Both vs Balance: Why Great Men Refuse To Choose

In this episode of The Impossible Life Podcast, Garrett Unclebach and Nick Surface dismantle one of the most popular modern myths: the pursuit of “balance.” Instead of aiming for a perfectly divided life where family, work, faith, and fitness all receive equal slices, they argue for a different approach—both, not balance. As Garrett puts it, “I don’t like the idea that my family only wins when my business loses. I’m not playing that game.”

The conversation is both practical and profound, moving from biblical truths to personal competition, all with the goal of challenging men to stop settling for compromise and instead strive for greatness.

Why “Balance” Falls Short

The cultural obsession with work-life balance sounds healthy but often leads to mediocrity. Balance assumes a zero-sum game: if you give more to one area, another must suffer. Garrett and Nick reject this mindset. True growth, they argue, doesn’t come from slicing the pie evenly but from expanding it. Nick observes, “When you talk about balance the way most people do, it doesn’t feel like greatness—it feels like settling.”

This rejection of balance doesn’t mean neglect. Instead, it reframes the conversation around prioritization and pursuit of both. As Garrett notes, “People think in order to win in one area, they have to lose in another. That’s not true. You can figure out both—it just takes vision, wisdom, and sacrifice.”

God Is Both Love and Law

The deeper anchor of this episode comes from Scripture. Garrett points out that God Himself is the ultimate example of both: “God doesn’t have to be less law to be more love. He’s both at the same time.” Jesus did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it, showing that the divine nature is not either/or but both/and.

This truth carries profound implications for men seeking to live godly lives. Some men lean naturally toward structure and law; others toward grace and love. Maturity is not found in choosing one or watering one down—it’s found in learning to embody both. Nick drives the point home: “Where we become most like Christ is not where we lessen one trait, but where we grow in the one that doesn’t come naturally.”

Knowing What’s Finite

Of course, Garrett and Nick don’t dismiss reality. Certain resources—time, money, and energy—are finite and require prioritization. For example, you can’t run an ultramarathon and take your family on vacation the same weekend. That’s not balance; that’s wisdom. The key is discerning where “both” is possible and where strategic prioritization is required.

Garrett reminds listeners: “God gave us a set amount of time. That’s a test of allocation and prioritization, not balance.” When it comes to energy and resources, excellence comes from knowing when to say no so that your yes has power.

Embracing the Both Mindset

When applied correctly, the “both” mindset creates abundance instead of scarcity. It changes the questions men ask from “What do I have to give up?” to “What will it take to achieve both?” Whether it’s pursuing career success and being a present father, or excelling in faith and fitness, the both mindset fuels growth, not compromise.

Garrett even connects this to personal discipline: “If I’m going to be excellent in business and family, it may mean sacrificing comfort—but I don’t accept the lie that I can’t have both.”

Key Takeaways for Men of Purpose

This episode of The Impossible Life Podcast redefines how men should approach balance and priorities:

• Reject mediocrity: Balance often means settling for less.

• Embrace both: Refuse to play the zero-sum game between work, family, and faith.

• Follow God’s model: He is both love and law—your life should reflect His nature.

• Discern the finite: Prioritize wisely where time, money, and energy are limited.

• Ask better questions: Stop asking what you must lose; start asking what it takes to win in both.

As Garrett concludes, “The standard you set determines whether you live in compromise or rise to your calling. Stop choosing balance—start pursuing both.”

For more high-performance insights and challenges, listen to this full episode of The Impossible Life Podcast. Visit theimpossible.life and follow @theimpossiblelife for daily encouragement and tools to live with bold faith and purpose.