2024 Year in Review
A recap of the things that made 2024 great
NOTE: This is a bonus issue of The Field Review, a little something extra to round out 2024. TFR-035 will still hit your inbox at 10AM EST Sunday morning as it always does.
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As the year wraps up, I find myself looking back at the things that filled the last 365 days. These are the professional and personal highlights, books I read, the places we visited, my food and drink recommendations, the gear I relied on, and the moments that stood out—not curated to impress, but gathered to remember.
P.S. This is more for me than it is for you. None of the links are sponsored.
The Work
2024 has been a year of experimentation, growth, and steady progress. It’s been about learning what works, what doesn’t, and where to focus my time.
Career Milestones:
Started a new job with a new agency in February 2024.
Worked with 13 clients spanning from hospital healthcare systems to scuba dive shops.
Some projects were deep and transformative; others were shorter engagements. Every single one taught me something new about strategy, execution, and, most importantly, the people that run businesses.
The Field Review:
Launched in April 2024, and Sunday will mark its 35th issue. I’ve posted every week since April 2 and intend to keep that streak alive.
Experimented with spinoffs like The Outfitter Guide (shut it down to focus on TFR) and began building The SCOUT Newsletter to explore marketing and strategy insights.
As of today, there are 134 of you who take the time to read my thoughts on life, work, and the outdoors. I can’t thank you enough.
My singular purpose with these letters is to provide value—if that ever wavers, I hope you’ll let me know.
Reading and Inspiration: I’ve found inspiration in great Substack writers this year. If you’re looking for something new, I recommend:
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I’m always on the look out for new publications AND recommendations. Let me know who I’m missing.
The Books
This year brought a mix of eye-openers, life-guides, and old-fashioned storytelling. Here are the ones that stuck with me:
Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara
Required reading at our agency this year, and it didn’t disappoint. Lessons on intentionality and relationships apply across professions.
Intention means every decision, from the most obviously significant to the seemingly mundane, matters.
Also, if you’re a fan of FX’s The Bear, Guidara was a producer on Season 2, and many of the episodes draw directly from this book.
Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey
If you pick one audiobook in your life, let it be this one. Listening to McConaughey recount his stories is an experience in itself. The book is packed with wisdom, some deeply profound, some uniquely McConaughey.
The sooner we become less impressed with our life, our accomplishments, our career, our relationships, the prospects in front of us—the more we become less impressed and more involved with these things the sooner we get better at them.
I will say the first half of this book was more helpful to me personally. The second half leaned into wealth and fame, which felt a bit out of reach for the rest of us common folk.
Atomic Habits by James Clear
A solid book, but I’ll say it: a little overhyped. It’s practical, but I got more inspiration listening to Nick Saban talk about process than I did reading about exercise routines and habit loops.
By putting systems first, you fall in love with the process rather the product.
Shoe Dog by Phil Knight
This might be the best book I read this year. It’s a raw, unvarnished look at the fight to build Nike. Not everything was glamorous, but that’s what made it so real.
I wanted to leave a mark on the world. I wanted to win.
No, that’s not right. I simply didn’t want to lose.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
This isn’t a self-help book in the traditional sense; it’s more of a guide to letting go of things that don’t matter and focusing on what does.
I wrote an entire TFR review on this book HERE.
When we choose better values, we are able to divert our f*cks to something better—towards things that matter, things that improve the state of our wellbeing, and that generate happiness, pleasure, and success as side effects.
Pro Tip: The blaze orange jacket is impossible to miss—and hard to carry in public without a few raised eyebrows. If you’re reading it on a train or in a coffee shop, you might want to leave the cover behind to avoid curious glances.
The Optimist & The Believer by
Coggins introduced me to a world of thoughtful outdoor writing I didn’t know I needed. These two books about fly fishing are about far more than just lessons on how to fish. They’re about failure, patience, and the art of living deliberately.
Things go wrong when you fish, and those chances increase when you’re in a boat. Often this has to do with what’s known as human error. This is the preferred term because it doesn’t name the human who made the error, especially when that human is me.
THE OPTIMIST
Being acceptable can get you through enough doors, angling or otherwise, and a confident delivery can get you the rest of the way.
THE BELIEVER
For more Coggins, check out
on Substack.The Places
2024 was a year of movement—some planned, some spontaneous. Every destination added a little more color to the year:
The Bahamas: My wife and I kicked off the year with blue water and sunshine.
Fort Lauderdale, FL: April brought a bachelor party, proving that beaches and hidden beers still pair well.
Asheville, NC: In June, we celebrated my cousin’s wedding at the historic Biltmore Estate.
Seaside, FL: July gave us a full week of pristine beaches and great seafood.
Nashville, TN: The month of July wrapped up with live music and a memorable Airbnb story.
Italy: September was the crown jewel—Florence, Positano, and Rome reminded us why Italy is the gold standard for history, food, and wine.
Boulder, CO: A company HQ at the base of the Rockies definitely has some perks. Three visits this year with another scheduled in January.
The Milestones
2024 wasn’t just about where we went; it was about what we achieved, celebrated and mourned along the way:
Total Solar Eclipse: In April, we were lucky enough to be in the path of totality for a total solar eclipse, something I won’t soon forget.
Graduation, Round Two: In May, I completed my MBA program, getting my hands on my second degree from The Ohio State University.
One Year Married: June marked our first wedding anniversary—a milestone that felt like it came equally as fast as it was slow. Guess that’s what happens when you’ve been together for ten years.
Ohio State Loses (Again) to TTUN: It’s painful to include this one. But it must be included to verify the authenticity of this yearly record.
The Outdoors
This year wasn’t my most productive in the field or on the water, but it was filled with learning, patience, and stories worth retelling.
Waterfowl: Finished the 2023 season exploring new public areas but came home empty-handed. The 2024 season has been slow, with three public land hunts so far. Unseasonably warm weather (hello, 60 degrees in December) isn’t helping, but there’s still time to finish strong.
Turkey: Got out three times in April but came up short. Heard plenty of gobbles, though, and learned more about one of my favorite public land spots.
Deer: Sixteen sits, one December doe. Bucks evaded me again, but there’s always next year. This season taught me patience and made me excited for the next.
Fishing: Business trips to Colorado gave me new waters to explore and plenty of lessons learned. Now I just need to stop breaking my rods.
The Things
I’ve always believed that what you carry says a lot about who you are, and this list reflects the tools, essentials, and just plain cool things that helped define my year.
3.5-inch high carbon steel blade made in the USA. Hasn’t left my pocket since Christmas last year.
2024 is filled. 2025 is waiting to be cracked.
Nothing makes you appreciate waterproof gear more than getting caught on top of a mountain in a lightning storm chasing turkeys.
The Lot Beer Co. Never Say Die Midwest IPA
The first stop on my hometown brewery crawl. The next time you find yourself in Granville, Ohio this one’s on me.
Colosseum Ohio State Letterman Full-Snap Varsity Jacket
An early Christmas present from my wife. Proven effective against Volunteers, not yet proven to beat Wolverines.
The only decoys I’ll ever buy.
“Why are you wearing those everywhere?” - My wife
If I could only wear one shirt for the rest of my life, this is it. I have enough of them to share, but I won’t.
Henry Big Boy .44 Mag Lever Action Rifle
This Midwest cowboy’s rifle of choice.
Turns anyone into a pitmaster—brisket, venison, fish, vegetables, you name it.
Durable jeans that feel like actual jeans—not leggings disguised as denim.
Black Rifle Coffee Company Flying Elk Light Roast
Three cups of this and I turn into a flying elk.
Does it look badass? Absolutely. Does it make me a better golfer? Absolutely not.
E. H. Taylor Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey
This stays on the list every year for good reason.
Ray Ban RB3025 Polarized Aviators
A classic that’s hard to beat.
The Food and Drink
Here are a few memorable restaurants, food and drinks that deserve a toast:
Old Elk Blended Straight Bourbon Whiskey: Normally, I'm not one for blends, but this one was a staple on my shelf this year. If you’re a fan of smooth, versatile bourbon, check it out—or, better yet, visit The Reserve in Fort Collins, CO.
Grayton Seafood Company, South Walton, FL: Our last dinner during our 30A vacation, and it didn’t disappoint. Everything you’d want from a Florida seafood spot.
Green Man Brewery, Asheville, NC: One of the stops on our DIY brewery crawl in Asheville. I highly recommend pairing a Wayfarer IPA with a pizza.
Small Axe Ale from Three Tigers Brewing, Granville, OH: A Friday night staple from my hometown brewery. Best enjoyed with good company.
Barstool Nashville: I’m not a die-hard Stoolie, but I have to say this spot off Broadway is criminally underrated. If you’re starting your day-drinking adventures at 10 a.m. like we did, this is the perfect place to cool down, catch a game, devour an Appetizer Power Tower, and recharge before diving back into the chaos of Broadway.
Ghostwriter Public House and Taproom, Johnstown, OH: You’d never guess a place this cool would be tucked into such a small town. It’s proof that great things can be hidden in unexpected places.
Italy Recommendations:
Florence:
Start your morning at Caffe Gilli and do it as many times as possible.
Go to Osteria Pastella for their truffle pasta cooked in a massive wheel of cheese right at your table.
Bonus: if they knock over your wine glass and it spills all over your lap, they’ll bring you a fresh one—for free.
Also add Trattoria 13 Gobbi to the list. Ask your waiter to “surprise us” and prepare to be amazed.
Take a Chianti Classico wine tour. Even if you’re not into wine—it’s worth it.
Positano:
Grab an aperitif at Il Tridente. I’d pay for the view by itself.
For dinner, eat on the street at Da Vincenzo. If you’re an early-arriving American, you might just score some complimentary wine while you wait. We LOVE Italy.
Rome:
Stay in Trastevere. Don’t consider staying anywhere else. It’s the heart of Rome with a soul of its own.
For food, hit up Mimi e Coco or, if you’re patient, brave the line at Da Enzo Al 29. And yes, you’ll probably enjoy a couple of glasses of wine while waiting—because, again, Italy.
The Soundtrack
The music you listen to says a lot about the year you’ve had. These are the some of songs that kept me company.
See You On The Other Side
As I look back on 2024, it feels like a year of growth in every sense of the word. I’ve taken on new challenges, made mistakes, and learned a lot about a lot of different things.
I will say that starting The Field Review has been one of the most fulfilling parts of this year.
Consistent and engaged readership is a gift I don’t take lightly.
Professionally, this year has shown me the importance of adaptability and responsibility. Personally, it’s reminded me that the most valuable thing you can give anyone is your time and attention.
So here’s to 2024, with all its highs and lows, lessons and laughs. And here’s to 2025, a year I’m ready to meet.
Thank you for being part of this journey.
Venture Onward,
Jack
Jack thanks for the Backstage Pass shoutout. You clearly lived a full and rich 2024, congrats!
As always, a thought provoking and enlightening read. Appreciate your friendship and outlook, Jack.
Cheers to 2025 and adventures to be had