Undeniable

1. Choose Your Suffering

The only way that you can prepare yourself for unchosen suffering is with chosen suffering.

Embrace voluntary hardship. Life will inevitably bring suffering you don't choose – loss, failure, physical decline. The best way to build resilience for these unavoidable challenges is by intentionally seeking out difficult experiences. This "chosen suffering" strengthens your mental and physical fortitude, preparing you for whatever comes your way.

Suffering reveals truth. Putting yourself in uncomfortable situations, like carrying a heavy rock up a mountain or enduring extreme weather, strips away pretense. As seen with David Goggins' intense mountain run or Cam's early solo hunts, suffering exposes your true capabilities and limitations. It's a powerful, undeniable truth serum for self-discovery.

Growth through misery. Cam's childhood hardships and early bowhunting struggles in places like the Eagle Cap Wilderness taught him to excel at suffering. This wasn't just physical pain; it was the ache of loneliness and the misery of feeling lost. Embracing this discomfort in the wilderness became a positive force, fostering growth, capability, and self-sufficiency over time.

2. Find a Way

There’s no real blueprint. It’s just: find a way.

Determination overcomes obstacles. Undeniable people don't rely on perfect conditions or clear paths; they possess the grit to simply "find a way" through challenges. Nedd Brockmann ran 50 marathons in 50 days while working full-time, and later ran across Australia, proving that commitment and resourcefulness can overcome seemingly impossible odds, even when doctors say it's physically impossible.

More effort, less doubt. Putting in the hard work is the most effective way to combat self-doubt. Cam's intense training for his 2008 sheep hunt, including multiple ultramarathons, kept doubt at bay because he knew he was doing everything possible to prepare. When faced with setbacks, like getting lost during a race or making a bad shot on a dream animal, determination fuels the resolve to keep going and make it right.

Adversity as preparation. Derek Wolfe's challenging childhood prepared him for the physical and mental pain of playing defensive line in the NFL. He saw his difficult upbringing not as a crutch, but as the necessary training to become a "savage" competitor. This mindset, shared by many outliers, views past struggles as foundational experiences that build the resilience needed to thrive under pressure.

3. Make a Good Shot

FOCUSED ATTENTION IS INFINITELY MORE VALUABLE THAN AN IDLE MIND.

Focus in crunch time. Success often hinges on the ability to maintain intense focus during high-pressure moments. Whether it's a game-winning shot in sports or making a precise arrow placement on a wild animal, eliminating distractions and achieving "tunnel vision" is paramount. Cam's practice of shooting through his truck window or Levi Morgan's ability to judge distance perfectly in tournaments highlight the dedication required for this skill.

Hunting's unique pressure. Bowhunting presents a level of crunch-time intensity arguably unmatched in traditional sports. Facing a powerful animal at close range, with adrenaline surging and a lifetime of preparation culminating in a single shot, demands extraordinary focus. This isn't a static target; it's a dynamic, unpredictable situation where "buck fever" can cause even experienced hunters to falter.

Practice builds control. Consistent practice, like Cam's daily shooting routine, is essential for developing the ability to focus under pressure. Experiences like shooting in challenging environments or performing under public scrutiny (like the Cabela's ribbon cut) build the mental fortitude needed to remain calm and precise when it matters most. This focus allows the hunter to control the moment, rather than being overwhelmed by fear or adrenaline.

4. Get Up and Go

Every day means every day.

Consistency sets you apart. The defining trait of undeniable people is their unwavering consistency in effort. It's not about occasional bursts of greatness, but the daily grind, showing up and putting in the work regardless of how you feel or the conditions. This relentless consistency compounds over time, leading to significant progress and setting individuals apart from those who are merely "occasionally great."

The power of "One More". Nick Bare's "Go One More" mantra embodies the spirit of consistent effort. After contemplating quitting an 18-mile run, he pushed through and ran one more mile, realizing that quitting on a run meant quitting on other areas of his life. This commitment to doing just a little bit more, day after day, built his hybrid athlete success and multi-million dollar business.

Tiny blocks build mountains. Courtney Dauwalter, the GOAT of ultra-running, exemplifies compounding consistency. Her journey from running a mile in gym class to dominating 100-mile races was built on consistently adding "tiny blocks" or "grains of sand" to her training pile. It's often hard to see the daily gains, but over years of showing up, the cumulative effect is undeniable, allowing her to push boundaries no one thought possible.

5. Bet on Yourself

If you can’t bet on yourself, who the hell are you gonna bet on?

Believe in your value. Becoming undeniable requires a fundamental belief in your own abilities and potential, even when others doubt you. Michael Waddell left a stable HVAC job to pursue an uncertain career in hunting media, betting on his personality and passion. This willingness to take a calculated risk on himself, despite resistance from others, was the crucial step that led to his iconic status in the hunting industry.

Earn your worth. While passion is the fuel, recognizing and asserting your value is essential for growth. Cam's journey from being grateful for free gear to demanding fair compensation from sponsors like Under Armour reflects an evolving self-belief based on consistent performance and growing influence. This isn't arrogance, but a recognition that hard work and results create tangible value that deserves to be acknowledged.

Innovation requires belief. Kip Fulks' decision to quit his role at Under Armour to start the hunting division, and Cam's push to innovate hunting media through daily social content, both stemmed from a deep belief in their vision and capabilities. They saw opportunities others missed and were willing to stick with their ideas despite initial skepticism or resistance. Betting on yourself means trusting your instincts and putting in the work to make your vision a reality.

6. Smash the Gas Pedal Down

As long as there’s no broken bones, your body will do what you tell it to do.

Tenacity pushes limits. Undeniable individuals possess an internal drive, a "tenacity," that allows them to push far beyond where others quit. Michael Chandler, the MMA fighter, embodies this, going "go, go, go 'til I redline and pass out." This willingness to endure extreme physical and mental discomfort is what separates elite competitors.

Mental grit prevails. In endurance events or high-stakes competitions, the mind often gives up before the body. Katie Knight, a World's Toughest Mudder Champion and ultra-runner, highlights that mental grit is the key to pushing through pain and fatigue, especially in grueling 24-hour races. She knows her body can do what she tells it, provided her mind stays strong.

Accountability fuels the push. Ken Rideout publicly declared his goal to win the Gobi March ultra, not out of arrogance, but to create accountability and pressure. This external commitment, combined with his internal tenacity forged through overcoming addiction, ensured he would "die trying" rather than quit. This willingness to put goals out there creates a powerful internal mandate to push the limits.

7. Spend Time Doing Something You Love

A life without passion is really no life at all. It’s merely existence.

Passion as a driving force. Finding something you are intensely passionate about provides the fuel needed to overcome obstacles and sustain effort over the long term. Joe Rogan's early obsession with martial arts gave him confidence and hope, demonstrating how deep passion can transform a life's trajectory. This intense feeling or conviction is what draws people in and makes individuals stand out.

Obsession leads to mastery. Andrew Huberman's childhood obsession with learning, whether cataloging fish or studying encyclopedias, laid the foundation for his career as a renowned neuroscientist. Similarly, Levi Morgan's relentless dedication to archery from a young age, practicing constantly with basic equipment, led him to become the greatest of all time in the sport. Passion fuels the thousands of hours required for mastery.

Passion builds purpose. Evan Hafer's life-changing encounter with espresso in 1997 ignited a passion that, years later, combined with his military background, led to the creation of Black Rifle Coffee Company. Remi Warren's deep love for hunting, to the point of waiting until the last possible moment to harvest an animal, drove him to spend over 300 days a year in the field, building a life and business around his core passion. Passion isn't just a feeling; it's the starting point for a life of purpose.

8. Face Reality

The truth is that day is the biggest failure of my life.

Learning from failure. True growth comes from confronting setbacks and failures head-on, rather than ignoring or excusing them. Dakota Meyer views the day he earned the Medal of Honor as his "biggest failure" because he couldn't save his teammates. This raw, honest perspective allows him to learn from the experience, build empathy for others' struggles, and use it as fuel for future efforts.

Adversity builds resilience. My brother Taylor's journey through addiction, loss (his stepson Donovan), and job loss demonstrates how facing harsh realities can forge incredible resilience. Instead of succumbing to old habits, he channeled his pain into ultra-running, finding a healthier way to process grief and becoming an inspiration to others. Life's toughest moments, when faced directly, become building blocks.

Own your mistakes. Cam's reflection on his intensity as a father, realizing it pushed his son Truett away from hunting for years, and his frustration over the Alaska grizzly hunt not ending with an arrow kill, highlight the importance of owning errors. Undeniable people don't shy away from their flaws or failures; they acknowledge them, learn from them, and use them as motivation to improve and work harder.

9. Make the Most Impact

The meaning of life is to give your gift away.

Purpose is service. Beyond personal achievement, a powerful driving force for many outliers is the desire to make a positive impact on others. Branlin Shockey, through his filmmaking, aims to inspire people to reconnect with the outdoors and live fuller lives. Tulsi Gabbard's political and military career is rooted in a core purpose of serving God and others, seeking to make the most impact possible.

Ripple effect of action. Nedd Brockmann's decision to run for charity created a movement, demonstrating how one person's dedicated action can have a ripple effect, inspiring others to do something and contribute to a larger cause. This shows that impact doesn't have to start globally; it begins with a single pebble tossed into the water.

Sharing wisdom empowers. Andrew Huberman's massive impact through his podcast comes from his willingness to share complex scientific knowledge widely and freely. He realized that giving away his expertise not only helps others but also deepens his own understanding and connections. Similarly, Cam's sharing of his hunting and training journey aims to inspire others to find their own path and unlock their potential.

Last updated: June 11, 2025