Forget 75 Hard: Here’s How 21 Days Can Upgrade Your Life
from bro-science to neuroscience, going all in on smarter-not-harder for lasting lifestyle change
I tried the 75 Hard challenge once. Its promise of radical transformation intrigued me, but there was just one problem—it wasn’t built for someone like me. The name itself was a daily reminder that this journey was supposed to be ‘hard.’ And instead of feeling empowered in the process, I found myself on a fast road to overwhelm and not-enough-ness.
That’s when I realized something crucial: transformation doesn’t have to be a grind. It doesn’t have to be about pushing yourself to the brink just to prove you’re disciplined enough. What if, instead of bracing for a challenge every day, you could wake up excited to take one small step closer to your best life? I believe you can, and I am inviting you to experience it with me!
Bro Science
The 75 Hard program became wildly popular for giving people a set of rules to follow daily for 75 days. The cardinal rule is that if you break just one of the rules, you must start over from day one. What were the rules? Essentially habits designed to make your life better: no alcohol, two 45-minute workouts a day (one of which had to be outdoors), a gallon of water a day, a daily progress photo (this was my favorite part—are you surprised?), read 15 pages of a book every day, and follow a diet of your choosing (no cheat meals allowed).
75 Hard is built on a structured, no-excuses mentality that undoubtedly has helped people; it wouldn’t have a following if it didn’t. It is a challenge designed for a lifestyle overhaul that tests mental toughness, and the all-or-nothing approach appeals to some (according to Andy Frisella the creator of it, over one million people since he launched it in 2019).
But here’s the thing: mental toughness isn’t the only path to success.
And in terms of true lifestyle change, I’m not convinced that ‘hard’ is sustainable in the long run.
Neuroscience
What truly makes a habit stick isn’t just sheer willpower—it’s about working with the way our brains naturally form routines. The habit loop—cue, routine, reward—is where it all begins. When you repeatedly pair a cue with a routine, your brain starts to create neural pathways that make the behavior feel almost automatic.
The real power of habit formation lies in starting with a single habit and then stacking additional habits over time. By focusing on one habit at a time, you allow your brain to fully integrate that habit into your routine. Once that habit is firmly established, it becomes easier to add another one, creating a domino effect where one good habit begets another.
This method of habit stacking is incredibly effective because it builds on your brain’s natural tendency to automate routines, making sustainable long-lasting change not just possible but inevitable.
But here’s the thing: it’s not just about sticking with and stacking habits. It’s about discovering what habits work best for you. What if you could just try habits “on for size” to see if they’re even a good fit for you.
It’s about becoming the person who practices a habit for 21 days and then deciding if that’s the person you want to be.
Taking an experimental approach to habits, if you discover that a habit doesn’t align with who you want to be, you can move on, knowing that you’ve gained valuable insights about yourself along the way. Conversely, if you discover a habit that is EXACTLY who you want to be, you are well on your way to being the person that more-often-than-not does that thing.
And that’s the power of working with your brain, not against it.
The 21 Day Project
What if I told you that 21 Days could change everything?
Before there was 75 Hard, there was my 21 Day Project. It all started the year I decided I wanted to be the BEST ME. I committed to taking one action, every day ,for 21 days, that I believed would move me toward the best version of myself.
I wrote in my blog at the time: “21 days is just long enough to be challenging, just short enough to be attainable, and I think just enough time to maybe form some healthy habits (in my experience, one healthy habit usually begets another). And I'm not even sure it's habits I'm after, so much as the accomplishment of small things and the elimination of excuses...that it's too late, too early, too cold, too hot, I'm too tired, work, socializing, too expensive, too too too anything!”
This is where The 21 Day Project began, and little did I know it was just the beginning.
The 21 Day Project is more than just a habit-building program—it’s the solution you’ve been looking for to get you from where you are to where you want to be. It stacks everything in your favor for early wins and long-term success, ensuring that you start strong and finish stronger.
Imagine having a routine that enhances your overall well-being, grows your self confidence and moves you in the direction of the best version of you. That’s what The 21 Day Project is all about, and it’s easier than you think.
The framework and weekly calls are designed to get you started with clarity, move you through it with confidence, and finish feeling absolutely stoked for what’s possible for yourself beyond the 21 days.
The 21 Day Project works WITH your brain to overcome resistance and establish new routines that move you in the direction of your best self! Think faster results and higher success rate (without relying on brute force).
Let’s Do It Together
The 21 Day Project Workshop is a 3-week experience dedicated to helping you THRIVE!
This isn't just a challenge to see who is still standing at the end of 21 days; this is a collective dedicated to everyone winning. Big moves begin with small tweaks and daily action and it all starts here!
In just three weeks, you’ll design and implement a habit that fits your life, overcome resistance with ease, and become the person that (finally) DOES the thing.
Here's what the workshop series looks like (⭐ represents weekly live workshops throughout the month):
✔️The 21 Day Project Blueprint & Workbook are available immediately
⭐ Design Your 21 Days | In this workshop we will go step-by-step through the framework to design your 21 Day Project so that you can hit the ground running feeling set-up for success!
⭐Double Down on Your One Thing | Just in time for when motivation starts to drift, this is the reminder for why you started this in the first place so that you can double down on what you said you were going to do and keep going.
⭐Take a Pre-Victory Lap | Discover why week 3 is where all the magic happens and set up your final week up to be pure joy!
⭐ The After-Party | Celebrate your wins, reflect on your lessons, and consider life beyond the 21 days. The 21 Day Project is always a stepping stone for next, and you get to decide where it takes you.
Decide to live your BEST LIFE, 21 days at a time 💫!
We start Sunday click here to sign up»
By the end of the 21 days, you’ll be the person who DOES THE THING, and with every 21 Day Project you decide to run, you’ll be stacking habits that elevate your life to the next level.
This is so cool!!!