If you’ve heard of Jesse Itzler, you’re probably familiar with the Misogi Challenge.
As Jesse put it, “The notion around the misogi is you do something so hard one time a year that it has an impact the other 364 days of the year.Put one big thing on the calendar that scares you, that you never thought you could do, and go out and do it.”
Origins of Misogi
Misogi began as an annual Japanese purification process for both the body and the mind.
The word misogi translates to “water cleansing” and is usually done by standing under an icy waterfall while winter waters pour over the body.
Nat Geo had explored traditional misogi in Japan and the writer shared in their article that standing under the waterfall was like “pressing Control-Alt-Delete on your body.”
The Modern Misogi
Itzler’s version of the Misogi Challenge is designed to help us uncover what we’re capable of. Once we complete the challenge, it serves as a constant reminder that we are stronger than our thoughts and that anything is possible if we put our mind, body, and soul to it.
My Misogi Challenges
I started doing a yearly misogi challenge in 2021. I love it and find it super beneficial for my overall health and well being 🙂
It’s November 2025, Joey and I decided to get Jesse’s mini Big Ass Calendar (love!) and he sent some great misogi tips! See them below:
A Misogi (mis·ō·gē) is one year-defining event that will be the pinnacle of your year. When you look back, you’ll remember 2025 as the year you made it happen. It could be a physical challenge, a trip, a business goal, or a life bucket item. Make sure it’s within the realm of possibility, but go BIG.
Maybe there are milestones or checkpoints you need to hit leading up to your Misogi. Color-coordinate these points using our adhesive labels, a highlighter, or certain color pen. Then, simply follow the script and track your way to your Misogi.
Now your year-defining event is locked in, and that’s half the battle. Remember—it’s unwavering. Give yourself permission to say NO to other things that come up, and use your calendar or planner as your excuse.
Go ahead, lay in bed for a day or two. No one’s gonna judge ya.
But you gotta promise yourself to get up that third day and do your daily routine, no matter what. THIS IS SUPER IMPORTANT!
It’s okay to miss a day, but let’s remember: the longer we’re out of our daily routine (workouts, cooking, cleaning, meditation, etc) the harder it is to get back into it.
Ever skip a workout and it added up to weeks, months, even years without exercising? Day after day the workout routine got slipped under the rug to do tomorrow. New things filled the time you used for workouts and without realizing, you put on extra weight and your joints and muscles became weak, tight, and tender. A little bit everyday really does add up.
Keep the three day rule in mind as motivation to get back to self-work after taking off of your regular routine. The goal is to not let one day off trickle into many days off.
2 off days + 1 launch day
If you are feeling off, use two days to relax; to calm your mind and body. Try to keep up on the basics if you can like washing up, eating, drinking, reading, breathing deeply.
You can also spend time visualizing what you want your life to look like. Think big picture and think about what you’re gonna have to do on a daily basis to get there (see my full blog list for inspiration / recommendations!).
By day 3 you’re ready to rock and roll. You got your rest in and have a daily routine in mind (and ideally written out) that you’ve committed to and are ready to take action on.
Baby steps. Getting 1% better everyday. Stay blessed my friends!
