Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton was known as "Sweetness."

As far as running backs go, he was never the fastest, never the strongest, never the biggest.

Walter Payton was the best, however.

In an era when running backs were kings in the NFL, Payton nevertheless ended his career as the all-time leading rusher in NFL history. Though Emmitt Smith eventually shattered Payton's all-time rushing record, Sweetness remains second on the career rushing list with 16,726 yards.

Payton was not merely a "natural" athlete. When he began high school, he wasn't even a football player. He was a drummer in the marching band that played at the games. He also ran track and sang in the school choir.

Walter's older brother Eddie, also a future NFL running back, was the star player, and after he graduated, the coach asked Walter to play. Sweetness agreed, but on the condition that he still be allowed to play in the band.

He found success only as he committed to the sport he eventually came to love. Walter Payton was obsessive as he honed his fitness and trained his own mental toughness as a youngster in Mississippi.

When he got to the Bears, he found a hill in Arlington Heights, Illinois, a northwestern suburb of Chicago. The hill is now known as "Payton's Hill." Every morning—during the season—Walter showed up and ran sprints up the hill.

Payton knew that he had to push himself beyond the limitations he'd set, both mentally and physically, to become a champion. The Chicago Bears won Super Bowl XX.

During the offseason, Payton would return home and run sprints on the banks of the Pearl River during the hottest part of the Mississippi summers. It was there that he also built himself an obstacle course to train on.

What did he need for his training? Not much. Workout clothes it seems. Payton willed himself to be the best.

Walter Payton was named to nine Pro Bowls and missed just one game in his 13-year career. Mostly because he trained on that hill. Every day.

What is your "hill"—something you can dominate each day to get an edge on your competition?

Remember: Greatness comes with consistently doing things others cannot or will not do. It is not about being the most talented.

Take action on one thing. You will deserve the success that follows.

As always,

Brian

P.S.— Something else imbued with sweetness (and spice) is our brand-new Naturally Ordered Hot Sauce. I never thought I'd be in the hot sauce game, but it was another hill to climb, so I did it.

I just knocked the price down over half a few minutes ago. It will go up again in a few days.

Also…

Thanks to some loser troll on 𝕏–Twitter who called me a "failed journalist," I decided to let people find out for themselves and enjoy the trial issue of our quarterly magazine, the Los Gatos Review, for free. Though you have the option to support at any level you feel comfortable:

The next issue will be published prior to Thanksgiving and it will be digital as well. We plan to have the print edition out early in 2025. We have great things planned.

Hopefully some journalism. I welcome failure.