I'm standing in the middle of a packed group workout class, sweat dripping, legs shaking like a newborn calf.

The workout today is brutal. Around me, athletes half my age are grinding through the same reps. My lungs are screaming. My form is starting to break down.

And then it happens.

That voice - quiet at first, then louder - starts whispering:

"Skip a few reps. Nobody's counting. You'll finish first."

At 42 years old. After decades of talking about integrity and competing the right way.

I still get the urge to cheat.

It's embarrassing as hell to admit.

The hard truth is that honestly, it never goes away.

The urge to cut corners. To take the easy path. To win at any cost.

Doesn't matter if you're the CEO or the intern. Doesn't matter if you've been preaching integrity for decades. That ego-driven whisper finds you.

"What if they think I'm getting old? What if I finish last?"

So I'm tempted to cheat. To go faster. To compromise my form just to save face on some stupid leaderboard that won't matter tomorrow.

The shame hits every time I catch myself thinking it.

But that shame? That's actually the signal that something deeper is happening.

This Shows Up Everywhere

This internal battle doesn't stay in the gym. It follows you home:

In your leadership role:

• Cutting corners on projects to hit unrealistic deadlines
• Taking credit that isn't entirely yours
• Fudging numbers in reports to look better
• Saying "yes" to everything instead of having honest capacity conversations

In your daily life:

• Not putting the shopping cart back because "someone else will do it"
• Telling your kids to "do the right thing" while you're looking for shortcuts
• Skipping the small disciplines when no one's watching

In your health:

• Logging workouts you didn't fully complete
• "Forgetting" to track the weekend meals that derailed your progress
• Taking the elevator instead of the stairs when your fitness tracker isn't watching

Your ego wants the quick win. The shortcut. The validation.

But here's the thing - every time you listen to that voice, you're training yourself to be someone you don't respect.

That moment in the gym reminded me something crucial about our C.O.M.P.E.T.E. framework:

CLARIFY who you're really competing with.

The person next to me isn't my competition. The leaderboard isn't my scoreboard. The only question that matters: Can I look myself in the mirror tonight knowing I did every rep with integrity?

Because here's what I know now that I didn't know at 22:

Every rep you cheat in the gym makes it easier to cut corners in your quarterly review.

Every time you choose convenience over character when no one's watching, you're casting a vote for the person you're becoming.

The most dangerous opponent you'll ever face isn't your coworker, your competitor, or that 25-year-old crushing the workout next to you.

It's the voice in your head that whispers, "Just this once. Nobody will know."

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Your Move Today ✅

Here's your challenge: Catch yourself mid-shortcut today.

Maybe it's:

• Completing every rep of your workout with proper form instead of racing the clock
• Actually reading that entire report before the meeting instead of skimming
• Having the difficult conversation with your team member instead of hoping the problem fixes itself
• Putting your shopping cart back even when you're running late

The moment you hear that ego voice suggesting the easier path, pause.

Ask yourself: "What would the person I'm becoming do right now?"

Then do that thing. Not because anyone's watching. Because YOU are.

Hit reply and tell me.

I promise - no judgment here. We're all fighting the same battle.

I'm still reminding myself of this lesson. Still fighting that voice in every workout, every client conversation, every moment when nobody's watching.

Still choosing integrity over ego, one rep at a time.

It's a daily battle. And the person you're becoming is counting on you to win it.

Keep competing,

I'm cheering for you, Reader,

Say hi 👋 on Instagram or LinkedIn​

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Want help battling back against those inner excuses?

I've got space for one more 1:1 coaching client this quarter and would love to work with you on making major traction on your goals before end of year! Reply to set up a call!

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