Discomfort: The Pathway to Growth
Last month we spoke about discomfort and how leaning into it is essential for growth. That truth came alive during the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, where two New Zealand athletes showed us the courage it takes to stay present, adapt, and thrive when everything suggested they might fail.
Geordie Beamish – Rising After the Fall
In his 3000m steeplechase heat, Geordie Beamish tripped mid-race and crashed to the ground. For a moment, it looked like a disaster. Another runner nearly stepped on his head as the field surged ahead. Right then, Geordie faced two choices: stay down and accept the excuse of being tripped, or get up and see how much he had left.
He chose to rise. With grit and determination, he fought his way back into the pack, secured a qualifying spot for the final, and only days later went on to win New Zealand’s first-ever track gold medal. His defining moment was not the medal ceremony but it was the decision to get up when everything hurt.
Hamish Kerr – Trusting the Process
High jumper Hamish Kerr’s battle looked different but carried the same lesson. In front of a packed Tokyo stadium, with the world watching and his family in the stands, he missed his first two attempts at 2.31m. Doubt crept in: I can’t win this. The pressure was immense.
Instead of giving in, Hamish leaned into the preparation he and coach James Sandilands had built. He trusted the process, narrowed his focus with clear performance cues, and pulled himself into the present moment. On his final attempt, with elimination looming, he soared over the bar. That single jump shifted the momentum of the event and paved the way for his gold medal.
The Common Thread
Both athletes stood at the pinnacle of their sport, but their success was forged not in comfort but in the face of discomfort. Growth rarely happens when life is smooth and predictable. It emerges when things go wrong, when fear and doubt appear, and when we choose courage, trust, and focus anyway.
Their stories remind us all: discomfort is not a signal to stop. Instead, it is an invitation to grow.
Reflection Questions
Think of a recent challenge. How did you respond when discomfort showed up?
What processes or routines can you trust when pressure and doubt are at their peak?
How can you reframe discomfort in your daily work or personal life as an opportunity rather than a barrier?
