On the other side of struggle is greatness

Tonight I was watching an interview with David Goggins on Impact Theory, “an interview series that explores the mindsets of the world’s highest achievers to learn their secrets of success”. Among his many achievements, David is the world record holder for the most pull-ups done in 24 hours. One thing that came up in tonight’s conversation that really stuck with me is “why some people run away from struggle and others persevere in the face of struggle?”

In society we are conditioned to perceive struggle as a form of suffering and therefore we shield ourselves against uncomfortable situations. By taking solace in mediocracy or certainty we stop taking risks. We become complacent and therefore stagnant. Greatness comes from struggle; from facing the odds even when they are against us. When I find myself being crippled by fear I ask myself “What is the best that can happen in this situation?” Usually we assume the vantage point of the worst case scenario. But what if we stop for a second and consider the best possible outcome? When we expect good things will happen to us, we generally have positive experiences.

I personally have always been the type of person who likes confronting my fears and any situation I perceive as difficult because this is how we grow. To really change yourself you have to be willing to chase everything you are afraid of. You have to choose to be comfortable with the uncomfortable. This is the only way you can ever make it out on the other side of struggle.

I used to have a crippling fear of heights so to help me overcome this I road on the highest roller coasters, jumped out of an airplane, went hang-gliding, and harnessed myself to a sling-shot swing. I went chasing my fear. And guess what? I’m still here and my conscience is still in tact.

Many people know about my success as a track and field athlete, but what they don’t know is the struggle it took for me to get there. I started as an underdog and it took me having to train every single day, 11 months straight to get me to a point in my career where I could compete against the top runners in my college. It wasn’t until my sophomore year of college that I claimed the record in the 1000 meters.

We have to recondition the role fear plays in our life, in our choices, in our habits, in our relationships, and in the way we view ourselves. Struggle is a necessary evil to better ourselves. We need to attack each new day by doing something we are proud of.