The Power of the Masogi: Why One Wild Challenge Can Change Everything

By Ryan Lee

Earlier this year, I challenged our Lighting Legends group to do something kind of wild…
It’s called a Masogi.

I came across the concept online—so take it with a grain of salt—but it stuck with me. The idea is simple:

👉 Once a year, do one crazy, uncomfortable, growth-filled thing that has a 50/50 chance of failure.

It’s not a resolution. It’s not about creating a habit.
It’s about becoming someone new—someone stronger, more resilient, and more willing to stretch beyond comfort.

My Masogi: The Spartan Trifecta

For me, the Masogi was completing the Spartan Trifecta:
A 5K, 10K, and 21K obstacle course—all in the same calendar year.

I’ll be honest… I didn’t think I’d make it.

• I trained wrong.

• I cramped up.

• I failed obstacles.

• I threw a spear and earned 30 burpees in return. 😂

But I did it.
And in the process, I discovered powerful truths—not just about physical endurance, but about business and life.

💡 3 Business Lessons I Learned in the Mud

1. It’s Not About the Medal. It’s About the Muscles.

Finishing the races wasn’t the true victory.
The real win was who I became: disciplined, resilient, and confident in doing hard things.

In business, we chase milestones—$500K, $1M, $10M.
But those are just medals. The real prize is who we become along the journey.

2. Stop Comparing Your Race to Everyone Else’s.

People were flying past me up that mountain. Why?
Because they’ve done dozens of Spartan races. They trained harder. They had the reps.

Same goes for business. When you see someone crushing it, don’t assume they’re “just lucky.”
They’ve probably been climbing their mountain longer than you think.

3. Mastery Lives on the Other Side of Mud, Burpees, and Reps.

The first time I saw a rope climb? I Googled it the night before. I failed miserably.
Now? I’ve got one in my shop. I’ve practiced. I’ve nailed it.

Just like in business: you don’t master sales calls, leadership, or pricing overnight.
You’ve got to put in the reps. Practice the hard things. Stick with it long enough, and it does get easier.

What’s YOUR Masogi?

So here’s my challenge for you:

👉 What’s one thing you can commit to this year that truly scares you?

• Hiring that first team member?

• Going all-in on marketing?

• Getting on stage?

• Raising your prices by 20%?

Choose something that forces you to grow, whether you succeed or not.

Then reverse-engineer the plan:

• What’s your trajectory?

• Who do you need on board?

• What habits must change?

• How will you track it?

And most importantly…
Keep. Moving. Forward.

Because success isn’t about the medal.
It’s about the person you become along the way.

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# Masogi challenge, personal growth, business mindset, Spartan Trifecta, discipline, entrepreneurship, overcoming failure, business lessons, leadership growth, uncomfortable challenges #