Hi! — long‑time readers and new visitors alike, welcome! If you’ve followed me for any amount of time since starting the blog in 2010, you know I care deeply about building an organized, intentional life — in my home, with my business, and in my wellness. So today, I’m excited (and a little anxious) to share that I’ve officially embarked on the 75 Hard Mental Toughness Program created by Andy Frisella.

Today is day 17  / 75 so I felt encouraged and positive enough to reveal this is what I’m up to until January 2, 2026!

From the first time I found Andy’s podcast back in 2017, the MFCEO Project, I knew I had stumbled on something different. That podcast was hosted by Andy (with Vaughn as his sidekick) — entrepreneur, speaker, author, creator of the mental‑toughness program 75 Hard, and someone whose direct, no‑excuses message has resonated with thousands around the world. And it quickly became my weekly listening obsession. I found the podcast during a time I was still working alone in my business, and long overdue from hiring my first employee.

Andy’s early journey in business is far from glossy, just like mine. And most certainly others who have a dream of starting a business or have started one and feel the impacts/struggles in those early years. He often tells the story of working for nothing in the early days – something I can very much relate to! His father’s tough love, a daily grind mindset, and relentless push to take control of his circumstances form the backbone of his message.

He may look intimidating, but he’s a big a$$ teddy bear – trust me. Biggest heart ever, cares deeply about everyone, and a lover of animals.

Another reason I connected deeply with him early into learning more about his history, he is the survivor of a traumatic event. I am too. I’m not comfortable opening up about my experience just yet – I may share more in the coming months. But finding someone who was also the victim of a violent crime and yet still found the mental and emotional strength to continue living and accomplishing his dreams all while helping others…he was my person.

Andy co‑founded supplement and fitness companies (and more), built a culture‑driven business empire, and uses his platform to speak bluntly about habits, discipline, self‑accountability, and growth. And over the years his podcast evolved into something deeper. Unless you’re a business owner who is really in the trenches, it may be hard to understand this…or maybe not. But politics play a HUGE part in business. And without getting into anything too deep here (this is a blog post about starting this program…and is meant to be a fun, engaging post – not a political one), owning a small business in the state of California is INCREDIBLY challenging. Politics and our government crush my business during certain seasons – especially an election season.

I’ll step off that soap box for now…moving on!…

Anyway, I became a loyal listener of his podcast in 2017 and have followed everything he does since. Watching Andy put in the hard work — speaking about mental toughness, executing a plan, refusing to make excuses — has inspired me to believe I can do better, be stronger, and hold myself to a higher standard.

He’s more than a business personality; he’s a mindset‑mentor whose message seeped into my life and indirectly led me here — to starting 75 Hard. The program he developed years ago.

I’ve always wanted to start the program, so why didn’t I? I always had an excuse or a reason why it was never a good time.

Why I Started

There are many reasons I chose to begin this journey now — here are just a few:

• Social drinking was starting to take a toll on my body, my mind, and my productivity. I wanted the break. I craved the break. Although I have a blog / social media accounts, I don’t often share deeply personal details about myself or my personal life. So here goes something – I am single. I have lots of friends who are married, but a fair amount who are single. It became more evident to me that meeting with friends often involved getting dinner and having drinks, going wine tasting in Napa, catching up at a bar over drinks, going to events at our local club to connect over drinks, meeting at the Giants or 49ers games…where again we are having drinks. Alcohol, while I’m not an addict or anything, was becoming too big of a presence in my life and I wanted the break.
• I’ve been struggling with focus and organization in my business and personal life, and I needed a challenge to reset my structure.
• My sleep was inconsistent, my energy levels were unpredictable, and my psoriasis had flared up. I wanted a full reset.
• I wanted to prove to myself that I can do hard things consistently. That I can commit to a rigorous routine, even through weekends, holidays, and social events.
• I’ve noticed some negative self-talk creeping in over the years, and low self-esteem that I want to overcome. This program felt like a path to reclaiming confidence and mental clarity.

What the Program Entails

 

For those unfamiliar, here’s the structure of the 75 Hard program:

• Duration: 75 consecutive days

 

• Daily Tasks:
  1. Two 45‑minute workouts, one of which must be outdoors (no matter the weather and workouts need to be a minimum of 3 hours apart)
  2. Follow a diet — no cheat meals, no alcohol
  3. Drink one gallon of water per day
  4. Read at least 10 pages of a nonfiction/self-improvement book
  5. Take a progress photo each day

Oh…AND…here’s an important point. If you fail to complete any task on the list, you go back to day one. !!!

After completing 75 Hard, participants can move into Phase I, II, and III, each lasting 30 days. While the core focus of mental toughness continues, the daily tasks shift slightly to continue growth, challenge, and self-improvement.

• Phase I: Focuses on continuing habits established in 75 Hard, with additional tasks like practicing a skill or journaling for personal growth.
• Phase II: Introduces more flexibility while reinforcing discipline, including additional reading, skill-building, and continued physical training.
• Phase III: Focuses on long-term lifestyle integration, preparing you to sustain the habits you’ve built beyond the program itself.

I AM going to complete the initial 75 day phase but am still considering if I want to continue with the additional 3 phases. I’d like to get to January 2, after completing these 75 days, to see how I feel. The entire program, which is called The Live Hard Program, is intended to be completed within one calendar year. So I do have time to think about it after wrapping up this 75 day phase. I’ll keep you in the loop – lol!

Two Weeks In: My Reflections

 

It’s now Day 17 — more than two full weeks! Here’s what’s stood out so far:

• Energy: I feel a noticeable boost in energy. The outdoor walks and indoor workouts, combined with better hydration and no alcohol, are making a difference.
• Sleep: I’ve been turning in earlier, waking up naturally, and feeling refreshed. The early morning routine has become something I genuinely enjoy. By 8am I am generally feeling super accomplished! And yet the day has barely begun.
• Organization + Focus: Planning each day around workouts, meals, and business tasks has been empowering. My morning to-do list now feels like a roadmap for success, not just a task list.
• Social Wins: Halloween weekend was a real test — surrounded by treats and friends drinking, I stayed disciplined and woke up feeling proud and energized. Our bi-annual wine event at our local club took place last weekend. In years past, it was a non-negotiable for me. This year I skipped it without a second thought.
• Challenges: Walking outdoors on concrete and asphalt is tougher than treadmill workouts; I’m experiencing some soreness. Time management has been tricky — I need to carve out dedicated blocks for editing content and other business priorities.
• Body Changes: No huge visual changes yet, which is a little surprising, but I do notice clearer skin, less inflammation, and brighter eyes. I haven’t weighed myself yet, and I’m focused more on progress in habits and mental clarity than on numbers on a scale.
• Hydration: Hitting the gallon of water daily is still a challenge, but I’m making meaningful improvements and listening to my body.

Connecting to My Past Wellness Journey

 

If you’ve been following my blog for years, you know this isn’t my first foray into fitness or structured challenges. I’ve had seasons of highs, lows, and everything in between.

What’s different now is the mental toughness component. This program isn’t just about fitness or diet; it’s about building discipline, focus, and resilience that permeates every area of life. Organization has always been my specialty, but now I’m structuring not only my physical space but my mental space, habits, and personal growth.

Health, fitness and wellness have long been a part of my life. If I go a day without physical movement, I am not a nice person to be around – lol! Honestly, I’ve stayed VERY active and dedicated in my physical health / appearance, which is likely why any changes in my body might take more time to see. I was already in great shape when I started 75 Hard. I’m not saying this to brag. I truly am exceptionally proud of myself for taking control of that area of my life long ago – fitness and nutrition. But I am always looking to be an even better version of myself physically…and of course mentally too. I’m completing this program partly for the physical fitness / health aspects, but mostly the mental toughness components.

**Day 16 photo

What’s Next

 

Here’s how I’m moving forward:

• Continue taking the program one day at a time, building consistency over time.
• Find a new book that excites me for the reading component, while continuing Bible study for reflection and personal growth. Currently I’m reading Andy’s book and participating in a weekly bible study.
• Adjust workout schedules to better balance business tasks and fitness goals.
• Track progress in energy, focus, sleep, and even psoriasis as indicators of overall health improvement.
• Share reflections with you regularly — the wins, the struggles, and the mindset shifts — hoping to inspire both long-time readers and newcomers to consider building structure and clarity in their own lives.

I’m excited about what the next 58 days will bring. Thank you for joining me in this journey, whether you’ve been here since 2010 or are just stopping by. Let’s embrace structure, clarity, and self-discipline together — one day at a time.

If you’ve completed this program, I’d love to hear from you…even if you’ve thought about starting one day. Let me know! Look forward to sharing more with you, including how I’ve been staying organized with meal prep, my schedule and more each day!

More soon guys!

xo,

Sam