Coach Michael Lathan Jr.

PLAN BEFORE THE SEASON FORCES YOU TO PLAN.

The early part of summer can fool you.

It feels like we have plenty of time before the season starts, but the truth is the season is already coming fast.

If you do not have your stuff together now, August will expose it.

As a Linebacker Coach, I look at summer like this:
The weight room matters.
Speed training matters.
Conditioning matters.
But preparation matters too.

We cannot wait until camp to figure out:
• What we are installing
• How we are teaching it
• Who can communicate
• Who can fit the run
• Who can cover space
• Who can handle pressure
• Who can be trusted on Friday night

Linebacker play is not just about being physical.

It is about seeing it first.
Communicating early.
Moving with purpose.
Striking with violence.
Finishing with discipline.

That does not happen by accident.

You need a plan before you need the plan.

June is for building the install.
July is for sharpening the practice plan.
August is for ex*****on, teaching, evaluation, and finding the best 11.

Do not wait until the season starts to organize your defense.

Build the framework now.

Because once the season gets here, you do not rise to the moment.

You fall back on your preparation.

LINEBACKERS: Learn the calls. Learn the fits. Learn the checks. Learn the standard.

The train is coming.

Be ready before it gets here.

Fact Check: True, But It Needs Context...

A post is circulating online claiming that American pork is banned or heavily restricted in many countries, even though the FDA still allows a controversial feed additive called ractopamine.

The claim is partly true, but the full story is more detailed.

What Is Ractopamine?

Ractopamine is a beta-agonist feed additive used in some livestock production. In pork, it was commonly associated with Paylean. Its purpose is to help pigs gain more lean muscle, reduce fat, and improve feed efficiency before slaughter.

The FDA approved ractopamine for use in pigs and determined it can be used safely when label directions are followed.

Why Do Many Countries Ban Or Restrict It?

Many countries, including the European Union, China, and Russia, ban or restrict ractopamine because of concerns around residue limits, human health uncertainty, and animal welfare.

Critics argue that long-term human safety data is limited and that the drug can create stress-related physical issues in animals.

The Important U.S. Market Nuance

Here is the part many viral posts leave out:

A large portion of the U.S. pork industry has already moved away from ractopamine.

Major pork producers and packers have restricted or eliminated it from their supply chains, not necessarily because the FDA banned it, but because global export markets demand ractopamine-free pork.

That is the business lesson.

Sometimes the market moves before regulation does.

When China, the European Union, and other major buyers reject a product standard, companies adjust because access to global markets matters.

My Takeaway

This is not just a food debate. It is a supply chain, regulation, consumer trust, and global trade issue.

The real question is not just, “Is it legal?”

The better question is:

Does the market still trust it?

That is where the deeper conversation begins.

Sources To Review:

FDA Ractopamine Approval Information:
https://animaldrugsatfda.fda.gov/adafda/app/search/public/document/downloadFoi/50

The Ohio State University College Of Veterinary Medicine:
https://vet.osu.edu/sites/default/files/documents/brochure_ractopamine.pdf

National Institutes Of Health:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9599871

Reuters On Hormel, Tyson, And JBS Supply Chain Changes:
https://www.reuters.com/article/economy/hormel-joins-tyson-foods-jbs-in-removing-drug-banned-by-china-from-hog-supply-idUSKBN20C2QV

Reuters On JBS, Smithfield, And Export Market Pressure:
https://www.reuters.com/article/markets/us/jbs-usa-to-produce-pork-without-growth-drug-banned-by-china-seeking-more-export-idUSL2N26P0Y2

Stay informed. Read beyond the headline. Understand the system.



Stay Solvent! Stay Secure!

solo.to/0xObsidianEnoch | Architecting The Future of Decentralized Trust.

Early mornings still matter!

As a Football Coach, Strength and Conditioning Coach, and Powerlifting Coach, I believe DISCIPLINE is built long before game day. It is built in the quiet hours, in empty gyms, in consistent effort, and in the decision to keep showing up when nobody is watching.

Strength is not just physical....
It is MENTAL!
It is EMOTIONAL!
It is SPIRITUAL!
It is a STANDARD!

This is where TOUGHNESS gets developed.
This is where CONFIDENCE gets earned.
This is where LEADERS separate themselves.

Work first! Talk later!

Most people do not need more hype. They need clearer financial targets.

Pick 3 goals from this list and focus on ex*****on in 2026.

Start with the basics:
Budgeting, Debt Reduction, Emergency Savings, and Long-term Investing.

Financial Literacy is about systems, not shortcuts!

Which 3 are you choosing?