Misogi
There seems to be a new really fancy term these days for DOING REALLY HARD SHIT. EPIC SHIT. The new term for that really hard thing you want to do is, Misogi. The term Misogi is being made popular by Michael Easter’s book the Comfort Crisis, and his conversations with Dr Marcus Elliot. Doing hard things is part of our Evolutionary Biology. Doing hard things is hardwired into our DNA. We evolved from doing hard things to survive, to our modern day Misogi. There are many great tools, and tons of helpful information in the Comfort Crisis, I highly recommend reading it!
I have noticed in my practice over the years that there is a certain breed of human, where this just is. I have always been this way. Always choosing to do harder and harder things every year. Not because it was the new hip thing, because it is just the way to be, happy.
I think, when I was younger, I just wanted to be better than I was yesterday, or today. This leads me to keep trying new things, harder things. In 1997 I did my first Open Water Swim in a triathlon for a team. In 1998 I did my first Sprint Triathlon in Los Alamos, New Mexico.
I keep this coin on my desk as a reminder of who I am, and where I came from. I have decided to celebrate my 30 years in sport.
I have noticed in my time on earth that some people wonder why others always chose to do harder, and harder shit. My response has always been, I don’t know why I am this way. The truth is we are all this way. We are born to challenge ourselves. It is innate.
There are rules to the “modern misogi”.
“Rule 1: Make it really hard. What’s “really hard?” Answer: You should have a 50/50 shot at finishing whatever task you take on.
Rule 2: Don’t die”
Some time has passed since I have finished the book and it’s given me time to reflect. A misogi doesn’t have to be Denali, Xterra World Championships, Leadville, Javelina Jundred, or Mountain Man Invitational. It can be any goal or objective you desire to accomplish. It could be as simple as getting in your minimum requirement for exercise a week: 120 minutes of cardiovascular exercise and two days of strength, because sometimes that is hard shit too.
Pretty stoked to be a part of each coached athletes’ individual goals/Misogis.
I really enjoy the time I have sharing in these experiences! Whether in person, during the preparation, or the great images I get after they reach the top.
30 years in sport, and I have never owned a Time Trial Bike.
I am excited for what the next two years bring. Everything I am doing looks polar opposite to what I am known for doing.
That’s what brings the fear of the Unknown and
The Uncertainty.
The fact it is so hard I am giving myself 2 years to achieve my goals. This year I would say it’s less than 50% chance I will be successful. Way less. But hopefully not. I don’t know. And that’s what makes this next frontier so frickin’ exciting.
I am not going to lie. I am very much looking forward to my epic adventures in the mountains, and getting that 100k buckle and I would love to get that 1030 buckle at LT100. Right now, PIVOT. The plan is to Challenge myself in a way that is new to me. That seems impossible.
There are some guidelines to the Misogi, here is the important one:
“Guideline 2: Don’t advertise your Misogi. It’s okay to talk about Misogi with friends and family. But you don’t Tweet, Instagram, Facebook, or boast about your Misogi. “Misogis are inward facing,” Elliott told me.:
I would love to hear if there is something that seems impossible you would like to do. Let me know if I am able to assist you in achieving that which seems unachievable.
Thanks for checking in.
Be Your Ultimate Potential.
-Coach Zoe