It's incredible how a simple documentary can change the course of one's life. I recall back when I watched The Iron Cowboy, a documentary of a man's remarkable journey to complete 50 Ironman's in 50 states in 50 days. His feat was nothing short of extraordinary, and it left a deep impression on me. While I watched this incredible story from the comfort of my couch, sipping a beer, I couldn't help but remember of a long-held desire I'd harbored to complete a Spartan race.
The idea of pushing my physical and mental boundaries, navigating challenging obstacles, and testing my endurance had always intrigued me. So, I signed up for a Spartan race that evening. Little did I know that this decision would lead me down a path of self-discovery and personal transformation.
With my Spartan race registration complete, I had some time to prepare. I started training by incorporating cardio into my routine. However, I had a longstanding aversion to cardio workouts, believing they were unnecessary. Little did I know how mistaken I was.
In my first 400 meters, I quickly realized just how out of shape I was. It took me over two hours to complete a distance that many would consider a warm-up. The experience was humbling, to say the least. This experience pushed me outside of my comfort zone. Two months after my first event, I participated in another race of the same distance and managed to cut my time in half. The motivation behind this improvement was a sense of competitiveness that had awoken within me.
It was challenging to accept that individuals whom I considered to be in worse shape than me were outperforming me in these events. My ego couldn't rest until I had a chance at redemption. That first Spartan race became a gateway drug to a relentless pursuit of personal excellence.
My transformation didn't stop with Spartan races. This newfound drive to excel pushed me to explore new horizons. I had no idea how profoundly it would impact my life. That first race pushed me to develop a different level of mental toughness. I learned the value of consistency, resilience, and the importance of pushing through even when the going got tough.
The process of physical and mental transformation was not always easy, but the changes in my life were evident. I began to appreciate the journey of self-improvement and the growth that came with it. The pursuit of excellence was no longer just a goal; it had become a way of life.
My journey didn't begin with that race; it started in late 2013 when I delved into the realm of personal development. I realized the importance of changing my own mental programming and sought to cleanse my mind through a voracious consumption of audiobooks and podcasts.
For years, I understood that a change was required, and I needed a shift in my mindset, so I immersed myself in a sea of knowledge, listening to countless audiobooks and podcasts. At this point in my life, I was still driving long distances, which meant I had 11-14 hours a day to consume information. It was my way of rewiring my thought patterns, and while it may have been effective to an extent, it still was not giving me the change that I was looking for.
One of the most valuable lessons I learned during my journey was that changing our environment doesn't automatically lead to personal transformation. We might shift jobs, move across the nation, change organizations, or relationships, thinking the external change will solve our problems. However, we tend to carry ourselves with us, and that means our patterns of thinking and behavior remain unchanged.
Think about the friend who constantly changes jobs or jumps from one relationship to another, always claiming that someone else is the problem. Even if there's an element of truth in their environmental issues, there's often a common denominator in their recurring problems, themselves. Personal growth and transformation require a change within, regardless of our surroundings.
As I embarked on my personal development journey, I made significant strides in some areas of my life. I had shifted my eating habits, physical activity and created someone I was proud of over the years. I had even met the woman of my dreams and gotten married, and we had started to build a life that I had never imagined. However, I also encountered failures and shortcomings in other aspects. It was during this period of exploration that I stumbled upon the "MFCEO" podcast.
The "MFCEO" podcast, which stands for "The Mother F**king CEO," proved to be one of the turning points in my life. I was drawn into the podcast's content, which was centered around personal development, success, and entrepreneurship. I couldn't help but be captivated by the hosts' insights, particularly during Episode 208, where they discussed the Livehard program.
Livehard was the catalyst that accelerated my journey of personal transformation. The program focused on developing discipline, mental toughness, and self-improvement through a regimen of daily tasks. Total commitment to a set of tasks, without compromise, is unheard of these days. Offering an extended duration, committing to a year long program focusing on physical fitness, mental resilience, and personal development seemed uncommon so I was in.
It pushed me to break free from my comfort zone, develop grit, and embrace consistency. My mental fortitude improved, and my sense of self-discipline grew stronger. The journey wasn't always easy, but the results were evident. I changed more than I could have ever imagined.
Stop wishing and start doing. The only thing that stopped me from running my first Spartan race was a decision. The documentaries, podcasts, and programs I encountered along the way were all unexpected stepping stones in this path of personal growth and it is an ongoing process. Changing our surroundings is just one aspect; however developing these skills is where the real magic happens. It's never too late to embark on your journey on the path of personal excellence, whether through physical challenges like Spartan races or comprehensive mental toughness program like Livehard. The choice to start is the first step to a life filled with personal excellence. Remember the journey of 1000 steps starts with one. Day one is today because one day is never the right answer.