In this episode, we get back to the basics. No guest, just the 2 Dudes hanging out and talking about a topic very important to us: self-discipline.

Living with a disability is often frustrating. Maybe that’s an understatement. When so many normal daily activities are impossible, or at least difficult, to do independently, we are tempted to develop a victim’s mindset.

But that’s not who we are, and that’s not who you are. The key to unlocking your own greatness is self-discipline.

Sean has a great way of visualizing self-discipline. He imagines that our ideal self asks us if doing whatever we are doing at the moment, helps us advance to where we want to be. An example he uses is if we want to look great for the summer, will eating whatever we’re going to eat or skipping the next workout or going to the gym right now help us get there?

Kyle talks about a great book he recently read called Living with a SEAL. In it, an ordinary man trains with a Navy SEAL for a month, after seeing the SEAL compete in an ultra-marathon. In the harsh cold of winter, the book details the grueling training sessions, mixed in with a lot of laughs. The book serves as a perfect example of what it looks like to behave according to self-discipline.

There are many areas that both of us want to be better in - so as we get close to the one-year anniversary, we invite you to join us in trying to better ourselves!

1. The first thing we are doing is comprising a list of 5 things each. These are the 5 most important lessons we’ve learned in life. We want to hear yours too! So reach out to us at [email protected]. We look forward to hearing your lessons!
2. We’re also starting the 2DD Push-up Challenge. We (Kyle and Sean) are going to do 100 push-ups everyday for a month. Keep track of our progress here: http://twodisableddudes.com/2dd-challenges/. And feel free to join us!
3. We’re also going to be logging what we eat for the next 30 days. Join us or track our progress here: http://twodisableddudes.com/2dd-challenges/

Self-discipline is all about making your future self proud of the actions you are taking now. So, no time for excuses. Be the best version of yourself right now!

Tom Hamilton spent 25 years on Wall Street and when his daughter was diagnosed with Friedreich's ataxia (FA), he started using all his knowledge and expertise to fight Rare Disease.  Tom is on the Board of Directors for the Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA), he is a founding Board Member for Chondrial Therapeutics, he is Executive Producer of The Ataxian, and co-founder of the CureFA Foundation.

Dan Gottlieb is a practicing psychologist and therapist with more than 40 years of experience. Best known as the host of "Voices in the Family," a weekly radio program heard for more than 30 years on WHYY-FM, Philadelphia’s NPR affiliate. Dan recently retired from the weekly radio program, and now produces and hosts six specials each year.

Dr. Gotlieb suffered a spinal cord injury at the age of 33 and he joins us to talk about how disability has touched his life and how we can all work to be better human beings.