Make Pain Your (Reluctant) Friend
Making new friends in your 20s can feel like trying to hold on to a wisp of smoke—everyone’s busy settling into careers, relationships, and the ever-shifting terrain of adulthood. Yet, in my own journey, I stumbled upon an unexpected ally. Pain, the very thing we typically run from, has become a dependable (yet reluctant) companion in my life.
Think about that one friend who tells you the truth when no one else dares—like when your outfit looks ridiculous, or your performance at work is sliding downhill. Pain does the same. It signals where your limits lie and dares you to negotiate with them. Ignore the message, and you stagnate. Embrace the discomfort, and you adapt.
Recent research shows that moderate, controlled stress—whether it’s high-intensity exercise, a sauna session, or a plunge into an ice bath—boosts both mental and physical health. At the cellular level, our mitochondria ramp up energy production to overcome each challenge, turning stress into an agent of growth.
With all things, I immediately turn to running. An unknown source once nailed it: “Every run, there’s a point where your body protests—aching legs, shortness of breath, that internal voice begging you to stop. Discomfort shows up like an old rival. The question is: will you treat it as a limit, or see it as just a hurdle?”
That’s a powerful question. Pain sits across from you like an adversary, but by engaging it, you learn your true capacity. One more mile. One more rep. One more difficult conversation. Pain demands you choose—resign or rise.
Yes, pain can be a lousy companion: it shows up unannounced and never with a friendly smile. But you can rely on it to give you direction. Pain magnifies the areas in your life that most need growth. When you stand at discomfort’s door, open it. Let pain tell you where you’re weak, then use that knowledge to become stronger. Lean on friends, mentors, and your own discipline to move forward.
Because here’s the truth: Pain always returns. But each time it does, you’re more prepared. You’ve faced it before, and you know what you’re capable of. Eventually, you’ll greet pain with a nod, not because you enjoy it, but because you recognize it for what it truly is—a necessary part of becoming better.
Keep Getting After It,
Brett
A Necessary Disclaimer
I’m not suggesting you push through injuries or endure harm that clearly undermines your well-being. Here, I’m talking about the type of discomfort that sharpens you—the mental challenge of an early morning workout, the steady burn of training for a race, or the heart-pounding rush of trying something new. Pain, in this sense, is a catalyst.