11: Start Where You Are – Chris Lee

The Discipline Myth: Why It’s Easier Than You Think

Chris Lee is a former Green Beret and now a High Performance Coach helping people transform their lives by mastering identity, discipline, and habits. Through his coaching community, Top Tier Performance, he guides people toward lasting change by helping them build systems that stick—without burnout or overwhelm.

Chris believes discipline isn’t something reserved for a rare few. It’s a skill—a muscle—that anyone can build. And if you're struggling to stay consistent, the solution isn't more intensity. It's about starting small and building routines that are so easy, they’re almost automatic.

Discipline Is a Muscle

“I think discipline is, is a muscle that needs to be developed. And sometimes people tell me, you know, I'm just not disciplined at all. Help me. And I immediately push back and say, but you are disciplined. Do you brush your teeth every day? Well, yeah, I'm an adult. All right then, you are disciplined. It's just you've broken the task down small enough. You don't even think about it. It's just part of your daily routine. That's what discipline is.” (Chris Lee)

Chris challenges the idea that some people are just naturally undisciplined. The reality? You already have discipline—you just haven’t applied it intentionally yet. The trick is breaking down your goal until it becomes as automatic as brushing your teeth.

Too often, people aim to go from zero to Goggins overnight. But Chris says that’s a recipe for burnout. If you're starting from scratch, the key is to build routines that don’t break you—routines that are enjoyable and doable every single day.

Make It So Easy, You Want to Come Back

“I sometimes joke and say I'm like, the opposite of David Goggins. I typically don't tell people to go run out for 100 miles in the freezing cold... Do the thing that you can do every day that doesn’t break you, that you can do consistently to build that habit.” (Chris Lee)

Instead of crushing yourself with unrealistic expectations, Chris recommends starting with something so easy it feels silly—like walking around the block for 15 minutes. That way, you’re not sore or dreading it the next day. You’re just showing up and doing it again.

Over time, your simple routine becomes part of your identity. Then, and only then, you can begin to level up—maybe from walking to running, then strength training, and eventually embracing the kind of struggle that leads to growth.

Build the Habit Before You Chase the Pain

“There are very few reasons why P.T. should suck on purpose. If the intent behind the session is to get in shape, there's no reason why it can't be a ton of fun.” (Chris Lee)

Chris makes a powerful distinction between mental toughness training and physical health training. If you’re building fitness, it should feel good enough to keep coming back. But when you do want to train your mind, that’s when the “suck” can be useful.

For him, jiu-jitsu and long sauna sessions have become his personal battlegrounds for mental growth.

“Being repeatedly beat up by, you know, wiry 16-year-olds as a former Green Beret is incredibly humbling and good for me… It's a mental game… after an hour in the really hot heat, it's like, all right, how much longer can I last?” (Chris Lee)

Lessons Learned

Chris’s philosophy is both grounded and empowering:

• Discipline already exists within you. It just needs to be channeled intentionally.

• Start where you are. If you're a beginner, don't compare yourself to someone who’s been training for years.

• Keep it simple and fun. You’re more likely to stay consistent with habits you enjoy.

• Push yourself mentally when the time is right. Once you’ve built a strong base, then you can pursue discomfort for growth.

Discipline doesn’t require extremes—it requires consistency, patience, and a strategy you’ll actually stick to.

Takeaway for You:

If you want to build lasting habits and real discipline, take Chris’s advice:

1. Break it down. Make your first step so small that it’s impossible to fail.

2. Build consistency. Stick with the habit long enough that it becomes part of your identity.

3. Save fuel in the tank. End each session wanting to come back for more.

4. Add challenge when you're ready. Growth through struggle is powerful—but only after the habit is in place.

You don’t need to crush yourself to create change. Start small. Start where you are. Build discipline like a muscle—and over time, you’ll be capable of more than you ever imagined.