MPG Letter #137
Why Do We Chase the Pain, Personal Branding, Truth about Motivation
Why Do We Chase the Pain?
There’s something wild about signing up for a challenge that guarantees discomfort.
Mud in your teeth. Legs burning. Heart pounding.
Whether it’s a Spartan Race, triathlon, or some brutal mountain trail run… we volunteer for suffering.
But why?
Is it the finish line?
The bragging rights?
Or something deeper… proving to yourself that you’re built different?
This week I’m diving into the psychology of choosing hard things.
The kind of people who don’t avoid the grind… they crave it.
My 2 Cents 💭
I love a challenge.
I love when someone tells me I can’t make it. Because that’s when it kicks in. That fire. That reminder that we’re here on this planet to push ourselves. Not just physically, but mentally. To define new limits.
It’s like this: If you’ve never really tried… how can you know who you are?
The truth is, most people don’t.
They only know who they think they are.
Adversity doesn’t just build character. It builds your soul.
When you look in the mirror… what do you see?
Are you someone who backs down from discomfort?
Or are you someone open to challenge, growth, transformation…
The hard reality: most people will never find out.
Their dreams stay quiet, taking them to the grave.
But not us!
So I’ll ask you this: What’s one challenge you’ve taken on that revealed the real you? 🤔
Personal Brand? Nah, I’m Just Being ME 💥
Ever hear someone say, “I don’t need a personal brand”… as if it’s just for influencers or sales people?
Here’s the truth:
You already have a personal brand.
It’s what people think of when they hear your name.
It’s how you show up... Online, offline, in the gym, at work, everywhere.
So the real question isn’t “Do I need one?”
It’s “Am I shaping mine with purpose?”
If you don’t control the narrative, someone else will. And you can’t have that!
So let’s get intentional.
3 Questions to Build Your Brand Starting Today 🛠
What do I want to be known for?
Not your job title. Not your follower count.
What’s your impact? What’s the vibe people feel from you?
What do people already come to me for?
Advice? Motivation? Realness? Expertise?
Your brand often lives in what others already trust you for.
Does my content match the real me?
If someone finds your IG or sees you speak… does it feel like you?
Authenticity beats perfection every time.
So if you’ve never thought about your personal brand before, now’s the time.
It’s not about creating a fake version of yourself.
It’s about owning your story, your values, and how you show up in the world.
The way you train, speak, post, and treat people…. it all adds up.
Make it count.
The Truth About Motivation
Let’s be real for a minute. Motivation comes and goes.
Some days I’m fired up. Other days, it’s a fight just to get moving.
That’s normal. But the truth is, motivation is a spark.
It’s not what keeps you going.
Discipline does.
And for me, that discipline started early.
My parents put me in martial arts as a kid.
It wasn’t just about throwing punches… It was about respect, structure, repetition.
It taught me to show up no matter how I felt.
That foundation stuck with me.
⚙️ What works for me today
I don’t wait around to feel inspired.
I’ve built a routine that keeps me locked in — even on slow days.
Every night I write out my daily 3 & 3:
3 things I’m grateful for
3 things I’m going to get done
That grounds me. It gives me clarity and direction.
And when I’m feeling sluggish, I don’t just power through blindly.
I’ll crack a Reign Storm energy drink to jumpstart my system, or lean on the right supplements to fuel not just my body but sharpen my mind.
Because this life isn’t just physical.
It’s mental.
And your brain needs just as much fuel as your muscles.
So I’ll ask you this:
Are you still chasing motivation
Or are you becoming the kind of person who shows up no matter what?
🚨 Sponsorship Opportunity
I’m opening up a few strategic sponsorship spots for brands that align with my values — performance, recovery, discipline, and mindset.
This isn’t just a logo slap.
It’s about real connection, real reach, and building something meaningful with my audience — fighters, high-performers, and everyday people chasing better.
If your brand stands for growth, health, and grit — let’s talk.
📩 Serious inquiries only.
Media kit available upon request.
Email: info@maxpaingriffin or DM me directly.
Let’s win together.
🐅 Enter the Tiger – Austin Event 6/19
We’re pulling up to Austin June 19 at the Capital Factory, Omni Austin Hotel Downtown for something special:
Enter the Tiger — an exclusive event powered by yours truly × GOLD DYAD × Aaron Handwerker.
We’re giving away a limited run of collector’s edition Max Griffin x GOLD DYAD artwork. Plus, exclusive metal coins you won’t find anywhere else.
And that’s not all.
We’re proud to announce our Anti-Bullying Scholarship for local Texas elementary schools — in collaboration with Renzo Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Round Rock TX.
A portion of all proceeds from Enter the Tiger will go toward helping kids get access to mindset and discipline training they wouldn’t otherwise have.
Be part of something bigger.
Collect. Connect. Give back.
👉 Register now: https://lu.ma/fie00vyh
🥊 UFC Atlanta
This weekend’s card in Atlanta brings some heat. 🔥
Michael Chiesa, my former opponent and now homie, is back in there against Court McGee. Two gritty vets. I know firsthand how tough Chiesa is — slick on the ground, hard to put away. Wishing him good luck out there.
Main event: Buckley vs Usman. Buckley’s the favorite at −265, and for good reason. He’s fast, dangerous, and coming in with momentum.
And good to see my teammate Cody Garbrandt back in the mix. When he’s dialed in, he’s a problem.
Let’s see who rises to the moment.
That’s a wrap for this week’s MPG Letter.
If you got value from it, hit that like, drop a comment, or share it with someone who needs to hear it.
New here? Welcome to the squad 🙏🏽 🤙🏽
I’ll be back next week with more real talk, fight game insights, and life on and off the mats.
Appreciate you being part of the journey.
– Max “Pain” Griffin