13. If You Can’t Play With Pain: Why the Struggles We Carry Show We’re Still in the Game

Pain shows up in different ways. Sometimes it’s in our bodies—the sore muscles, the exhaustion that slows us down. Sometimes it’s in our emotions—the disappointments that sting or the losses that linger. And sometimes it’s in our thoughts—the stress, the doubts, the late-night questions we can’t quite silence.We usually see pain as a signal to stop. But what if it’s not always the interruption we think it is? What if pain can actually be a marker of progress, a sign that we’re stretching, growing, and investing ourselves in something that matters?In this episode, Jeremy reflects on the connection between pain and purpose, explores research on resilience and the power of “stress inoculation,” and offers practical ways to discern when to push through and when to pause. It’s an invitation to see pain differently—not as weakness, but as evidence that you’re still in the game.Show NotesEpisode Transcript