One Honest Choice at a Time - Homemade Soft Pretzels

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He grew up running on dirt roads in South Africa, chasing opportunity one mile at a time. Coming out of a country still finding its footing on the world stage, he became one of the most respected and consistent distance runners of his era. Willie Mtolo represented South Africa internationally, winning major road races and competing at the Olympics, all without much fanfare. He wasn’t known for flashy finishes or headlines, but for showing up, doing the work, and finishing strong. His career was built on persistence, and this quote reflects that steady, unglamorous commitment to the process..

The Warm Up

New goals don’t magically deliver new results. New lifestyles do. And a lifestyle isn’t an outcome you arrive at, it’s a process you commit to. That’s why chasing big wins rarely works on its own. What does work is proving it to yourself, quietly, through small wins stacked day after day.
 
You don’t build confidence by declaring who you want to be. You build it by keeping small promises. Lace up when you said you would. Read a few pages. Show up tired and do the work anyway. Those moments might not look impressive, but they matter because they create evidence. And evidence is powerful.
 
The goal isn’t to run a race, it’s to become someone who runs. The goal isn’t to train hard for a season, it’s to become disciplined. Every action you take casts a vote for the person you’re becoming. One vote won’t change everything, but enough of them will change how you see yourself.
 
Focus on the identity you want to build. Let the results follow.

Show up! Put in the work! Regroup! Put in the work! Don't quit! Believe in yourself! Develop your skills! Process > outcome! Be okay with uncomfortable! Compete!

The Journey


Winter miles ask more of you. Dark mornings, cold air, stiff legs. The Summit Run Tights remove one excuse from the equation. Italian-made, brushed fabric adds warmth without bulk, breathes when the work heats up, and fits the way it should, secure, compressive, comfortable. Pockets where you need them, details that matter, nothing extra. Get out the door. Take the long way home.

Meal Time


Growing up, about once a month my family would make the trip to University Mall. It usually revolved around an errand my father needed to run at Sears, but the real highlight for me was Hot Sam’s Pretzels. Giant soft pretzels, about the size of my face as a nine-year-old, served on a stick and dunked in hot cheddar cheese sauce.

Fast forward a few decades and I’m still a sucker for a mall pretzel, though if I’m being completely honest, they’re not quite as good these days, which usually lands me at Cinnabon instead. My son loves soft pretzels, so when I came across this recipe I decided to make them on New Year’s Eve. They were shockingly easy and turned out even better than I imagined. I made a mix of traditional pretzels and pretzel bites, served them with cheese dip, and then accidentally discovered the real winner. I pulled a few out, tossed them in melted butter, and coated them in cinnamon sugar. Oh man. You’ve got to try that.

Homemade Soft Pretzels

Ingredients

  • 2¼ tsp active dry yeast

  • 2 tbsp brown sugar

  • 1½ cups warm water

  • 4½ cups all-purpose flour

  • ¼ cup olive oil

  • 1½ tsp salt

For the Boil

  • 8 cups water

  • ⅓ cup baking soda

For Baking

  • 1 egg, beaten (egg wash)

  • Coarse salt (optional)

Optional Cinnamon Sugar Finish

  • 3 tbsp melted butter

  • ¼ cup sugar

  • 1½ tsp cinnamon

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and brown sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.

  2. Add olive oil, salt, and flour. Mix until a dough forms, then knead for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic.

  3. Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise for 60 minutes or until doubled in size.

  4. Preheat oven to 425°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

  5. Bring water and baking soda to a boil.

  6. Divide dough into pieces. Shape into pretzels or cut into 1½-inch pieces for pretzel bites.

  7. Boil each piece for 20–30 seconds, then transfer to baking sheet.

  8. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with coarse salt if desired.

  9. Bake for 12–15 minutes until deep golden brown.

Cinnamon Sugar Option:
While warm, toss pretzels or bites in melted butter, then coat generously with cinnamon sugar.

This is What I Heard


This week’s video stopped me in my tracks. Not because I’m into beatboxing, I’m not, but because it’s hard to believe what you’re watching is actually being done by one person, with no instruments, no editing tricks, and no backing track. Just lungs, lips, tongue, and an absurd level of control.
 
It’s one of those rare performances where the how is more impressive than the what. You don’t need to understand the craft to recognize mastery when you see it. The precision, timing, and physical awareness required are wild, and by about 30 seconds in you’ll probably find yourself shaking your head a little, wondering how this is even possible.
 
Even if you’ve never searched for beatboxing in your life, this one is worth a few minutes. 
 
Pure human capability on display.

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