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507: Sacrifice, Failure and Pain, A 100 Days of Hell Success Story w/The Iron Cowboy

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Sep 19, 2021

Guest

James "The Iron Cowboy" Lawrence

James "Iron Cowboy" Lawrence, an endurance athlete famed for completing 100 consecutive Ironman triathlons, shares his incredible journey and insights. He discusses the necessity of mental toughness and embracing fears when setting ambitious goals. Lawrence emphasizes the importance of gradual progress, highlighting personal sacrifices made while balancing family life and business. His experiences reveal how overcoming physical and mental challenges can lead to growth, inspiring listeners to pursue their own daunting aspirations.

01:14:30

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ANECDOTE

From Half to Full Ironman

James Lawrence broke the half-Ironman world record in 2010.
He then completed 30 full Ironmans across 11 countries, winning twice.

insights

INSIGHT

The Power of Doubling Goals

James Lawrence explains that doubling a previous goal felt more achievable than incremental increases.
A larger goal also provided a greater sense of challenge and motivation.

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ADVICE

Start Small, Scale Up

Start small and build momentum, even with ambitious goals.
Gradual progress leads to sustainable success, avoiding burnout and failure from aiming too high initially.

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Embracing Fear: Investment Insights and Personal Challenges

03:18 • 4min

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The Path of Endurance: Growth through Sport

07:14 • 23min

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The Path to Financial Freedom

30:00 • 8min

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Lessons from the Field

38:27 • 8min

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Enduring the 100-Day Cycling Challenge

46:06 • 13min

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Empowering Parenting Through Consequences

59:19 • 6min

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Embracing Self-Responsibility and Creativity

In 'As a Man Thinketh,' James Allen emphasizes the profound impact of thoughts on an individual's character, actions, and circumstances. The book is based on the principle that 'a man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts. ' Allen uses the metaphor of a garden to illustrate how thoughts, like seeds, grow into actions and shape one's life. He argues that by controlling and cultivating positive thoughts, individuals can change their circumstances, achieve success, and find happiness. The book stresses personal responsibility and the transformative power of thought in shaping one's destiny.

Atomic Habits

James Clear

Atomic Habits by James Clear provides a practical and scientifically-backed guide to forming good habits and breaking bad ones. The book introduces the Four Laws of Behavior Change: make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying. It also emphasizes the importance of small, incremental changes (atomic habits) that compound over time to produce significant results. Clear discusses techniques such as habit stacking, optimizing the environment to support desired habits, and focusing on continuous improvement rather than goal fixation. The book is filled with actionable strategies, real-life examples, and stories from various fields, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve their habits and achieve personal growth.

Outwitting the Devil

The Secret to Freedom and Success

Sharon Lechter

Napoleon Hill

Written in 1938 by Napoleon Hill, 'Outwitting the Devil' was considered too controversial to be published in its era. The book is presented as an interview between Hill (Mr. Earthbound) and the devil (our inner dark self), where Hill uncovers the secrets to freedom and success by evaluating the greatest obstacles humans face in achieving their personal goals. The book discusses topics such as the difference between drifters and non-drifters, maintaining a definiteness of purpose, finding one’s other self, Hill’s seven principles, and the law of hypnotic rhythm. Annotated and edited for a contemporary audience by Sharon Lechter, it was finally published in June 2011.

In 'Iron Cowboy: Redefine Impossible', James Lawrence shares his extraordinary story of completing 50 full-distance triathlons in 50 states in 50 days. This memoir, co-written with Matt Fitzgerald, chronicles Lawrence's grueling journey, highlighting his determination and the support of his family and community. The book offers insights into overcoming physical and emotional challenges, demonstrating the power of the human spirit.

Finishing a triathlon is a grueling achievement, only accomplished by those who are in peak physical and mental condition. Once finished, the top of the top go on to train for an Ironman, arguably the toughest triathlon on the planet. One hundred and forty miles of pain and pressure, broken up into a two-mile swim, a one hundred and twelve-mile bike ride, and a twenty-six-mile run. This is not a race for the faint of heart, and if you can finish just one, you have bragging rights forever.

What would it take for someone to finish not one ironman, not two, not ten, not twenty, but 100 consecutive Ironman races, back to back? Wake up, swim, bike, and run over one hundred and forty miles, go to sleep, and do it all over again. That’s what James “Iron Cowboy” Lawrence did, smashing through world records and personal goals.

James sits down with Brandon and David today to talk about mental toughness, creating goals that scare you, gradually working your way up to mastery, and asking “what am I willing to sacrifice to reach the end?” James had to run a business, take care of his seven-person family, and compete for more than a quarter of a year straight. If he can conquer one of the greatest physical and mental feats the world has ever witnessed, what’s stopping you from accomplishing your goals?

In This Episode We Cover:

Pushing yourself past the limit to see what you’re truly capable of

Breaking multiple world records and developing mental toughness

Why your goals should scare you enough to pursue them

Why you don’t need to 10x your output and the importance of small steps

Finding what you’re willing to sacrifice to reach your goal

Why every great athlete, entrepreneur, and leader needs a rockstar team

Choosing the person who “doesn’t break” under hard circumstances

And So Much More!

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