Introduction

Building lasting habits isn’t for the faint of heart—it’s a long-term commitment that demands persistence and grit. In a 2022 episode of The Rich Roll Podcast, endurance athlete Gordo Byrn shared his philosophy of the 1,000-day plan, emphasizing that significant achievement comes from “going long” with ruthless consistency.¹ At Stoica, we believe this approach to habit forming can open doors to new heights of possibility, whether you’re chasing athletic goals, personal growth, or professional success. 

That’s why we created GRIT—to help you stay focused and motivated on your journey, using the power of placebo-driven rituals.² In this post, we’ll discuss Byrn’s 1,000-day plan, reflect on why habit forming takes time but delivers transformative results, and show how GRIT can support you in achieving your biggest dreams.

The 1,000-Day Plan in Action

What does it take to achieve significant results? Gordo Byrn, an elite ultra-endurance athlete and coach, shared a powerful insight on The Rich Roll Podcast in 2022: success comes from committing to a 1,000-day plan and “going long” with your efforts. Byrn explained, “Every positive change in my life has built from the ability to keep a small promise to myself. Change starts small and it’s a daily habit of doing the small thing to start the day”.¹ He emphasized that habit forming isn’t a quick fix—it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Byrn’s 1,000-day plan is about ruthless consistency, where small, daily wins compound over time into transformative outcomes. “You turn yourself into a winner by having a small win every day and that’s how it happens,” he added.¹

This perspective resonates deeply with athletes, professionals, and anyone striving for meaningful achievement. Byrn’s own journey—from an overweight investment banker to an Ultraman World Champion—proves that long-term commitment can lead to extraordinary results. But it’s not easy. Habit forming requires discipline and resilience, especially when motivation wanes or setbacks occur. The beauty of Byrn’s approach is its simplicity: focus on small, consistent actions over an extended period, and the results will follow. This isn’t about overnight success—it’s about showing up every day for 1,000 days, trusting the process, and building momentum. This aligns with Scott Adams’ concept of systems over goals, where daily systems drive progress rather than fleeting targets.³

At Stoica, we created GRIT to support this kind of long-term commitment. GRIT uses the placebo effect to help you build rituals that fuel focus and motivation, making it easier to stick to your 1,000-day plan. Whether you’re training for a marathon, launching a business, or pursuing a personal goal, GRIT empowers you to show up daily and keep going. Byrn’s philosophy shows that habit forming isn’t for the faint of heart, but for those who persist, it opens doors to new heights of possibility. How could a 1,000-day commitment change your life?

Thriving Through Consistency

Gordo Byrn’s 1,000-day plan highlights a truth we often overlook: real change takes time, but the rewards are worth it. On The Rich Roll Podcast, Byrn shared how his own transformation from a sedentary lifestyle to an elite athlete came from committing to small, daily habits over a long horizon.¹ This resonates with Stoica’s mission to help you thrive through consistent, intentional rituals. Habit forming isn’t a quick fix; it’s a challenging journey that demands grit and perseverance. But as Byrn’s story shows, those who stick to it can achieve extraordinary results, whether it’s setting a personal record, building a business, or finding inner peace.

GRIT is designed to support you on this journey. By harnessing the placebo effect, GRIT helps you create a daily ritual that reinforces your commitment, keeping you focused and motivated even on tough days. Research suggests the placebo effect can enhance performance by 4–20%, making GRIT a powerful tool for building habits that last.⁴

Call-to-Action

Ready to thrive with Stoicism?  Try GRIT, SHIFT, FLOW—$39.99 each or $99 Thrive Stack ($89/month sub). Start a ritual: 2 capsules, set an intention, own your response.

Works Cited

1. Roll, Rich. “Gordo Byrn on The 1,000-Day Plan for Endurance and Life.” The Rich Roll Podcast, 2022, www.richroll.com/podcast/gordo-byrn-1000-day-plan/. Accessed 22 June 2025.

2. Finniss, Damien G., et al. “Placebo Effects: Biological, Clinical and Ethical Advances.” The Lancet, vol. 375, no. 9715, 2010, pp. 686-95.

3. Adams, Scott. How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life. Portfolio, 2013.
4. Waber, Rebecca L., et al. “Commercial Features of Placebo and Therapeutic Efficacy.” JAMA, vol. 299, no. 9, 2008, pp. 1016-17.