There’s been a popular challenge circulating and growing the last few years around the world because of a man named Andy Frisella who wants to encourage everyone to be the best version of themselves. Maybe you’ve heard of it already or have taken part in the challenge yourself, it is called the 75 Hard Challenge.
The 75 day challenge consists of what seems to be extremely simple tasks that you must achieve every single day without question, and if you miss anything the challenges requires you start over back to day one. The rules of what must be achieved every single day are as follows:
- Two 45 min workouts
- Follow a diet of your choice
- 1 gallon of water a day
- Read 10 pages of a book (no nonfiction)
- One workout must be outdoors
- Take a progress pic
- No alcohol or cheat meal
In this challenge there is no leniency and you must do the challenge by the rules, military style. Though the tasks are simple it becomes challenging implementing it into your every day life with having to still work your job, take care of your family, or any other aspects of life that pop up, this is the time for no excuses and pushing yourself to the limits.
Andy Frisella specifically says, “This is not a fitness program, 75 Hard is a transformative mental toughness program….Think of this as an Ironman for your brain.”
The author and entrepreneur goes on to discuss his own insecurities and lack of true discipline, the weak mind “the bitch voice” and how to dominate your mind and what led him to create the challenge in the first place. “The Bitch Voice is the voice that speaks fear and doubt and discontent and rationalization and laziness into our minds and hearts.”
Discipline and integrity are two of the biggest parts to this challenge. Let’s say skip one workout on Day 30 because you were too tired or did not schedule your day properly. Continuing to Day 31 rather than starting over on Day 1 the next day immediately puts you out of integrity. Lets say you forget to read your hard cover personal care book on day 53. You wake up on what would have been Day 54, and even though it was a mistake, it is dishonest to continue as Day 54 because you did not complete all the tasks. Frisella makes it extremely clear that it is in your best interest to start the challenge over and follow through properly. You will see how this builds character and the mental toughness. Continuing the challenge that next day without starting over, you just compromised your character. Dishonesty within oneself only hurts that individual, and additionally you could not possibly gain from the challenge what you should.
I, the author of this article, have also participated in the challenge. The growth it gave me personally is an immense sense of achievement that I’ve never felt before. November 2020 I was in a complete funk. We were in the middle of the pandemic and I felt stuck, depressed, and had lost my way physically since the gyms were closed and there was not a lot to do. I’m sure many of you relate to this and felt the same way. I was looking for something to push me and make me a better human for myself, for those around me, and my businesses. At Day 47 I failed due to the diet. In fact, it was a harmless mistake. I went out with friends to celebrate a friends birthday and ate something I thought was within my particular diet then found out it was not. Though it was a mistake, I knew I needed to start the challenge over because I took my mental health seriously. I was even more depressed for a day, but I gathered myself up and restarted the challenge at Day 1. By April 10, 2021 I had completed the challenge honestly and fully Check out my post from April 2021 when I completed it.
Nothing has ever given me so much satisfaction by completing this challenge. It was up to me to finish what I began. I could hav easily given up, but I was determined and the mental toughness was kicking in. I felt so good about myself and decided to continue some of the same habits in my every day life.
Sources say people who have completed the challenge honestly, have said they feel more motivation, determination, now enjoy a good challenge, and take better care of themselves. In fact, many people continue the challenge up to 100 days or make an entire lifestyle out of it. By staying focused and accomplishing each task every single day you start to feel better about yourself and when you feel good inside this will transmute to what is outside of you. Better grades in school, a job promotion, maybe inspired to start a new business, finding new recipes, beginning a new hobby, there are no limits on what you can achieve once you truly believe in yourself. Check out what fellow 75 Hardians have said:
“I went on this journey saying I didn’t want to break a promise to myself. If I say I’m going to do something, then be sure to do it and don’t sacrifice myself for others. Not only can I do hard things, but this journey is mentally tough. Yes, physically, I look good, but it’s an experience that I will never forget.” – Anonymous
In addition to the podcast series Andy Frisella hosts where he discusses the 75 Hard Challenge on numerous occasions in detail, he also came out with a book which can be purchased on Amazon or most stores. If you feel the challenge is for you, you can also download the 75 Hard Challenge app from your Android or iPhone app store which helps you track your daily activities which includes capturing your daily photo. We hope this has inspired you.
