You are much stronger than you think - here's how you can find out how strong you are

Today, I want to share something important with you—a reminder that you are far stronger than you might have come to believe about yourself.

In 2012, I decided to try and run a half marathon, which is 13.1 miles (21km) long.

I had never done anything like this before, yet the idea of enduring a long distance run seemed fascinating to me.

I felt like it's worth trying to push my body to the limits, just to see what happens.

I wanted to just see what was possible for me.

Then reality hit me.

As I started training for the event, I realized that my current capacity to run was about half a mile (<1km).

I tried to push that limit, and in about a week I was able to run 1 mile.

Then my progress stopped.

No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't break the 1 mile (1.6km)  barrier.

I was convinced then that 1 mile is the max I could run.

I then discovered that I developed an injury in my knees, and that running after all was not my cup of tea.

I rested for a week, but then felt like giving it a second try.

I started running again, this time with more focus on my form and with a greater desire to push.

I hit 2 miles on the first day.

The rest period, it seems, had recovered my body.

I kept up with the schedule, and ran 4 miles two weeks later.

Two months later, 8 miles was reachable.

I couldn't believe what I was experiencing.

I was already 8 times stronger than I had thought I was.

I had no friends who were training with me. I was alone.

This made me unafraid to try and fail.

If I failed, no one would know.

So I kept on going.

On the day of the event I came prepared, with the capacity to run 9.5 miles.

I had never run more than that.

But strangely enough, I had no doubt that when the time came, my body would do what was required of it to do.

And it did. I completed 13.1 miles in 2 hours and 37 minutes.

There was no one who celebrated with me.

Yet, I was elated with what I had accomplished.

Now, obviously, a half-marathon is no big deal, but that's not the point.

The point is, it was a big deal for me then, because I believed that it was impossible.

It wasn't about running, it was about discovering that I had 13 times the energy, the grit, the endurance and the belief, the power, I thought I had.

And that to me was life-changing.

That made me question, where else am I stunting myself because of my limiting beliefs?

What else do I think I cannot accomplish, simply because I have not tried hard enough yet?

Ask yourself these 5 questions.

1. Am I truly not capable, or have I convinced myself that I am not?
2. Have I truly tested my physical and mental limits?
3. What can I choose to begin today, which seems impossible to me, but incredibly exciting? (Remember it may be simple or doable for someone else, and that's okay)
4. What have I ever accomplished until now, without working hard towards it?
5. What if I am 13 times stronger too, more resilient, more determined, than I think?

Physical endurance is just an example, because it is so visual in nature. Yet, it is no different than mental endurance.

The muscles in our body do not grow unless they experience small tears because of stress. 

That is why when the muscle heals, it is larger and stronger.

Similarly, our limits do not grow unless we create small tears in them, unless we push them over, and then wait for them to adjust to the new normal.

And you can do all of this, without leaving your comfort zone.

How’s that possible?

It is because you do only what makes you feel curious. 

You test your limits, in the areas that you want to test them.

You choose. This way you are always free, and comfortable trying.

If your comfort zone is expanding, it is because you are exploring the edges of it.

When I chose to run a half marathon, my goal wasn't to become a runner.

It was to test my mind.

Even today, my body remembers that it can run.

Even with a 6 month break in running, it can easily run 2 miles.

I think because belief that it can do it, is firmly planted.

So ask yourself this 6th and final question.

What difficult thing should I try next, that could help me believe in myself?

What could show me who I truly am?

Once you have the answer, you go for it.

Because you are not just stronger than you think, you are 13 times stronger.

This is a funny, but great video that shows what makes the mentality of those who are really pushing their limits. (It’s a marketing video, but doesn’t make it any less true of how Muhammad Ali lived his life.)

https://youtube.com/shorts/pCr-fIy-JVA?si=E07ZLTNFbDV29-uJ