The 75 Hard Program: What I Learned About Discipline and Wellness

On day 64 of the 75 Hard Program, I can confidently say that this journey has been nothing short of transformative. As someone who already lived a relatively healthy lifestyle, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started. Working out once a day, eating well, and staying active were already habits I had built over my adolescent years. But 75 Hard challenged me in ways that went beyond just working out. Instead, it made me rethink my approach to discipline, wellness, and ultimately, the way I live my life. 

In case you don’t already know what 75 Hard is, here’s a simple breakdown breakdown. It’s 75 days of 2 45-minute workouts a day, sticking to a diet, drinking a gallon of water (which I did have to modify to suit my own body’s needs), reading a non-fiction book, no alcohol (which I already don’t drink), and taking a progress picture everyday. The catch is, you're not allowed allowed to miss any days, and if you do, you have to start back at day 1. Crazy, right?

Though I haven't yet technically finished, I feel urged to share some of my own advice given my success so far. From the very beginning, I approached this challenge with a different mindset that I knew would help carry me through. First off, I didn't approach this as a "challenge" per-say. Instead, I simply shifted my mindset. Instead of thinking of all the tasks I "had" to complete for the next 75 days, I told myself two things.

1. This is my lifestyle.

2. I get to do *insert random task* for the next 2 and a half months.

My friends would wish me "good luck" as if the next 75 days would be a daunting task, but deep down, I knew I would finish (and yes, I'm writing this for the future). It wasn’t a matter of "if”, it was always a matter of "when." My past experience with sports and strict coaches-in both figure skating and gymnastics- had already instilled in me a sense of discipline. However, no one was telling me what to do anymore. Now, I was on my own. 75 Hard became a way to prove that discipline to myself, and it became a way for me to take charge myself. But more than that, it became a lifestyle. I wasn't seeing it as 75-day challenge. From the start, it was about testing my mental resilience and pushing myself to new limits.

I began experimenting with new workouts, often pushing myself to step outside my comfort zone. Pilates became a new (old) favorite of mine. I tried out different studios all over Nashville, and each one offered something different. I also fully embraced my unlimited yoga membership. Each class brought me a sense of calm, strength, and a new type of energy. Waking up became easier, I found myself motivated, excited even, to tackle each day. Just a week in, I felt like a new person. Both my body and mind felt strong with my boost in energy and productivity being so recognizable. And, I must add, my days were much better when I had a hot yoga class or pilates class booked.

It wasn’t just the workouts that changed. My mornings became more productive, and I became more mindful of my habits. The program made me focus on what I was putting into my body, and healthier choices became second nature. 75 Hard didn’t feel like a challenge after a while, it simply became how I lived. I wasn’t counting down to day 75 because I knew this lifestyle wasn’t going to end when the program did. I’m in full belief that it’s a part of me now.

The most significant thing I learned is that discipline is less about brute force and more about your mindset. The physical challenges were one thing, but what kept me going was a shift in how I approached each day. When you commit to something fully, your mind can carry you through anything. It’s not about luck—it’s about showing up every day for yourself, and being ready to push yourself, even when it’s hard. Have there been days throughout this where I've woken up so tired and sore that I had no desire to even complete the easiest tasks of my day? 100%. But that's the joy of what this challenge taught me. Discipline is built in the moments that we want to quit but don't.

With only a few days left, I know that 75 Hard isn't just a silly Internet trend for me - it is a reminder that I’m capable of anything I set my mind to. And this is the mindset I plan to carry with me well beyond day 75. To me, this isn’t just the end of a challenge, but it’s the beginning of a lifelong commitment to living well.

In all honesty, I think everyone should take up the challenge. After all, how else will we learn to discover our potential if we never push beyond our limits?