Sometimes, people just need to be pushed.

Whether they know it or not, they need a good push. A good confrontation. A wake-up call.

I was on vacation last week. I walked into the gym, as I do every day on vacation.

As I jumped on the Peloton bike, I noticed I had the “One friend is working out” notification on the bottom right of the screen.

I looked at the button, clicked it, and saw who it was…Ryan, that’s who!

Adrenaline rising, I immediately joined the ride. He had been going for about five minutes before I started the ride. So, as any good Peloton rider, I high-fived him to let him know I was there.

Then, I was off to the races!

At first, I was determined to finish ahead of Ryan. Again, most of us are competitive and want to win. But then, I wanted to see how well EACH of us could do.

With that, I continued to high-five him through the ride. Pushing harder and harder. Sweat pouring on the floor. Grunting in the gym.

Through the mirror, I watched the other people working out and noticing my intensity, probably thinking I was insane.

I mean, here I am on vacation in Hawaii, and I’m groaning and grunting like a wild boar running through the jungle!

Finally, I passed Ryan. But there is still time left. Ryan finishes his ride first. I look…. A new PR (personal record) for him!

I stare down at my results with two minutes left on the ride. I, too, had set a PR!

Determined to do even better and push even more, I rode faster and increased the resistance. Pushing harder and harder, mustering everything I could give and then more, I watched the color bar light up red – I had killed my previous best!

Pushing yourself when no one is watching is hard.
Pushing yourself when someone is watching can be even harder sometimes – but even more rewarding.

But seeing someone else do better than they had expected and encouraging them along the way is the GREATEST reward.

Push yourself.
Do great things.
Even more importantly, push those around you to do and be their best, and ask for the same in return.

That is truly a life well lived!

-J.D.