Growing up, I didn't choose toughness; it was necessary for survival. My childhood wasn't a Norman Rockwell painting, and that chaos forced me to develop resilience early. That's the thing about grit: It finds you before you know what to call it.
Doug and I talk about this a lot on the podcast. I developed grit through competitive sports and pushing my physical limits. Doug built grit through constant adaptation: moving to new places and adjusting to new environments.
We've taken different paths but arrived at the same conclusion: Grit forms the foundation of meaningful growth in both business and life.
What Grit Really Means
Forget the dictionary definition. Grit goes beyond perseverance or mental toughness, though those certainly play a part. To me, grit means facing challenges head-on while maintaining forward momentum, even when every fiber of your being wants to retreat.
In our first episode, I explained that true grit means "being able to face challenges head-on." It looks like "waking up and embracing the day" even when circumstances aren't ideal. For me, grit is tied to humility. I didn't choose grit; it was simply necessary.
Doug and I discuss what grit means to us at 4:38.
Grit shows up when you're exhausted. It pushes you through one more rep when your muscles scream. It closes that crucial deal after five straight rejections. Most importantly, grit keeps you present for your family after a brutal day at work when all you want is silence.
Grit creates sustainable toughness by knowing when to push, when to rest, and how to rebuild.
How Sports Built My Grit
I wasn't the biggest guy on the field—not even close. In sports, that meant I had to work twice as hard just to keep my spot. Every practice, every drill, I knew there were guys on the sidelines waiting to take my place if I showed a hint of weakness.
As I mentioned in Episode 3, I found my competitive edge through sports. "Because I was physically smaller than some of my teammates, I had to prove myself to keep playing." This environment taught me that reaching your goals starts with "winning the day," performing at your best every day to make progress over time.
Here, I talk about what gave me my competitive edge.
That pressure became my classroom. I learned that talent alone wasn't enough. The guys who succeeded weren't always the naturally gifted ones; they were the ones who showed up consistently, who practiced when no one was watching, who studied film while others were partying.
Sports taught me that failure is feedback. Every loss became data for improvement rather than a reason to quit.
Building Grit When Life Hasn't Forced It On You
Not everyone grows up in challenging circumstances, and not everyone plays competitive sports. So how do you build grit if life hasn't demanded it from you?
- Start small and build progressively: Commit to something slightly uncomfortable daily. Maybe it's waking up 30 minutes earlier, taking cold showers, or having that difficult conversation you've been avoiding.
- Embrace calculated failures: Don't just try things you know you'll succeed at. Regularly attempt challenges where success isn't guaranteed. The sting of failure builds resilience when you learn to process it constructively.
- Find accountability partners: My men's group has been transformative for my growth. Having people who call me on my excuses and celebrate my wins creates a structure for developing grit.
- Practice daily discomfort: Comfort is the enemy of growth. Intentionally put yourself in situations that stretch you (physically, mentally, or emotionally), then sit with that discomfort rather than run from it.
- Focus on process over outcomes: My "win the day" philosophy comes from understanding that grit is built of small, consistent actions rather than grand gestures. Showing up daily matters more than occasional heroics.
Grit in Leadership and Family
The true test of grit is at home. It's choosing to be present with your kids after a fourteen-hour workday. It's having a difficult conversation with your spouse when avoidance would be easier. It's admitting when you're wrong and modeling accountability.
As a leader, my team doesn't need a boss who's never failed. They need someone who demonstrates how to respond to failure with dignity and determination. When I share my struggles openly, it creates space for others to embrace challenges rather than fear them.
The Humility Component
Here's what most people miss about grit: it requires profound humility. The toughest people I know rarely act the loudest or most aggressive. These individuals take feedback without defensiveness, admit when they're wrong, and prioritize growth over ego.
My "two more deals" mentality nearly cost me my family. Humility helped me recalibrate my definition of success. True grit meant showing up for all aspects of my life, not just the ones feeding my ego or bank account.
Start Building Grit Today
Grit isn't something you're born with or without, it's a muscle you develop through consistent training. Today, pick one small area where you can push yourself slightly beyond your comfort zone. Then do it again tomorrow. And the next day.
Remember that grit revolves around how quickly you get back up, dust yourself off, and keep moving forward after falling. Because in life, as in business, we only move in one direction: forward. Never in reverse.
Jeremy Axel is the co-host of the Never in Reverse podcast alongside Doug Cox. He is also the CEO of Fluent Conveyors. His journey from competitive athlete to business leader and family man has shaped his perspective on resilience, accountability, and authentic leadership.
