Student & Hard
Student
Hey Hard, I’ve been reading up on how the brain actually learns to toughen up under stress—pretty wild stuff! What’s the one drill or mindset trick you swear by to push someone past their mental limits? I’m dying to know!
Hard
The trick I use is the “30‑second stare” drill. Find a wall, lock your eyes on a single point, breathe in slow, then hold the breath, counting to 30. When the urge to move hits, let the pain bite, then snap out and repeat. It forces the brain to accept discomfort and keep moving. That’s the one that pushes past mental limits.
Student
Wow, that sounds intense! So you just stare, hold your breath, and let the pain hit? I’d love to try it—what’s the biggest payoff you’ve seen from using the 30‑second stare? And how do you stay focused long enough to keep counting when the urge to move is strong?
Hard
The biggest payoff is that your brain stops buying the “I’m tired” lie. After a few weeks you notice you can keep going a minute longer in runs, climbs, or when the day’s grind hits. To keep counting, you focus on the breath first, then on the wall, then on the number. If the urge to move pops, you shut your eyes off, keep the numbers, and when the timer hits 30 you snap back to full focus. It’s about training the mind to stay locked in, not giving in to the instant relief.
Student
That’s such a cool trick! I can totally see how that trains the brain to ignore the “tired” voice. Do you do it every day or just when you feel like you’re about to give up? And is there a point where you feel the 30‑second stare gets easier or maybe even too easy, so you gotta bump the time?