Strong & Awake

Everyday Obstacles: Worry | Season 4, Ep. 7


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Season 4, Episode 7 | “Worry feels like doing something—but it changes nothing.”

In this episode of Strong & Awake, Dane and Mitch explore the pervasive grip of worry and its role as a symptom of deeper internal chaos. They challenge the notion that worry is a solution, instead presenting it as a false sense of control over life's inevitable chaos. Through personal stories and historical examples, they illustrate how voluntary discomfort can prepare us to face life's unpredictability with resilience and agency. By embracing discomfort, we can cultivate higher-order skills that transform our response to chaos, moving beyond default reactions to a place of intentional action. Whether you're in the midst of involuntary discomfort or preparing for the storms ahead, this episode invites you to reconsider your relationship with worry and explore a path of proactive growth.

Chapters:

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 01:31 The Nature of Worry
  • 04:49 Worry as a Symptom
  • 09:35 Order and Chaos
  • 13:00 Practicing Discomfort
  • 23:50 Facing Involuntary Discomfort

Mentions:

  • Nelson Mandela - South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader, and philanthropist who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. Mentioned in the context of his imprisonment and forgiveness of his oppressors.
  • Daniel Johnston - American singer-songwriter and artist. Mentioned in the context of his song "Worried Shoes" which illustrates the concept of worry.
  • M. Scott Peck - American psychiatrist and author. Mentioned for his book "The Road Less Traveled" and its opening line, "Life is difficult."
  • Seth Godin - American author and former dot com business executive. Mentioned for his idea of "dancing with the whirlwind."

Anchor Actions:

  1. Practice Voluntary Discomfort: Begin incorporating small acts of voluntary discomfort into your daily routine. This could be as simple as taking a cold shower, fasting intermittently, or engaging in physical exercise when you don't feel like it. These practices build resilience and prepare you for unexpected challenges, enabling you to respond with resourcefulness rather than default worry.
  2. Reframe Worry as a Signal: Instead of viewing worry as a problem, see it as a symptom that alerts you to areas where you need to take action. When you feel worry creeping in, pause and identify what it's signaling. Then, take practical steps to address the root cause rather than succumbing to the worry itself.
  3. Embrace the Chaos: Accept that life is inherently chaotic and that challenges will arise. Instead of fearing these moments, prepare for them by cultivating a mindset of readiness. Engage in activities that strengthen your mental and emotional fortitude, so when chaos does strike, you can stand firm and navigate it effectively.

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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.

If you want to learn more about how they can help make your vision a reality, head over to neversettle.it/MWOD

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Strong & AwakeBy Men & Women Of Discomfort (MWOD.io)