Season 4, Episode 5 | Why do we crave the reward without the effort—comfort without discomfort?

In this episode of Strong & Awake, Dane and Mitch dismantle the patience myth, exposing how chasing shortcuts steals your momentum and growth. You’ll discover why leaning into the uncomfortable gap rewires your mindset, how community holds you when you’d normally bail, and simple daily rituals that turn small acts of waiting into real strength. Trade quick fixes for lasting change and step onto the unlikely path of true resilience.

Chapters:

• 00:00 Introduction
• 02:33 Patience Unmasked
• 05:14 Shortcut Illusion
• 08:19 Emptiness as Ally?
• 10:48 Reward in Resistance
• 13:04 Community Over Comfort
• 15:41 Mindset Shift
• 18:31 Discomfort Signals
• 23:30 Daily Discomfort Rituals
• 25:47 Release Perfection
• 28:32 Redemption and Imperfect Progress
• 31:50 Challenge Accepted

• CliftonStrengths (StrengthsFinder) - A personal assessment tool developed by Don Clifton and popularized by Marcus Buckingham. It helps individuals identify their top strengths and encourages focusing on these rather than improving weaknesses.
• James Clear - Author of "Atomic Habits," which discusses the idea of making small changes to improve habits and behavior over time. Mentioned in the context of making deposits into the person you want to become in the future.
• Steve Magness - Author of "Do Hard Things” and “The Surprising Science of Real Toughness." His work is referenced in relation to understanding the psychology of performance and resilience.
• Rory McIlroy - Professional golfer who recently won the Masters, completing the career Grand Slam. His journey and psychological coaching are mentioned as an example of overcoming challenges and achieving goals.
• Courtney Dauwalter - Ultra-endurance athlete known for her mental toughness and ability to endure extreme discomfort. Referenced in the context of embracing discomfort and remodeling the "pain cave."
• "The Infinite Game" - A book by Simon Sinek that discusses the concept of playing games with an infinite mindset, focusing on long-term goals and continuous improvement rather than short-term wins. Mentioned in relation to focusing on the process rather than the end result.
• "Play Infinite" - The Strong & Awake episode from Season 2, focused on the Anchors that are fundamental to the MWOD community. Listen here.

1. Embrace Discomfort as a Signal: When you find yourself in moments of discomfort, whether it's during a workout or a challenging conversation, recognize it as a sign that you're on the right path. Instead of seeking immediate relief or distraction, lean into the discomfort. Use it as a cue to stay present and committed, knowing that this is where growth happens.
2. Focus on the Process, Not the Outcome: Shift your attention from the end goal to the immediate task at hand. Whether you're playing a game or working towards a personal goal, concentrate on each step or point rather than the final result. This approach not only enhances performance but also enriches the experience, allowing you to find satisfaction in the journey itself.
3. Practice Relational Presence: In interactions with others, especially those who challenge you, strive to be fully present. Resist the urge to rush through or avoid these encounters. Instead, engage with empathy and curiosity, seeking to understand the other person's perspective. This practice not only strengthens your relationships but also cultivates patience and emotional resilience.

Our Membership Community (MWOD) is where we embrace discomfort as a path to personal development. Remember, it's probably not for you... but if we're wrong about that, or if you want to find out for yourself, visit us at MWOD.io 🦬

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Disclaimer:

The information shared on this podcast and any related materials from Men & Women Of Discomfort (MWOD) or Flying S Incorporated are for general informational purposes only. You should not use this information as a basis for making decisions without consulting your own medical and legal professionals. We aim to provide accurate and up-to-date information, but we make no guarantees about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or comprehensiveness of the content.

At Men & Women Of Discomfort, we promote agency and encourage you to carefully consider the input we offer. If you find it helpful, we invite you to take advantage of it, but do so with the understanding that you bear the responsibility of due diligence. By using our content, you acknowledge that you are taking opportunities at your own risk. Thank you for understanding.

*Transcript Note: The transcript of our podcast is AI-generated and may contain errors. We aim for accuracy but appreciate your understanding and feedback on any discrepancies.

Copyright 2025 Men & Women Of Discomfort (MWOD.io)

Mentioned in this episode:

Sponsor: Never Settle

Never Settle is the creative tech and marketing agency that has been MWOD's creative partner— helping with branding, designing our website, and various growth marketing projects. When we started MWOD, we knew we had something that could help a lot of people, but communicating and enrolling people online to build their life around voluntary discomfort is a tough sell. We needed a partner who could understand what we were really doing and help translate that into an online presence that moved people. Never Settle is that partner. They took our vision and made it clear. No small feat for an organization promoting the one thing nobody wants to do. They’re genius. If you want to learn more about how they can help make your vision a reality, head over to neversettle.it/MWOD

Never Settle Promo