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Richards: Embracing discomfort for growth

I never missed a meal as a kid — not just husky, but so overweight that it became a medical concern. My parents placed such a high priority on athletics that my education suffered; I managed to get by in school as an average student. Sports and physical activities were central to my childhood in an effort to lose weight.

I grew up in Athens, Ohio. When I was 10, my childhood friend Jack moved to a nearby town an hour away. I would visit him occasionally on weekends. One such weekend, my father picked me up, and we stopped at a bike shop on the edge of town in Zanesville. Driven by my eagerness to lose weight, I was captivated by a blue Panasonic road bike in the shop window. The following week, my father instructed me to rush home from school so we could drive over to purchase the bike.

My father is a quiet, unassuming man, yet he always had a cool motorcycle or an interesting car. At that time, he owned a mid-range BMW — not particularly fancy, but not shabby either. Fitting that bike into the car’s trunk remains a mystery to this day. We accessed Zanesville via State Route 13 — a twisty, winding road. My father skillfully drifted through corners, often making the car seem unhinged as it headed for the trees or guardrails. We rarely went below 100 mph, as if he were unfazed by any potential consequences. While I was thrilled to own a new bike, a fast car was what I truly desired.



Over the years, I developed a passion for cars and raced them in various capacities. Mostly participating in time attack and other road racing events, driving a car on a closed course at its limits is both fascinating and, at times, unsettling. Racing cars competitively pushes you to the edge of your abilities. It’s at that edge where growth and change occur, both in life and business.

Not long after acquiring that new bike in 1989, my parents entered me into a bicycle road race. I found myself outclassed, overweight, embarrassed, and unable to finish. It wasn’t until my mid-teens that I finally shed the weight — 75 pounds over a single summer. I began by simply putting on my shoes and walking around the block. Eventually, I was strength training and running several miles a day, often tackling steep hills. My favorite, albeit most challenging, run was sprinting up Cable Lane in Athens, Ohio. If you know, you know. These experiences pushed me to explore the uncomfortable edges of my abilities in life.

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I spent years as a fitness professional. My philosophy for fitness acquisition is straightforward: add weight to the bar, increase your mileage, do more reps. Go further. Fitness is achieved at the edge of your ability. Business success comes when you put in the effort — remember, the extra mile is never crowded. Relationships thrive when you refuse to quit.

In the United States, we’re in a comfort crisis, and we’re not faring well. Obesity is at an all-time high; the age-adjusted median net worth is laughable; people are quitting marriages, and many struggle to find a suitable date. We’ve exchanged discomfort for minimum wage, alcohol, pornography, fast food, social media, Netflix, and other quick fixes.

So, get uncomfortable. What’s your Cable Lane?

Car races are won on the fringes of the abilities of the car and the driver. Throw the car sideways. Put your shoes on. In a world that often prioritizes quick fixes over genuine effort, it’s crucial to seek out those uncomfortable paths that push us to become better versions of ourselves. Remember, the extra mile is never crowded, and the rewards of persistence are worth the struggle. So, embrace the challenge and discover your own version of Cable Lane — where will it take you?

Ryan Richards is the growth director and a luxury real estate agent at Keller Williams Mountain Properties. He is the founder and co-owner of the Bunkhouse, Vail’s first and only boutique hostel.  You can find him at RyanRichards.com or 970-401-0720.

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