Certified High-Performance coach, speaker, author, husband, adventurer, former commando-paratrooper, and tsunami survivor.
Have you faced something difficult recently? Hit a challenge that pushed you to your limits? I know I have—and I’m willing to bet you have too. That’s just how life works. Challenges are inevitable, but how we face them is what truly matters.
Life is…
How would you finish the sentence?
Hard? Beautiful? Fun? Difficult? Exciting?
Life is the full spectrum of emotions. We decide what label to put on it, but the truth is, life just is. When it’s positive, we don’t think twice. But when it’s negative, that’s when we struggle. No one is ever truly prepared for adversity, yet we all know that life comes with uncertainty, pain, and constant effort. So how do we handle it? Do we react, or can we become stronger and more creative in the face of these challenges?
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When you hear the phrase “doing hard things,” how does it make you feel? Do you cringe, or does it spark something in you? The experiences we go through shape how we see the world, and how we experience life. What if, by pushing ourselves through specific challenges, we could experience reality differently?
In April 2024, I began my journey of hiking from the Mexican border, all the way to Canada on the Pacific Crest Trail. Over five months and more than 4000km, I changed more than just my physical endurance. Doing hard things—embracing those long, exhausting days—changed my mindset.
A few months after returning to civilization, I decided to run a marathon. Now, here’s the thing: I’m not a fan of running. In fact, I hadn’t run in the past two years. I wouldn’t exactly recommend running a marathon without training; it’s kind of a stupid move. But here’s my defense: after walking more than 4000km on the trail, my bones, ligaments, and tendons were pretty well-conditioned. So, I figured I’d be okay and wouldn’t risk injury.
Let me tell you, though, I suffered! After 30 kilometers, the pain was unbearable. I just wanted to stop and walk. Technically, I could—nobody was forcing me to keep running, and who would even notice? But then I remembered this quote: “The way you do anything is the way you do everything.” If I gave up now, what would that say about how I handle life’s challenges? Who do I choose to be? A quitter or a fighter?
I couldn’t stop, couldn’t give in. I had to face the discomfort and let it teach me something. So, I focused on the fact that the race wouldn’t last forever. The finish line was coming, and the pain would eventually fade. I kept repeating to myself, “The way I do anything is the way I do everything,” “If I quit today, I’ll quit again in the future.” That mantra kept me moving, step by painful step.
You see, when we put ourselves through tough situations, we don’t just grow physically—we learn to adapt, overcome, and become mentally tougher. That’s why I believe so strongly in pushing ourselves to the limit. Tough situations force us to become more resilient, adaptable, and innovative. It’s been said that “You can’t solve a problem with the same mind that created it.” And I believe that. Staying in the “known” will keep you comfortable, but it won’t help you build resilience. We are forced to grow when we face adversity.
My idea is to use outdoor adventures to build mental toughness and spark creativity.
Outdoor adventures are one of the most effective ways to put yourself into challenging situations that accelerate growth. Whether it’s hiking, kayaking, cycling or just being in nature, these activities take you out of the ordinary and put you face-to-face with the unknown. Nature isn’t predictable. It’s demanding. It’s uncomfortable. And that’s what makes it the perfect place for personal development.
Many studies show that nature heals, lowers stress, and enhances our mood. And I confirm, after spending months in the wilderness, I felt more connected to myself and the world around me than I ever did in a city.
Ever heard of The Medici Effect? It’s the idea that breakthrough ideas emerge when different perspectives, disciplines, or environments intersect. When you take yourself out of the familiar and put yourself in a radically different environment, your brain begins to function differently. You’re exposed to new stimuli—unpredictable weather, unfamiliar landscapes, and unexpected challenges. Your brain rewires itself to adapt, increasing creativity and problem-solving skills.
Take the Swiss engineer who invented Velcro after observing how burrs clung to his dog’s fur while walking in the forest. He combined biology with engineering to create something revolutionary. Outdoor adventures provide that same kind of cross-pollination between experience, creativity, and problem-solving. Every challenge you face forces you to think differently, to be more resourceful.
Last year, I stood (proudly) on the summit of the Chimborazo volcano in Ecuador, the closest point on earth to the sun. But let me rewind a bit. It was the middle of the night, with little sleep, freezing temperatures, altitude sickness, and the voice in my head telling me to quit. The wind was strong, and my feet were sore from the crampons. And I could hear the voices… Have you ever heard those voices? The ones that make you doubt your choices or question why you even started?
If you’re human, the answer is probably yes. The mind is complex, and we’re not born with a manual on how to handle hardship. But when you’re out there, with real risks and no shortcuts, you have no choice but to master yourself—your mind, body, and emotions.
Mountaineering is a perfect metaphor for life. It’s full of ups and downs, breathtaking views, and moments where it just sucks. And it’s those moments—the tough ones—that make the summit that much sweeter.
Hard Thing → Perseverance → Achievement → Confidence → Toughness
Every time you push through an obstacle—whether it’s a tough hike, a freezing swim, or a marathon—the reward is not just in the success but in what it does to your mindset. Each challenge builds a psychological grit that reinforces the belief that you can handle whatever life throws at you.
Neuroscience shows that achieving goals (like summiting a mountain) releases dopamine, the brain’s reward chemical. This makes you more motivated and increases your ability to face future challenges. Outdoor adventures force you to push past your limits, teaching you that discomfort is not something to avoid, but a sign that you’re growing.
There are three zones in life: comfort, challenge, and panic. The sweet spot for growth lies in the challenge zone. When you’re in the panic zone, you risk burnout, hurt or even trauma. But the challenge zone, this is where the magic happens. It’s where you push yourself but still have the mental clarity to stay on track.
When you’ve done hard things before, your mindset shifts. If I run an Iron man, running a marathon will feel easy. Now, running a marathon will never be easy, but my mindset and confidence entering the race will be totally different.
There’s no shame in failure when you’re just beginning. The key is to not stop. Pushing through that mental barrier when you feel like giving up, that’s when you grow. As you face more challenges, you expand your comfort zone and learn to embrace discomfort.
How will you react when you want to quit? The mental battle will come, but if you’ve prepared yourself, you’ll push through. The key is mental preparation before you even begin.
The voices in your head will tell you all sorts of things—some true, some not. But ultimately, you control the narrative. What you tell yourself in those moments of struggle shapes how you react and how you succeed.
If you don’t challenge yourself, you’ll grow too comfortable and weak. When adversity strikes, you’ll be unprepared. You can choose to intentionally put yourself in tough situations to grow. One of the most effective ways to do this is through outdoor adventures, they build mental toughness like nothing else.
Remember, it’s not just about the hard things you do; it’s about who you become in the process.
Don’t let excuses hold you back. Stop telling yourself you’re too busy, too old, or too inexperienced. Life doesn’t wait, and the only thing standing in your way is fear. Step out, embrace discomfort, and train yourself to thrive in challenge.
There’s no shortcut. Do the work. Embrace the struggle. And get stronger with every step you take.
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