MARK ETTINGER
I Ruptured My Groin on Day 72 of 75 Hard—Here’s What It Taught Me About Pressure
Why Pressure Is Not the Enemy: Embracing Stress for Personal Growth
By: Mark Ettinger, M.D.
Day 72: A Torn Groin, a Shattered Comfort Zone
Day 72 of 75 Hard. My groin was torn, my confidence was shaky, and quitting felt inevitable. I remember standing there on crutches, strapped into a weight vest, trying to steady my breathing. The question I kept hearing in my head was this: “Is this really worth it?”
If you’ve ever been tempted to walk away when life throws a punch, I get it. I was right there—physically hurting, mentally exhausted, and teetering on the edge of giving up. But here’s what changed everything: I decided that pressure is not the enemy. In fact, it’s where our biggest growth happens.
The Harder the Challenge, the Sharper the Growth
We live in a world that praises comfort and convenience. Challenges are often seen as disruptions—problems to solve or avoid. But the truth is, our greatest growth happens in the moments we least want to face. Adversity is the forge where we build resilience, uncover hidden strength, and develop the grit needed to tackle life’s biggest hurdles. We don’t like disruptions because they demand energy, time, and sometimes a painful amount of perseverance. Yet it’s those very disruptions—those gut-check moments—where we discover who we really are.
For me, the most recent gut check moment was Andy Frisella’s 75 Hard program. If you’re not familiar, it’s a mental toughness challenge that demands unwavering discipline:
Follow a diet (no cheat meals, no alcohol)
Drink a gallon of water
Complete two daily workouts (one must be outdoors)
Read 10 pages of non-fiction daily
Take a daily progress photo
Miss one element, and you start over at Day 1. Simple in theory, but much more difficult in practice.
I’d made it all the way to Day 72, coasting on the confidence of almost finishing…until a ruptured groin during a Jiu Jitsu session forced me to decide if I was truly committed or just flirting with the idea of commitment.
When Adversity Strikes
The pain was sharp and unforgiving. A logical voice in my head whispered, “Quitting would be smart—who could blame you?” But deep down, I knew this moment was about more than physical injury. It was about mental resolve.
Setbacks like these don’t just strain your body; they test your commitment. If I’d given up, I would have planted a seed of doubt that could grow into something bigger later—when the stakes were even higher. So I kept going. I grabbed a pair of crutches, strapped on a weight vest, and hobbled through the outdoor workout on one leg. It was then I realized something very powerful: the injury wasn’t a setback; it was a gift. It forced me to dig deeper and showed me what I could achieve under even more challenging circumstances.
“Pressure can burst a pipe—or make a diamond.” — Robert Horry
In that moment, I realized the injury wasn’t a permanent roadblock; it was an opportunity to see what I was truly capable of under extreme discomfort.
The Lesson Hidden in Pain
Initially, my ruptured groin felt like the end of everything I’d worked for. But looking back, it became a turning point—one that crystallized my understanding of perseverance, grit, and mental toughness. Here are the lessons I learned:
Pain Reveals Priorities
When everything hurts, you can’t hide your true priorities. If your goal really matters, you’ll keep fighting for it—even on crutches.
Ask yourself: Which goals am I most willing to fight for, even when it hurts—physically or emotionally?
Adapt or Quit
Setbacks demand pivoting. For me, that meant modifying workouts to stay safe but still stay committed.
Action: Write down one goal that’s non-negotiable, and list three reasons you refuse to quit—no matter the setback.
Mind Over Matter
Finishing that workout proved how pivotal our mindset is. Your body can endure far more when your mind decides quitting isn’t an option.
Reflect: Next time you face adversity, ask: “Is my mindset defeating me before I’ve really tried?”
“I’m not what I have done; I’m what I’ve overcome.” — Fireflight This quote is tattooed on my left forearm--something I got in 2018 after completing an entirely different, and much more difficult, crucible--one for another story.
Borrowed Inspiration: JP and Mike
Part of what fueled my refusal to quit were the examples set by two close friends—JP Dinnell and Mike Mitchell. JP, a former Navy SEAL who served multiple combat tours in Iraq as the lead sniper under Jocko Willink, first introduced me to 75 Hard. He’s completed the program several times himself, which says a lot about his commitment to self-improvement. Mike, a Marine officer who served multiple tours in Afghanistan, takes on Ironman triathlons for fun—even after facing the unthinkable realities of war. What sets both JP and Mike apart is that they never rest on their past accomplishments; they continually seek growth through hardship. JP’s now training for a marathon, and Mike’s tackling ultra-endurance events.
I knew I’d be having dinner with them soon, and the thought of admitting I’d failed 75 Hard felt impossible—especially knowing the types of challenges they’ve overcome. It reminded me:
Our own challenges are valid, regardless of how they compare to someone else’s.
“Comparison is the thief of joy.” — Mark Twain
The real question is never, “Is my problem as big as yours?” but rather, “How will I respond to the adversity in front of me?”
My groin injury might seem trivial next to JP and Mike’s experiences in combat, but that’s precisely the point. We don’t need to compare scars to know when we’re being tested. If JP and Mike could navigate the intense pressure of life-or-death decisions in war, then I could power through three more days of 75 Hard with a torn groin—no matter how uncomfortable it got.
Quote to Reflect On: “Pressure can burst a pipe—or make a diamond.” — Robert Horry
Why Pressure Is Not the Enemy
We often run from pressure because it feels uncomfortable. Here’s what I’ve learned about why that discomfort is essential:
Pressure Breeds Growth Just like muscles need resistance to grow, our character needs adversity to evolve. It’s painful in the moment but transformative in the long run.
Failures Aren’t Permanent Quitting becomes a habit if we let it. Every time we push through, we reinforce a new pattern: resilience.
Self-Respect Soars Finishing 75 Hard—especially under excruciating circumstances—did more for my self-confidence than I ever expected. Your willingness to stay the course, no matter the odds, builds an unshakable self-respect.
The Value of Personal Crucibles
Not everyone is going to tear a muscle on Day 72 of a fitness challenge. But everyone has a personal crucible—a relationship struggle, a career hurdle, a health crisis—that tests your resolve. These crucibles reveal who we are at our core and shape who we become.
“That which does not kill us makes us stronger.” — Friedrich Nietzsche
The discomfort you’re feeling now might seem unbearable. Yet, if you lean in—if you dig deeper than you ever have before—you’ll discover new capacities within yourself that you didn’t even know existed.
Final Thoughts
My ruptured groin felt like a nightmare in the moment. But it ended up being the single most defining experience of my entire 75 Hard journey. It forced me to see pressure not as the enemy, but as a catalyst for growth.
Remember: Every challenge you conquer, every discomfort you embrace, is another layer of strength added to your character. You are not what you’ve done; you are what you’ve overcome.
Your Turn: A Simple Call to Action
Identify One Challenge What’s the biggest obstacle you’re facing right now—physical, mental, or emotional?
Reframe It Ask yourself: “How can I use this to grow?” Instead of asking why it happened, ask what it can teach you.
Take One Bold Step Decide on one action—big or small—that moves you forward. It could be signing up for a class you’ve been dreading, having that tough conversation, or simply committing to a daily habit for 30 days.
If you’re up for it, share your plan in the comments or send me a message. I’d love to know how you’re turning pressure into your own personal superpower—and cheer you on every step of the way.
Thank you for reading! If this resonated, consider following my Medium publication for more stories on growth, resilience, and the power of perspective.
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