It started 5 years ago today—on December 30, 2020. While the world was consumed by lockdowns, mandates, and craziness, I was consumed by my own self-improvement. As a result, I began a new discipline. One that would change the entire trajectory of my life. This new habit? Training. Every day. It started small—5-minute at-home workouts.

But it quickly grew from there. I built on the foundation I had started, adding running, weight training, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. And before I knew it, 5 years had come and gone. But before I share the 5 life lessons from 5 years of training daily, I want to share a few of the experiences I’ve had along the way.

Running Marathons

As of this writing, I’ve run 5 half marathons and 3 full marathons. The best part? I have plans to do a few ultras in the future. Running a marathon to me was the ultimate test of endurance. I wanted to prove to myself that I could go the distance (figuratively and literally). However, now, it’s just become a fun thing to do in my life.

Running is a form of therapy. It’s a passion that I’ve been doing consistently for over 6 years. I run at least 3 to 4 days a week. And honestly? I’d probably do it daily if it weren’t for other sports that I love, like BJJ and weight training.

Training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

I started training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2021, about 6 months after I started my daily training regimen. I fell in love with the sport almost immediately. Since then, I have trained BJJ all over the world. Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Abu Dhabi, the Maldives. And I’ll continue to do so for as long as my body allows. This sport has completely changed my life.

I’ve trained BJJ all over the world:

• The Middle East
• Thailand
• Malaysia
• The Maldives
• Singapore

And the thing I love about the sport is it’s the same wherever you go. The same techniques, submissions, etc. It’s like going to a foreign country where you don’t know a single soul and finding that everyone speaks the same language as you. I can get dropped anywhere in the world and feel right at home the minute I find a good BJJ academy.

Doing Spartan Races

I competed in my first Spartan race in 2023. I flew from ice-cold Canada to the blistering desert of Abu Dhabi to do it. It was one of the most surreal moments of my life. Abu Dhabi is an incredible place. The palm trees, the temples, the culture. Everything about the city was new and exciting. And then there was the actual race…

At this point, I had run marathons and half marathons (21km to 42km). However, this little 5km race in the middle of the desert was one of the most challenging physical activities I have ever done in my life. The bucket carries, the rope climbs, the atlas carries all under the blistering sun of the Middle Eastern desert. It was brutal, and I loved every minute.

5 Life Lessons From 5 Years Of Training Daily

Training daily has centered me emotionally, strengthened me physically, and built me mentally. Whether I’m on the mats doing jiu-jitsu, at the gym crushing a weight training session, or hitting the trails for a run, this daily discipline has become a centerpiece in my life. Here are 5 lessons I’ve learned from 5 years of training daily.

1. You Can Change Your Identity

Here’s something that may surprise… I was a fat kid growing up. At my heaviest, I was 170 lbs when I was 12 or 13 years old. For a man who’s only 5 ft 7 inches (and currently 140 lbs soaking wet) as a full-grown adult, you can imagine what 170 lbs looked like on my frame when I was an adolescent. Not a good look.

Even thinned out into adulthood, I was still pretty chubby throughout my twenties. I never saw myself as an athlete or as someone who was healthy and fit. But that all changed when I was 29 years old on that cold, fateful December day when I started my daily training regimen.

2. There’s More In You Than You Think

When you push yourself physically, you develop the muscle to push yourself in other areas of life as well. You develop a capacity to handle more. The cool part? You realize that there’s more in you than you’ve ever given yourself credit for. This leads you to begin asking, “What else am I capable of? What else can I do?

That’s exactly what happened to me after I ran my first half-marathon. I started asking myself what else was possible. It was this line of questioning that led me to start training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. And if you know my story, you know how BJJ absolutely changed my entire life.

3. Journey Over Destination

When I started jiu-jitsu, my biggest goal was to get away from that chalky white belt. The belt that screams to everyone (with what feels like a giant microphone) your amateur status. I felt like I was in a mad dash to get to that blue-belt finish line. After 2 years, I did it—I earned my blue belt.

But that one-track mind—while good for focus—robbed me of just enjoying the journey. That was an eye-opener. When I came to this realization after earning my blue belt, I decided to slow down. Not to be in such a rush. Savor the journey and allow the destination to unfold on its own time.

4. Failure Doesn’t Mean You Failed

I ran my first marathon in May 2021. At the time, the world was beginning to open up again after the pandemic. But many things were still closed down, marathons being one of them. So I ran it by myself. I scoped out the 42km and decided on the route. My excitement and spirits were high. But I was unprepared for the distance. The result?

An abysmal finish time of 5 hours and 42 minutes. I saw it as a complete failure. But I wasn’t done. I knew I could do better—WAY better. So, I knuckled down. Trained harder. Increased my mileage. And 4 months later participated in my second marathon.

At this time, however, the covid-19 restrictions had been fully lifted. So, I got to race in a real marathon alongside thousands of other runners. I was fueled by the desire to push, to prove I could do this. The finish time goal? 4 hours and 30 minutes. My actual finish time? 3 hours and 50 minutes. 

Not only did I smash my previous marathon time, but I also smashed my own expectations. And the lesson? Failure doesn’t mean you failed. It just means you gained experience. It just means you weren’t ready yet. Pick yourself up. Try again.

5. Physical Fitness is a Launchpad for Self-Improvement

5 years of training daily has done a lot for me: I’ve become more disciplined, built a higher degree of confidence, got in the best shape of my life, etc. However, one subtle lesson that being an athlete has taught me is that physical fitness is a launchpad for self-improvement. It’s a keystone habit. As a result, it’s a catalyst for personal growth in your life.

This simple discipline is what allowed me to expand and grow in countless unexpected ways. I’ve met incredible people, traveled to exotic countries, and had experiences I NEVER thought possible—all because I decided to move my body a little bit every day.

Final Thoughts On 5 Years Of Training Daily

5 years of training daily has changed who I am on a fundamental level. And it can do the same to you. The best part? If you commit to a simple training regimen, that discipline will spread into other areas of your life. So, I’d like to leave you with a challenge… Start a daily training regime of your own. Nothing crazy. Start small if that’s what you need to do.

The idea is to just get something going. Even if you’re only following along with a 5-minute exercise video on YouTube. That humble beginning will change your entire life. I swear by it. So, get started. And remember: Stay Motivated And Disciplined.