Hi Arcadians -

A couple weeks ago, Sam and I each finished the biggest physical challenge of our lives. She ran a 21k with over 4,500 feet of elevation gain. I ran the Rut 50k with almost 11,000.

If you’ve been to an Arcadia event, you’ve heard us say it: Do Hard Things. You discover who you are and what you’re made of in the process. But in this David Goggins, Cam Hanes world of Do Hard Things, what doesn’t get talked about enough is enjoying the process.

Before the Bridger Ridge Run last month, I wanted a way to remind myself to enjoy the experience and not take myself too seriously, because I have a history of doing that with just about everything. I had songs my kids love on my playlist. I wore a bracelet my daughter made for me. But it was one simple thing that changed my mindset.

I wrote “Make it Great” on my arm.

“Be Great” has been with us since the beginning of Arcadia. It was my email signature from Day 1. So at 3:45 a.m. the morning of the Rut, with sleep still in my eyes and a pot of coffee brewing, I pulled out a Sharpie and wrote it again, right by my watch, so I’d see it every time I checked my pace. Yes, I was out there to prove some things to myself. I was also out there to enjoy it and find the aliveness that comes with doing hard things.

That race was a lot harder than it should have been. A couple things went wrong up in the mountains. My mindset stayed steady and made it great anyway.

I like this reminder because it’s up to me. It’s up to YOU. You can let one bad thing stack into a really crappy day, or you can change the flow of thought and Make it a Great day. No one is coming to save you. It’s a crossroads we face every single day. Mindset is literally make or break over 31 miles in the mountains, and it’s just as true on a random Tuesday.

The Rut was by far the hardest thing I’ve ever done physically. Nineteen miles of climbing to the top of Big Sky, scrambling over shale and large rock, then a steep descent as soon as you hit the top. Over 150 people don’t finish. My legs were screaming and my lungs were burning, but quitting was never on the table. I’d made that decision before I toed the start line.

It was also full of beauty, and of other people chasing something great. Every time I looked down at my arm, it changed everything in that instant: a little pep in my step, a smile on my face, a reminder to look around and snap a pic. I trained for this (and, as many friends reminded me, I paid to do this). I was lucky to be out there.

With about an eighth of a mile to go, I got emotional. All the early mornings, all the time in these mountains with my friends, and all the support from Sam and my family came to a peak right then and there. Sam was cheering me on, my kids ran out and grabbed my hands, and we crossed the finish line together.

Together, we truly Made it Great.

So here’s my challenge to you. Pick your hard thing, whether it’s a race, a tough conversation, a launch, or the season you’re in right now. Write yourself a reminder and put it somewhere you’ll see it when things go sideways, because they will. And when they do, look down and Make it Great.

Be Great. Be Arcadia.
Jason