Motivation is a Scam (Sorry, Not Sorry)

Look, we’ve all been there. You watch a few motivational YouTube videos, buy some expensive gear, post about your “big plans” on social media, and boom—you’re ready to conquer the world. Until day five hits, you’re sore, cranky, and still haven’t magically transformed into Chris Hemsworth. And just like that, motivation vanishes faster than pizza at a toddler’s birthday party.

The Teaspoon Reality

Motivation, it turns out, is kind of a scam.

Seriously, relying on motivation alone is about as effective as trying to paddle upstream with a teaspoon. Sure, it’ll get you moving initially—but good luck keeping it up once things get tough. And spoiler alert: they always get tough.

My Wake-Up Call

But let’s be clear—I’m not totally discounting motivation. There was a pivotal moment when I knew I absolutely had to change. It hit me when climbing a simple flight of stairs left me embarrassingly winded. Even worse, I started skipping walks with my family because I dreaded the exhaustion and, frankly, I was just being lazy. The CPAP machine I had become married to each night was another stark reminder, and every extra pound seemed to drain my energy and tank my sex drive. It was clear: something had to change.

Goggins, Discipline, and Getting Real

If you haven’t heard of David Goggins, here’s the quick rundown: He’s a former Navy SEAL, ultramarathon runner, and overall badass who wrote the brutally honest book Can’t Hurt Me. Goggins isn’t about motivational fluff; he’s about facing reality and confronting the lazy person inside you through relentless discipline.

My wife read his book, and it ignited something inside her—but that initial spark didn’t keep her consistently hitting the gym. Ultimately, it was her systems, preparations, and some help from Wegovy that got her real, lasting results.

But here’s the real kicker. Not everyone is David Goggins. Most of us don’t wake up itching to run 100 miles or knock out pull-ups until our arms detach from our bodies. Relying on sheer willpower to become a disciplined savage overnight? Good luck.

Discipline and Accountability FTW

Instead, let’s talk about what actually works: discipline and accountability.

The truth is, motivation is what happens after you’ve already put in the work, not before. Want to feel motivated? Cool, then get moving first. Motivation is the dessert—not the meal itself. Discipline, however, is the meal prep you reluctantly do every Sunday night, even when you’d rather binge-watch Netflix.

And accountability? That’s your safety net. Because let’s face it, unless you have someone or something holding your feet to the fire, you’ll quit faster than your last gym membership lasted.

The Next 100 Days

That’s exactly why I’m kicking off this 100-day challenge. It isn’t about chasing motivation; it’s about building systems so solid that motivation doesn’t matter anymore. I’m ditching the fantasy of instant abs and embracing the slow grind of discipline and accountability. Because real change doesn’t come from flashy Instagram quotes—it comes from showing up, day after day, even when it sucks.

Buckle up, buttercup. The next 100 days aren’t about motivation—they’re about getting real results. No scams allowed.