August 2026
ASHLEY
FREDRICK
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
AUGUST 2026 EDITION
One Year. Still Here. Still Learning.
I almost let this anniversary slip by quietly.
That would have been very on-brand for me a year ago; head down, moving fast, checking the box. But this summer taught me something about that tendency, so I won't let it slide this time.
One year ago, I hit publish on the very first edition of this little newsletter. I didn't have a grand strategy. I didn't know if anyone would read it. I just had something to say, about kindness, about how we don't always know what someone else is carrying, about the way a new season can quietly reset you if you let it. I wrote it, sent it into the world, and hoped it landed somewhere it was needed.
Twelve months and twelve newsletters later, here we are.
Thank you.Genuinely. For opening these, for replying when something hit home, for sharing it with someone you thought needed it. You've made this more than I expected.
What This Summer Taught Me
Somewhere between the slower mornings and the longer evenings, I got clear. Not in a dramatic, lightning-bolt kind of way, more like the way a photo comes into focus when you finally stop moving the camera. Gradually. Then all at once.
I got clear on what I actually want. Not what looks good on paper. Not what I thought I was supposed to be chasing at this point in my career or my life. What Iwant— the kind of work that energizes me, the relationships that fill me up, the version of success that feels like mine and not a borrowed definition I picked up somewhere along the way.
Summer has a way of doing that. It strips back the noise. The calendar slows just enough that you can hear yourself think. And if you're paying attention, it'll show you exactly where you've been saying yes when you meant no, where you've been shrinking when you had every reason to take up space, and where you've been holding back from the things that actually light you up.
I started asking myself a question this summer that I want to pass along to you:
If no one could see what I was doing — no recognition, no applause, no external validation — would I still choose this?
The answers surprised me. Some things I was clinging to out of habit. Some things I had been quietly undervaluing. And some things, some people, some moments, some small daily choices, turned out to be exactly right.
That's the gift of a season when you let it teach you instead of just rushing through it.
September is coming. And with it, the energy (and the leaves!) will shift. Packed calendars, new goals, the feeling that everyone suddenly remembers they have ambitions.
I want to encourage you to carry something from this summer into what's next. Not a resolution. Not a reinvention. Just one thing that got clear for you, one truth you found in the stillness, and letthatbe your anchor as things speed back up.
With love,
P.S. If you’re here for local community events or market updates, don’t worry—I’ve got you covered! You’ll find that link to my local community newsletter here. 👇
This Month's Book Recommendation
The 10X Mentor
by Grant Cardone
📚The 10X Mentorby Grant Cardone -I'm always drawn to books that challenge me to think bigger, not just about what I'm accomplishing, but about who I'm learning from and who I'm helping along the way.
This one reminds me that growth rarely happens in isolation. The right mentor can help you see opportunities differently, shorten the learning curve, challenge the limits you've placed on yourself, and push you toward a bigger version of what's possible.
One of my biggest takeaways? Be intentional about your proximity. Who you surround yourself with matters. Find people who are already operating at the level you want to reach, learn from them, ask better questions — and then turn around and do the same for someone else.
If you're ready to think bigger about your goals, your circle, and your next level, this one is worth adding to your list.
A Recipe Worth Sharing
August means we're one foot in summer, one foot heading toward football season, and this recipe is the perfect bridge.Tailgate Smokiesare ridiculously easy, genuinely crowd-pleasing, and the kind of thing people always ask you to bring.
What you'll need:
1 large package of little smokies (cocktail sausages)
1 cup Heinz ketchup (I used sugar-free!)
1 cup BBQ sauce
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup cranberry sauce
How to make it:Combine all the sauce ingredients in a small slow cooker and stir to combine. Add the smokies, stir to coat, and cook on low for 2–3 hours, until warmed through and the sauce is thick and glossy.
That's it. Set it, forget it, and watch them disappear.
What I'm Loving Right Now
🖥️ This one is a little random, but I’ve been obsessed with my new laptop lap desk, and I had to share it.
It’s the SAIJI Laptop Lap Desk with External Monitor Holder, and as someone who doesn’t always work from a traditional desk, this thing has been a game changer. I’ve used it on the couch, in hotel rooms, and mostly while traveling in the car when I need to get some work done on the road.(Obviously, as the passenger! 😉)
If you’re someone who works from anywhere and everywhere, this one is worth a look.
👉Grab it here:https://amzn.to/3TuLViB
(affiliate link — I only share things I actually use and love!)
🏡Looking forward to:All of it, honestly. The fair is coming, and if you know me, you know I'm showing up for the deep-fried cheese curds and the taffy and absolutely nothing else (no rides for this girl 😂). I have a Nashville trip on the books that's equal parts work and fun, which is honestly my favorite kind. And fall golf is still calling my name; there's nothing quite like being out on the course when the leaves start to turn. Oh, and mums. All the mums. It's a whole thing.
I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU
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See you next month!
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