From the Founder, Brian Mazza 1/6
Practicing Solitude Is Your Best Investment
We often don’t get enough time to ourselves anymore. We're constantly consumed by our devices, living vicariously through others. The fear of missing out (FOMO) haunts us because we’re trained to compare our own lives to those who seem to have it all figured out or a “better situation.”
A year before the pandemic, I became obsessed with the idea of running. After reading a book by David Goggins, I was struck by the realization that I wasn’t doing enough with my life. Thankfully, that book changed everything—it was the catalyst that led to the creation of High Performance Lifestyle Training. Without it, I’d probably still be serving Mac & Cheese Burgers every weekend at The Ainsworth. For context, I co-founded The Ainsworth, one of the most innovative and successful sports bars out there.
At first, I ran with music like most people do, but I had no idea how to actually run properly. The high after each run was indescribable—the endorphins were intense—but the runs themselves were painful. That changed when I hired a running coach who taught me that running slow actually makes you faster, and it was this balance that ultimately made running enjoyable. Fast forward to today: two kids, a successful Health & Wellness business, and thousands of miles logged, I now run alone and without music. It’s become my personal therapy session—just me, my thoughts, and the rhythm of my feet on the pavement.
I’ve run anywhere from 4 miles to 40 miles, with my longest run being 50 miles. During those runs, there’s nowhere to hide from my thoughts, both the toxic ones and the positive ones. It’s where I truly get to know myself, confronting my weaknesses and celebrating my strengths. I’ve often stopped mid-run to jot down notes and ideas that have come to me during those moments of solitude.
Running, particularly long-distance, has been the most effective tool for figuring out who I want to be, not just in the quiet moments, but in every moment. At first, I thought running alone would be boring, but in reality, it became addictive, especially during the chaos of life at home during Covid.
Practicing solitude sharpens you—it’s like taking a dull instrument and honing it into something purposeful. My wife still complains about how much I spend on running shoes, and I always tell her, “It’s cheaper than therapy.”
Solitude will be your therapist, and while you may not always like what you hear, that’s exactly the point. It’s the first time you might actually listen.
