Why Struggle Is the Proof You’re Still in the Fight
Updated: Jun 23, 2025
Written by Edir Terry, MMA & Fitness Coach
Edir Terry, Pro MMA fighter, top Miami coach, and founder of Belico MMA & Fitness, blends martial arts, fitness, and spirituality to inspire transformation. Entrepreneur, future author of OCTF, and documentary creator, Edir empowers others to unlock their best selves through discipline, resilience, and growth.
Yes, you read that right. Good. Because every single one of us is facing some kind of battle in this life. The truth is, struggles are not punishments, they're invitations. Opportunities. Wake-up calls. And your response to those challenges is what defines the kind of warrior you truly are.
Maybe you’re struggling in school.
Good.
Maybe you’re struggling at work.
Good.
Maybe your relationship feels broken, or you can’t even relax enough to think straight.
Good.
Maybe you can’t find motivation to keep going, or you're losing sight of your dreams.
Good.
You might be wondering, “Why the hell is this guy saying ‘Good’ to all of that?”
Let me explain.
The beauty in the struggle
You see, struggles are signs that you're alive, growing, and evolving. They’re proof that you care enough to fight, to try, and to want more out of life.
The problem is, most people get stuck in their struggle. They feel like they’re the only ones going through it. But let me hit you with this fact:
There are 8.2 billion people on this planet.
You are not the only one fighting a silent battle right now.
Someone, somewhere in the world, is going through the exact same struggle as you, maybe even worse.
And guess what? Some of them would trade places with you in a heartbeat just to have your kind of problem.
Let that sink in.
So instead of crying about the pain, I want you to see the beauty in your battle. Because every struggle you’re facing is teaching you something. It’s building your character. It’s shaping your mindset. It’s preparing you for the next level.
Step-by-step: How to use your struggles to grow
Here’s a simple but powerful exercise that I live by and I promise, it can change your life if you apply it consistently:
1. Acknowledge the struggle
Don’t deny it. Don’t avoid it. Look it in the face.
Ask yourself:
Is this a real, life-changing struggle or something temporary?
What exactly am I feeling?
Why do I think this is happening?
2. Own it
Take full responsibility.
That’s what leaders do.
Your past actions led to your current reality. And that’s not a bad thing, it means you have the power to change it.
3. Ask “why?” until the answer hits
Your brain is a solution machine. If you feed it better questions, it will produce better answers.
Ask:
Did I create this problem?
What can I learn from it?
How can I grow from it?
4. Search for help, not pity
There’s a big difference between crying out and reaching out. Look for:
A coach
A mentor
A wise elder
A good book
A local church
Or even someone online
You’d be shocked how many people are ready to help you if you're humble enough to ask.
5. Flip the pain into power
Every lesson learned from a struggle becomes a new weapon in your arsenal.So next time you’re in the fire, remind yourself:
“I’ve been through worse. And I survived.”
“I’ve done hard things before. I can do this too.”
“This pain is shaping me into someone I wasn’t yesterday.”
The leadership mindset
As I write this, I’m going through my own struggles too.
Yes, I’m fighting battles – in my body, in my mind, in my spirit.
But I apply this same exact mindset every day: No quitting. No excuses. Just keep showing up.
Struggles have taught me to:
Laugh through pain
Be patient with pressure
Appreciate the journey, even when it's not fair
Get up every time I fall down
And now I want to teach you the same.
Because you are not alone.
You are not broken.
You are not weak.
You’re just a fighter learning how to swing back harder.
Final words of fire
Struggles aren’t here to break you.
They’re here to build the warrior inside you.
So the next time life hits you with something painful, look it dead in the eye and say:
“GOOD.”
Because it means you’re growing.
It means your story isn’t over.
It means you still have a chance to turn your pain into power.
And when that day comes and it will – you’ll smile and say:
“If it’s my time to leave this world,
I will leave it with one last battle…
One that will be remembered forever.”
Let this be your reminder:
You have what it takes.
Now go and prove it.
Read more from Edir Terry
Edir Terry, MMA & Fitness Coach
Edir Terry is a dedicated martial artist and fitness professional with a passion for transforming lives. Using the philosophy of mind, body, and spirit rooted in martial arts, Edir has trained over 300+ amateur and professional fighters and impacted 5,000+ individuals, helping them achieve personal goals in school, work, and life. His mission, "Make the best version of yourself," drives his work, bringing joy and fulfillment as he inspires success and growth. Edir's approach empowers students to unlock their full potential and embrace lifelong change.
