This has been a heck of a year and we're just halfway in.

The OP is dealing with another wave of mass censorship and defamation. It seems like our refusal to adhere to the mainstream narrative has drawn the attention of all the wrong people. I can't go into detail for another week or so, but suffice it to say, I've been fighting tooth and nail to keep this ship afloat against another brutal attack. Stay tuned for the details in a couple of weeks because I intend to share every single communication with the organization attempting to control and silence us. (Sorry to be so vague - you'll understand soon.)

On the homefront, my little patio garden is thriving. I got my first harvest of peas and radishes, and I have some jalapenos and herbs just about ready to be picked as well. I went to get a tomato cage for the cherry tomato plant in the photo. Imagine my surprise when what was formerly a dollar was five. I improvised and grabbed this handy branch when I was out walking the dog in the wooded area nearby. It might appear kind of redneck to some, but it was my favorite price - free.

Stress is a killer. I've been working out since the beginning of the year, doing a power lifting program designed by a friend. This has really helped me get through some stuff and there's a decent gym in my apartment complex, so it's not costing me anything to get into better shape.

I decided to up the game, however, and joined the 75 Hard Challenge. If you're not familiar with it, it was designed by Andy Frisella, an entrepreneur with a go-hard-or-go-home attitude and (warning to the easily offended) a potty mouth. You can go here to learn more about the program. It's absolutely free, even though this looks like a sales page.

Read on and iI'lltell you why this is something you should consider.

A lot of you will read this and think of all the reasons you can't do it. And it's definitely not for everyone. But I think of it as a survival boot camp. You can't always expect pleasant weather and perfect conditions but if the SHTF you're still going to have to do hard things. Why not get into that mindset now? What is two and a half months out of your whole life?

Here are the rules.

1.) Follow a structured diet. (Any diet as long as the goal of it is to improve yourself) Frisella writes, "Here's the hard part: follow it for 75 days with zero deviations, zero excuses, zero alcohol, and absolutely NO CHEAT MEALS."

2.) Two 45-minute workouts a day and one MUST be outside. This gives you the rain or shine mentality you need as a prepper to become more accustomed to dealing with inclement conditions. You don't have to do 90 minutes of hardcore exercise every day. Choose things that work for your fitness level and physical condition. It might be walking, yoga, weights, swimming, running, a sport, seated fitness - anything as long as you get moving twice a day and deal with whatever Mother Nature throws you. I saw photos of folks in wheelchairs who committed to and finished this program. Start where you are in the body you're in.

3.) Drink a gallon of water a day. Strangely, this has been the hardest for me so far. My best tip for getting this much water into me is to start early. I try to have 3/4 of it down by lunchtime so I don't have to get up and pee a hundred times a night.

4.) Read 10 pages of non-fiction. What you read is up to you - as is this entire program. Pick books that will enhance whatever facet of your life that you are working on.

5.) Take a progress picture every day. Yuck, right? Yuck is the point. Frisella writes of this component, "...while taking a picture is actually a very simple task ... it teaches you to push through those uncomfortable moments or situations, and get the job done.

It also teaches you that EVERY detail matters, as small and insignificant as it may seem at the time ... and you can't forget about them, because that is what separates successful people from everybody else."

I'm all in. I'll be updating here on Instagram. (You don't have to have an account to see the pictures - my profile is public.) I figure nobody needs to hear about me sweating my rear end off every day in the Southern sun unless they actually want to. Pop over to Insta and let me know if you're joining this challenge with me!