September 07, 2020

The Power of a Determined Mindset

When I saw a video post by my friend Adam on Facebook yesterday, I was completely stunned. Speechless. Just completely in awe.

I've known Adam since high school and we've remained good friends through all these years--he even stood up in my wedding. Lately, we've been talking a lot more. He's been really into challenging himself and he's the one who turned me onto talked me into trying 75 Hard.



He's also the one who told me to read David Goggins' book, 'Can't Hurt Me' (Amazon affiliate link). David Goggins is on this whole other level of toughness--I can't even fathom the amount of discipline that he has developed from years of sheer HARD WORK. And I'm starting to see some of this in Adam. It makes me really excited for him!

He is currently doing 75 Hard, and he's about a week ahead of me (I'm starting Week 8 today). He's made it much more challenging to himself than I have, however. 

To back up, though...

In February, he did the most insane challenge I'd ever heard of up until that point--he did a 4x4x48 challenge (Goggins' idea). That meant to run 4 miles every 4 hours for 48 hours straight. Yes, you read that correctly. Insane! And he did it.

He didn't just do this once; he did it again in June! (And now he wants me to do it with him next month, even if we just walk instead of run...)

Adam bought a used mountain bike from a friend so he could use it to bike to work as well as exercise. On July 28, Adam tried out his new wheels:



Then on August 4th, out what what seems like nowhere, he walked 42 miles in one day!



Adam decided to do a charity event where he would have to cycle 250 miles in September (I'll include the info for that at the end of the post). So, he got started...


I have to do a side note here: This is super ironic and funny. Even through high school, Adam would talk about being strong and always working on being stronger by challenging himself. He later moved into a house that he knew was on Adams St. (coincidental enough) but then realized that it was on the corner of Strong Blvd! So he lived on the corner of Adams-Strong. Crazy, right?! (That's what the hashtag refers to.)

Also, when he mentions a "cookie jar" it's another reference to David Goggins' book. It's a way of tucking away little accomplishments to pull out when you need to feel strong to get through something.

I've saved the most insane accomplishment for last (although I'm sure this will not be *his* last!). He posted this video to Facebook yesterday, leaving me stunned.

(Note: When he mentions a triathlon, he's talking about the cycling portion of an IRONMAN.



Anyway, I hadn't planned to do an entire post about Adam, but I just had to brag about him a little. He's been SO encouraging to me while I do 75 Hard and definitely trying to push me out of my comfort zone. When I was feeling depressed and antisocial in the winter, he kept asking to get together and when we finally did, I felt so much happier.

He's an amazing friend and literally the strongest person I know--his mental determination is approaching David Goggins'. 

I don't usually post links to other people's charities because I get SO many requests to do so. Adam did not ask me to post this, but I'm going to anyways just in case anyone feels like they want to contribute to his cycling goal for September.

It's called the Great Cycle Challenge and it's to fight kids' cancer. Here is a link to Adam's fundraising page.

16 comments:

  1. September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month. Say a thank you to Adam for bringing the awareness! Stay gold!💛

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    1. Yes it is Angie so it ties in perfectly. Thank you for the encouragement.

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  2. Brought me to tears Katie. I had no idea you were gonna our so much into this blog post. This encapsulated everything I’ve gone through in one easy to access page. I can’t thank you enough for doing this and for the constant motivation/accountability that you help me with. You already know how much I love you. I won’t ever forget this, and I’ll definitely be sharing it. My moms gonna cry her face off. Lol.

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  3. I just want to say Congratulations to Adam and like he says not at challenges and outside the home. Congratulations to all parent who got through the first few months with a new born. I breastfeed my second child about every 4 hours, every day for at least 4 weeks and it was mentally and physically very hard. But we got through it as a family and every one sleeps fine now. So no parent should forget how tough it was with a new born and how you make it to the other side. (And it did get easier than those first 4 sleep walking days no matter what anyone says).

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    1. We’re stronger than we realize. Thanks.

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  4. I need a good pep talk. I tried to hear it, but even though I had the volume all the way up, I couldn't hear a word. he looks super healthy. I named my son Adam. I'm gonna check out this charity for kids with cancer. Your friend is awesome and you're his awesome friend!

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    Replies
    1. Glad I could provide the pep talk even without you hearing it. Lol. I’m feeling great Karen and I can’t thank you enough for the support. A great name indeed, can’t argue with that one. Katie is no doubt an awesome friend. This is one of the nicest things anyone’s ever done for me. You’re awesome too.

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  5. That is crazy cool! Way to go Adam! Thank you for sharing.

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    1. Thanks Sarah. I feel crazy cool right now. Just wondering what else I’m capable of?

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  6. Adam continue to follow your heart. I like that about you :)

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    1. While this says it’s anonymous, I’m pretty sure I know who this is friendship. I’ve been practicing what I preach and it feels amazing. Never forget to follow your heart.

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  7. Going from 20-30 miles to 112 miles biking is quite the achievement! I do want to caution Adam, though, that you can injure yourself by doing too much, too soon. Carry on!

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  8. Nothing was injured and I was listening to my body the whole time. It wasn’t about reaching my goal at any cost, it was about listening to my body and realizing I was capable of more. Thanks.

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  9. Oh my god this 4mi thing every 4 hours sounds intense....I'm so down for that if you want a virtual buddy too (doing it on her head like us aussies do haha)

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