Specialization: Hiding Behind Comfort

REFLECTIONS IN MOTION

Talking specialization through the lens of purpose

In the gym community, you often hear: cardio kills gains. So lifters avoid running. In endurance circles, you hear: lifting makes you slow. So runners avoid the gym.

But the real reason isn’t science — it’s comfort.
They don’t like it. They’re not good at it. So they say: it’s not for me.

Unless you’re chasing a career in one sport, specialization has its place. But for the serious amateur — the lifter or runner who wants to reach their full capacity — specialization leaves potential on the table.

Not just in physical performance. But in mental performance too.

Why should you care about reducing specialization in training?

The Stoics practiced premeditatio malorum — the premeditation of evils.

They deliberately chose discomfort so they could see it wasn’t as terrible as their minds imagined.

It’s the same with running or lifting. You think it “sucks” because your mind tells you so.

But ask yourself honestly: how often have you really tried? Once a month? Once every two months?

No wonder you never improve. Each time feels miserable because you never built the habit, never gave yourself evidence that it isn’t so bad.

The Stoic approach is clear: choose the discomfort often enough to realize it can be endured — even mastered.

Where specialization in training often goes wrong

Specializing in one area — strength or endurance — gives you the illusion of discipline.

You might train four times a week in the gym or log 25 km of running every week. On the surface, that looks disciplined.

But look closer: you avoid the other side like the plague.
You are disciplined only where you are comfortable.

That’s not discipline. That’s habit dressed up as discipline.

Real discipline is choosing what you don’t want to do — but know is good for you.

THIS WEEK’S STOIC INSIGHT

A moment this week that taught me something

Live from Eindhoven, Netherlands

I have friends I don’t see often and rarely talk to, but the bond is strong. In the past, if they didn’t reach out, I wouldn’t either. I thought connection had to be mutual in effort.

Lately, I’ve changed that. I send a message. I make the call. I set up the meetup. It doesn’t take much — but it matters. I realized you don’t always have to wait. You can be the one to check in.

“If you want to be a friend, accept to be tested by a friend. If you want to be loved, love.” - Epictetus, Discourses 2.22.19

How to reduce specialization the right way

Strength and endurance are opposites, but the goal is to make them amplify each other, not compete. To balance them effectively, keep these three rules in mind:

1. Respect recovery
   Between a leg workout and an interval or long run, leave at least 48 hours of rest.

   You can train your upper body, but give your legs a break. Recovery runs are fine — but keep them very light.

2. Prioritize mobility
   You’ll be adding more volume, so stretching and mobility work are essential. Take care of your body so it can handle the load.

3. Keep strength training smart
   Focus on compound lifts with low reps and heavy weight.

   A favorite setup: 5 sets of 5 reps, with 2 warm-up sets before your working sets.

   Compound lifts first in your session maximize performance and efficiency.

If I could only one tactic for combining running and strength , it would be this

When I first added running, I tried multiple short runs, and the balance ended up 50/50 with my strength training.

In the gym, I chose exercises that would help my running — but I didn’t enjoy them. Over time, I began to resent the gym.

That’s when I realized: you can shift the balance toward what you enjoy most.

• If you love running, make running the larger part of your week.

• If you love the gym, let the gym dominate your schedule.

For me, that meant two focused gym days on traditional lifting — what I enjoy most and what keeps my motivation high — and other sessions dedicated to exercises that amplify my running.

Now, I have 3–4 gym days and 2 running days, and that balance works.

You’ll need to experiment to find what works for you — but there is a balance that fits your preferences and keeps you consistent.

END ON PURPOSE

A question to ask yourself today…

How will today's difficulties influence my character?

You will inevitably encounter difficulties in your life. You will have to deal with them. The most important thing is don't let them influence your character.

Don't become another person because of it. It is just something that happened and you handled it.

Live your life as before with just another lesson in your pocket.

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