POV 24 - Comfort zone: shock

WHAT YOU STAND TO GAIN

Exploring the space just beyond your comfort zone offers more than physical rewards — it transforms every aspect of your life.

• It builds resilience,
• stimulates brain, body and soul,
• boosts confidence, improves self-image, and make your true potential shine,
• sharpens your curiosity and grit.
• It is a new way to enjoy leisure time, experience a new lifestyle, and explore the world 
• and when all is completed, it makes your achievements all the more enjoyable.

All things considered, avoid putting too much emphasis on the final outcome – D-day is just the tip of the iceberg. Rather, embrace the process – it’s healthier this way. Going through the motion and setting your mindset back to your younger years will actually make you younger.

PLAN, PREPARE, AND COMPETE

Just like for most ventures, planning and executing will define success or explain failure.

1. Set an audacious objective, 
2. plan – not only to reach the necessary fitness level, but also address the logistics required to actually get to the event, 
3. break your goal into intermediate milestones, 
4. prepare - using our previous POV covering ways to achieve what you might consider impossible for your age,
5. spread the word, network & build a competent support team around you, and 
6. hustle your way to the finish line.

SOME OPTIONS

Depending on what you are looking for, here are potent candidates that will surely test your limits : 

SEEKING THE INTENSITY OF MASS-PARTICIPATION EVENTS ? 

Enroll in Hyrox – the trendiest and fastest growing obstacle course racing feeding off CrossFit’s, Spartan’s and Tough Mudder’s craze. The event, founded by midlife athletes-entrepreneurs – coincidental ? – features eight 1,000m runs broken up by the functional movement stations :

• 1,000m SkiErg, 
• 50m sled push - weights vary by sex and age group, 
• 50m sled pull, 
• 80m burpee jumps, 
• 1,000m rowing, 
• 200m farmer's carry, 
• 100m sandbag lunges, and 
• 100 wall balls. 

What makes Hyrox so attractive ? Key to Hyrox popularity is the fact it is opened to all fitness levels – welcoming sub-hour world-record contenders to 2h30 age-groupers and mixed-doubles – competing in a single event. Additionally, it has a lower barrier to entry and is considered safer as it involves natural movements – e.g. no overhead barbell snatches – and equally recruits aerobics, strength, explosiveness and agility.

The Future of Fitness Competition - As Hyrox gains momentum, more affiliate gym programs are emerging, while fitness & sports tech brands and ambassadors are getting onboard, positioning Hyrox as the next Marathon of fitness. 

In fact, LangLeven’s Founder and General partner won the mixed doubles' competition at the Toronto event, earning them a spot at the 2025 World Championships.

PREFER COMPETING ON YOUR OWN TERMS ? 

For those who prefer solo challenges, Everesting – or climbing the equivalent of Mt. Everest in a single event – is actually your best alternative to climbing the walls of the world’s most coveted selfie spot. Whether cycling or running, participants take on the 8,848m (or 29 029 ft) of vertical ascent on a single climb and in one continuous effort (within 36 hours).

The popularity of Everesting lies in its adaptability, as you can choose to conquer your local hill or travel the world to find the climb inspiring you most.

Those seeking long winding roads should alternatively consider solstice rides, during which cyclists seek to maximize covered distance from dusk till dawn on the longest day of the year.

FEELING ADVENTUROUS ?  

The world offers no shortage of options :

• Ultra-trail du Mont Blanc - is a renowned race circling the eponymous massif, crossing the French to the Swiss and Italian borders with multiple distances to suit all endurance levels.   
• The Diagonale des Fous - a test of endurance jigsawing across the La Réunion island spine. 
• Earn your legendary belt buckle by completing the Leadville 100-miler run or bike series, or write your name among the very few Barkley ultra-trail finishers.
• Marathon des sables - if your ideal all-inclusive is a six-stage race covering 250 km of the Moroccan desert.
• Patrouille des Glaciers - pay homage to military and ski patrols with this historic high-altitude sky mountaineering test of endurance. 

GO THE DISTANCE

For those who crave the distance across land, sea, or snow:

• Races across series or Cap Epic - Conquer continents on roads or mountain bike trails, whether going coast-to-coast in America, Europe or South Africa.
• Ultra-swims - Be inspired and push your limits in open-water swims across lakes, between islands, or along coastal waters.
• Nordic ski loppets - celebrate winter with Scandinavian cross-country ski races ranging from 15 km, 30 km or 50 km; warm Gløgg is waiting at the finish line. 
• L’étape du Tour - the world’s most iconic and sought after cyclosportive following the tracks of an actual Tour de France mountain stage. 

WISH TO RELIVE YOUR CHILDHOOD DREAMS ? 

It’s never too late to chase the excitement of competitive team sports. You might be the one scoring the overtime goal or making the ultimate effort to be crowned champions.

Many Masters sport leagues offer the chance to reignite your passion for team sports, as well as popular solo Olympic disciplines, like track and field, speed skating, or paddle sports. Inter.National competitions are opportunities to compete at a high level, relive the camaraderie of the game and keep the spirit of play alive.

WANT TO COMBINE ATHLETICS AND ARTS ?

Many adults are re.discovering ballet and other forms of dancing as a way to combine aspects of fitness, strength, and mobility with the coordination and musicality of performing arts, while enjoying a fun and engaging workout.

Whether you set your goals on mastering your pointe technique or securing the leading role in next year’s production, ballet offers a unique challenge keeping both the body and mind in motion.

A CALL TO ACTION

Midlife is not about slowing down – Calling all Gen Xs and Boomers. Do not sit on the sidelines, instead lead another revolution in which society will view aging differently. 

Pick an exciting and personal challenge, set your aim high and make it your personal venture. The real victory comes from fully committing to overcome self-doubt and the resulting transformation from feeling at home in the space once beyond your comfort zone. 

Your next challenge awaits – be bold. You might inspire someone close to you to join your journey.