Crush and Climb

Getting Old Sucks! Stop Before the Pain, and Start Living for Today

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In this candid episode of the Crush & Climb Podcast, host Jason McClain delivers a raw and personal look at the challenges of aging, the noise of modern life, and the critical need to live deliberately. Drawing on his own recent struggles—including a rotator cuff injury and the chaos of juggling family and multiple businesses—Jason shares the surprising, life-changing lesson he learned in physical therapy: “Stop before the pain begins.”

This isn’t just about physical health; it’s a profound metaphor for life, career, and relationships. Jason challenges the common “push through the pain” mindset, arguing that constantly fighting against boundaries leads to exhaustion, anxiety, and a feeling of just existing rather than living.

He introduces a powerful framework to help listeners evaluate their current state, asking them to “Examine the Noise Level of Your Life” through a simple self-assessment. Based on your “decibel level,” you’ll discover whether you are actively making strong choices or caught in a cycle of jitters and chaos.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Physical and Emotional Cost of “Pushing Through”: Jason shares how his rotator cuff injury revealed a deeper pattern of always fighting, leading him to question if he’s constantly pushing past the boundaries of what’s healthy in all areas of his life.
  • The Power of Stopping Before the Pain: Discover the counter-intuitive wisdom of recognizing your breaking point and stepping back before you hit it—a strategy for long-term strength, not weakness.
  • Examine Your “Noise Level”: Learn the three-tier system (0-35, 40-65, 70-100 decibels) to gauge the mental and emotional chaos in your life, providing immediate clarity on where you stand.
  • Carpe Diem, Redefined: Jason issues a powerful challenge to stop living for an uncertain tomorrow and start making today matter by prioritizing the people and passions that bring true joy.
  • A Call to Climb: The episode concludes with an emotional call to action: “Your job, your mission, is to make this day the very best.”

    • Mentioned in this Episode:

    • Pivot to Purpose Conclave: An upcoming two-day intensive event dedicated to helping individuals move from crisis to clarity in business and life. (Learn more at Breakthrough Publishing)
    • Jason McClain’s Books: Island of One and Pivot to Profit.
    • Follow the Podcast, Crush and Climb.
    • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crush-and-climb/id1834770883
    • Spotify Podcasts: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/crush-and-climb/
    • Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/da508dd9-3349-478b-8e90-72ea5c2252a8/crush-and-climb
    • iHeart Radio: https://iheart.com/podcast/292074359/
    • Websites:
    • https://www.CrushandClimb.com
    • https://www.JasonMcClain.com
    • https://www.breakthroughpublishing.net
    • Follow on Social Media:
    • Crush and Climb: @CrushAndClimb
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    • Jason McClain: @JasonCMcClain
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    • Get Jason’s Books on Amazon:,
    • “Pivot to Profit: Turning Failures into Fuel”: https://amzn.to/42DNWuA
    • This book is for the entrepreneur, the leader, and the salesperson who recognizes that the path to profit is not a straight line. It’s for you if you’re tired of reacting to crises and ready to systematically turn every obstacle into an opportunity. It’s for those who want to stop treating failure as a verdict and start using it as data.
    • McClain provides his battle-tested, four-stage blueprint, the R.I.S.E. System, forged in the fire of his own professional disasters. This is the exact framework he used to bounce forward from ruin to build a thriving luxury wine brand and multiple successful companies.
    • “Island of One: Born Different.  Built to Thrive” : https://amzn.to/42Go94Z
    • “Island of One” is a powerful call to action, reminding you that your unique design is not a mistake, but a magnificent blueprint for success. Discover how to live deliberately, connect authentically from a place of wholeness, and make a meaningful impact, transforming your “island” into a beacon of hope for yourself and others. Your thriving life isn’t a distant dream—it’s an imminent reality, waiting for your conscious, courageous “Yes!”
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      Crush and ClimbBy Jason McClain