Hey Reader,
There’s a sweet spot between mental clarity and physical performance.
But most people are so easily dialed into work priorities that they forget their bodies need movement too.
In today’s issue, we’ll discuss how doing something physical amidst all the intensity of life keeps your edge sharp.
Let’s get into it.
💢 It’s not the most important thing… but it helps everything else.
Right now, I’m deep in building the next phase of my business while stepping into new leadership demands.
Work is intense, important, and all-consuming, and delivering results for my clients is my top priority.
It would be easy, tempting even, to tell myself now isn’t the right time to train for anything physical.
Or adding something else is just unnecessary pressure.
But every morning, I still run.
Not just because I’m training for a marathon. And not because I want to talk about it every day.
I run because it helps me show up stronger in everything else.
It’s not a distraction. It’s supporting my mental focus.
One brick at a time, one run, one rep, or one simple physical commitment that stacks, reminds me I’m still in motion.
And I realized this physical activity quietly feeds everything else I’m doing.
It sharpens my mind, gives me clarity, keeps me balanced, and helps me perform at a higher level at work and home.
🧠 You just need a rhythm
People see physical discipline as a side quest when, in fact, it’s fuel.
Let’s be honest.
When business or family is demanding, and everything feels like it needs your attention, what’s the first thing to get cut?
Movement.
Because it feels optional or indulgent. Or just not as high-leverage as a meeting.
So you drop the workouts, hoping to get back to them once things calm down.
But they never do.
Honestly, we’re all guilty.
And the problem is that you’re operating like it’s a season.
But mental sharpness is something you practice.
And one of the most effective ways to practice it is by doing something physical.
Because when you don’t, it’s easy for your energy to dip.
There’s no mental fuel to sustain your drive.
And just like that, you can easily lose momentum. Followed by anxiety, frustration, and fatigue.
Then it snowballs.
Gradually, you feel less decisive, overthink simple things, and feel a step behind your own momentum.
❤️ The body is how the mind learns rhythm
You don’t need to be a fitness freak.
You just need something physical that becomes part of your life.
Not to brag about it or to post it, but to help you become more you.
When you make daily walks, lifting a few times a week, or any physical movement a part of your routine, you’re building discipline, clarity, and confidence.
Every simple run, every quick workout, every physical brick stacked day after day clears mental clutter and builds emotional resilience.
You become mentally tougher, calmer under pressure, and more strategic without even realizing it.
Your nervous system has a place to exhale.
So your thoughts have space to settle.
You realize that doing something physical doesn’t take away from your big goals.
It makes it more possible.
Your body and mind are constantly syncing up to help you move with more clarity, and less pressure.
It’s a symbiotic relationship… physical feeds back into the mental.
When your body is strong, your mind follows.
🤲 Build a rhythm that doesn’t break
You’re busy. I get it.
You need simple habits to get you going.
Here are some practices that help me. (And can help you too.)
- Build the momentum. Go out, walk to the gym, look around, and absorb the energy even if you don’t actually do the workout. Sounds crazy, but if you do this for a few days, you’ll naturally build the momentum to do the workout. James Clear talked about a client of his who did this until he eventually started working out. You’re trying to build momentum first.
- Stack up: Pick something quick and sweaty. I’m talking 5 minutes of burpees, 20 mins walk, 5 minutes jumping jacks, or push-ups right before a big meeting. Nothing clears your head like that rush of endorphins. Be consistent with your routine.
- Practice temptation bundling. Pair your walk, run, or whatever workout with another thing you love to do. Before, during, or after. The coffee you like before or after a workout, the funny podcast, or the playlist you can’t get over during the workout. Anything at all that excites you. It’s a cool way to stay consistent.
- Try the reward system. I talk about this a lot. It’s the idea of rewarding yourself for something that appears hard, so your brain gets tricked into looking forward to that activity because of the reward. So make a reward at the end of your routine. Something you’ll love. A piece of cake, for example. Over time, your body starts to enjoy the endorphins of doing the workout, and you start to care less about the reward.
🎯 What’s one physical commitment you can make this week?
What would it look like if your body and mind were working in sync?
Success takes stamina.
And stamina is built.
You’re already successful.
Now imagine how much greater you’d be if you engaged your body as much as you engage your mind.
As Jim Rohn famously said, “Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.”
And well….you learn discipline, clarity, and stillness with your body.
So do something physical.
You’ve got this.
With appreciation,
Huw
P.S.: I'm running the 2025 Leadville 100-mile race this week, and I'll definitely share my detailed experience soon after.
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Huw Edwards
Founder & CEO, h3.xyz
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