High Performers aren't different - They just keep going: Undeniable by Cameron Hanes
Yes, they want to hit snooze too.
In a world full of books in the name of self-development, advice, opinions, and endless hustle content, some books don’t just inspire you — they confront you.
Undeniable by Cameron Hanes is one of those books. It’s not just about bow hunting or running absurd distances.
It’s a deep dive into the mindset required to achieve extraordinary things. It’s about pushing limits when no one’s watching. It’s about choosing a life that demands more from you — and becoming the kind of person who steps up.
The book is filled with incredible personalities and their amazing achievements in their respective fields. But when I set out to write this newsletter entry, it made me wonder if there are specific takeaways that us "normal" and "average" people can learn from. I was looking for tidbits that can help us become undeniable too.
Here are two takeaways that left a mark on me:
1. Find Your Shiny Thing
Today, everyone is something — a content creator, a coach, a speaker, a corporate professional, a side hustler. It’s easy to feel like your “shiny thing” needs to be public-facing, impressive, or tied to your personal brand. But what makes someone stand out isn’t their job title. It’s the “shiny thing” — that one obsession that pulls them forward.
Cameron Hanes is known as a legendary bowhunter. But even for him, his ultimate "shiny thing" isn't what you might expect. It's Running and lifting.
Every single day, Hanes climbs Mount Pisgah in Eugene, Oregon with a 70 pd rock on his back. He runs ultra-marathons and trains by running full marathons before clocking into work.
When someone thinks of Cam, they think of Bow Hunting.. They don't think of the miles he clocks in day in and day out. His shiny thing isn’t what he’s known for— but it’s what fuels him. It’s the ritual, the anchor, the thing that challenges him day in and day out.
His story is a powerful reminder:
Your "shiny object" isn't necessarily your profession or what you're publicly known for. It's that activity, that pursuit, that gets you genuinely excited, that you consistently return to, and that fuels your personal growth. It's the thing that ignites your internal fire, no matter your walk of life.
That hit me hard. Because we often confuse our career or public image with our deepest source of drive. But the shiny thing doesn’t have to be what you’re famous for. In fact, it probably isn’t.
So ask yourself:
What’s your shiny thing? What do you do that’s just for you — not for likes, not for approval, not for a paycheck — but because it makes you feel alive?
2. The Gap Between the Greats and the Average Joes
We tend to put high performers on a pedestal — as if they’re wired differently. But they aren’t. They’re just like us. They get tired. They get discouraged. They want to press snooze too. They are, at their core, typical humans.
When you look at personalities like Cameron Hanes, Nick Bare (A veteran and the founder of BPN Nutrition), Jeff Cunningham (running coach), or Chris Williamson (host of the Modern Wisdom podcast), they all share a critical understanding:
Everyone, including them, experiences pain, discomfort and resistance.
So what's the difference between the Greats and the Average Joes?
They don’t stop when it hurts. They push through pain like it’s part of the job. They have normalized discomfort.
They embody the notion that "just because you feel pain, doesn't mean you stop... You STILL keep going." Stopping when it hurts is a very normal and human response. That's your brain telling you to quit because it hurts. But if you stop, how do you win?
Hanes highlights this beautifully by mentioning ultra-runner Courtney Dauwalter. She's a known force in the ultra-running world, often leaving competitors in the dust. Yet, in her very first ultra race, the Run Rabbit Run 100-miler, she quit at 60 miles. But that wasn't the end; it was a pivot point. Since then, she's completed multiple 100-milers, 200-milers, and the notoriously challenging Moab 240. Her initial "failure" didn't stop her; it fueled her relentless pursuit.
These people don’t succeed because they’re fearless. They succeed because they feel fear, fatigue, and resistance — and keep going anyway.
So no — success isn’t about being fearless. It’s about showing up despite the fear.
Pushing through — especially when no one’s watching.
Nick Bare doesn’t bounce out of bed excited to run 10 miles every morning. Jeff Cunningham doesn’t always want to train when it’s pouring rain. But they do it anyway. They all push through and finish the job, because pain is part of progress.
And that’s the difference.
Conclusion: The Work is the Way
Reading Undeniable reminded me that the life we want doesn’t come from breakthroughs — it comes from repetition.
From doing the hard things again and again, even when no one’s watching, even when no one cares.
This book serves as a potent reminder that success isn't about avoiding discomfort or being a superhuman. It's about identifying what truly excites you and, when faced with the inevitable pain and desire to quit, choosing to keep going.
So here’s what I’ll leave you with:
Find your shiny thing — and build a life around it.
Accept that pain is the price of progress. Don’t run from it. Run with it.
The mountain doesn’t care if you’re tired.
Climb it anyway.
If this resonated, hit reply and tell me: What’s your shiny thing?
Very good read. Liked particulary the take away.
Accept that pain is the price of progress. Don't run from it. Run with it.