Season 3, Episode 6 | "Don't let cultural norms rob you or trap you into a false sense of what is possible and isn't possible."

In this episode of Strong & Awake, Dane and Mitch challenge the pervasive myth that extraordinary achievements can be reached without extraordinary effort. They explore the allure of shortcuts and the cultural obsession with instant results, urging listeners to embrace the discomfort of the process as the true path to personal growth. Through candid discussions and personal anecdotes, they highlight the transformative power of voluntary discomfort and the joy found in the journey itself. Whether it's learning a new skill or pursuing a lifelong dream, this episode invites you to flip the script on comfort and engage deeply with the process of becoming. Join the conversation and discover how to cultivate resilience, humility, and authentic mastery in your own life.

Chapters:

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:06 The Illusion of Mastery
• 03:39 The Aspiration to Learn
• 06:06 Pre-mortem: Why Resolutions Fail
• 10:28 The Trap of Cultural Norms
• 17:01 The Reality: It Takes More Time and Costs More
• 20:38 Having Respect for Masters
• 23:40 Singing at the Talent Show
• 32:44 The Value of Humility in Learning
• 35:41 Gaining More Than Skills
• 40:05 On the Hook

Mentions:

• Steven Pressfield - Mentioned in the context of his commentary on the difficulty of becoming a professional athlete compared to other professions.
• Ryan Holiday - Referenced for his book *The Obstacle Is the Way*, which discusses how obstacles can be beneficial.
• Courtney Dauwalter - Mentioned for her concept of "remodeling your pain cave," related to endurance running.
• Dude Perfect - Referenced as an example of extraordinary feats that can create unrealistic expectations.
• Zach King - Mentioned for his clever video edits that depict the impossible.
• Forrest Gump - Referenced in relation to table tennis, highlighting the unrealistic expectations some people have about mastering sports.
• Von Trapp Family - Mentioned in the context of families that can sing and perform together, from *The Sound of Music*.
• American Idol and The Voice - Mentioned in the context of people critiquing performers without understanding the effort involved.

Anchor Actions:

1. Embrace the Process: Commit to engaging fully with the journey of learning or improving a skill, rather than fixating solely on the end goal. This means accepting the discomfort of being a beginner and finding joy in the daily practice and effort. Reflect on how you can shift your mindset to appreciate the process as much as the outcome.

2. Set Realistic Expectations: Recognize that achieving mastery or significant improvement will take more time and effort than you might initially expect. Use this understanding to set realistic goals and timelines for your personal growth endeavors. Consider what resources, such as time or mentorship, you'll need to allocate to support your journey.

3. Cultivate Humility and Respect for Mastery: Develop a healthy respect for those who have achieved excellence in any field. Use this as motivation to approach your own goals with humility and a willingness to learn. Reflect on how you can apply this perspective to your current aspirations, acknowledging the effort required and respecting the journey of others.

Join Us:

Our Membership Community (MWOD) is where we embrace discomfort as a path to personal development. Remember, it's probably not for you... but if we're wrong about that, or if you want to find out for yourself, visit us at MWOD.io 🦬

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Disclaimer:

The information shared on this podcast and any related materials from Men & Women Of Discomfort (MWOD) or Flying S Incorporated are for general informational purposes only. You should not use this information as a basis for making decisions without consulting your own medical and legal professionals. We aim to provide accurate and up-to-date information, but we make no guarantees about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or comprehensiveness of the content.

At Men & Women Of Discomfort, we promote agency and encourage you to carefully consider the input we offer. If you find it helpful, we invite you to take advantage of it, but do so with the understanding that you bear the responsibility of due diligence. By using our content, you acknowledge that you are taking opportunities at your own risk. Thank you for understanding.

*Transcript Note: The transcript of our podcast is AI-generated and may contain errors. We aim for accuracy but appreciate your understanding and feedback on any discrepancies.

Copyright 2025 Men & Women Of Discomfort (MWOD.io)

Mentioned in this episode:

Sponsor: Never Settle

Never Settle is the creative tech and marketing agency that has been MWOD's creative partner— helping with branding, designing our website, and various growth marketing projects. When we started MWOD, we knew we had something that could help a lot of people, but communicating and enrolling people online to build their life around voluntary discomfort is a tough sell. We needed a partner who could understand what we were really doing and help translate that into an online presence that moved people. Never Settle is that partner. They took our vision and made it clear. No small feat for an organization promoting the one thing nobody wants to do. They’re genius.

Never Settle Promo