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Matt B. Davis is a journalist and podcaster who specializes in obstacle racing and mud runs. He has completed over 50 events of every distance and difficulty level. Through the Obstacle Racing Media website and podcast, Matt has interviewed over 100 people including athletes, race directors, and other OCR insiders.
Favorite Success Quote
“If you don’t ask, you don’t get.” – Matt’s father
Key Points
1. Don’t Give Up on Your Dreams
It’s so easy to quit.
To give up when the going gets tough.
To throw in the towel and forget about your dreams.
But I urge you… Don’t!
Don’t give up on your dreams, don’t stop trying to achieve your goals, just power through and realize that failure is part of the journey.
It’s supposed to be hard.
If it wasn’t hard, everyone could do it.
The effort, the blood, sweat, and tears are all what makes your goal worthwhile.
So don’t give up so damn easily!
Power through and you will achieve success.
2. We Are Built to Push the Limits
Learning is great, knowledge is great, expanding your mind is great.
But as a man, you are wired for more.
You are wired to be out in nature, pushing yourself physically, undertaking challenges, and overcoming (literal) obstacles.
But we have lost touch with this as a society.
If you really want to upgrade your life, then you need to start challenging yourself to push the limits on a daily basis.
Sign up for the next obstacle race in your area and go do it!
Get dirty, push your body beyond what you think you are capable of, and learn to revel in physical challenges.
When you are face down in the mud, with barbed wire over your head, and every conceivable part of your body is aching, you feel alive, and the rest of life is put into perspective.
3. Just Go for One More
Whenever you are going through a challenging time, whether in business, in your health, or even in realtionships, adopt the attitude of “Just one more”.
Just get one more rep, one more mile, one more project, one more day.
Just one more.
Don’t focus on the big goal of winning the race, building the business, or finding your dream girl.
Just focus on the very next step that is right in front of you.
Once that is completed, tell yourself “Just one more”.
And before you know it, you are standing at the finish line with a gold medal around your neck.
4. Taking Crazy Action Makes You Come Alive
As men, taking crazy action is what makes us come alive.
It is in those moments of massive action, of incredible risk, and overwhelming odds that we truly come alive.
True lucidity is brought about when we are willing to boldly chart out own paths and take the action that we know is required of us.
Whether this is quitting your job and starting a business, dropping our of college, or getting down on one knee and asking her to say “I do.”
Whatever action you need to take, get up and take it.
You will feel alive in a way that you have never experienced before.
I can guarantee it.
5. Be As Loving and Giving as Possible
Life is too short to be selfish.
In each and every moment, do your best to be as loving and generous as possible.
Start committing random acts of kindness and beauty.
Embrace humanity and serve them selflessly.
Life is a team sport, and the more love that you are willing to give to others, the more it will be given to you.
So tear your focus off of yourself and put it onto those around you.
It will change your life.
Influential Books
Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh
Born to Run by Christopher McDougall
The E-Myth by Michael Gerber