The 48-Hour Reset: A Test of Mind, Body, and Willpower

As a leadership development consultant, authenticity is central to my work. I regularly question why anyone should be influenced by me, whether in the classroom or during one-on-one coaching. To lead effectively, I believe in practicing what I preach, even if I don’t always succeed…

One of the models I use for building resilience is the Willerton Challenge (sometimes humbly referred to as “World Famous”).? I have been talking about the benefits of this challenge for several years in my work now, and I wanted to share it with a wider audience today. It focuses on five key areas:

1. Cold immersion
2. Physical stretch
3. Meditation practice
4. Reflective practice
5. Abstinence

While I practice all these activities myself, I recently decided to push the boundaries a little further and share my experiences in hopes of inspiring others to adopt healthier habits.? I wanted to get out of that comfort zone and test myself.

The first challenge I’m tackling is the Abstainer Challenge, which focuses on breaking habitual behaviours by making conscious choices to pause and reflect. Abstinence can be applied in many areas, such as alcohol, but here I’m focusing on food. Specifically, I challenged myself to complete a 48-hour fast—choosing not to eat despite food being readily available.

Having done several 24-hour fasts in the past, I wanted to go further. I recall meeting someone last year who practiced multi-day fasting (4–5 days), and I found their discipline inspiring. Now, at 39 hours into my fast, I’d like to share some insights for those interested in trying this:

• I feel far better than I expected and slept surprisingly well last night.
• Mental clarity and focus are enhanced today (there’s research to back this!).
• The first day was more challenging than the second.
• Hydration and maintaining electrolyte balance are essential while fasting.
• This is entirely achievable and something I may repeat every 4–6 weeks.
• While strenuous exercise isn’t advisable, light activity feels fine.

Why Try a 48-Hour Fast?

1. Mental Discipline: It challenges the belief of "I can’t/I won’t." Unless you have specific medical conditions, you CAN!
2. Conscious Decision-Making: It’s a practical example of choosing deliberate actions over the instinctive, reactive brain.
3. Health Benefits: Research suggests several benefits of fasting, including: Fat Loss: Fasting promotes fat burning by depleting glycogen stores, forcing the body to rely on fat for energy. Autophagy: Cellular repair processes are activated, clearing out damaged components. Longevity: Periodic fasting is associated with improved health span and markers of longevity.

Tips for Success

• Plan Ahead: Eat a balanced meal before starting your fast, with protein, carbs, and nutrients.
• Hydrate: Aim for 3–4 litres of water daily during the fast.
• Support Your Body: Consider creatine or electrolytes to preserve muscle and maintain balance (research before use).
• Exercise Lightly: Avoid overexertion but keep moving.
• Break the Fast Wisely: Choose a light, protein-rich meal to ease digestion, avoiding the urge to overeat.
• Stay Engaged: Black coffee or herbal teas in moderation can help break the monotony.
• Reflect: Use the fasting period to gain insights into your habits and mental resilience.

Fasting challenges us to think and act differently, making it a great tool for practicing discipline. It reconnects us with our evolutionary roots and allows us to test the boundaries of what we’re capable of. For most people, it’s safe, beneficial, and worth exploring.

Consider challenging yourself, or your leadership teams, to take on the Abstainer Challenge.? You might be surprised by the results.

Happy fasting!

James