Ben Greenfield Fitness

Key Takeaways

Joe noticed his oldest son was struggling with communication
They created games and activities to fill in the gaps
- “Popsicle stick game”:
  - Pick out someone’s name and a topic and then you have to keep eye contact and have a conversation about that topic for 60 seconds
Ben suggests Rhetoric, a great game to make you speak but also to get to know better your friends and family
“We need to take the best practices that a lot of people put into major organizations and apply them to our family, whether it’s business, sports teams, music world… Everything is well organized but for some reason, our families are just kind of like ‘Let’s just let it happen and hope it works out well.'” – Joe Hashey
How do Joe and Mell involve their children?
- Build a habit of morning exercise
- “5 minutes of morning exercise doesn’t make a world of physical difference but it makes a world of difference in their habits.” – Joe Hashey
- Keep the family workouts fun
Modern-day young men often lack clear rites of passage, leading to confusion about their roles in society
Help them prove to themselves they can do hard things!
Joe climbed Pikes Peak with his 2 sons:
- Gave them a Garmin outdoor watch to signify they are now more in charge of their day
  - Show up on time, decide their habits, etc.
- They also introduced the concept of giving up some childhood items to embrace the next phase of life
“What’s memorable is portable.” – Joe Hashey
Your kids are going to establish values, whether you help teach them or not
“You need to establish core values, not just good values, but great values and the things that you really stand for, instead of just being this kind of margarine of a good life.”– Joe Hashey
They used a technique called “Kill, Keep, or Combine” to select their core values, narrowing them down to 5 or 6 that are most meaningful to their family
Joe and Mell’s family meetings during Saturday or Sunday dinner:
- Start with gratitude (family value embodiment)
- Then go on with discussion topics
- Tough truths: A chance for everyone to say whatever they want
- Weekly commitments
- Complimenting everyone for their contributions
  - Ending meetings with handshakes and hugs
- They don’t want to be told what to do
  - Kids love to be a part of the problem-solving, pointing to the kids for the solutions
  - Always point to children for solutions

Ever found yourself pondering the decisions you'd navigate if life orchestrated an unexpected turn and reshaped your family's journey?

My guests today, Joe and Mell Hashey, had their lives turned upside down in 2020, forcing them to bid farewell to their cherished "dream home" and embark on a 2,000-mile journey to an unfamiliar town, where they knew no one. This transformative experience became the catalyst for the creation of Strong Family Co. — a versatile framework any family can adopt to establish values and cultivate stress-free family leadership.

Joe Hashey earned his Master of Education from Colgate University, where he played football for a few years before four knee surgeries. He went on to become an award-winning high school social studies teacher for eight years and a local youth coach. Mell Hashey is a former social worker turned stay-at-home mom of three.

In college, Joe's father passed away due to preventable health issues. Fueled by a passion for promoting health and wellness, Joe launched a local personal training company dedicated to helping busy adults live longer and healthier lives. He has been a prominent leader in his community for 15 years and was honored as the Chamber of Commerce's Small Business Person of the Year in 2018.

Realizing he was dedicating more time to his business than to his family, Joe swiftly rebalanced. Now, as a business consultant for companies coast to coast, he applies those lessons to guide the most important organization in his life: his family.

Together, the Hasheys penned, Strong Family Guidebook: Your Guide to Raising Confident, Independent, and Resilient Children, a practical guide full of the wisdom that transformed their family into a resilient unit. Joe and Mell emphasize the irreplaceable role parents play in their children's lives, reminding you that amidst career and financial pursuits, parenthood is earned through daily commitment. From organizing family meetings to instilling lasting principles in your children, The Strong Family Guidebook offers an operating system for your family's unique values and dynamics, fostering a resilient family, where individual strengths contribute to the collective magic that binds you together.

For the full show notes, visit: https://bengreenfieldlife.com/strongfamily

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How To Become A Strong Family, Turning Hard Hikes Into Teachable Moments, Raising Confident And Resilient Children & More With Joe And Mell Hashey

Podcast Notes Playlist: Fitness