I’ve been here before. Starting a challenge with good intentions, seeing some results, feeling motivated… and then watching it all slowly fade away until I’m back where I started.
The 6-week challenge. My own “Sprint 45.” Hell, I’ve probably started and stopped more fitness routines than I can count. Each time, I’d get some benefit from it. I’d feel better, look a little better, have more energy. But the change never stuck.
A few years ago, I finally realized something that changed everything: I wasn’t looking for another quick fix. I was looking for true, lasting change.
That’s when I knew I needed to do 75 Hard.
The Problem: I Was All Over the Place
Before I dive into why 75 Hard, let me paint you a picture of what “all over the place” looked like for me.
I wanted one thing, then I’d task switch to something completely different. I couldn’t get anything done because I was constantly chasing the next shiny object. In fitness, this meant I was always changing my workouts, always trying to find a “better” or “greater” program.
Sound familiar?
I’d spend more time researching the perfect workout split than actually working out. I’d switch from push-pull-legs to upper-lower to full body and back again, convincing myself that this was the missing piece.
But here’s what I finally understood: It was never about finding the perfect program. It was about showing up consistently.
The magic isn’t in the details of your workout routine. The magic is in doing the work, day after day, even when you don’t feel like it.
Why 75 Hard? Why Now?
So what makes 75 Hard different from all those other challenges I tried and abandoned?
First, it’s long enough to create real change. Seventy-five days isn’t a sprint – it’s long enough to build sustainable habits. Most challenges are 6-8 weeks because that sounds manageable, but that’s exactly why they don’t work. You need time to really embed new behaviors into your life.
Second, it’s proven. There are countless stories of people doing 75 Hard and making huge transformations in their lives – not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too. When something works for that many people, you don’t mess with the formula.
And that’s the third reason: you can’t alter it. People always want to modify programs that already work. “What if I did 60 days instead?” “Can I have one cheat meal?” “What if I only do one workout on weekends?” Stop. The program works because it’s non-negotiable.
This Isn’t About Transformation – It’s About Recalibration
Here’s the thing – I’m not starting 75 Hard Phase 1 because I need a dramatic life overhaul. I’m starting it because I need to get back to my disciplined self.
Like all things in life, good habits fall off over time. You need to recalibrate. You need to get back to basics.
For me, 75 Hard isn’t just about the physical aspect. It’s about developing better habits for my business. It’s about creating content that will actually help others. It’s about being the person I know I can be when I’m operating at my best.
I’ve learned that physical discipline equals business discipline. The better I feel physically, the better I move in my business. When I’m taking care of my body, I’m sharper mentally. I make better decisions. I show up with more energy and focus.
My Game Plan
The workouts are actually the easy part for me. I’m training for a 43-mile run on October 18th (yes, that’s my birthday run), so running is already built into my routine. I also lift weights 4-5 times a week. For my second daily workout, I’ll mix in walks and yoga/mobility work as needed.
I map out my workouts at least a week in advance and schedule them like appointments. No room for the old “I’ll figure it out when I get there” mentality.
For nutrition, I’m not trying to lose weight, so I’ve set my focus on hitting 200 grams of protein daily. I’ll still cut out alcohol and avoid the usual suspects – chips, cookies, and other junk that doesn’t serve me.
I’m currently reading “Do Hard Things” and have a queue of books ready to go. Reading for personal development isn’t new for me, but doing it consistently for 75 days will reinforce the habit.
The content creation piece is huge for me. I want to share what’s on my mind, things I’m reading, experiences I’m having that others might find helpful. This challenge gives me a framework to be more intentional about that.
The Ripple Effect
What I’m most excited about is how this will impact every area of my life.
I want to be more present for my family. I want my 5-year-old to see that you can do hard things and there’s a real benefit to it. He might not see the results right away, but he’ll understand that commitment and consistency pay off.
This isn’t my first rodeo – I completed the full Live Hard year last year. But things change, life happens, and you have to adapt. The beautiful thing about 75 Hard is that it meets you where you are and pushes you forward from there.
Reality Check
I’m not going into this blind. My lifestyle is relatively busy – I work from home and have a 5-year-old who keeps life interesting. But I’ve learned to schedule things in advance and adjust when needed.
My wife and some close friends are supporting this journey. I’m tracking all my activities and posting on social media for accountability. Transparency breeds commitment.
I also know my emotions will be up and down throughout this process. That’s not a bug, it’s a feature. Learning to push through when you don’t feel like it is exactly the point.
Why 75 Hard Is Perfect
75 Hard is perfect for where I am right now. It’s not about proving I can do something extreme – it’s about proving I can do the basics consistently.
Two workouts a day. Follow a diet. Drink a gallon of water. Read 10 pages. Take a progress photo. No alcohol. No cheat meals.
Simple? Yes. Easy? Absolutely not.
That’s the beauty of it. The challenge isn’t in the complexity of the tasks. The challenge is in doing them every single day for 75 days straight.
Come Along for the Ride
If you’ve been thinking about doing something hard, about getting back to your disciplined self, or about finally breaking the cycle of starting and stopping – maybe this is your sign.
I’ll be sharing the journey, the ups and downs, the lessons learned along the way. Not because I have it all figured out, but because I believe there’s power in doing hard things together.
The compound effect of discipline is real. Small actions, repeated consistently, create massive change over time.