Rise Again From The Struggle

I had a poor reaction at first, but thankfully, I changed my path. When I didn't get the answer I wanted about my third race, my initial reaction was emotional. I quickly identified this and changed. That was the only way forward and the way the best version of me acts. You see, I was trying to BE RIGHT. What I needed to do was work to GET TO RIGHT. There's a big difference between the two. What a...

I did it! A year ago, I was working to just complete a 5k Spartan Sprint. This weekend, I completed over 23 miles and 70+ obstacles in the mountains. Not only did the physical work pay off, but the mental work was much more instrumental. I had to do a lot of talking to myself. I had to deal with a lot of doubt. I had to deal with a scheduling issue that not only almost ended my run but also forced...

I have to share this. I talked to a lady today who completed her first Spartan Sprint. When I asked her about it, she teared up a little. So I asked her why. The amount of work she's put in to improve herself was profound. She wasn't happy with her situation and got to work. Then, she accomplished something she never thought was possible. This lady moved me. Just how excited she was and how far sh...

I am working my recovery process after today's 21k Spartan Beast. Getting stung by a hornet was not something I did any training for, but thankfully, I trained my mind to continue when my body acted up. And boy, did it go through some cycles today! That sting was in an area I've had a lot of work done, right at the base of my skull. A migraine followed me through the course after that, meaning I w...

I'm getting ready for my first of three races this weekend! I'm looking forward to the challenge. I don't know what will happen. All I know is that I will keep moving forward. One step at a time. My past failures and challenges have prepared my mind. My body is ready to carry the load. When my mind has a moment of weakness, my strong body will carry me through. When my body, in turn, has its momen...

What's your average? If your average day now isn't significantly better than last year, you aren't putting in the work. If that stings a little, GOOD! You are better than that. You are leaving a lot in reserve. Let's get to work. I know it, and you know it. Need a better strategy? Let's talk. No excuses! Kevin Brewer Rise Again From The Struggle

You keep forgetting how bad ass you really are. You have the ability to do big things for the world. Yet you continue to allow someone else's beliefs to limit your dreams. You allow their beliefs to keep you from reaching for the stars. The only thing stopping you, however, is you. Start putting the work into your mind. Shed the limiting beliefs others have given you. Question EVERYTHING that prev...

You're not over training. You just suck at recovery! I know this will ruffle some feathers, but it's true. Out bodies are made to move, lift, push, drag, and carry things regularly. Tradesman still do. Yet you think you're over training by doing a 45-minute workout a few times a week. Not likely. What's more likely is you are ego lifting, lifting with poor form, not sleeping enough, and eating lik...

You are conditioned to be an excuse machine. Think about it. That's all you hear about being young. Teenagers have undeveloped brains, so they can't think logically. Yet somehow, they pass math class, which is nothing but logic. Then, of course, you aren't smart enough after high school, so college is a must. Then, after your undergrad, you're still not ready. So off to more school. When that does...

Well, I completed the task. I pushed myself this weekend and did way more than I thought I could do. I saved my run today for the end, too. I knew I would be sore, tired, and not wanting to run. But I finished strong. Three miles in under 30 minutes. My legs hurt. My body was tired. My mind wanted to give up and just relax. That's why I did this. I wanted to confront the demons that would crop up...

A good start to my weekend goal! I'm testing limits and breaking myself down, both physically and mentally. I have a major challenge coming up next weekend, so I'm going all out this weekend with my final prep. I spread out several different workouts throughout my day today. I was still able to do some work on other things that are important to me, too. I also had physical therapy, cooked my own f...

You are only as big as the smallest thing that provokes you. What a great quote! If everything sets you off, then you are weak. No question about it. Real men handle their emotions. As Jordan Peterson says, you should be capable of being a monster, then control it. So if you let every little thing at you off, we need to talk. You have more to offer this world, but you'll never get there if you don...

When you don't put the work in, it's easy to slip up and not catch it. Today, I was distracted, and my brain created a story to alleviate me of any accountability. I was able to catch it and re-evaluate the thought to correct the situation, but the initial process was automatic and wrong! You see, it's not about being perfect, but catching those moments quickly. I was able to reset, correct my tho...

Are you a thermometer or a thermostat? Weird question, but stay with me. A thermometer simply reacts to the environment and tells you the temperature. A thermostat sets the temperature, and the environment reacts to the thermostat. So, do you set the standard for your environment or react to it? No excuses! Kevin Brewer Rise Again From The Struggle

Lead by example. My trainer took pity on me tonight, but I couldn't get that out of my head. So, I finished the two sets she switched out on my own. I had to prove to myself that I could push through that mental pain that accompanied the physical pain and exhaustion. I had to push past that mental block and weak identity I was giving myself. I had to find a new limit or be stuck, knowing I didn't...

Have, do, be vs. Be, do, have. I know, that's confusing by itself. Here's the breakdown.. Unsuccessful people believe they need to HAVE something in order to DO something so they can BE something. Successful people say in order to BE something they must DO these things to HAVE what they want. Unsuccessful people start by looking at the problems and make the excuse of needing something before they...

Plan for failure! I know, it's counterintuitive. A lot of people claim they don't have a plan B, but that's very misleading. What they really mean is they have one PRIMARY goal. That one doesn't normally change. But the second and third level goals to get to the primary goal might need a lot of changes. Those are the goals you spend the least amount of time seeing defining, yet they are extremely...

You can pickle a cucumber, but you can't undo it. Why does that matter to you? Because once your brain is pickled with weakness, it'll always want to revert to that. Why? Because it's less energy consumption and your brain is wired for survival only. There's good news, though. You can learn to strengthen your mind and build skills and tools to quickly and efficiently catch the slip and get back to...

If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail. When you have dietary goals and guidelines, it's easy to stay on track with a plan. I know that going into my wife's birthday dinner, we will have at least one dessert. Although this is not typical for me anymore, I have a plan. During the day, I will prioritize my protein goals and keep my intake of everything else lower. At dinner, I will finish up...

Don't overthink everything. I have a short, yet effective, workout for my off days or days that I'm pressed for time. It starts in the mind, though. If your mindset is wrong, you will struggle to find solutions for the obstacles in front of you. Today, I faced a rainy day when I was going on my walk. I walked up and down the parking garage until I got my steps. Obstacle to solution. I wanted to ge...

I used to think you needed to "force" yourself to do things you didn't want to do. Now I understand I have two choices. Choose to do the things that will help me achieve my goals. Or choose not to do them and set myself up for failure. It's that simple. There is no need to force anything. You either choose the path to success or choose the path to not achieving your goals. Which one are you going...

If you don't have high standards, you'll stay low. If you bend or break them for anyone, then it's not a standard. It's a suggestion. Here's the other side, too. You better be living those standards yourself! You need to be an example. There's a saying: your actions are so loud I can't hear what you are saying. Set the bar high. Act in accordance with your standards. Make it right quickly if you s...

Self-development and self-improvement are the most unselfish things you can do. That's not a typo. Not bettering yourself or taking care of yourself is selfish. Nothing will ensure you can't help those you love faster than your failing health as you neglect all the signs just to help someone do something they can do on their own. You are their crutch. You are their plan when they want to be lazy o...

I dominated today! I pushed myself hard yet still had time to meal prep, business, and time with my wife. These next few weeks will be even more intense as I finish getting my mind and body prepared for my Spartan trifecta weekend. I was tired, a little sore, and had all the excuses I needed to stop. Yet I kept going. And added more. Then, I finished up with a walk to cool down and spend time with...

Do it anyway! That was my day today. It wasn't complicated either. I create my routines and habits, then execute them. I don't rely on my feelings or motivation. Are you making these things harder than they need to be? Set the habit as part of your identity, then execute it. You don't need to be perfect. You don't need to feel like it. You can go slow or cut it down a little if timing is an issue....