[LL]: The Fifth Lever: From Pain to Purpose

Hey Leader 🙌

Let’s talk about the final lever in the Phoenix Transformation: Leveraging the adversity. 

This is the moment your story stops being about you and starts being about the people you’re called to lead.

For me, it started with pain.

20 years ago, I got embarrassed about my fitness. I was called out for having “islands for nipples” at a pool party, trying to impress some girls.

Now it’s trivial and even funny. 

But in the moment, it wrecked me and also fueled me. It lit the fire for what I now call my anti-mission: a self-centered pursuit to never be out of shape again.

But here’s the thing about transformation: if you stick with it, the mission matures.

After pulling the first four levers of transformation, forging the body, reflecting, and reframing, something shifts.

The pain that once crushed me?

It became my advantage.

More than that, it becomes fuel for others.

That’s what Lever 5 is all about. It’s the pivot from personal victory to collective impact. From “how do I fix me?” to “how can I help them?”

You leverage it when you lead others on the same path that once brought you to your knees.

Through coaching, business, and bold leadership.

Because here’s the truth: the real win isn’t just overcoming adversity, it’s building a legacy that helps others overcome theirs.

If you’re still sitting on your story, afraid to share it, let this be your sign:

Your past was the price of admission.

Your future is the reward.

And your impact?

That’s the mission now: To inspire fitness and change lives every day.

This is how you leverage!

Bryce Henson
CEO, Fit Body

PS Stay tuned as the book will be released in early 2026, and details to come!

The 5 Immutable Rules of Leadership

1. Take Extreme Ownership: Everything is your responsibility—even when it’s not your fault.
2. Put Your Oxygen Mask On First: Lead yourself before leading others.
3. Wield Influence Through Moral Authority: People follow who you are, not what you say.
4. It’s Not About You—Never Was, Never Will Be: Elevate others, build legacy.
5. Turn Adversity Into Advantage: Pain is your power—use it.