Earlier this month, I got the opportunity to run alongside one of my clients and his son in the Spartan Trifecta Challenge. In order to complete this series of adventure races you must finish three separate circuits: the Sprint, the Super, and the Beast. Racers who successfully complete these challenges run over twenty-two miles and tackle seventy-five obstacles. It is no joke. To get through these races, you must be physically and mentally resilient. Racers like Chad and Kaden, a father son duo, rely on strength, endurance, and determination to cross the finish line—which is actually a blazing fire you must leap over to complete the course. Together, they have completed over forty adventure races.

I signed up to run with them in the Beast portion of the challenge. This race is a little over thirteen miles and includes thirty obstacles. Mile nine was when things started to get real. Chad and Kaden are from Michigan and this event was held at Fort Carson Army base in Colorado. At an elevation of 5,814 feet, the lower oxygen levels and changes in air pressure can easily sabotage your chances of finishing the race— especially if you are not acclimated. Although Chad, Kaden, and I were making great time up to this point, the cool hours of the morning had passed, and the unrelenting Colorado sun meant that temperatures would continue to rise by the second. With over four miles of rocky, mountainous terrain standing between us and the finish line, a resilient mind was paramount—not only to complete this race but also to withstand the effects of altitude sickness, heat exhaustion, and muscle fatigue.

Catching our breath after completing a challenging obstacle called Olympus, I read another racer’s shirt that brandished the statement, “Do hard sh*t.” At that very moment, with dust and sweat covering his face and breathing heavily, Kaden said, “I just hit my wall.” In endurance sports, “hitting the wall” or “bonking” means your muscles begin to rapidly shut down, going from feeling great to feeling like you’re going to collapse due to the depletion of glycogen in your body. It is very painful and causes you to feel dizzy, nauseous, and extremely fatigued. Internally, your brain sounds the alarm to stop and rest. Kaden’s options were to throw in the towel and be medically evacuated from the course—an option chosen by a significant portion of racers that day—or push his physical and mental limits, one step at a time, to reach the finish line and successfully complete this leg of the Trifecta Challenge.

Both Kaden and Chad are veteran adventure racers. They understand that our bodies are far more capable than the limits our minds try to establish to protect us. Encouraging his son to continue, Chad put his arm across Kaden’s shoulder and said, “Slow and steady—we are going to cross the finish line together.” I was thrilled and inspired to witness the determination in their eyes as they continued down the course to face the next obstacle.

Chad and Kaden train weekly to give themselves the best chance at success. However, it is difficult to simulate courses that vary at each location. We attempted this race during the hottest part of the year in Colorado. With temperatures soaring into the high 90s under a relentless summer sky, nearly every mile saw a fellow racer calling for medical help due to exhaustion or injury. At one point, several of us found a competitor face down in the dirt, unable to get up due to dehydration. Together, we carried them up the hill to the medical transport team. Every step depleted our energy reserves, and the internal dialogue beckoning us to quit grew louder. Around us, racers were dropping out or simply collapsing. Quitting would be the easier option—but then we wouldn’t get the medal. Stopping means choosing failure and reinforcing a mentality that easily breaks when faced with a challenge. So we pressed on toward the finish line.

For Chad, enduring this controlled pain is about more than just completing a physical challenge. It’s his way of creating lasting memories with his sons, disciplining his mind, and processing the difficult emotions caused by life’s challenges. Yes, he has a wall covered in impressive medals from all the races he's conquered, and completing today’s race will add another awesome award to his collection, but even more valuable is the affirmation and building of his self-confidence. His and Kaden’s success will strengthen their family bond with the motto: "we do hard sh*t." This isn’t just about a race; it’s about building the foundation of his life. In one weekend, Chad is strengthening his family, expanding his physical limits, designing his resolute mind, and experiencing the pride and satisfaction that comes from conquering a challenge—all while having a blast. Chad is winning.

Success in any area of life comes down to the choices we make every single day. Living with thorough intention means choosing to stand strong in the midst of discomfort and moving forward with resolute purpose. Life is hard. No one can escape that truth. Cultivating mindful momentum means practicing daily gratitude and intentional action in order to lead a life we love. I have been coaching Chad for several months now, focusing on his personal finances—he has set some impressive goals for his money. I’m here to help him along the way. Because Chad is doing the necessary work daily and dedicating himself to building the mental and physical habits that put him in control of his resources, he will achieve his financial goals. So, what’s stopping you from living your dream?

If you know someone who is on a mission to live boldly and might find Chad’s success encouraging, please feel free to forward his story to them. If you want to test yourself and sign up for a Spartan race, click this link and use the code INVITE15 for 15% off your race registration.

With radical intention,

Sammy Jones

“With the courage to begin and the discipline to endure, success is only a matter of time.” - Anonymous

Chad is winning

Mind your sacred Garden

© SAMMYJONESCOACHING 2024