What’s Your 2025 Misogi?

Ever heard of a Misogi?

No, it’s not a fancy bourbon cocktail (though it does sound like it could be).

Misogi is an ancient Japanese concept that’s all about stepping way outside your comfort zone.

The idea is simple: once a year, you take on one epic challenge—something so big and uncomfortable that it changes you. More about the history of misogi here.

Modern-day Misogi challenges are less about spiritual rituals and more about testing yourself physically or mentally.

Think of it as a way to hit the “reset” button on your mindset. You don’t have to conquer the Appalachian Trail or swim across Lake Cumberland, but the challenge needs to feel borderline ridiculous.

You should have about a 50/50 chance of success—that’s where the magic happens.

Why bother?

Because we’ve made life too easy. For most of history, men had to hunt, build, fight, and survive.

Today? We’ve got drive-thrus, TV marathons, and comfortable recliners.

Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing better than kicking back on a porch swing with a glass of bourbon after a long week, but if you don’t test yourself once in a while, life gets a little too… soft.

You’re not doing it for bragging rights (although you’ll earn some), and you’re not competing against anyone else. It’s you vs. you.

Kentucky-Flavored Misogi Ideas

Need inspiration? Here are a few ways to challenge yourself with a Kentucky twist:

• Transform Your Physique – Commit to 12 weeks of hard training: lift heavier, eat clean whole foods, and finally become the guy you see in your head. It’s not about perfection—it’s about progress that shocks even you.

• Talk to 100 Strangers – Strike up a genuine conversation with 100 people in one month. Whether it’s the cashier, a neighbor, or someone at the gym, you’ll build confidence and hear stories you’ll never forget.

• Complete a DIY Project You’ve Been Avoiding – Build that deck, restore an old truck, or turn your garage into the ultimate bourbon lounge. Go all in on something hands-on that makes you proud every time you see it.

• Cook Every Meal for 30 Days – Skip the drive-thrus, put down the DoorDash app, and challenge yourself to prepare every meal for a month. Bonus: You’ll save money, eat better, and maybe impress someone with your new skills.

• Wake Up at 4:30 AM for a Month – Give yourself the gift of time by rising before the sun. Use those quiet hours to work out, plan your day, or pursue a personal goal you “never have time for.”

• Hike the Red River Gorge in a day. Tackle a trail so ambitious you question if you’ll make it back before sunset. Bonus points if you bring the family along for part of it.

• Paddle the Kentucky River for miles. Load up a canoe or kayak, and go further than you think you can. Not a short, lazy float—this is an endurance test.

• Run a Bourbon Chase leg solo. Okay, maybe not the full 200 miles of the relay, but what if you took on a long stretch of it yourself?

• Go 30 days without screens after 7 PM. Not every Misogi has to be physical. Can you ditch your phone, TV, and social media after dinner for an entire month? Tougher than it sounds.

The Takeaway

A Misogi isn’t just about proving how tough you are. It’s about pushing your limits so you can come back to your everyday life a little sharper, stronger, and more grateful.

It’s the kind of experience that makes that next porch beer taste even better because you earned it.

So, what’s your Misogi? Pick something big, set the date, and take it on.

You might just surprise yourself—and isn’t that the point?