Welcome to the first Shred Letter.

Every week, the same three things: a member spotlight, a story, and something from the heart. No fluff.

This week hit different. Let’s get into it.

Paul grew up in LA. Went to SDSU. Became a lawyer — then heard the call to go build something of his own, and live life on his own terms. Today he runs one of the largest independently owned skincare brands on the planet. Beautiful family. Married, two young kids.

The Pain Cave sits on his street. He didn’t ask for it. Back in the very beginning — before we ever called it Shred — he got invited over for a workout, and he just kept coming back. Most of the OG guys from those early days have long dropped off. Paul never did. He carried the spirit of what we stand for before we even had a name for it, and helped shape and co-create the whole thing.

Successful, but humble. Loves pain — especially on a Saturday, when everything’s on the line. A guy you can always depend on. As genuine as they come. The life of the party, and the one you can hand your darkest secrets to with zero judgment. He believes in you when you don’t believe in yourself, and he sees the best in everyone.

He’s what hard work and consistency look like, applied to a whole life.

I’ve got a hundred Paul stories, but one says it best: his first Hyrox. Aidan had signed up for a Hyrox Pro solo — and his partner bailed at the last minute. Aidan didn’t want to go alone, so Paul volunteered to drive up and compete in the pro division right beside him. One week to prepare. How hard could it be?

Pretty hard. For perspective: Paul wasn’t running at all, and had never once practiced a wall ball. That painful night taught him a lot of things — but the one that stuck is a phrase he still uses to this day: “Fu*k you, Aidan.”

That’s the point. Paul will put it all on the line for the crew. He does it as a friend, in everyday life — and he does it every Saturday he shows up to shred.

Look at the two photos. Shred changed him. And just as much as Shred changed him, he’s elevated the group — and every person who’s crossed his path.

This week, Paul lost his dad.

Barry Richards was a legend before most of us were born. D.C.’s “Boss with the Hot Sauce” — the rock-and-roll DJ who put progressive rock, soul and metal on the air when nobody else would, hosted his own wild TV shows, and booked Led Zeppelin in 1969, before the world knew their name. He lived loud, free, and entirely on his own terms. He was 83.

When Barry passed, Paul had the weight of the world on his shoulders. But he didn’t have to carry it alone.

Guys just rallied. Our neighbor Jeremy Ricks — Jerbear — programmed an impromptu Shred for Sunday afternoon to honor Paul and Barry. On almost no notice, Ken, Derek, and Jeff showed up — alongside me, Jerbear, and Paul. Just brothers on a street, sweating and hurting together, for one of their own.

That’s the part they don’t tell you when you join. Once you shred, you’ve got a brotherhood for life. You never have to go through anything alone again.

Afterward we moved it to Jerbear’s new place for a pool day — and raised a round of slivovitz, Barry’s drink, to the only toast that ever fit the man:

Paul taught us he’s always there — and that none of us has to do it alone. This week, on one of his darkest days, on a blazing hot Sunday in the street and in the Pain Cave, his neighbors and friends got to give it back. We don’t suffer alone.

And the lessons Paul carries from his dad, he’s passed to me: Find out who you actually are. Surround yourself with the people and the things that light you up. Don’t take a second of it too seriously. Enjoy your time here before you head home.

Do that, and you’ve already won the game of life.

Start where you are. A street, a few good people, and a Saturday is enough.

Tag @thesaturdayshred when you show up. We’ll find you.

P.S. The only rule: if you say you’re in, you show up. This week, six men proved they meant it.