The Company You Keep

It hit the four of us on Friday night as we waited for a ride back down Stratton Mountain: It was cold (as in, freezing temperatures), we were sweaty and wet, and we had a lot more climbing to do in this endurance event called 29029. To reach 29,029 vertical feet in one weekend, we would hike up this mountain 17 times, or 35 vertical miles. 

A phrase came to mind from my service in the U.S. Army. As we stood waiting, I looked at my three fellow climbers and said, “This is the part where we grind through the suck.” 

The goal of this climb wasn’t a life-saving mission, but it didn’t mean this mountain wasn’t a challenge. The four of us are all former or current athletes (some on a professional level) and we are all affiliated with or working in the fitness industry. One of us is even a record-holder in endurance events just like 29029. 

Despite our training and preparation, each of us was surprised how hard this climb was. Our strategies for conquering the mountain became useless as the routine of cold, wet, tired, hike and repeat hit us. Greater than the pressure of reaching our personal goals was the fear of letting down our team: Not just this team of four, but our family members who were rooting for us; thousands of employees who were following and cheering us along; and for some of us, thousands of more fans on social media.

After the event, each of my fellow climbers said the phrase “grind through the suck” became a mantra for them. The recognition that we had this experience in common—even if we were climbing individually—made it possible for each of us to take one more step. And then another, and another. 

We all trained hard to ensure we wouldn’t let down this team, or our extended teams, but what got us through was each other. There’s tremendous strength in numbers, especially when each of us pulls our own weight. When each of us privately questioned our ability to go on, all it took was the reminder that we were in it together, and the power of the group and our personal responsibility to the team’s success kicked in.

Whether you’re in the thick of family issues, trying to make sense of a serious medical diagnosis, coping with a move to a new city, or if you know someone who is, look for those moments to recognize someone else who is grinding it out, too. If that person isn’t already, make him or her part of your team!

— ​Chris Roussos
CEO, 24 Hour Fitness USA, Inc.