If It Doesn't Challenge You, It Doesn't Change You

I've learned over the years—through running, through the military, through life itself—that comfort is the enemy of growth. If something isn't pushing you, testing you, making you question whether you can keep going, then it's not making you better.

Running is one of the clearest reflections of this truth. I've never crossed a finish line or hit a new PR by coasting through workouts or avoiding discomfort. Growth happens in those moments when your lungs burn, your legs scream, and your mind tells you to slow down—but you keep going anyway. That's where real progress is made.

Think about your toughest runs. Maybe it was the first time you pushed past a certain distance, the hill workout that left you gasping, or that race where you had to dig deep just to keep your pace. Those weren't just workouts. Those were lessons. Each one rewired your mindset, reinforced your resilience, and built you into a stronger runner.

But this isn't just about running. It applies to everything—your career, your relationships, your personal growth. The best things in life are earned, not given. And the process of earning them is often uncomfortable.

So the next time you find yourself avoiding something hard, remind yourself why you started. Remind yourself that the challenge isn't there to break you—it's there to build you. The struggle is the change. Embrace it.

Keep moving forward!

J.R.