What do a 20-year career, a 50-mile bike ride, a silent retreat, and a 14-year-old’s nosebleed have in common?

In this episode, Ben Johnson explores the universal experience of the messy middle — the often-overlooked phase where early momentum fades and the real growth begins. Through personal stories and grounded reflections, Ben reveals how long journeys (in work, life, or on two wheels) call us to let go of old stories and find a new rhythm built on patience, clarity, and quiet endurance.

This is not a how-to. It’s a reminder: that steadiness and patient endurance, even when things get tough, is a deeper kind of strength. And that the wisdom we need often shows up in unexpected places — like sitting on your bike when you don't want to.

🔑 Keywords: messy middle, leadership fatigue, clarity, silent retreat, long-term growth, endurance, parenting, resilience, LeanMind, transition, leadership reset

For more tools and reflections, visit leanmindway.com