On the Art of Manliness, we talk about many things, from personal development, to physical fitness, to concrete skills and know-how.
If you’ve ever wanted to do more than just listen to/read the content we publish, and desire to start taking action in these areas, then The Strenuous Life is for you!
The Strenuous Life is a program designed for individuals who want to do more than passively drift through a world of abstraction and information overload. It can help you start interacting with life in a real, tangible way, and get in shape, find new hobbies, make friends, and experience more adventure and exploration.
If you’re looking to become a physically fitter, mentally stronger, and all-around more competent man this year, then join over 10,000 fellow members in The Strenuous Life.
TSL’s winter enrollment is now open!
Take the Strenuous Life Challenge
New members of TSL are enrolled into the 12-week Strenuous Life Challenge, which is designed to induct initiates into a life of strenuosity and help them form new, health-boosting, mindset-enhancing, life-improving habits. You’ll be asked to hit certain benchmarks in terms of daily physical activity and good deeds, earn at least one badge, and complete a diverse range of weekly “Agons” or challenges.
The Strenuous Life Challenge is designed to push you outside your comfort zone, get you having new experiences, and help you become more than you are now in body, mind, and spirit. Those who complete the Challenge earn an exclusive TSL challenge coin, as well as a new outlook on life.
Finally Put Your Long-Standing Intentions Into Action
The Strenuous Life is like a scouting program for grown men, and its structure — which offers a set of 50+ badges and clear requirements to earn them — facilitates learning new skills, having new experiences, and forming new habits. It’s designed to help you put your long-standing intentions — all those times you’ve said, “I’d really like to start doing _____” — into action.
TSL can be just the kick in the pants you need to finally make good on your goals. Here’s a small sample of some of the stuff members have done as part of The Strenuous Life in the last six months:
If you’re finally ready to move from point A to point B with your goals, TSL will provide the map and guide you on your journey.
Meet Like-Minded Individuals (In Person!)
Are you looking for a way to meet up with like-minded individuals and form more real-world friendships? The Strenuous Life can help you make those connections.
One of the features of TSL are local chapters that members can use to organize real world, in-person meet-ups. The third Saturday of every month is designated as “Strenuous Saturday” and members get together to work on badges, ruck, or do community service. Members can meet up to work on the weekly challenges as well.
The Strenuous Life is meant to be shared — come and join a tribe of men who want more out of life!
Earn the Exclusive Polar Bear Badge
Those who join up during the winter enrollment of The Strenuous Life have the chance to earn the exclusive Polar Bear Badge. Some of the Agons (weekly challenges) are temperature sensitive and involve being outdoors, and thus will be more challenging during this season for those who live in a cold climate. TSL is, of course, all about doing hard things, and the program will helpfully get you more active during this season than you might otherwise have been, but we just want to forewarn you.
If you do complete The Strenuous Life Challenge, you’ll receive the free Polar Bear Badge that’s available exclusively to those who begin the 12-week “boot camp” during the January enrollment.
Enrollment Is Open Until Thursday, January 1, 2026
If you’re tired of viewing life from the sidelines, and want to become someone who’s able to look out for others, navigate the world more skillfully and joyfully, and become an all-around better man, then let the The Strenuous Life be your catalyst for personal improvement and a new season of growth.
Enrollment will only be open until Thursday, January 1, 2026.
For those enrolled, the 12-week Challenge officially begins on January 3rd.
The next enrollment of TSL will not occur until the summer of 2026.
I hope to see you on The Strenuous Life!