Stronger Together Winter ’26: Build the Base
A Strong Start to the Year
Strong outcomes start with strong foundations, on the jobsite and in our daily habits. As we leave winter behind us its time to reflect on the performance of the crew through the first quarter as they battled less than ideal conditions in the field and worked to improve daily habits simultaneously. This winter, our team put ideas into action with the Stronger Together: Build the Base Challenge, a 21-day initiative focused on consistency, accountability, and building better routines to support both physical and mental well-being.
The Goal: Build Consistency
The challenge was simple by design: 30 minutes of healthy activity every day for 21 days.
From walking and strength training to stretching, recovery, and mindfulness, the focus wasn’t on intensity - it was on showing up every day. Because in construction, just like in life, no matter what conditions you face, consistency is what gets results.
Progress Over Perfection
While completing the full 21-day streak was the goal, the structure of the challenge encouraged something more important: keep going, even if you fall off. Participants who missed a day stayed in the game, with runners-up ranked by total participation days. That approach reinforced a key message behind Stronger Together: It’s not about being perfect, it’s about building momentum.
Habit Swaps in Action
One of the most impactful elements of this challenge was the Habit Swap Bonus. Team members were encouraged to replace one personal habit with a healthier alternative - quietly and intentionally - and log “replaced a habit” in the feed when they followed through.
Across the board, we saw meaningful changes take shape:
Team members working to improve their nutrition
Individuals finding healthier ways to manage stress
Daily routines shifting toward more movement and recovery
These weren’t dramatic overhauls—they were small, repeatable decisions that added up over time. And that’s where real change happens. A big shoutout to Holly Reynolds who showed up in the feed with all sorts of creative replacements and kept moving in tandem.
Recognizing the Leaders
A huge congratulations to our top performers:
🏆 First Place (21-Day Streak):
Tyler Kaelin and Coach Shannon
Their consistency set the tone for the entire challenge and demonstrated exactly what Build the Base was designed to achieve.
🥈 First Runner-Up (Tie):
Kelsea Ennis – 11 activities
Ben Zombek – 10 activities + 1 habit replacement
Great work from our marketing team pushing through and staying engaged throughout the challenge.
Why It Matters
Construction is a demanding industry. The physical strain, long hours, and mental pressure can take a toll over time. That’s why initiatives like Stronger Together, and the broader FORTIFYthePACK mission, exist. They’re designed to create a culture where:
Taking care of your health is part of the job
Managing stress is taken seriously
Supporting your teammates is the standard
Because when individuals get stronger, the entire crew gets stronger.
Looking Ahead
The Build the Base challenge was just the beginning. As we move through 2026, Stronger Together will continue to evolve, placing greater emphasis on holistic health, habit-building, and long-term resilience. The goal isn’t just to complete a challenge. It’s to create habits that last a lifetime.
Built on a Strong Foundation
Over 21 days, our team proved something important: You don’t need a complete overhaul to improve your health. You just need a place to start and the consistency to keep going. As we get ready to launch our next challenge we’re looking forward to easier days in the field with much better weather. Each season brings its challenges however, so our crew will need to stay sharp because we’re hoping that new obstacles will push them to the limit (in the best way)! The goal is for each crew member to discover what they’re capable of so we can get Stronger Together!