Podcast
The Hard Choice with Brad Draper
Hosted by Brad Draper · EN
The Hard Choice hosted by Brad Draper.
If you’re honest with yourself, you’ll agree that you live under a self-imposed glass ceiling that is holding you back from the very life you were meant to live.
You want to break through that barrier, you just don’t know how.
And that’s the purpose of this podcast.
Your Host, Brad Draper is here to lay out for you the simple steps for showing up; for yourself, for your family and for good. As a coach and business professional, Brad has the track record proving his commitment to excellence while leading the way for you to follow.
If you’re ready to embrace your best self, your best life and finally make the Hard Choice, this is your show.
Releases Weekly!
If you’re honest with yourself, you’ll agree that you live under a self-imposed glass ceiling that is holding you back from the very life you were meant to live.
You want to break through that barrier, you just don’t know how.
And that’s the purpose of this podcast.
Your Host, Brad Draper is here to lay out for you the simple steps for showing up; for yourself, for your family and for good. As a coach and business professional, Brad has the track record proving his commitment to excellence while leading the way for you to follow.
If you’re ready to embrace your best self, your best life and finally make the Hard Choice, this is your show.
Releases Weekly!
43episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Misogi: Ending the Year with an Exceptionally Difficult Challenge
Jan 800:14:21Tap to summarizeWhat if ending your year with the hardest thing you've ever done could completely transform how you start the next one? Brad Draper tackles this idea head-on with his annual "misogi" tradition—a practice borrowed from Shinto warriors involving an exceptionally difficult physical challenge. This year, he combined 500 kettlebell swings, 500 pushups, and 500 curls with 27 miles of walking, completing 49 laps of 0.53 miles each to hit marathon distance. (He deliberately made it harder as he went, because apparently that makes sense when you're already exhausted.)The truly fascinating part isn't just the physical accomplishment, though. Brad has involved his family since his oldest was three and a half, creating a rite of passage where kids can participate starting at age eight. His wife now wants to join him. Inspired by James Lawrence, the Iron Cowboy who completed 101 consecutive Ironman triathlons despite severe injuries, Brad believes pushing past breaking points reveals true capability—the kind that builds unshakeable confidence and momentum when most people are just coasting into the new year.Where focus goes, results follow, and this episode explores exactly how embracing hard things shapes character and teaches resilience.Ready to discover what you're truly capable of? Give this episode a listen.Now, If you find this episode valuable, please share with your significant other, friends, and family. We love you!Listen in!Thank you for listening to this episode of The Hard Choice.
Transcribe →From Vague Dreams to Specific Wins—Your 2026 Goal-Setting Blueprint
Jan 100:14:29Tap to summarizeStarting the new year with fuzzy goals like "get fit" or "make more money" is essentially planning to fail. Brad Draper challenges this common mistake by demanding specificity—what does "fit" actually mean in numbers, what exact income increase are you targeting, and by when? (Because vague goals lead to vague results.) Through a conversation with a directionless friend, he illustrates that without knowing your destination, every step you take remains aimless wandering rather than purposeful progress.The episode introduces Draper's binary approach to goal achievement: write down five specific daily objectives each morning across family, mental health, self-development, fitness, and business. Did you complete them? It's a simple yes or no—there's no partial credit or room for compromise. Using the metaphor of Noah's ark, Draper explains that you're either fully committed to your goals or you're not. What separates success from failure isn't motivation or luck; it's **intentional execution** through manageable daily tasks that mathematically drift you toward your desired destination over time.Can you commit to winning just today?Ready to transform vague aspirations into concrete achievements? This New Year's Day 2026 episode of The Hard Choice delivers the framework you need.Now, If you find this episode valuable, please share with your significant other, friends, and family. We love you!Listen in!Thank you for listening to this episode of The Hard Choice.
Transcribe →The Unbreakable Challenge
Jan 9, 202500:15:24Tap to summarizePushing Boundaries: A 35-Mile Journey Through the NightIn this gripping episode of "The Hard Choice," host Brad Draper takes us through his most ambitious "Misogi" challenge yet - a grueling 35-mile nighttime trek with significant elevation gain. What makes this story particularly compelling isn't just the physical feat, but the profound lessons learned about preparation, community support, and personal growth.Brad's journey, completed over 15 hours, demonstrates how pushing beyond our comfort zones can lead to extraordinary self-discovery. The episode delves into the critical importance of proper preparation, from carrying extra socks to heeding mentor advice, and how these seemingly small details can make or break such challenging endeavors.While not everyone in the group completed the full distance, the experience highlights a powerful truth: sometimes our "best" isn't enough, but it's the lessons learned from these moments that shape our future attempts. Brad's story serves as a testament to the transformative power of embracing difficult challenges head-on.Ready to be inspired to tackle your own seemingly impossible challenge? Listen to this episode of "The Hard Choice" to discover how stepping into the unknown can lead to unexpected growth and personal transformation.Now, If you find this episode valuable, please share with your significant other, friends, and family. We love you!Key Takeaways• The importance of having a supportive community when taking on challenging personal tests like the "Misogi" challenge.• The value of heeding advice from experienced mentors when undertaking demanding physical and mental feats.• The lesson that one's "best" may not always be enough, but the true growth comes from learning from failures and using that knowledge to improve for the next challenge.Listen in!Thank you for listening to this episode of The Hard Choice.
Transcribe →Moving Mountains: Overcoming Life's Challenges
Jan 2, 202500:14:34Tap to summarizeMoving Mountains: Breaking Through Life's BarriersEver wondered what it truly takes to move mountains in your life? In this powerful episode, Brad Draper delves into the transformative journey of overcoming self-imposed limitations that keep us from reaching our full potential.Drawing parallels between a catastrophic fault line shift and personal transformation, Draper illustrates how chaos often precedes meaningful change. He explores the concept of "moving mountains" through various spiritual lenses, while emphasizing that divine guidance must be paired with personal action.The episode tackles the challenging reality of taking those crucial second and third steps in any significant life change - moments that test our faith but ultimately strengthen our character. Using insights from successful entrepreneurs like Elon Musk, Draper demonstrates how embracing difficulties can lead to extraordinary growth.Key themes include:- The role of faith in personal transformation- Why chaos precedes meaningful change- The importance of perseverance- Building resilience through challenges- The power of gratitude and support systemsReady to start moving your own mountains? This episode will give you the inspiration and practical wisdom to begin your journey. Tune in now to unlock your potential and embrace life's challenges as opportunities for growth.Now, If you find this episode valuable, please share with your significant other, friends, and family. We love you!Listen in!Thank you for listening to this episode of The Hard Choice.
Transcribe →Make Your Dreams a Reality: A Year-Round Holiday Mindset
Dec 26, 202400:15:12Tap to summarizeTurning Holiday Spirit into Year-Round SuccessEver wondered how to maintain that magical holiday generosity and momentum throughout the year? Brad Draper reveals powerful strategies to transform seasonal inspiration into lasting personal growth. Drawing from John Maxwell's wisdom and his own intense "Misogi" experience of a 15-hour overnight walk, Brad shares how pushing beyond comfort zones can catalyze extraordinary life changes.This episode dives into:- Creating intentional giving habits- Pruning life's "wilted leaves" for new growth- Turning dreams into actionable plans- The power of personal challenges for growth- Implementing multi-sensory goal achievementDon't wait for the "perfect" moment – your dreams deserve action now. Brad's practical approach combines holiday-inspired generosity with strategic goal-setting, showing you how to transform wishful thinking into tangible results.Ready to discover how you can maintain holiday magic all year while achieving your boldest dreams? Listen to this transformative episode that might just change how you approach personal growth forever.Key Takeaways• Embracing the joy and abundance of the holiday season all year round, rather than just during the holiday season.• The importance of engaging in a challenging personal practice each year, such as a "Misogi" ritual, to push beyond one's comfort zone and build momentum towards goals.• The emphasis on taking concrete action now, rather than waiting for the "perfect" time, to make your dreams tangible and achieve them.Now, If you find this episode valuable, please share with your significant other, friends, and family. We love you!Listen in!Thank you for listening to this episode of The Hard Choice.
Transcribe →Leveling Up: Embracing Challenges for Personal Growth
Dec 19, 202400:15:56Tap to summarizeEmbracing Your Journey: From Setbacks to SuccessEver wondered how successful people navigate their failures? Brad Draper reveals the transformative power of embracing both wins and losses on your path to becoming a "level 10" person.**In this compelling episode of "The Hard Choice," Brad shares raw insights from his entrepreneurial journey, including falling for business scams that ultimately became valuable learning experiences. He contrasts this growth mindset with those who remain stagnant, afraid to take risks or learn from mistakes.Key takeaways:- Today's challenges prepare you for tomorrow's opportunities- "Learnings," not just wins, shape your success story- Growth requires pushing beyond current limitations- Mentorship, including through podcasts, accelerates progress- Building consistent habits and routines supports transformationBrad emphasizes the importance of showing yourself grace during the journey, recognizing that perfection isn't the goal – progress is. Whether you're starting a business, pursuing personal growth, or facing life's challenges, this episode offers practical wisdom for embracing your evolution.Ready to transform your perspective on failure and success? Tune in to this game-changing episode of "The Hard Choice" today.Now, If you find this episode valuable, please share with your significant other, friends, and family. We love you!Listen in!Thank you for listening to this episode of The Hard Choice.
Transcribe →Just Begin
Dec 12, 202400:15:18Tap to summarizeIn this week's episode of The Hard Choice, Brad celebrates the 100th episode of his podcast, reflecting on its inception in May-June 2022 and its launch in January 2023. He recounts the initial insecurity and practical steps involved in starting the podcast, including hiring a mentor and producer. Draper emphasizes the importance of acting on thoughts and ideas, sharing that his podcast has influenced many lives globally and personally helped him. He encourages listeners to start projects, regardless of initial fears or perceived inadequacies, and to focus on intentional actions and mindset. Draper concludes by expressing gratitude to his audience and inviting them to engage further. Now, If you find this episode valuable, please share with your significant other, friends, and family. We love you!Listen in!Thank you for listening to this episode of The Hard Choice.Action Items[ ] Start a podcast or any other project you've been thinking about.[ ] Leave a review for the podcast.[ ] Connect with the host on social media.
Transcribe →Dolla Dolla Bill Ya'll
Dec 5, 202400:15:02Tap to summarizeIn this week's episode of The Hard Choice, Brad talks about his fantastic ability to kills plants. He relates the last 3 years of a Money Tree that has been named Dolla Dolla Bill Ya'll. He relates the growth of the plant and the thriving of the plant to the environment and nutritional properties given to it to your life and the thriving or dying. Check to see where you are growing or decaying in life, simply due to a lack of effort or lack of nutritional denisty within you life. Now, If you find this episode valuable, please share with your significant other, friends, and family. We love you!Listen in!Thank you for listening to this episode of The Hard Choice.
Transcribe →Find Gratitude
Nov 28, 202400:14:08Tap to summarizeIn this week's episode of The Hard Choice, Brad talks about gratitude on this, Thanksgiving Day. He relates how gratitude is one of the base principles to all things. He relates stories on gratitude and finding it in all aspects of life. Brad speaks to the fact that all things work for you, not to you. On this day, Thanksgiving day, finding gratitude is imperative and one you should be doing every day. Now, If you find this episode valuable, please share with your significant other, friends, and family. We love you!Listen in!Thank you for listening to this episode of The Hard Choice.
Transcribe →How Would You React?
Nov 21, 202400:14:09Tap to summarizeIn this week's episode of The Hard Choice, Brad discusses how much of life is what happens to you and how much you react. Brad relates a very funny experience that happened to him the morning of recording and how he and his family responded to the situation at hand. He relates the presidential election and how one is responding to the circumstances they find themselves in. Brad dives into the actions you take and the opportunities that are found therein. Now, If you find this episode valuable, please share with your significant other, friends, and family. We love you!Listen in!Thank you for listening to this episode of The Hard Choice.
Transcribe →