Built for Purpose
I won’t speak for everyone, but I’m sure most of us can agree that at some point, we’ve all ferociously hated our bodies. You know that glass-shattering moment when you catch a glimpse of yourself in a reflective window? That ripped, bad-ass image you had in your head shatters, and your brain instantly declares: This is your reality.
Never mind that you’re mid-workout—because that doesn’t matter right now. What matters is that the reflection didn’t match your expectations.
Welcome to the hot athletes club, baby! You’re officially initiated.
This moment is real for all of us, no matter what sport we’re doing or how long we’ve been at it. I’ve been competing in sports since I was 8 years old, and let me tell you—no matter how many compliments or accolades you rack up, nothing erases that glass-building moment.
I used to kill myself in the gym for 4–6 hours a day, only to respond to every compliment with a coily: “Thanks, but I want to have better [fill in the blank]—like you!” It wasn’t until I started training for a purpose higher than aesthetics that it stopped mattering to me—as much.
And I can’t lie—there are still plenty of moments when, despite following my training plan for the 24-hour run (and subsequent marathon), I feel like my body doesn’t reflect my effort. I bet you’ve wondered, too, why the person who does half the work still looks [what you perceive as] “better” than you. COME THE F ON.
Then you have a choice:
Give up
Go harder in the most unreasonable way possible
I’ve always chosen the second option. 🤡
That led to a gross amount of under-eating, under-sleeping, and binge-exercising—because, in my mind, the worst that could happen was I’d look great but be a little sleepy. Very sensible, right?
It took multiple injuries and hormone disruption—which can also lead to injuries and chronic issues—for me to realize: I was the problem.
If you didn’t already know, homeostasis—balance among all your body’s systems—is vital for simply existing, let alone training. If you’re like me and sensitive to even small changes, listen up: I’ve found something that actually works.
Stop trying to do it all.
You train for a purpose. Find your purpose. For me, it’s being able to run for 24 hours to bring awareness to a cause I care about. That requires:
8+ hours of sleep
A healthy amount of good fats (scary but cool)
Extensive carb intake (60–90g per hour of running, maintenance level when NOT running—still refining this)
Eating my bodyweight (lbs) in protein (oz)
Hydrating with creatine and electrolytes days before a run, not just during
Allowing others to help (this is a biggie for some of you, and yes I see that)
Maybe you’ve already nailed this part and are missing drive elsewhere. I hear you. These just happen to be my personal deficits. I don’t have everything figured out, but I can say that this test subject of one has seen incredible improvements by making these changes.
I also work with a coach and have an incredible crew that keeps me on top of my game—even when I don’t want to be. 🤠
My closing argument (for now): Find your greater purpose, and build a tight-knit circle that supports you. Your homeostasis—and your sanity—depend on it.
