The Making Of Newsletter: The Marathon Mindset 🏃‍♂️

This week, we’re bringing you a special, intimate episode of The Making Of. No high-end studio, no fancy lighting. Just co-host Ashley Joves, her husband Brian, and Collin Al-Samarrie passing a mic around a living room.

It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s a perfect snapshot of the "Not Alone" mission we live by. Whether you’re navigating the chaos of a startup or the hurdles of life, we’re all just "rolling with the punches" together.

The Challenge: From Recovery to the Finish Line

The biggest update? Brian is turning his recovery into a race. After facing "all this fun cancer stuff" over the past few months, he has officially challenged Ashley (and now a very enthusiastic Collin) to run the California International Marathon (CIM) this December.

For Brian, this isn't about setting a PR, it’s about regaining control. After a season of chemo where his body didn't always respond the way he hoped, he’s ready to take the wheel back.

"I really just can't wait to get to the point where it feels like I have some semblance of control... this is now my turn to take over." — Brian

Mindset: Miracles & "The Monster"

The news on the health front is nothing short of miraculous. Brian’s recent PET scan showed no evidence of the original tumor. While that's cause for major celebration, the specialists are clear: the surgery must go on. To leave even a single dysplastic cell behind is to risk "creating a monster" that might not respond to chemo a second time.

Ashley and Brian are leaning on faith, prayer, and a focused optimism as they head into a major surgery and a week-long hospital stay. As Ashley puts it, she’s ready to run this marathon…literally and figuratively.

High-Tech Health: The Gemini Personal Trainer

In true The Making Of fashion, we talked about how technology is bridging the gap in our wellness journeys. Collin shared how she’s been using Gemini AI as a digital personal trainer and nutritionist:

• Form & Function: While it can't replace the eye of a pro, it simplifies the "how-to" of building a routine.

• Tracking Progress: From uploading workout notes to linking YouTube tutorials, it’s a reminder that we have tools at our fingertips to start building our future today.

Fueling the Mission: Sourdough & Plant-Forward Living

The conversation wouldn't be complete without a look at how we’re fueling our bodies through the stress:

• The Bread Experiment: Ashley is taking her sourdough obsession to the next level with a "macerated grape" starter.

• Plant-Forward Healing: Brian and Ashley are leaning into a whole-food, plant-based diet to aid recovery. Getting 170g of protein on a plant-based diet isn't easy (and we still have nightmares about the chalky vegan protein powders of 2011), but they are finding their rhythm with tofu, chickpeas, and a lot of discipline.

Not Alone in the "Messy Middle"

From Collin’s skin health scare to Brian’s upcoming surgery and radiation, this episode reminds us that wellness isn't a straight line. It’s a series of pivots, challenges, and support systems.

We aren't just a community that focuses on "not being alone in dentistry", we are a community that ensures you aren't alone in life.

Listen to the Full Episode

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A Special Request for Our Tribe 🙏✨

As many of you know, the heart of The Making Of has always been about more than just business; it’s about the people behind it. This week, we are asking our community to rally around two of our own.

Brian is heading into major surgery this week. While the recent news of his tumor’s response has been nothing short of miraculous, this next step is a significant one. It involves a long road of healing, including a stay in the ICU and a focused recovery period.

We talk a lot about "not being alone" in this profession, but this is where that mission truly comes to life. We are asking for your prayers, positive energy, and thoughts for Brian, Ashley, and their family.

• For Brian: Strength for his body, precision for his surgical team, and a peaceful, steady recovery.

• For Ashley: Comfort, endurance, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing she has a whole community standing behind her.

Ashley and Brian have always been the first to offer support to others in their "messy years." Let’s make sure they feel that same love and strength coming back to them tenfold this week.

Until next week, your TMO crew

Find @ashleyjovesdds / @themaking.of / www.themakingofpodcast.com

P.S. Don’t forget to leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts—it helps other dentists find us and fuels this mission we believe in so deeply.