Second Take Tuesday – Pain, Power, Identity

There’s a difference between pushing through pain and listening to it. Most people never figure out how to do either.

But Lea Schmidt has.

She’s a CrossFit athlete, a coach, and someone who’s built a relationship with her body that’s as much mental and emotional as it is physical. Our conversation wasn’t just about training—it was about identity. About what it means to rebuild yourself from the inside out.

We talked about how sport gives structure to chaos, and how discipline isn’t about punishment—it’s about freedom. It was one of those conversations that reminded me how much of life comes down to how we handle discomfort, how we carry pain, and how we turn struggle into shape.

She was honest. Sharp. No nonsense. Exactly the kind of voice we need more of right now.

We got into:

• Why strength starts with self-respect

• The pressure women face around body image, performance, and perfection

• What CrossFit has taught her about fear and failure

• How to train your mind while you train your body

• And why your identity should come from what you choose, not what you’re handed

Things I Learned from Lea

• Discipline is a tool for freedom—not control.

• Your relationship with pain shapes your relationship with growth.

• You don’t find identity. You build it.

Your Weekly Jolt

Bring in the Hunter S. mindset. No reps off.

You want clarity? Move.
You want confidence? Keep your promises.
You want strength? Bleed for it.

This week, stop waiting for motivation. Show up tired. Show up sore. Show up scared.
But show the hell up.

Because the strongest people aren’t always loud. They’re the ones who suffer well and stay standing.

🎤 Next Week: I sit down with Henri Hyttinen from Miessakit to talk about the silent weight men carry and what happens when no one teaches you how to speak it. We get into masculinity, emotional pressure, fatherhood, and why breaking down might be the first step toward healing.

Thanks for reading Second Take Tuesday
If it made you want to move—mentally or physically—then it did its job.

See you next week,
Daniel