Ep. 252| All In
The Five Excuses That Will Make You Average
In this episode of The Impossible Life Podcast, Garrett Unclebach and Nick Surface issue a powerful challenge to men everywhere: stop living halfway. The message is simple but convicting—God doesn’t bless partial commitment. He blesses those who go all in. No one pulls up or half steps on purpose. Instead, they get deceived by excuses that cause their level of effort to drop.
Garrett sets the tone early: “You’ll never know what God can do with your life until you’ve given Him everything.” Going all in isn’t about hype or emotion—it’s about surrender, discipline, and unwavering faith that God’s plan is worth your total investment.
Half In, Half Out: The Trap of Modern Men
Garrett and Nick start by exposing the mindset of halfhearted living that’s infected today’s culture. Too many men hedge their bets, keeping one foot in comfort and one in calling. Garrett warns, “When you try to live halfway, you rob yourself of the rewards that only come from full commitment.”
The Bible echoes this truth. Revelation 3:16 says, “Because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” God isn’t interested in halfway obedience or conditional faith. He wants men who are fully surrendered, willing to pay the price for purpose.
Nick observes that modern culture trains men to avoid discomfort—to stay safe, keep options open, and chase convenience. But growth requires friction. Comfort numbs calling. As Garrett puts it, “You can’t build a warrior spirit in a comfort zone.”
The Power of Full Commitment
Going all in is what separates great men from average ones. Whether in faith, family, or performance, wholehearted commitment multiplies results. Garrett shares from his Navy SEAL background, “In the Teams, there’s no halfway. You either commit or you quit. The same’s true in life—you’re either in or you’re out.”
The men discuss how half-hearted effort leads to frustration and burnout. When you’re not fully invested, challenges feel heavier and victories feel hollow. But when your heart, mind, and spirit align under one mission, momentum builds. Garrett explains, “When you burn the ships, you unlock a level of energy and creativity that comfort can’t give you.”
This isn’t about perfection—it’s about direction. The decision to go all in activates discipline, focus, and faith in a way that casual living never can.
Faith as the Ultimate “All In” Move
For Garrett and Nick, going all in begins with God. You can’t commit to everything—you must commit to the right thing. Matthew 6:33 says, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” That’s not a suggestion; it’s a blueprint.
Garrett makes it clear: “The biggest lie men believe is that going all in for God means losing everything. The truth is—it’s where you gain everything that actually matters.” When men give God full access to their time, finances, goals, and relationships, He brings alignment and blessing.
Nick reflects, “The moments I tried to hold on to control were always the moments I lost peace. But when I went all in with God, things fell into place in ways I could never plan.” Faith doesn’t eliminate challenge; it empowers perseverance.
The Cost and Reward of Going All In
Going all in demands sacrifice. It’s not glamorous, and it’s rarely comfortable. But Garrett reminds listeners that comfort was never the goal—obedience was. “If you’re not paying a price, you’re probably not in the game,” he says.
Luke 9:23 captures this perfectly: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” Discipline, self-denial, and persistence aren’t outdated—they’re the currency of purpose.
Nick adds that the cost of mediocrity is always higher than the cost of commitment. Living halfway robs men of peace, clarity, and the satisfaction of living in alignment with God’s call. The reward for going all in isn’t just success—it’s significance.
How to Live All In Every Day
Garrett and Nick don’t just preach—they give practical steps for men ready to make the shift:
Decide once and for all. Stop negotiating with your purpose. Choose God’s plan and stop entertaining backup options.
Commit your schedule. If it matters, it’s on your calendar. Prioritize what builds faith, family, and growth.
Eliminate distraction. Delete what divides your focus—sin, comparison, laziness, or endless scrolling.
Surround yourself with committed men. Accountability sharpens conviction. Find brothers who are all in, too.
Act in faith daily. Don’t wait to feel ready. Faith grows in action, not comfort.
As Garrett says, “Discipline isn’t about intensity—it’s about consistency. Being all in means showing up, even when no one sees you.”
Key Takeaways for Men of Purpose
This episode of The Impossible Life Podcast calls men to reject mediocrity and live with clarity, courage, and conviction. Here are the core truths:
Halfway living kills calling. Full commitment unlocks growth and peace.
Faith is the foundation. You can’t go all in on life without going all in on God.
Discipline is devotion in motion. Real men do what they said they’d do, long after the feeling fades.
The reward outweighs the cost. Obedience always leads to purpose.
Garrett closes the episode with a challenge that captures the heart of The Impossible Life: “If you knew what God wanted to do through your life, you wouldn’t hesitate—you’d go all in right now.”
For more practical tools and high-performance wisdom rooted in faith, listen to the full episode of The Impossible Life Podcast. Visit theimpossible.life and follow @theimpossiblelife for daily encouragement and challenges to live boldly and without compromise.