When I was in the gym the other day, pushing through my usual workout, I caught myself (again) avoiding a specific weightlifting exercise. I’ve been going there for years, but something about this one exercise always made me uncomfortable.
Maybe it was the way it looked. Maybe it was the quiet worry of doing it wrong in front of others.
But that day, I got tired of avoiding it. I grabbed the weights, took a deep breath, and went for it. Was it perfect? Nope.
Did a few people give me that friendly, knowing smile? Sure.
But none of that mattered because, for the first time, I didn’t dodge it. I felt a mix of relief and a strange, quiet pride. Not for doing it perfectly, but for doing it at all.
And as I put the weights down, I realized: this is exactly how life works. Doing uncomfortable things is weightlifting for life.
Uncomfortable things aren’t always dramatic. Most of the time, they’re the small, quiet decisions where you choose courage over comfort. Speaking up when you’d rather stay silent. Admitting a mistake instead of covering it up. Asking for honest feedback, knowing it might sting. Starting a conversation you’ve been putting off. Saying “no” when “yes” would be easier.
These aren’t just actions. They’re decisions to step outside your comfort zone. And they’re not just about building confidence. They’re about practicing vulnerability. Real vulnerability. The kind that means showing up honestly, without a mask. Owning your mistakes. Admitting when you don’t know. Asking for help without pretending you’ve got it all figured out.
Vulnerability isn’t weakness. It’s courage. And it’s the doorway to real growth. Because that’s where learning happens, outside the bubble of certainty.
That’s where a growth mindset comes in, not as a buzzword, but as a way of living. It’s the understanding that skills are built, not just given. That confidence is earned, not granted. That strength is the product of trying, failing, and trying again.
Think of the people you respect most, the ones who stay steady under pressure, who navigate chaos with calm. They didn’t get there by avoiding discomfort. They got there by choosing it. By leaning in. By making vulnerability a strength, not a shame.
How do you start? Not by taking on the biggest, scariest challenge you can imagine. Start small. Choose one uncomfortable thing you’ve been avoiding. A conversation you need to have. A truth you need to admit. A skill you want to learn but keep putting off. Do it. Then do it again.
And remember, just like in the gym, the strength you build doesn’t come from looking perfect. It comes from showing up, trying, feeling awkward, and doing it anyway. That’s how you get stronger.
What’s heavier, the weight of discomfort or the regret of never trying? What do you think?
Wishing you a sweaty and fulfilling (weightlifting) week!
Kind regards,