How does one "love the process"—especially when you're sore, stressed, tired, or not seeing results?

Easier said than done in a world ruled by distraction and dopamine. Even if you don’t fall for the clickbait, the algorithm is still training your brain to crave outcomes, not effort.

That's the problem. Our shiny-object minds get hooked on the end goal. We want the abs, the PR, the pain-free back… but forget what actually gets us there: the reps, the patience, the process.

In training—and in life—it’s the ride that makes it worth it. Not just the destination. Yes I may have stolen that from a Hallmark card but it's absolutely true.

You can get a BBL, OR you can train the shit out of your glutes. One of them actually bears fruit 🍑

But here’s the truth: the process is supposed to be hard. That’s what makes it meaningful. Progress is addictive. Once you feel momentum, even a little, the pain starts feeling like it’s finally paying rent.

Most people start strong, then fade.

Why? Because they never learn how to keep loving the process once the novelty wears off.

That’s where romanticizing the process comes in.

Think of the artist who paints not for praise, but because they have to. The resistance, the obsession—that’s The War of Art. That same inner drive lives in all of us. It absolutely shows up in your training, your rehab, your work.

To enjoy the grind and stick with it long enough to grow, you’ve got to treat the process like something sacred.

Here are 5 ways to do that:

1) Have Fun.

Not everything needs to be perfect. Chase the things that spark curiosity or creativity. Fun doesn’t mean easy—it means sustainable.

At the very least, start doing things you don’t hate. If your workouts are stale, switch it up. Lean into play. Be open to trying new things.

Love what you make, make what you love.

2) Environment.

Surround yourself with people, places, and systems that pull you forward. Want to train more? Be around those who move. Want to heal? Be around those who value growth.

Often, this is the first place to start—and enough on its own to spark progress. Create an environment with less friction. Put your phone away. Clean your workspace or do your work somewhere different. Step outside, walk barefoot, breathe.

And let go of the pressure to “do more.” I work a few focused hours a day—but I’m locked in. Quality > quantity.

I also like to mix up where I workout - at home, outside on the track, or just at a different spot in the gym. This stuff matters.

What matters even more is setting boundaries to create a better environment. I've had to cut people out of my life (or at least limit) and I never regret it. Don't feel bad for setting boundaries. YOU come first.

3) Routine.

You need to show up often enough that your inner self starts believing you mean it. This isn’t a hobby—it’s who you are.

The creative fire? It’s already in you. But your relationship with it needs training. Like a muscle, it grows through frequency and commitment.

Make things enjoyable first. Then build habits around them. That’s how you create routines that stick. The best program is the one you’ll actually follow.

Don’t want to run? Go ride a bike.

You don't want to ride a bike? Go for friggin walk. Take your dog with you. It's a win win.

The goal is adherence. Enjoy it enough to keep showing up.

4) Grow the Inner Artist.

You’re not just building a body or fixing pain—you’re creating.

Create. Tweak. Experiment. Express.

Write your ideas down. Capture what moves you. Build a relationship with your instincts.

The magic in training isn’t just foam rollers or supplements—it’s in your nervous system, your awareness, your willingness to show up.

Mindfulness, not hacks, is what turns tools into breakthroughs.

5) Power of Perspective.

This one’s everything.

In The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, Mark Manson explains that happiness isn’t something you find—it’s what happens when you solve better problems.

Pain is part of the process—not a red flag to quit, but a green light to pay attention.

The dream of a pain-free, problem-free life? It doesn’t exist. Problems don’t disappear—they just upgrade.

Your problems just improve.

Solving your health issue by joining a gym creates new problems—like waking up early, sweating on the elliptical like a meth head, rushing to shower before work so you don't stink up the office.

Same for pain. Despite what 99% of what the industry tells you, you don't actually "fix" or get rid of pain.

You just get better at managing it.

I wouldn’t be here without my pain. It gave me problems worth solving—and sent me down the best path I could ask for.

But if you avoid your problems, play the victim, or numb yourself, you just prolong the suffering. The longer you resist, the more it hurts when you finally confront it.

So here’s your reminder:

Zoom out. You’re just a speck of dust in the universe—and that’s liberating. You’re not stuck. You’re free to act.

When fear or discomfort shows up, it’s a sign. It means you’re on to something.

Get used to delayed gratification. I know this is hard for those type A personalities.

“Someday” mindset is a scam. The constant trade-off of now for later adds up to who you are today.

You can’t change the past. You can only act now. So focus on what you can control.

Don’t compare yourself to others—it’s poison. Many of the people you idolize are secretly miserable anyways.

Define your success. Write it down. Post it somewhere visible where you see it every day to remind you what you're going to achieve.

And always be grateful—for the process, the struggle, and the ability to grow through both.

You don’t have to be Mark Wahlberg waking up at 3am (unless that’s your thing). You just need to start romanticizing the grind. Give the mundane some meaning. Stack your habits. Zoom out often.

Because the biggest regret most people have isn’t failing—it’s not starting sooner.

So start. Even if it’s messy. Even if you’re unsure.

Love the process anyway.

Thanks for coming to my TED Talk.

Have a great weekend,

Coach "loves the process" Nate