Monthly Roundup: August 2025

Burnout, reset, and breakthrough: 5 lessons from the ice bath that might just refresh your leadership.

Hey friend,

Every once in a while, leadership needs a shock to the system.

This month brought exactly that, in the form of a cold plunge at a retreat in Southern California. It was freezing. It was humbling. And surprisingly, it was exactly what I needed to reset and reflect.

From that cold clarity came a powerful reminder: 

We all need moments to pause, feel uncomfortable, and come out re-energized.

Below, I’m sharing the leadership lessons that surfaced (pun intended), updates on where the Everybody Leads message is going next, and a few recent podcast convos that are worth a listen.

Let’s dive in. (Ice not required.)

Leadership Insight of the Month

Does Your Leadership Need a Cold Plunge?

This month, I took a literal plunge, into an ice bath at The Oaks retreat center in Southern California.

What started as a 2-minute cold plunge turned into 4 minutes of full-body reset, followed by the welcome warmth of a sauna. 

The experience left me energized, focused, and oddly fired up, not just physically, but as a leader.

It got me thinking: maybe leadership needs its own version of cold plunge therapy.

Whether you're navigating setbacks, battling burnout, or feeling stuck, here are five ways to take a figurative cold plunge:

  • Recover from leadership fatigue by stepping away and reflecting.

  • Build resolve by pushing past discomfort and letting go of doubt.

  • Recharge your creativity and mood through nature, music, or rest.

  • Renew energy by doing what you love with people who lift you up.

  • Refocus by creating accountability with others on the same journey.

Sometimes the best leadership breakthroughs don’t come in a boardroom, they come in a bucket of ice water.

🗺️ Summer Travel Update

This summer has been all about connection and culture around Baker Donelson.

We have now completed the Summer Road Trip and here are all the stats: 

  • 9 weeks of travel

  • 10,372 miles travelled

  • Planes, trains, and automobiles, includes several runs between Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson airport to make connections due to delays; missed flights and extra nights at airport hotels; arriving at DC airport at 1:30 a.m.; tornadic activity near our train travelling from DC to Princeton, and dozens of Uber rides

  • 48 town hall presentations

  • 24 social events (over 50% of which included ice cream of some form or fashion)

  • 19 different hotels

  • Walking the halls in 23 offices and “walking the halls” during Teams calls with The Connective that included over 1,350 colleagues

It’s been energizing, humbling, and incredibly rewarding to hear your stories and see leadership in action across the firm.

🎧 Recent Guest Podcast Appearances – Sharing the Book

I’ve had the privilege of joining some incredible hosts to talk about Everybody Leads, leadership challenges, and what it means to show up with courage and conviction.

🎤 Upcoming Speaking Opportunities

I’m excited to keep sharing the Everybody Leads message in person and virtually over the next few months. 

If you’re nearby or attending one of these events, I’d love to connect.

  • September 27 – Mackrell International Americas Regional Business Meeting, Boston, MA

  • October 2 – State of Alabama EAP Behavioral Health Conference, Montgomery, AL – “Leading and Thriving Holistically through 8 Dimensions of Wellness”

  • October 14 – DRI Leadership Conference, Chicago, IL

  • October 16 – Memphis Bar Leadership Forum, Memphis, TN

✍️ August Book Signing Highlights

One of the true joys of this month was meeting so many of you in person during our August book tour stops.

On August 14, I had the chance to visit Lemuria Books in Jackson, Mississippi, an iconic indie bookstore that’s long supported voices from the South. 

We packed the room, shared stories, and explored what everyday leadership looks like in today’s world.

Then on August 23, we wrapped the month at novel. in Memphis, a vibrant space filled with readers, leaders, and curious minds ready to dive into the Everybody Leads message. 

The conversations were rich, the questions thought-provoking, and the energy electric.

To everyone who came out, thank you. 

These events reminded me again why we wrote this book: to spark meaningful dialogue about leadership that’s bold, human, and accessible to all.

LinkedIn Post of the Month 

Rearview mirrors were flying this weekend, and not just metaphorically.

Over the weekend, I had the incredible opportunity to speak at The Oaks in Southern California for the “Dreaming Up What’s Next” conference.

It was more than just a talk. It was the public launch of Everybody Leads, a dream that's been over 30 years in the making.

The message?

Leadership isn’t a title. It’s influence, and everyone has it.

I shared how that lesson hit me hard as a young lawyer when I made a million-dollar mistake, got publicly scolded, and then, shockingly, got told by my toughest boss that he saw leadership in me.

That conversation rewired everything.

It was the moment I realized I was responsible for stepping up.

To inspire others on their journey, I told three quick stories from the book:

Consistency & Discipline: The daily 8-mile run of “The Raven” in South Beach proves showing up every day can literally change your life.

The Next Right Step: When life feels overwhelming, take a cue from a Disney princess (yes, really) and just do the next right thing.

Rip Off the Rearview Mirror: Inspired by a 1976 car chase movie, I challenged everyone to stop letting past failures drive the future. I even gave out real rearview mirrors for people to toss in the trash.

This wasn’t just about launching a book.

It was about launching a movement, reminding every person that they already lead. You don’t need a new job or a new title.

You just need to step into your influence, every day.

Big gratitude to Bob Goff for helping breathe life into this dream, and to everyone who joined me in SoCal for a moment I’ll never forget.

📘 Order Everybody Leads Today

The hardcover is now available on Amazon!

If the book’s been meaningful to you, I’d be honored if you’d leave a quick review. It takes just 20 seconds and helps share the message with others.

Stay Connected

Are you more of a visual learner?

Catch behind-the-scenes moments, reflections, and leadership nuggets over on Instagram.

Thanks for Reading!

Thanks again for all your support and encouragement. 

Let’s keep showing up, learning, and leading, no matter where the road (or cold plunge) takes us.

Until next time,

Tim