The Myth of Balance: Why Playing It Safe Keeps You Stuck
I Don’t Like the Word “Balance”
It’s one of the most overused and misunderstood words in modern self-help and fitness advice.
“I don’t want to be too extreme… I just want to be balanced.”
You’ve heard it.
Maybe you’ve said it.
Men use it when talking about work-life balance.
They use it in health and fitness.
But more often than not, they’re using it to justify a lack of results.
Here’s the Truth: Balance Requires Getting Out of Balance
Sounds crazy, right?
But think about what actual balance looks like.
It’s not stillness. It’s not perfection.
It’s constant micro-adjustments and overcorrections to keep from falling off course.
To achieve balance—real balance—you first have to go through imbalance.
I first came across this idea in The One Thing by Gary Keller.
And my coach Jerred Moon echoed it loud and clear.
Balance isn’t something you arrive at.
It’s something you navigate your way back to.
How This Applies to Your Health and Fitness
If you’re afraid to be “too extreme” with your fitness…
Then you’re probably:
- Afraid to take real action
- Justifying why you’re still stuck
- Carrying an unhealthy picture of what “extreme” looks like
Let me be clear:
When I say extreme, I’m not talking about being the bro who weighs his chicken to the gram for eternity.
I’m talking about a focused, aggressive push—
A short-term sprint to build momentum.
What “Extreme” Really Means
If the word extreme puts you off, try using aggressive.
Still doesn’t sit right?
Then consider what the opposite of those words are:
- Safe
- Passive
- Complacent
- Minimum effort
That’s where most guys unknowingly land.
They wake up one day:
- 10, 20, even 30 pounds overweight
- Weak, tired, and frustrated
- Losing muscle while gaining fat
- Wondering what the heck happened
The answer?
They avoided extremes.
And now they’re on the wrong extreme.
Small Efforts Often Equal Small Results
We’ve all done it:
- Made a few “safe” changes
- Lost a couple pounds
- Stalled out
- Gave up
- Blamed the program
But maybe the truth is…
You didn’t go hard enough.
Fat Loss and Muscle Gain Can Be Simple
But that doesn’t mean they’ll be easy.
Especially if you’ve been stuck for a while.
If you’re tired of barely making progress, it’s time to get serious and maybe even a little extreme for a season.
Lift heavy weights, track your food, walk a lot, and follow the other fundamentals covered here.
If you need a step by step playbook: I’ve put one together you can follow for free right here.
Information is the easy part, execution is the tougher part.
Because if you’re stepping into a fight without intention and preparation?
You’re going to get knocked out.
The Cost of Avoiding Extremes
Ironically, by avoiding “too much,”
You land in a place that’s worse than where you started.
And it’s not just about body fat or fitness.
It’s about the confidence, clarity, and peace you’ve lost by playing it safe for too long.
I’m Not Saying You Should Stay Extreme Forever
I’m not promoting:
- Hyper-restrictive dieting
- Endless calorie counting
- Obsessive workouts
- All-in, all-year intensity
I am saying it’s okay—even necessary—to be intense for a season.
To shake things up.
To regain momentum.
To disrupt the drift.
John 10:10 says:
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
That kind of abundant life?
It might take some aggressive action to get the ship turned around.
✅ How to Be “Extreme” the Right Way
1. Clearly Define the Goal
What’s the one outcome that would move the needle for you?
Lose 10 lbs?
Train 3x/week?
Cut sugar for 30 days?
2. Set a Timeline
Don’t go all-in forever.
Give yourself a clear start and end date.
It’s easier to commit when there’s an exit strategy.
3. Invite Accountability
Let someone you trust know what you’re doing.
Give them full permission to pull the plug if it becomes unhealthy.
If you need a coach, I can help shortcut this journey for you. Fill out a form and let’s talk.
Final Thought
None of this was scripted.
None of it was filtered.
But it’s exactly what someone needed to hear.
I certainly did a few years back.
So chew the meat, spit out the bones.
And give yourself permission to get a little extreme…
To finally go get what you deserve.
Not sure where to start? Follow a step by step playbook in this free 8 day email course.