Shoot the Damn Shot: Choosing the Fire Will Set You Free
Shoot the Damn Shot: Choosing the Fire Will Set You Free
By Brant Phillips
What do you think you’re going to do—avoid suffering?
Let me save you the trouble.
You won’t. You can’t.
Because life is suffering.
That’s not pessimism.
That’s not negativity.
That’s truth.
But here’s the part that most people miss—and it’s everything:
You get to choose your suffering.
This weekend, my wife and I were watching Vikings, a netflix series. That’s not usually our vibe—we’re more The Office kind of people—but this one got us.
One scene in particular hit me like a punch to the chest. Lagertha, the shield-maiden queen, said something simple:
“There is no life without suffering.”
She didn’t elaborate. She didn’t need to. But I will.
Because embedded in that one line is a wake-up call for all of us—especially for those sleepwalking through life, clinging to comfort and wondering why they feel stuck, bored, or empty.
We are all going to suffer.
The only question is whether we will suffer on purpose.
The Suffering That Builds or the Suffering That Breaks
We suffer either way.
The difference is what that suffering produces.
You can choose the pain of discipline, the grind, the reps, the late nights, the early mornings.
The awkward conversations. The setbacks. The failures.
Or you can choose the pain of regret.
Of never going for it. Of staying stuck. Of living on repeat.
Of looking back one day and realizing you never became who you were meant to be.
Let’s make this real:
Skip the workout now? That’s easy. But the back pain, the low energy, the doctor visits later? That’s suffering.
Avoid the hard conversation now? Feels good for a moment. But the broken relationship? The unspoken resentment? That’s suffering.
Don’t take the risk, don’t make the investment, don’t follow the call in your heart? You’ll stay “safe.” But you’ll also stay small. And that’s the worst kind of suffering there is.
Look at Ragnar
Look at Ragnar Lothbrok in Vikings. He was not a perfect man. He was a man of consequence. A man who chose the long, hard road of greatness. Not because it was easy—but because it was right.
He didn’t run from the pain. He walked straight into it—with honor.
He fought for something bigger than himself. And in doing so, he left a legacy.
That’s what this is about.
Every day, you and I—we’re choosing.
We’re either choosing the short-term comfort that leads to long-term regret, or we’re choosing the suffering that leads to growth, peace, and prosperity.
And let’s be clear: comfort isn’t peace. It’s a lie.
A trap. A thief who slowly steals your purpose while whispering, “You’re fine. Just stay here.”
Stop With the Silly Little Thoughts
You know the ones I’m talking about.
“I’ll start next week.”
“Now’s not the right time.”
“I just need to get through this season.”
Those are the silly little thoughts that convince you to delay your destiny.
They sound logical. They sound safe. But they’re sabotage.
Because the longer you avoid shooting your shot—the one you know you were born to take—the more suffering you stack up.
You won’t feel it right away.
But it’ll catch up.
And when it does, it shows up as regret—and that’s the kind of suffering that doesn’t heal easy.
So Yeah, I Still Work Out
I’m 50 now.
I don’t go as hard in the gym as I used to. I don’t need to.
But I still show up. I still do the work.
I still choose the pain.
Why?
Because when I choose my suffering—on purpose, with intention—I get to walk through life with strength.
I get to lead my family. I get to build businesses. I get to move through the world with purpose and power.
And on the other side of that chosen suffering?
Peace.
Purpose.
Abundance.
Not comfort. Conviction.
Not easy. Essential.
If You’re Waiting for a Sign—This Is It.
This is the moment.
This is the sign.
This is the shot.
Shoot the damn shot.
Step into the fire.
Because only through the fire will you find your freedom.
Whether it’s your finances, your fitness, your family or your future—you already know the shot you need to take.
If you’re serious about building a life of purpose and freedom, I’m here to help.
Ready to take your shot?
📩 Fill out a quick form HERE and lets talk about your next step.