THE ROOT 9: 10.1

You don’t have to be a Lady Gaga fan to feel connected to how she probably felt in the moment when this page was created way back when - we’ve likely all been subject and had to respond to others putting us down. Gaga's response serves as a potent reminder of the sheer tenacity required when chasing any goal. The core message that punches through is the need to refuse surrendering to the skepticism and negativity of others. Her success, the global phenomenon she became, stands as a defiant middle finger to that kind of small-mindedness. It underscores a fundamental truth: other people's limitations should never become the blueprint for your own life. Their doubts are just that – theirs. To internalize them is to willingly clip your own wings before you've even had a proper chance to fly. Gaga’s journey is a blaring testament to the power of self-belief in the face of external disbelief. It's about digging in, staying the course, and letting your actions, your achievements, become the ultimate rebuttal.

It's also crucial to acknowledge that this insidious doubt isn't always projected onto us by external naysayers. Often, it festers within, taking root in the form of self-limiting beliefs – that nagging voice whispering, "I won't be able to do that," or "I'm not good enough." This internal saboteur can be just as, if not more, potent than any external critic.

I try to always lean into the importance of proof points. These aren't just about showing others what you're capable of; they're vital for building your own internal evidence bank, tangible reminders of what you've already overcome. There will inevitably be times when a harsh criticism lands squarely, or when that self-doubt creeps in and feels overwhelmingly real. We can't always erect impenetrable shields against these moments of vulnerability. However, the power lies in our response. Do we allow those seeds of doubt to germinate and choke our ambitions, or do we actively cultivate a mindset where these challenges become fuel?

By consciously choosing to disregard the validation of those negative voices, both external and internal, we empower our subconscious to absorb these experiences not as setbacks, but as future proof points – tangible evidence that we have consistently shattered perceived limitations, both those imposed upon us and those we unwittingly impose upon ourselves. It's about transforming doubt from a roadblock into a stepping stone, each one solidifying the path toward our aspirations.

The Power of the Little Things: Finding Movement in the Everyday

It's definitely been a juggling act fitting in the 45 minutes of outdoor movement for 75 Hard, mostly on in office days peppered with early calls, lunch plans, and post-work errands. I personally don’t love walking alone in the dark, so there’s only so much time in the day where I can get this done. It sometimes feels disruptive to shoehorn it into an already packed day.

Post 75 Hard, I don’t see a daily 45 minute walk being a permanent fixture in my routine over a lift or run, but it has made me want to find ways to incorporate more gradual movement into the day than I did before. On the very rare occasions where I’ve done my 75 Hard walk during a lunch break and subbed lunch with a protein shake to get it done, I have felt myself coming back more rejuvenated and getting through the day with a pep in my step that isn’t coming from caffeine.

Rather than focusing on a particular movement or lift this week, I wanted to take a moment to talk about how the small movements can and do add up. If you are choosing to walk to pick up lunch instead of ordering in, taking a quick ten-minute breather outside to shake off an afternoon slump instead of reaching for more caffeine, or walking to a local coffee spot instead of making whatever is in the office out of convenience - that slowly builds up to 30-45 minutes of movement that may not have felt as difficult to slot into your schedule because you broke it up to bitesize pieces. In our busy lives, glued to our phones and screens, actively thinking about getting outside often falls to the bottom of the to-do list. Encourage you to seek a pocket of opportunity this week and intentionally bring it into the day. It's the compounding effect of these small changes that can lead to significant improvements in our overall well-being, both physically and mentally.

Whenever I fly, I need to listen to something that will put me in a more mellow state (I'm someone who tends to get fairly anxious on planes, unfortunately). As I’ve built my playlists throughout the years, I love listening to my "1.6" playlist linked above on flights, and I definitely leaned into it with two flights this past weekend. It has a dreamy, ambient feel, mixing indie folk with a touch of soul. It helps me chill out, if you will. I’m sharing two songs from it that came on shuffle over the weekend and that I re-fell in love with.

Fun fact: Komorebi is a Japanese word referring to the effect of sunlight filtering through leaves of trees. 🙂