weekend report 006: honoring your golden tempo
marked by greatness
Hi friend,
Itâs officially the year of the underdog, especially when it comes to sports. If you were following the NBA playoffs, youâd know that the Sixers came back from a 3-1 deficit against the Celtics and ended up progressing to round 2. Thereâs something beautiful about a team that refuses to give up. If you missed that post, itâs below. Thereâs a ton of history behind that series that was incredible to watch.
But this weekend, I want to spotlight the Kentucky Derby, the most prestigious horse race in America, held every year in Louisville. Honestly, I had no clue what this was other than people dressing up in fancy hats, dresses and suits. Itâs been running since 1875 and is known as âthe most exciting two minutes in sportsâ. Twenty horses compete in a 1.25-mile race for a chance at the Triple Crown.
The Triple Crown is one of horse racing's biggest achievements (like a Super Bowl or NBA Champ). It requires a horse to win three core races in the same year - the Kentucky Derby (May 2), the Preakness Stakes (May 16), and the Belmont Stakes (June 6). Something only 13 horses in history have ever done it.
What made this Derby unforgettable wasn't just that Cherie DeVaux became the first woman trainer to win. It was watching Golden Tempo and the jockey, Jose Ortiz surge from last place to first in the final stretch.
Thereâs something surreal about watching it unfold. Itâs proof that even when youâre dead last, your race isnât over. Things can change suddenly. One moment youâre at the back, wondering if youâll ever catch up. The next, youâre crossing the finish line first.
Cherie DeVaux proves that an "overnight success" is never really overnight. The moment leading up to the win was something she had been preparing for for years. She's been training horses for over 20 years. She started at the bottom, mucking stalls and working her way up. She faced setbacks and rejection in an industry that's historically been dominated by men, but she kept showing up, running her own race, and trusting her process even when no one else believed.
Before 2026, only 19 horses trained by women had entered the Kentucky Derby in over 150 years. The odds were stacked against her, but she didnât let that stop her from trying. You donât enter a race knowing youâll win. You enter for the chance to win. This is what happens when years of preparation meet the right moment. This is what stepping out on faith actually looks like.
This feels like Godâs timing to me. Golden Tempo spent most of that race in last place. But when the moment was right, everything fell into place in seconds. He was exactly where he needed to be, exactly when it mattered.
Which has me thinking: we should honor our own tempo and stop worrying about being last. Stop watching whoâs ahead. Find your opening. Run your race <3
Like Golden Tempo, your moment is coming, itâs just a matter of time.
sporty stuff
NBA semifinals: Knicks (2) vs. Sixers (0)- a battle of the east coast cities. knicks are in the lead!!
wellness tip
switch up your weekend routine. try something different this weekend, even if it's small. new matcha spot, different pilates class time, explore a different neighborhood. switching up your routine reduces the feeling of boredom, builds adaptability, and helps you appreciate your life a little more from a new perspective.
out my cart
flowers for mothers day - i've ordered from freshsends multiple times. very reliable option if you and your mom (or someone you know who's a mom) live in different states <3
memory bank
inspired by footballer, Jalen McMillanâs unique grocery store hobby, my local grocer has basically become my third space too. but instead of trying and collecting off-brand cereals like he does, i'm putting my own spin on it by testing healthier alternatives to popular items i loved growing up.
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first swap: Reeseâs peanut butter cups â Kyze peanut butter chocolate bar
i thought this would be a solid alternative, but i gave one to someone who usually eats reese's cups and they said they could taste the dates. so tread lightly lol. i'd rate this a 6.5/10 replacement. not bad, but not something i'd reach for or reorder.
second swap: Ben & Jerryâs Vanilla â Ice cream for bears vanilla
love ice cream for bears. iâll shout it from the rooftops. it made me forget how much i love ben & jerryâs. 9/10 replacement.
third swap: Pop secret popcorn â Khloud popcorn
i was pleasantly surprised by khloud. itâs good, but the texture is noticeably different with the added protein. 7.5/10. to be fair, i tried the olive oil & sea salt flavor so it wasnât as flavorful as other options might be.