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Why You Keep Breaking Promises to Yourself and 5 Tactics to Help You  Become Sovereign

I got caught by a bag of Doritos. Standing in my pantry at nine o'clock at night, hand in the bag, not hungry — scared of a presentation I hadn't given yet. Twenty-seven years in uniform. Marathons, ultras, a 340-mile paddle race. And a program running underneath all of it that I never authorized and never noticed.

It took a 72-hour fast to show me that. Day two, I found myself standing at the pantry door with my hand on it, having made no decision to walk in there at all.

This episode is about a word: sovereign. What it actually means, why almost nobody examines their own life, and how to take back ground you didn't know you were losing.

In this episode:

• The promise-break-quiet-repeat cycle, and why breaking it is so easy it doesn't even register
 • The bullshit belief that stops most people from ever looking — you either have a problem or you don't
 • The 31-day test that tells you the truth about what has a grip on you
 • The four costs every comfort habit charges: self-trust, energy, presence, and peace
 • Five tactics for taking the ground back, including the four obstacle effects I learned as a combat engineer — disrupt, turn, fix, and block
 • What to say at the cookout when somebody gives you a hard time

The question underneath all of it: what percentage of your choices are actually yours?

Fast and Focused 31 Day Challenge: Do Hard Things™ — Grit, Peace & Purpose
Life on Offense on Amazon: Amazon.com: Life on Offense: Do HARD Things; A Tactical Guide to Dominate Life and End Mediocrity: 9798299067798: Tiegs, Siegfried "Jay", Thornton, James E.: Books
Full written version:  Why You Keep Breaking Promises to Yourself

 GRIT. PURPOSE. PEACE.

Welcome to the Do Hard Things Podcast with your host Jay Tiegs, Are you ready to amplify and improve your life? Then you are in the right place.  On this podcast we have unfiltered conversation with inspiring people who take on challenges and share with us, the wisdom from their journey. We talk about how doing hard things adequately enable all of us to deal with life's struggles and challenges and ultimately improve the quality of our lives. 

Support the show

Big things are happening inside Do Hard Things Nation, and I want you with us.

Want more support? Join the Do Hard Things Wellness Academy. Four coaches. Weekly mindset training, movement, breathwork, meditation, book club, and challenges. Join as a member here:
👉 skool.com/dohardthings/about

Our book, Life on Offense, is now an Amazon Best Seller!  Grab a copy and leave a review. 
👉 Get the book on Amazon

Grab Your Do Hard Things Gear and Apparel. Show the world you Do Hard Things with high-quality apparel! 

👉Gear — Do Hard Things Nation

And don’t forget—the Do Hard Things 5K, 9.11 Mile Run, and 9.11 Mile Ruck is happening in September. There’s even a virtual option—so no excuses. Sign up here:
👉 dohardthingsnation.com/events

Send us Fan Mail

You can be “crushing it” and still feel like something is breaking inside. That tension is where our conversation with Nicole Ward lives and it gets practical fast. Nicole is an executive leader at Aon, host of the Executive Athlete Podcast, and author of Biohacking for the Sales Athlete. Together, we unpack why so many capable leaders run on adrenaline, caffeine, and willpower while quietly drifting out of alignment physically, mentally, and spiritually.

We make the case that recovery is training, not a reward you earn after you’re exhausted. Nicole shares real recovery tools that high performers can actually use: walking outside for sunlight, short breathwork and box breathing breaks, yoga and mobility, red light therapy, and simple sensory resets that calm the nervous system. We also call out “empty-calorie recovery” like doom scrolling, late-night screens, and drinking as a default off switch, and we talk about how circadian rhythm and sleep hygiene change everything.

Nicole opens up about a near-fatal car accident that became her wake-up call, plus what she learned rebuilding her health from the ground up. If you’ve been tempted by supplements, peptides, and the latest biohacking trends, we’ll help you start with fundamentals first: dial in sleep with two or three changes, track your food for a week or two to find macro and micronutrient gaps, then consider wearables for biofeedback and accountability. We close with a powerful mindset shift: your personal “stack” of experiences and tools can become your superpower as a leader.

If this conversation helps you, subscribe, share it with a high performer who needs a reset, and leave a review so more people can find the show.

Connect with Nicole Ward: [email protected]

Linked In: Nicole Elizabeth Ward | LinkedIn

Welcome to the Do Hard Things Podcast with your host Jay Tiegs, Are you ready to amplify and improve your life? Then you are in the right place.  On this podcast we have unfiltered conversation with inspiring people who take on challenges and share with us, the wisdom from their journey. We talk about how doing hard things adequately enable all of us to deal with life's struggles and challenges and ultimately improve the quality of our lives. 

Support the show

Big things are happening inside Do Hard Things Nation, and I want you with us.

Want more support? Join the Do Hard Things Wellness Academy. Four coaches. Weekly mindset training, movement, breathwork, meditation, book club, and challenges. Join as a member here:
👉 skool.com/dohardthings/about

Our book, Life on Offense, is now an Amazon Best Seller!  Grab a copy and leave a review. 
👉 Get the book on Amazon

Grab Your Do Hard Things Gear and Apparel. Show the world you Do Hard Things with high-quality apparel! 

👉Gear — Do Hard Things Nation

And don’t forget—the Do Hard Things 5K, 9.11 Mile Run, and 9.11 Mile Ruck is happening in September. There’s even a virtual option—so no excuses. Sign up here:
👉 dohardthingsnation.com/events

Send us Fan Mail

Two hours into what should’ve been a normal MR340 training paddle on the Missouri River, our canoe flipped and everything got real fast: cold water, whitecaps, drifting gear, and a current that wouldn’t let us “just kick to shore.” I’m Sigfre J Teagues, and I’m walking you through what happened with my buddy Joe, moment by moment, because the details are where the real lessons live. When you’re training for the Missouri River 340, it’s easy to obsess over cadence, nutrition, technique, and grit. Then the river hands you a test you didn’t schedule.

We talk about how wind plus current changes the entire equation, why overconfidence turns into cut corners, and how incomplete preparation shows up when chaos hits. You’ll hear the hardest call I had to make: letting thousands of dollars of canoe and equipment float away so I could stay in position to help my partner. “People over possessions” sounds like a slogan until you’re forced to prove it.

After we get out, we debrief what we got wrong, what we got right, and why humility and community matter as much as toughness. If you’re into endurance racing, river safety, resilience, or mindset training for hard things, this one lands. Subscribe, share this with a friend who trains hard, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway: what would you let go of when life flips your canoe?

Welcome to the Do Hard Things Podcast with your host Jay Tiegs, Are you ready to amplify and improve your life? Then you are in the right place.  On this podcast we have unfiltered conversation with inspiring people who take on challenges and share with us, the wisdom from their journey. We talk about how doing hard things adequately enable all of us to deal with life's struggles and challenges and ultimately improve the quality of our lives. 

Support the show

Big things are happening inside Do Hard Things Nation, and I want you with us.

Want more support? Join the Do Hard Things Wellness Academy. Four coaches. Weekly mindset training, movement, breathwork, meditation, book club, and challenges. Join as a member here:
👉 skool.com/dohardthings/about

Our book, Life on Offense, is now an Amazon Best Seller!  Grab a copy and leave a review. 
👉 Get the book on Amazon

Grab Your Do Hard Things Gear and Apparel. Show the world you Do Hard Things with high-quality apparel! 

👉Gear — Do Hard Things Nation

And don’t forget—the Do Hard Things 5K, 9.11 Mile Run, and 9.11 Mile Ruck is happening in September. There’s even a virtual option—so no excuses. Sign up here:
👉 dohardthingsnation.com/events

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome to the Do Hard Things Podcast with your host Jay Tiegs, Are you ready to amplify and improve your life? Then you are in the right place.  On this podcast we have unfiltered conversation with inspiring people who take on challenges and share with us, the wisdom from their journey. We talk about how doing hard things adequately enable all of us to deal with life's struggles and challenges and ultimately improve the quality of our lives. 

Support the show

Big things are happening inside Do Hard Things Nation, and I want you with us.

Want more support? Join the Do Hard Things Wellness Academy. Four coaches. Weekly mindset training, movement, breathwork, meditation, book club, and challenges. Join as a member here:
👉 skool.com/dohardthings/about

Our book, Life on Offense, is now an Amazon Best Seller!  Grab a copy and leave a review. 
👉 Get the book on Amazon

Grab Your Do Hard Things Gear and Apparel. Show the world you Do Hard Things with high-quality apparel! 

👉Gear — Do Hard Things Nation

And don’t forget—the Do Hard Things 5K, 9.11 Mile Run, and 9.11 Mile Ruck is happening in September. There’s even a virtual option—so no excuses. Sign up here:
👉 dohardthingsnation.com/events

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome to the Do Hard Things Podcast with your host Jay Tiegs, Are you ready to amplify and improve your life? Then you are in the right place.  On this podcast we have unfiltered conversation with inspiring people who take on challenges and share with us, the wisdom from their journey. We talk about how doing hard things adequately enable all of us to deal with life's struggles and challenges and ultimately improve the quality of our lives. 

Support the show

Big things are happening inside Do Hard Things Nation, and I want you with us.

Want more support? Join the Do Hard Things Wellness Academy. Four coaches. Weekly mindset training, movement, breathwork, meditation, book club, and challenges. Join as a member here:
👉 skool.com/dohardthings/about

Our book, Life on Offense, is now an Amazon Best Seller!  Grab a copy and leave a review. 
👉 Get the book on Amazon

Grab Your Do Hard Things Gear and Apparel. Show the world you Do Hard Things with high-quality apparel! 

👉Gear — Do Hard Things Nation

And don’t forget—the Do Hard Things 5K, 9.11 Mile Run, and 9.11 Mile Ruck is happening in September. There’s even a virtual option—so no excuses. Sign up here:
👉 dohardthingsnation.com/events

Send us Fan Mail

When life throws a curveball, some strike out, while others, like Nick Klingensmith, turn it into a home run. With over 100 Spartan races under his belt, Nick's story isn't just about athletic prowess—it's a raw, unfiltered look at overcoming cancer, addiction, and the universal quest for purpose. Step into our latest episode, where determination meets vulnerability, and discover how Nick transformed his lowest point into a starting line for a life of resilience.

Nick's candid conversation takes us on a rollercoaster of emotions and achievements. From the eye-opening ejection from a Las Vegas hotel to the adrenaline of obstacle course racing, his journey is a testament to the human spirit's capacity for growth and reinvention. As you tune in, feel the grit and passion that propelled him through the challenges, and let his experience be the catalyst for questioning your own boundaries and what lies beyond them.

Wrapping up, we reflect on the broader implications of Nick's personal odyssey. Whether it's battling chronic health issues or facing the mental hurdles of daily life, his insights offer a blueprint for tapping into our inner reserves of strength. This episode isn't just a narrative—it's a call to action, inviting you to embrace the disciplined mindset needed to carve out a meaning-packed path, no matter what obstacles loom ahead. Join us for an invigorating discussion that might just change the way you approach your own life's race.

Welcome to the Do Hard Things Podcast with your host Jay Tiegs, Are you ready to amplify and improve your life? Then you are in the right place.  On this podcast we have unfiltered conversation with inspiring people who take on challenges and share with us, the wisdom from their journey. We talk about how doing hard things adequately enable all of us to deal with life's struggles and challenges and ultimately improve the quality of our lives. 

Support the show

Big things are happening inside Do Hard Things Nation, and I want you with us.

Want more support? Join the Do Hard Things Wellness Academy. Four coaches. Weekly mindset training, movement, breathwork, meditation, book club, and challenges. Join as a member here:
👉 skool.com/dohardthings/about

Our book, Life on Offense, is now an Amazon Best Seller!  Grab a copy and leave a review. 
👉 Get the book on Amazon

Grab Your Do Hard Things Gear and Apparel. Show the world you Do Hard Things with high-quality apparel! 

👉Gear — Do Hard Things Nation

And don’t forget—the Do Hard Things 5K, 9.11 Mile Run, and 9.11 Mile Ruck is happening in September. There’s even a virtual option—so no excuses. Sign up here:
👉 dohardthingsnation.com/events

Send us Fan Mail

Embark on a journey to empowerment and vigilance as we engage with Alan Earl, a law enforcement sage with 30 years of hard-earned expertise. Discover his profound insights into the world of personal safety for outdoor enthusiasts—runners, cyclists, and solo adventurers. Alan's rich background, from African beginnings to shaping the minds at the US Army Military Police School, provides a unique lens through which we can learn to protect ourselves. By blending high-level protective strategies with practical self-defense tactics, this episode arms you with the knowledge to become a hard target for potential predators.

Every step outside our door can be an unpredictable venture into the unknown, but fear not, as we dissect the mindset of criminals and explore the decisive role of situational awareness. We discuss the imperative of being your own bodyguard in today's landscape, where swift police responses are not a guarantee. From the wisdom of group dynamics to the psychological combat in violent encounters, our conversation with Alan offers strategies not just for self-defense but for transforming daily routines into opportunities to sharpen your instincts. 

Wrapping up, we share heartfelt appreciation for the collective dedication to service and education in keeping our communities safe. Alan's guidance reminds us of the importance of being 'sheepdogs'—ever watchful and ready. Take these lessons and anecdotes with you, integrating them into your life's playbook for personal security. Be sure to tune in for a wealth of actionable tips that will leave you feeling more prepared and confident as you face the world's challenges head-on.

Welcome to the Do Hard Things Podcast with your host Jay Tiegs, Are you ready to amplify and improve your life? Then you are in the right place.  On this podcast we have unfiltered conversation with inspiring people who take on challenges and share with us, the wisdom from their journey. We talk about how doing hard things adequately enable all of us to deal with life's struggles and challenges and ultimately improve the quality of our lives. 

Support the show

Big things are happening inside Do Hard Things Nation, and I want you with us.

Want more support? Join the Do Hard Things Wellness Academy. Four coaches. Weekly mindset training, movement, breathwork, meditation, book club, and challenges. Join as a member here:
👉 skool.com/dohardthings/about

Our book, Life on Offense, is now an Amazon Best Seller!  Grab a copy and leave a review. 
👉 Get the book on Amazon

Grab Your Do Hard Things Gear and Apparel. Show the world you Do Hard Things with high-quality apparel! 

👉Gear — Do Hard Things Nation

And don’t forget—the Do Hard Things 5K, 9.11 Mile Run, and 9.11 Mile Ruck is happening in September. There’s even a virtual option—so no excuses. Sign up here:
👉 dohardthingsnation.com/events

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome to the Do Hard Things Podcast with your host Jay Tiegs, Are you ready to amplify and improve your life? Then you are in the right place.  On this podcast we have unfiltered conversation with inspiring people who take on challenges and share with us, the wisdom from their journey. We talk about how doing hard things adequately enable all of us to deal with life's struggles and challenges and ultimately improve the quality of our lives. 

Support the show

Big things are happening inside Do Hard Things Nation, and I want you with us.

Want more support? Join the Do Hard Things Wellness Academy. Four coaches. Weekly mindset training, movement, breathwork, meditation, book club, and challenges. Join as a member here:
👉 skool.com/dohardthings/about

Our book, Life on Offense, is now an Amazon Best Seller!  Grab a copy and leave a review. 
👉 Get the book on Amazon

Grab Your Do Hard Things Gear and Apparel. Show the world you Do Hard Things with high-quality apparel! 

👉Gear — Do Hard Things Nation

And don’t forget—the Do Hard Things 5K, 9.11 Mile Run, and 9.11 Mile Ruck is happening in September. There’s even a virtual option—so no excuses. Sign up here:
👉 dohardthingsnation.com/events

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of the Do Hard Things Podcast, Jay Tiegs and Brian Larson sit down with Josh De Jong, a Breathwork Coach, Triathlete, and Sales Professional who embodies resilience and transformation. Once nicknamed “Turtle,” Josh turned setbacks into fuel, pushing through spinal fusion surgery and torn labrums to rise as an endurance athlete, coach, and founder of Eldr and Air.

You’ll hear how Josh uses breathwork, mindset, and endurance training to help others unlock their highest potential. He shares practical tools for:

• Building energy, focus, and resilience through breathwork
• Developing mental discipline and clarity under pressure
• Applying endurance frameworks to strengthen grit and consistency

This isn’t just theory—Josh’s story is proof that the hardest challenges can become the foundation for growth, confidence, and authentic empowerment.

Welcome to the Do Hard Things Podcast with your host Jay Tiegs, Are you ready to amplify and improve your life? Then you are in the right place.  On this podcast we have unfiltered conversation with inspiring people who take on challenges and share with us, the wisdom from their journey. We talk about how doing hard things adequately enable all of us to deal with life's struggles and challenges and ultimately improve the quality of our lives. 

Support the show

Big things are happening inside Do Hard Things Nation, and I want you with us.

Want more support? Join the Do Hard Things Wellness Academy. Four coaches. Weekly mindset training, movement, breathwork, meditation, book club, and challenges. Join as a member here:
👉 skool.com/dohardthings/about

Our book, Life on Offense, is now an Amazon Best Seller!  Grab a copy and leave a review. 
👉 Get the book on Amazon

Grab Your Do Hard Things Gear and Apparel. Show the world you Do Hard Things with high-quality apparel! 

👉Gear — Do Hard Things Nation

And don’t forget—the Do Hard Things 5K, 9.11 Mile Run, and 9.11 Mile Ruck is happening in September. There’s even a virtual option—so no excuses. Sign up here:
👉 dohardthingsnation.com/events

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of the Do Hard Things Podcast, Jay Tiegs and Brian Larson break down the challenge of the 72-hour fast: a test of discipline, grit, and mental clarity that goes far beyond food.

They share their personal experiences with extended fasting, the science behind it, and the lessons it teaches about resilience, focus, and breaking comfort zones. You’ll hear practical tips on how to prepare, manage hunger, stay safe, and reintroduce food after the fast, plus the deeper mindset shifts that come when you push yourself past your limits.

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to go three days without eating, and what you might gain from the process, this episode will give you the insight and tools to try it yourself.

Welcome to the Do Hard Things Podcast with your host Jay Tiegs, Are you ready to amplify and improve your life? Then you are in the right place.  On this podcast we have unfiltered conversation with inspiring people who take on challenges and share with us, the wisdom from their journey. We talk about how doing hard things adequately enable all of us to deal with life's struggles and challenges and ultimately improve the quality of our lives. 

Support the show

Big things are happening inside Do Hard Things Nation, and I want you with us.

Want more support? Join the Do Hard Things Wellness Academy. Four coaches. Weekly mindset training, movement, breathwork, meditation, book club, and challenges. Join as a member here:
👉 skool.com/dohardthings/about

Our book, Life on Offense, is now an Amazon Best Seller!  Grab a copy and leave a review. 
👉 Get the book on Amazon

Grab Your Do Hard Things Gear and Apparel. Show the world you Do Hard Things with high-quality apparel! 

👉Gear — Do Hard Things Nation

And don’t forget—the Do Hard Things 5K, 9.11 Mile Run, and 9.11 Mile Ruck is happening in September. There’s even a virtual option—so no excuses. Sign up here:
👉 dohardthingsnation.com/events