This week, I’m exploring an idea that’s been on my mind a lot lately: what happens when we push ourselves through something hard?

Recently, I set a tough fitness goal, breaking 6:20 on a 2,000-meter row. I've trained for months. I prepped. Then, on test day, everything felt off. My body wasn’t cooperating, my mind was telling me to quit, and every part of me was screaming to stop. But I didn’t. And while I didn’t hit my goal, I walked away with something just as valuable: a deeper understanding of why these experiences matter.

This solo episode is me thinking out loud—about what these moments teach us, how they shape our confidence, and why going through difficult things in one area of life makes us more capable in everything else.

About Building Better:Building Better with Brandon Bartneck focuses on the people, products, and companies creating a better tomorrow, often in the transportation and manufacturing sectors. Previously called the Future of Mobility podcast, the show features real, human conversations exploring what leaders and innovators are doing, why and how they’re doing it, and what we can learn from their experiences. Topics include manufacturing, production, assembly, autonomous driving, electric vehicles, hydrogen and fuel cells, leadership, and more.

Key Takeaways:

• Self-confidence isn’t something you just have. It’s built through experience.

• Pushing through something difficult is a skill, not just a mindset.

• Discomfort in one area (like fitness) can prepare you for challenges in work, leadership, and life.

• These lessons fade over time if we don’t keep testing ourselves.

Chapters:

• 00:00 – Introduction: Why This Topic Matters

• 02:20 – The 2K Row Test: A Real Challenge

• 07:08 – What I Learned From Pushing Through

• 09:34 – How Hard Physical Experiences Build Mental Resilience

• 11:33 – Raising Your Threshold for Discomfort

• 13:56 – Final Thoughts & Takeaways

Links & Resources:

• Show Notes: brandonbartneck.com/buildingbetter/hardthings

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