me along the way.

My most powerful example?
When I needed a kidney donor, I had to let my guard down in the biggest, most vulnerable way. I shared my story with the world, putting it out on social media.

Within less than a month, the hospital called… I had three donor matches and several more people stepping forward to get tested. Strangers were lining up to save my life.

That moment blew my mind!

It reminded me, and it should remind you… YOU are never alone.

You are not alone in your struggles. You are not alone in your dreams. You are not alone in your mission. Friends, family, online communities — there are so many people ready to stand in your corner if you just open the door.

My dream with Maselli Mindset and my social platforms (@markmaselli on Instagram) is to create that community for you — a space where we help, uplift, and inspire one another.

Because together, we rise.

There Are Levels to This Game of Life

What really stops us from going after the things we want? It’s not just fear…      It’s our ego.

A few weeks ago, I shared about completing the Spartan DEKA event. Recently, I leveled up again by taking on the Spartan Super in Big Bear, California:

·       A grueling 10K

·       25 brutal obstacles

·       All set on the steep slopes of Snow Summit Ski Resort

It’s tough enough to push yourself through the obstacles of mud, walls, and barbed wire. But add a mountain, altitude, and exhaustion, and it becomes a whole new beast. As I stood at the starting line, I looked around, the crowd was packed with fit, fierce athletes who looked ready to sprint up the mountain like gazelles. For a moment, I felt it: intimidation.

Then I noticed something else…  I was in better shape than some people there and they were probably looking at me, thinking the same thing.

That’s when it hit me: THERE ARE LEVELS TO THIS!!!

Everyone is at a different Level, and we are all at different points on our journey. At different levels. On different challenges.

Whether it’s a Spartan race, a marathon, a local 5K, or just starting something new, you’ll find people at all levels:
✔ Some are advanced.
✔ Some are beginners.
✔ Everyone is struggling with something.

And here’s the most beautiful part: At these events, people cheer for each other, help each other, and push each other because we’re all here to test our own personal limits.

Your ego wants to keep you small, keeping you from even starting! Your ego plants seeds to make you afraid to look slow. Afraid to look weak. Afraid to look like a beginner.

But here’s the truth… Everyone who’s ahead of you was once where you are now. The only way to level up is to show up again, and again, and again.

— This Week’s Challenge to YOU —

Do the thing you’ve been avoiding.

• Go to the gym.

• Sign up for that 5K.

• Hit the open mic.

• Try karaoke.

• Write that poem.

• Start that side project.

Whatever it is — drop the ego. Be proud of your level. And know you’re not alone on the path.

Final Reminder: Your ego wants you to stay small. Your soul wants you to GROW.

So… What are you going to choose this week?

Perseverance Requires Perspiration

Think back to when you were a kid.
Do you remember trying something again and again, failing every time — until one day, you finally got it?

Maybe it was landing a backflip in gymnastics, solving a Rubik’s cube, learning a new language, driving a car, or memorizing your multiplication tables.
Whatever it was, it felt impossible at first. But something inside you refused to quit. You kept showing up. You kept pushing.

And when you finally nailed it — it felt amazing, didn’t it?
You felt powerful. Capable. Alive.

So now let me ask you this:
When was the last time you practiced that kind of perseverance?
When was the last time you stuck with something — not because it was required, but because you wanted to conquer it?

And no — pushing through an entire season on Netflix or finishing a pint of ice cream doesn’t count.

As adults, we get jaded. Busy. Cynical. We convince ourselves we don’t have time or energy to pursue new challenges. We stop stretching. We stop chasing. We stop growing.

But that fire? That ability to persist? It’s still in you.
You’ve just got to wake it up.

This week, I want to challenge you:

• Choose something that will stretch you.
  A puzzle. A new yoga move. Jogging a mile. Something just beyond your current ability, but doable within a week.

• Commit 20 minutes a day.
  No excuses. Miss no more than two days.

• Crush it. Celebrate. Then level up.
  Find a new challenge that pushes you further.

Practicing perseverance builds mental stamina. It strengthens the part of you that doesn’t quit when things get hard. Like any muscle, perseverance grows through repetition and resistance.

Start small. Build momentum.
Before long, you’ll be taking on the things you once thought were out of reach — writing that book, training for that race, launching that dream.

One small victory at a time.

Suffering - The Secret Ingredient to Strength

Let’s get one thing straight: suffering isn’t optional—it’s inevitable. But what if I told you that your pain isn’t just a burden… it’s a gift?

Suffering is one of life’s most powerful teachers. It strips away the fluff and forces you to confront what you're really made of. And if you have the right mindset, it doesn’t break you—it builds you.

The truth? Life doesn’t care about your plans. Things go sideways. People disappoint you. Goals slip through your fingers. But you decide what happens next. You can fall apart—or you can flip the script.

A strong mindset doesn’t deny the pain—it uses it. It finds the lesson, the grit, the growth inside the mess. Yes, it sucks sometimes. Yes, it's uncomfortable. So what?

Stew in it, and you stay stuck. Rise from it, and you become unstoppable.

Take this morning. I suited up for a trail run, thinking the clouds would lift. They didn’t. By the time I got there, it was cold, wet, windy—pure misery.

California softens you. 52 degrees feels like punishment.

I stood there, questioning everything. Do I push through? Or do I bail because the conditions aren’t ideal?

The answer? Hell yes, I push through.

Because life rarely hands you perfect conditions. Growth doesn’t come when it’s easy. It comes when you commit—especially when it’s hard.

I didn’t just run today. I honored my word to myself. That’s what this is about. Keeping your promises. Building resilience. Leaning into discomfort because it forges something fierce inside you.

Your Move:
This week, when something goes wrong—and it will—pause. Reframe it. Ask yourself, What is this here to teach me? How can I grow from this?

Don’t just survive the week. Dominate it. Let adversity fuel you. Let suffering sharpen you. Be your best. No matter what.

The Seeds We SOW

You wouldn't expect to harvest watermelons if you planted pumpkin seeds, right?
Then why do we expect maximum results when we only put in halfhearted effort?

Back in my early career, I wrote software, and we had a phrase that rang true everywhere: "Garbage in, garbage out." Simple. Brutal. True.
And it doesn't just apply to computers — it applies to everything:
Our jobs.
Our relationships.
Our health.
Our dreams.

Tired of carrying around that extra weight?
Let me ask you: What seeds are you planting?
Are you fueling your body with real nourishment... or stuffing it with quick fixes and excuses?
Garbage in, garbage out.

Feeling stuck at work, frustrated that you're not moving forward?
Be honest — what seeds did you plant?
Were they seeds of complacency?
Seeds of bad habits, bad attitudes, bad energy?
You can’t plant negativity and expect a promotion to bloom.

The truth is, most of the time, we sabotage ourselves long before the world has a chance to.
But here's the power move: We can change what we sow, starting right now.

What would happen if tomorrow, you walked into work with unstoppable energy?
What would happen if you ate clean for a whole month — no cheats, no shortcuts?
What would happen if you hit the gym three, four times a week, every week, for six months?

Would you see a difference?
Absolutely.
Would others see it too?
You better believe it.

So here’s my challenge to you:
Try it.
Pick one thing this week — just one — and pour yourself into it. No excuses. No halfway effort.

And for those who really want it?
Here’s the double dog dare:
Pick one area of your life and stay locked in for six months.
Six months of planting the right seeds, watering them daily, believing in the harvest even when you can’t see it yet.
I promise — your life will look different. Your harvest will be beyond what you can even imagine.

Plant with purpose.
Harvest with pride.
It’s your season.

Finishing Last - And Owning It

Have you ever worked your tail off for something… only to realize you weren’t nearly as good as you thought? You crossed the finish line, hit the goal—but the result was a gut check, not a victory lap. It’s in those moments that a question rises:
Do you walk away discouraged, or do you dig deeper and level up?

Yesterday, I competed in my first Spartan DEKA Fit event in Anaheim, California.
Picture this: CrossFit meets a 5K—ten 500-meter runs, and after each one, a brutal workout station: burpees, rowers, sled pushes—you name it. It's a grind.

Since my kidney transplant, I’ve made it my mission to chase hard things. To see where the edge is—and then step over it.
Why? Because I believe most of us live under self-imposed ceilings. We tell ourselves we can’t. We say we’re too tired, too old, too out of shape, too late. But most of the time, we’re just too afraid to try.

Walking into that DEKA Fit venue, I was hit with a wall of intimidation.
Everywhere I looked—shredded dudes, jacked women, elite-level athletes everywhere. You can’t help but compare.
But then… I noticed something.

Mixed in with the sculpted Spartans were people like me. Real people. Carrying extra weight, moving a little slower, faces red with effort. And yet, they were still there—grinding. Not to impress anyone. Not to win.
They were there to prove something to themselves. Just like me.

By the time I hit the last station—Weighted Burpees with a 44-pound Spartan RAM—I was running on fumes. Gassed. Spent. I had to reach deep into a place most people avoid.
When I slammed out that last rep and lifted the weight over my head, I felt it.
Victory. Not because I won. But because I finished.

Truth is… I didn’t get a runner’s high. No wave of adrenaline. Just pure exhaustion.
And later, when I saw my results? I finished second to last in my age group.

Yeah. You read that right. Second. To. Last.

But let me tell you something:
Second to last is better than sitting at home wishing I had tried.

I’m sharing this because someone out there needs to hear it:

• It’s okay to show up and not be perfect.

• It’s okay to try and fall short.

• The courage is in the effort.

• The growth is in the gap between where you are and where you want to be.

I had a choice when I saw those results. I could’ve said, “Welp, that’s not my thing,” and walked away.
Instead, I said: GOOD. Now I know the baseline. Now I know where to work.

I’m competitive as hell, and I don’t accept last place as my destiny. I could make excuses—sick lungs, respiratory infection—but that’s not how I operate. This experience? It’s fuel. It’s fire. It’s the spark I need to go harder next time.

Because this isn’t about beating anyone else.
It’s me vs. me.
Always has been. Always will be.

So ask yourself:
👉 What are you doing to grow?
👉 What are you doing to challenge yourself?
👉 What are you doing to get uncomfortable on purpose?

Whatever the answer is—just don’t let it be nothing.

Welcome to Maselli Mindset

Hello everyone and thank you for visiting my website.  This first blog will be a quick introduction into who I am, what I represent, and what I hope to achieve with this platform.  Maselli Mindset is more than my personal mindset and attitude for life; it is a lifestyle, a commitment, and a framework for others to build upon to create their own personal mindset.

Before we dive too deep into the Maselli Mindset, let’s start with an introduction of me.  I was born into humble beginnings in Oklahoma to teenage parents.  Much of my childhood consisted of one struggle or another; abuse, bullying, frequent moving, addiction, and depression.  I do not mention these for pity but as the foundation that gave me the grit, determination, and resiliency that I possess today.  To be fair, I also experienced modest affluence in my teenage years and gained discipline, strength, and confidence through sports.

As an adult, I continued to struggle with two things; finding my purpose and addiction (which came with a side of depression).  That is until the life changing moment when I learned I had the same kidney disease that has plagued generations of my family.  It was at that turning point moment, that I realized, I had choice in the matter.  I CHOSE to change everything and become the man I had the potential of becoming.  I spent several years overcoming my internal demons and hopefully by sharing my stories, philosophies, and mindset, you too may overcome your demons. I discovered my purpose and that is to help others.

Maselli Mindset is a movement rooted in real life, real struggle, and real growth.  It is about hope, inspiration, motivation, and the spirit of determination that will help you reach your maximum potential.  The goal is to help others understand that our minds are the only thing holding us back from reaching our full potential, and that we all possess the power and ability to change our circumstances and OVERCOME. 

Our mission is to help people face their demons, conquer doubt, and take control of their mindset—so they stop surviving and start living.