1186: Michael Easter | Embrace Discomfort to Discover Your Best Self

Our ancestors thrived on struggle; we wilt from inconvenience. The Comfort Crisis author Michael Easter shows how embracing discomfort builds resilience.

Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1186

What We Discuss with Michael Easter:

• Modern comfort crisis: We've engineered physical activity and challenges out of our lives, leading to sedentary diseases and reduced mental resilience — but our bodies and minds still need discomfort to thrive.
• Discomfort as medicine: Physical effort, hunger, and temperature swings protect against disease by triggering beneficial adaptations — 80 percent of eating today is driven by boredom or stress, not actual hunger.
• Transferable toughness: Mental resilience built through physical challenges transfers to other life areas — like how overcoming a difficult hike builds confidence to tackle career or relationship obstacles.
• Nature's measurable benefits: The "25-3 rule" — 20 minutes in city parks three times a week reduces stress; five hours monthly in wilder nature increases happiness; three days yearly off-grid resets priorities.
• Start with a two percent mindset: Only two percent of people take stairs when escalators exist. Begin building discomfort tolerance with small daily choices — take stairs, walk during calls, sit on the floor while reading.
• And much more...

And if you're still game to support us, please leave a review here — even one sentence helps!

• Sign up for Six-Minute Networking — our free networking and relationship development mini course — at jordanharbinger.com/course!
• Subscribe to our once-a-week Wee Bit Wiser newsletter today and start filling your Wednesdays with wisdom!
• Do you even Reddit, bro? Join us at r/JordanHarbinger!

This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors:

• Cayman Jack: Explore uncharted flavor: caymanjack.com
• Hammer Made: $50 off first purchase, $199+: hammermade.com/jordan, code JORDAN
• Quiltmind: Email [e-mail] to get started or visit quiltmind.com
• Factor: 50% off first box: factormeals.com/jordan50off, code JORDAN50OFF
• Audible: Visit audible.com/jhs or text JHS to 500-500

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.