The Edge You've Been Looking For

I watched it happen again last week.

A former rugby player I was coaching froze mid-sentence when describing his career transition. "I just... I don't know if I'm ready for this," he said.

I've been there. We all have. In fact, I could even see it this week while freezing my toes off in Canberra at a football tournament with my youngest son. His team has been playing up an age group against some much bigger players!

Here's what I've learned from working with hundreds of individuals and companies making any kind of leap: discomfort isn't your enemy. It's your compass.

The lie we tell ourselves about readiness

We're conditioned to see discomfort as a warning sign. A red flag telling us to slow down, wait it out, or retreat until we feel more "prepared."

But what I’m piecing together (albeit slowly): You're never truly ready. And that's exactly the point.

Every athlete I've worked with - from Olympic swimmers to professional footballers - has had to navigate this same uncomfortable territory. The difference between those who thrive and those who stay stuck isn't confidence. It's their relationship with discomfort.

What discomfort really means

When Channing Chasten first came on the 2ndwind Podcast, he shared with me:

"The shift came when I stopped waiting to feel certain and started betting on myself."

He wasn't talking about reckless abandon. He was talking about recognising discomfort as a signal to start rather than stop.

Lewis Paris had a slightly different take as we discussed: "Repetition is the key to mastery. If you really want something, you've got to be invested."

Both chaps understood something crucial: discomfort is where growth lives.

What If Discomfort Is the Signal You Need?

Discomfort isn’t a sign you’re failing. It’s a sign you’re on the edge of something important. The research backs this up. Let’s talk about how you can use that feeling to move forward, not freeze.

Here’s how to use discomfort as a guide:

Step 1: See Discomfort as a Growth Signal

When discomfort shows up, your brain’s threat system fires up. But how you interpret that feeling changes everything. Athletes who see pressure as a challenge, not a threat, perform better and adapt faster. This is called “stress reappraisal” in the research.

Try this:

• When you feel discomfort, say to yourself, “This is my system preparing for growth.”

• Remind yourself, “I’m at the edge of my comfort zone. This is where I adapt.”

• Connect it to your purpose. “This feeling is helping me become who I want to be.”

Mikel Thomas, a triple Olympian, once told me, “You can see problems or you can see opportunities. I’ve grown to see challenges as areas of growth.”

Step 2: Progress Through Exposure and Planning

It’s easy to think you just need to break things down into smaller pieces. But you need a system. Gradual exposure—taking on challenges step by step—builds real resilience. When you pair that with “if-then” planning, you’re more likely to follow through.

Try this:

• List out situations that make you uncomfortable, from least to most challenging.

• For each, make a plan: “If I feel overwhelmed in a meeting, I’ll focus on my breathing and my key message.”

• Work through your list, one level at a time.

Chandra Crawford, Olympic gold medallist, talked about “mining experiences for insights” and building up, bit by bit, after setbacks. It’s not about leaping the whole staircase. It’s about taking the next step.

Step 3: Build Momentum With Micro-Actions

Big goals are great, but it’s the small, regular actions that move you forward. Research shows that small, specific actions done regularly boost confidence, mood, and performance.

Try this:

• Pick one action that takes a few minutes and lines up with your bigger goal.

• Link it to something you already do. After your morning coffee, send one networking message.

• Track your progress and celebrate small wins.

Josh Perry, a former pro BMX rider, described it as “the pursuit of mastery.” Not a destination, but a commitment to keep moving, learning, and evolving. That’s how you build a new identity, one action at a time.

Why This Works

This isn’t just motivational talk. Decades of research show that:

• Reframing stress improves performance and resilience.

• Gradual exposure and “if-then” planning help you face bigger challenges without overwhelm.

• Micro-actions build self-belief and momentum, even when you’re not sure what’s next.

I’ve seen this play out with athletes, leaders, and career changers. The ones who thrive aren’t fearless. They’re willing to feel discomfort and use it as a guide.

Ready to Step Forward?

Discomfort isn’t a detour. It’s the work. You don’t have to do it alone.

Drop a comment or message me. If you want more real stories from athletes and their businesses who’ve navigated these waters, check out the 2ndwind Podcast. We unpack the honest side of career change, identity, and growth. One conversation at a time.

Athlete stories and research are drawn from real conversations on the 2ndwind Podcast, Career Clarity and peer-reviewed sports psychology literature.