Beyond Talent: Where the Journey Makes You
By Chad DeWitt, Co-Founder of Suffer More Athletics
I’ve been an athlete for as long as I can remember. Sports entered my life around the age of six, and by fifteen, I was already hooked on lifting weights in my high school gym. But even before that, the seed had been planted, my aunt was a professional bodybuilder, and from the time I was born, I was surrounded by the grit, dedication, and discipline that came with that lifestyle.
Through my teens and early twenties, I thought athleticism came naturally. I believed that if I showed up, my strength and ability would carry me through any physical challenge. That illusion shattered the day I competed in my first full triathlon.
The swim was brutal. I came out of the water exhausted and far behind. On the bike, I pushed hard to make up lost ground, but by the time I hit the run, my body had nothing left. A few miles in, I bonked, hard.
That moment changed me. I realized talent and background alone wouldn’t cut it. Coasting through training wasn’t enough. True performance and real growth demanded more.
That’s when I started to lean into the hard things. I trained with purpose, not ego. I chased experiences that would force me to grow:
-
75 Hard, where I learned discipline and the power of consistency.
-
David Goggins’ 4x4x48 Challenge, where I tested the limits of sleep deprivation, endurance, and mindset.
-
Races of all kinds: 10Ks, half marathons, triathlon sprints, and eventually a full marathon.
-
Competitions beyond my comfort zone: CrossFit events and even stepping on stage for a bodybuilding show.
Each challenge taught me something new. That physical ability only gets you so far. That mental toughness is built, not born. And most importantly, I learned it’s not just about the race or the competition itself. It’s the journey to get there that transforms you. The daily grind, the setbacks, the small wins, the discipline to keep pushing, that’s where you build real strength.
The suffering, the struggle, and the push to test your limits, mentally and physically, is where you become a powerhouse.
That’s why Suffer More isn’t just a brand. It’s a mindset. A lifestyle. A belief that if you’re willing to embrace the struggle, the suffering, and the grind, you’ll come out stronger, not just in the gym or on the racecourse, but in every area of life.
I didn’t get here overnight. It’s been a lifetime of training, failing, learning, and showing up again. And I’m still just getting started.
So if you’re here, reading this, wearing the gear, and choosing to Suffer More, know that you’re part of the same journey. You’re proving to yourself that comfort won’t make you stronger, but suffering through the struggles will.
-Chad DeWitt