The Misogi Challenge: One Big Thing That Changes Everything
Every once in a while, you come across an idea that sticks with you. It reframes how you think about your life, your work, and your limits. For me, that idea was Misogi, and it birthed my Misogi challenge.
What Is a Misogi?
I first heard the term about a year ago while listening to an audiobook on Japanese concepts like Kaizen and Misogi. Kaizen is about small, continuous improvement. Misogi is the opposite.
A Misogi is one massive challenge you commit to each year. It’s something so big, so uncomfortable, that it fundamentally changes how you make decisions. Something that shapes your habits as well as your mindset.
I loved that immediately.
My 2025 Misogi: Physical and Business
My 2025 Misogi was twofold:
Run 100 miles
Start Mysa Hus
On the physical challenges side, I trained ultra running for nine months. I ran the Leadville Marathon, completed a few 50Ks in Minnesota, and spent time training in Colorado. The goal was the Cascade 100 in Oregon.
Everything was going according to plan until mile 66.
Wildfires moved in, conditions became unsafe, and the race was shut down. We were on pace for a sub-24-hour finish, but it ended there.
I don’t see it as a failure.
I learned more than I could have imagined about mental training, physical resilience, fueling my body, hydration, mindset, and the importance of strength training. I learned where my limits are, and how far past them I can actually go when I stay present and positive. If I attempt it again, I’ll be better prepared in every way.
On the business side, Mysa Hus has been even more impactful than even I expected.
It’s reshaped how my company thinks, designs, and operates. It’s pushed us toward wellness and quiet, intentional living.
Mysa Hus was never meant to be quick. It’s a two-year Misogi, and we’re still very much in it.
If you haven’t seen how the house has progressed, here’s a look at the journey so far.
My 2026 Misogi
I haven’t officially locked in my 2026 Misogi yet, but it will be big.
Right now, I’m circling a few options:
Attempting the 100 miler again
Signing up for an Ironman
Trying to qualify for the Boston Marathon
I’ll likely make the final call over Christmas break or early January.
Mysa Hus will continue as my business Misogi in 2026. We’ve got about five months left, and the goal is to finish strong with a live podcast, public events, and participation in the Artisan Home Tour.
What’s been most meaningful about Mysa Hus is the community-based approach. This hasn’t been a quiet, behind-the-scenes project. It’s been shared, documented, and experienced together and that feels aligned with the story we’re trying to tell.
Want to learn more about Misogi? Listen here!
Misogi and The Curious Builder
People sometimes ask how these challenges connect to the podcast, to the business, and to the events. They’re completely intertwined.
Training for endurance events directly inspired things like Curious Builder Boot Camp. Whether it’s Zion or Costa Rica, those wellness-centered experiences come from the same place: pushing limits, leaving your comfort zone, prioritizing health, and creating space for reflection.
Mysa Hus, too, is shaped by movement, nature, and wellness. The pursuit of quiet. Of intentional living. Of building spaces that support how we actually want to feel.
The Biggest Lesson from My Misogi
Sharing big challenges matters.
When I talk openly about my own Misogi (the wins and the setbacks) it gives other people permission to try something bold themselves. And that might be the most rewarding part of all.
Here’s to choosing one big thing. Here’s to the Misogi challenge.
