When it comes to achieving success in any area of life—fitness, personal growth, or even family—consistency is the true key. That’s the lesson I’m learning as I tackle the Hard 75 Challenge. Whether you’re a member of BattleGrounds Fitness or just someone looking to make lasting changes, Hard 75 is something worth knowing about. It’s not for everyone, but it has been a game-changer for me.

What is Hard 75?

The Hard 75 Challenge, created by Andy Frisella, is designed to build mental toughness and discipline. It’s far more than just a fitness program—it’s about transforming your habits and life. The foundation of Hard 75 includes five core tasks:

1. Two 45-minute workouts per day, one of which must be outdoors.
2. Follow a strict diet—your choice, but with no cheat meals and no alcohol.
3. Drink a gallon of water daily.
4. Read 10 pages of a non-fiction or self-development book.
5. Take a daily progress photo.

Phase 1 (30 days) adds even more challenges. In this phase, the five original tasks remain, but three new requirements were added (I’m just doing what the App tells me to do):

1. 5-minute cold shower – This pushes your mental resilience and forces you out of your comfort zone.
2. 10 minutes of dedicated visualization – This is time spent focusing on your goals and visualizing success.
3. 8 Power List Critical Tasks – These are additional, personal tasks that help you focus on what’s important in your life.

My 8 Power List Critical Tasks

As I work through the Hard 75 challenge, I’ve developed my own 8 Critical Tasks to make sure I focus on the most important aspects of my life. These aren’t just about checking off boxes but creating real, meaningful progress in areas that matter most.

1. Tell my wife I love her – A reminder not to take her for granted. It’s about being intentional and verbalizing my love daily.
2. Tell my kids I love them – Just like with my wife, I make sure to let my kids know how much I love them, every single day.
3. Take my vitamins – I’ve struggled with vitamin deficiencies (B and D), so this is crucial for my mental and physical health. It’s a habit I had down when I was on military duty but fell off when I got back.
4. Check on my finances – Financial health is as critical as physical health. I’m doing this to secure my family’s future and give myself peace of mind, so I can sleep better at night.
5. Write for 10 minutes – For years, writing has been on my to-do list, but I never made it a habit. Now, it’s non-negotiable. I’ve been writing on a variety of topics, many of which reflect back on my childhood.
6. Do one thing to help the gym – As the primary owner of BattleGrounds Fitness, it’s crucial that I focus on growing the business. Every day, I make sure to do at least one thing that helps the gym thrive. Writing this blog is today’s task. Yesterday, it was reviewing the gym’s bank account and moving money to cover the lease.
7. Say 10 minutes of prayer – Spiritual well-being is essential in my life. It helps me stay grounded and strengthens my relationship with God. As I see it, nothing is possible without the grace of God.
8. 5-10 minutes of stretching – David Goggins talks about the importance of mobility, especially as you get older. I’ve incorporated daily stretching into my routine to stay limber and prevent injuries.

Book of the Month: Clean(ish)

For my reading during Hard 75, I’m working through the book Clean(ish) by Gin Stephens. This book has been eye-opening, to say the least. It explores the importance of reducing toxins in our everyday lives, from the products we use to the foods we eat. I’m shocked by how many hidden chemicals we encounter, even in things I thought were safe. This has pushed me to take a closer look at the ingredients in everything we use at home and to be more intentional about keeping things as clean as possible. While we already eat mostly whole foods, I’m now more aware of the little things I let slip through, especially with the kids. It’s a work in progress, but I’m glad for the knowledge this book has given me.

Hard 75 and Building Consistency

The beauty of Hard 75 is that it forces consistency. At first, I didn’t think I’d have time to complete all the tasks in a day, but after just a week, I’ve realized I have more than enough time—and I still waste time that could be used more productively. I’ve also found ways to be more efficient, like combining my 10 minutes of visualization with my walk or run.

The program’s structure is helping me see just how much you can accomplish when you’re focused and consistent. It’s not about perfection—it’s about doing the work every day, no excuses. For instance, the diet I’m following is simple but powerful: three protein-rich meals a day, no skipping meals. I’ve always struggled with meeting my caloric intake, and not eating enough can be just as harmful as overeating. When you don’t get enough calories, you lack the energy to perform and may even start storing fat. Clean(ish) touches on how fat cells store toxins, which has further emphasized the importance of eating the right foods to stay healthy and energized.

Challenges and Setbacks

Last time I attempted Hard 75, I made it to day 40 before getting sidelined by COVID. That was a tough blow, and I’m mindful of the challenges that lie ahead, especially with juggling Drill and all the tasks. But this time, I’m focusing on consistency and forming habits that will stick even when things get tough.

Final Thoughts: Consistency Wins

Hard 75 isn’t for everyone—it’s intense, and it requires a high level of commitment. But the lessons it teaches about consistency and daily habits can be applied to anyone looking to make progress in life. Whether it’s fitness, family, or finances, finding a few consistent things to focus on daily can lead to big changes over time.

At the end of the day, slow and steady wins the race. Stay consistent, and you’ll see the results.

A Big Thank You

I want to take a moment to thank everyone at the gym for all the support and encouragement you’ve shown me throughout this journey. We have such an amazing community here, and the way you all lift each other up is truly something special. Your kind words and support have given me the boost I need to keep going—thank you for being such a big part of this experience!

Quick Reminder: We’ve got just a few weeks left until the Battle Buddy Brawl on November 9th, 2024! There’s still time to sign up as a Sponsor, Volunteer, or Competitor. Don’t forget about the Rogue barbell raffle and cash prizes. I’m a little worried about how Hard 75 will affect me during the competition, but I’m ready to give it my all!