The Ed Mylett Show: "Are You Willing to Play Hurt? Success Demands Sacrifice"

Host: Ed Mylett
Network: Cumulus Podcast Network
Release Date: March 20, 2025
Episode Title: Are You Willing to Play Hurt? Success Demands Sacrifice

Introduction

In this compelling episode of The Ed Mylett Show, host Ed Mylett delves deep into the concept of "playing hurt"—the ability to perform at your best even when you're not feeling your best. Drawing from personal experiences, anecdotes from the sports world, and philosophical insights, Ed elucidates how embracing pain and adversity can be a defining factor in achieving extraordinary success.

Main Theme: Playing Hurt

Ed begins by posing a critical question to his audience: "Do you play hurt?" (02:15). He defines "playing hurt" as an invisible skill possessed by all great performers across various domains. According to Ed, the ability to push through pain, whether physical or emotional, separates the exceptional from the average.

Ed Mylett: "The separator in life is not what you do on the days you're feeling great... It's what you do on the days that you don't feel that way." (05:45)

Real-Life Examples of Playing Hurt

Ed reinforces his message by sharing iconic stories from the sports world, illustrating how legends have thrived despite adversity.

1. Kade Ballou's Story

   • Timestamp: 10:30
   • Ed recounts the inspiring tale of Cade Ballou, a college baseball player at Auburn University, who hit a pivotal home run on the day his mother passed away.

   Ed Mylett: "This young man, under tremendous pain, just lost his mother. Can you imagine? Just hours before, he said, 'I think mom wants me to play tonight.'" (11:15)

2. Michael Jordan's Flu Game

   • Timestamp: 16:50
   • Ed highlights Michael Jordan's legendary performance during the 1997 NBA Finals, where he played through a severe case of the flu to lead his team to victory.

   Ed Mylett: "Why? Because he played hurt. He played hurt. It's Tiger Woods." (17:30)

3. Tiger Woods and Kirk Gibson

   • Timestamp: 20:10
   • Ed draws parallels between Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods, emphasizing their abilities to perform under physical duress. He also mentions Kirk Gibson's iconic home run in the 1988 World Series, achieved despite a debilitating injury.

   Ed Mylett: "I was at that game... what's his mother's story... he played hurt." (21:05)

4. Carrie Scruggs' Olympic Triumph

   • Timestamp: 25:00
   • Ed shares the emotional story of gymnast Carrie Scruggs, who won Olympic gold on a torn ankle, showcasing remarkable resilience and dedication.

   Ed Mylett: "I remember watching that and crying, literally crying when she won." (26:20)

Personal Reflections and Stories

Ed opens up about his own struggles with pain and adversity, providing a personal touch to the episode.

1. Ed's Health Challenges

   • Timestamp: 32:00
   • Ed discusses his battle with back pain, jaw issues, and heart problems over the past year, and how he continued to perform despite these challenges.

   Ed Mylett: "I've played hurt all year. It's one of the best years I've ever had." (33:15)

2. Loss of His Father

   • Timestamp: 40:50
   • Ed shares a poignant moment reflecting on his father's passing and how he chose to honor him by pushing through his own pain.

   Ed Mylett: "I decided to do more today because it's one of those days I'm not going to meet my normal standard. I'm going to do one more." (42:30)

The Role of Adversity and Growth

Ed delves into the philosophical underpinnings of why pain and adversity are crucial for personal growth and success.

Ed Mylett: "I believe adversity is a gift. He’s going to give you something... a new friend, a new relationship, a new insight." (48:15)

He references 1 Peter 5:10, emphasizing that suffering is temporary and can lead to personal restoration and strength.

Ed Mylett: "Your breaking point is God's building point... Adversity is a gift." (55:10)

Practical Advice for Listeners

Ed offers actionable strategies for listeners to adopt the "play hurt" mindset in their own lives:

1. Develop Resilient Habits

   • Timestamp: 60:00
   • Establish routines that encourage perseverance, even when facing hardship.

   Ed Mylett: "If your habits are to show up and give it your best, regardless of how you feel, then that will be your default setting." (61:45)

2. Embrace the Power of One More

   • Timestamp: 65:30
   • Ed promotes his book, The Power of One More, advocating for taking that one additional step each day.

   Ed Mylett: "You just need to decide. Right now, I'm getting up right now. I'll make one more call." (67:10)

3. Seek Growth Through Pain

   • Timestamp: 70:20
   • View pain as an opportunity for growth and an opening to build new strengths.

   Ed Mylett: "When you push through pain over and over again, it starts to not affect you like it once did." (72:05)

Conclusion

Ed Mylett concludes the episode by reiterating the importance of resilience and the "play hurt" philosophy. He encourages listeners to honor their struggles, push through their pain, and continue striving for excellence even when conditions are not ideal.

Ed Mylett: "This is the separator. And let God's grace carry you through." (85:40)

He closes with a heartfelt message about personal growth, faith, and the eternal nature of the soul, leaving listeners motivated to embrace their challenges and emerge stronger.

Key Takeaways:

• Playing Hurt as a Separator: The ability to perform despite pain distinguishes great achievers from the ordinary.
• Inspirational Stories: Real-life examples from sports and personal anecdotes highlight the power of resilience.
• Adversity as a Gift: Challenges are opportunities for growth, leading to new strengths and insights.
• Actionable Strategies: Developing resilient habits, embracing the power of one more, and seeking growth through pain are essential for success.
• Faith and Restoration: Belief in a higher power and the promise of restoration can provide the strength to persevere through difficult times.

Notable Quotes:

• On Playing Hurt:
  Ed Mylett: "The separator in life is not what you do on the days you're feeling great... It's what you do on the days that you don't feel that way." (05:45)

• On Adversity as a Gift:
  Ed Mylett: "I believe adversity is a gift. He's going to give you something... a new friend, a new relationship, a new insight." (48:15)

• On Developing Resilient Habits:
  Ed Mylett: "If your habits are to show up and give it your best, regardless of how you feel, then that will be your default setting." (61:45)

• On the Power of One More:
  Ed Mylett: "You just need to decide. Right now, I'm getting up right now. I'll make one more call." (67:10)

• On Faith and Perseverance:
  Ed Mylett: "This is the separator. And let God's grace carry you through." (85:40)

Final Thoughts

This episode serves as a powerful reminder that true success often requires enduring and pushing through periods of pain and hardship. Ed Mylett masterfully combines motivational storytelling with practical advice, inspiring listeners to adopt a resilient mindset and strive for greatness even in the face of adversity.

Note: Non-content segments, including advertisements and promotional messages, have been omitted to focus solely on the episode's primary content and message.