Dr. Kenney’s Friday 5 Spot
On Fridays, I like to share experiences from my week—both with patients and in my personal life—that have left a meaningful impact. My hope is that these reflections offer you something of value, a bit of insight or encouragement that resonates with your own journey and inspires you in some way.
An important concept. Something I often use in training is what I call “no rep.” When I’m working out or helping my kids exercise, if a repetition is done with poor form or not completed properly, it doesn’t count, plain and simple. Five good reps followed by one sloppy one still equals five, not six. It’s not about being harsh; it’s about reinforcing a standard. If something isn’t done the right way, it won’t produce the intended result. That simple idea extends far beyond the gym. Quality matters, and cutting corners may feel easier in the moment, but it ultimately limits progress.
In life, there’s a big difference between something being “done” and being done well. We often expect results just for showing up or making partial efforts. After a few good days of habits or a brief burst of discipline we sometimes feel entitled and then feel frustrated when outcomes don’t match expectations. Meaningful progress requires consistency, intention, and a commitment to doing things correctly over time. Just like improper reps won’t build strength, half-hearted efforts won’t create meaningful change. It’s worth taking a step back and asking yourself: are your actions truly moving you forward, or are they “no reps”? When you raise your standards and hold yourself accountable to doing things well, real results start to follow.
Something I believe. I feel strongly about the importance of always being ready. As a husband, father, and business owner, I know challenges are inevitable though I don’t know when or how they’ll show up. Therefore, I try to live in a way that prepares me for those moments. That means striving to stay physically capable, mentally strong, and clear-headed so that when I’m needed, I can respond at my best. This mindset influences the choices I make every day. What I put into my body, how I train, what I avoid, and how I develop resilience are all examples. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s preparation.
When a crucial moment or encounter arises, I want to be able to act effectively rather than wishing I had done more beforehand. This doesn’t mean I live in fear of what may occur or expect the worst at all times. Rather, it is about recognizing that preparation is one of the greatest advantages we can give ourselves. In difficult situations, we rarely rise to some new, untested level of greatness. Instead, we fall back on what we’ve consistently practiced. If we avoid challenges, neglect our health, or only seek comfort, we limit our ability to respond when life gets hard. When we train ourselves physically, mentally, and emotionally we build a foundation that allows us to handle adversity more effectively. Becoming the best version of yourself isn’t only about personal growth; it’s about being ready to meet life’s toughest moments with strength, confidence, and clarity.
Something important. I learned early in chiropractic school that real life is rarely as simple as a textbook. We studied thousands of cases with clear symptoms that pointed to a specific diagnosis, but our instructors constantly reminded us that actual patients often present with multiple problems simultaneously. That overlap can make things far more complex and requires a deeper level of observation and understanding. Over time, I realized this principle applies far beyond healthcare and reflects life itself. Multiple things can be true at once, even when they seem to contradict each other. People are no different.
Someone can be kind and well-intentioned yet still make poor decisions. A person with a difficult past can grow into someone trustworthy and admirable, while someone with a polished reputation may be a complete fraud. Life isn’t always clean, predictable, or easily categorized. Recognizing that complexity allows us to approach other people and situations with more perspective and less judgment. Instead of relying solely on assumptions or past impressions, it’s wiser to evaluate what is in front of us right now. We make better decisions when we understand not everything fits neatly into a single box and that multiple things can be true at once.
A good reminder. A recent experience served as a powerful reminder about the value of consistency and trust. I had worked with someone from a company for nearly a decade, and during that time everything ran smoothly. Expectations were clear, communication was easy, and I felt confident recommending their services to others. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, the dynamic changed. I began receiving unnecessary requests, being pushed toward products I didn’t need, and asked to pay significantly more for the same service. I didn’t take this personally, but it was clear that something once simple and reliable had become complicated and clunky.
This reinforced the lesson that trust is built slowly over years but can be weakened in seconds by decisions that feel misaligned or self-serving. People value stability, honesty, and respect. When those are compromised, even slightly, it can create doubt that lingers. While mistakes can be forgiven, they often leave people questioning what else might be hiding beneath the surface. That’s why it’s so important to be intentional in how we act and communicate. When we prioritize integrity and consistency, we strengthen the relationships that matter most instead of putting them at risk
Some quotes I Love.
“We enter the world looking like our parents, but we exit the world looking like our decisions.” – Joe De Sena
“You will come across obstacles in life, both fair and unfair. You will discover time and again that what matters most is not what these obstacles are but how we see them, how we react to them, and our ability to keep our composure.” – Inky Johnson
“People who whine want to feel good before they do something, and people who win do something so they can feel good.”