Season 4, Episode 2 | "Are you chasing fool's gold or real confidence?" 

In this Strong & Awake episode, Dane and Mitch dismantle the myth of flashy confidence to reveal that true confidence is forged in quiet, disciplined practice. Through Craig’s roof-and-ladder challenge and examples from The Millionaire Next Door, Steph Curry, and Kobe Bryant, they show that confidence isn’t innate or a performance—it’s the sum of small, deliberate reps taken in the face of discomfort. By rejecting victim stories, counting down “3, 2, 1” to act, and focusing on the work over the reward, listeners learn to build authentic confidence in any arena. If you’re ready to move beyond shortcuts and cultivate lasting self-assurance, this conversation lights the path.

Never Settle Promo

Chapters:

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:15 Member Story - Craig part 1
• 02:28 Gold vs. Fool’s Gold Confidence
• 06:31 Misconceptions About Confidence
• 13:05 Member Story - Craig part 2
• 16:12 Courage as the Virtue that Hinges Confidence
• 25:16 Building Confidence Through Community

Mentions:

• The Millionaire Next Door - A book mentioned by Dane, which discusses the habits and characteristics of actual millionaires, emphasizing frugality and understated wealth.
• The Growth Equation - Referenced by Dane, this likely refers to the work of authors Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness, who write about performance and well-being.
• Steph Curry - NBA player mentioned by Dane as an example of someone who has built confidence through extensive practice and overcoming perceived limitations.
• Kobe Bryant - Late NBA player mentioned by Dane, known for his work ethic and dedication to improving his skills, even in areas outside of basketball.
• Ryan Holiday - Author mentioned by Dane, known for his writings on Stoicism and virtues, including courage.
• Mark Brewer - A member of the Men and Women of Discomfort community, highlighted by Dane for his confidence and ability to handle stressful situations effectively.

Anchor Actions:

1. Use “3, 2, 1” – when resistance arises, count down and take one small action toward the discomfort you’re avoiding
2. Practice a daily discomfort rep – choose one micro-challenge (e.g., one push-up, one breath hold, one exposure) and follow through every day
3. Log your reps, not results – track one instance daily where you put in work without seeking recognition, and repeat tomorrow

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 🦬

Connect With Us:

Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | X (Twitter)

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