What happens when you walk away from 20 years in a secure career to build something of your own? In this episode of Discomfort Required, I sit down with Steve Owens, founder of Heavy Handed, to talk about what it actually takes to bet on yourself, embrace uncertainty, and build a business on your own terms. Steve spent nearly 20 years in geotechnical drilling and construction before stepping into the fitness world, co-owning Q CrossFit in Seattle, and eventually launching Heavy Handed in January 2023. What started as an idea turned into an 18-month formulation process, 11 revisions, and a whole lot of trial and error to create a hand care product that actually helps heal your hands instead of just covering up the problem. We get into the scary shit that comes with leaving a stable career, why you can't be your own boss and a shitty employee, and what it really looks like to build something from the ground up. Steve also breaks down the lessons he learned developing Heavy Handed, why testing your product before ordering inventory can save you thousands, and how he's expanding beyond CrossFit into industries like construction and healthcare. But my favorite part? Steve isn't chasing some massive exit or trying to build an empire just for the sake of it. He's building a business that works for his life, his family, and his vision of success. Because success doesn't have to look like everybody else's version of it. In this episode, we get into: What “Discomfort Required” means to Steve and why choosing discomfort in the small things matters.Going from anti-CrossFit to co-owning Q CrossFit in Seattle.Why leaving a secure union career with benefits and retirement was one of the scariest decisions he's ever made.Why you can't be your own boss and a shitty employee.The reality of leaving Seattle and finding a lifestyle that actually works for you.How Heavy Handed went from a conversation with his wife to a real business.The 18-month process, 11 revisions, and lessons behind developing a product that actually works.Why you need to test your formula before dumping $20,000 into inventory.Expanding a brand beyond its original audience while staying connected to the CrossFit community.Building a business around your life instead of sacrificing your life to build a business.The takeaway: You don't need to have every answer figured out before you start. You need to be willing to take the risk, do the work, learn from the mistakes, and keep moving forward when shit gets uncomfortable. That's where the growth happens. If you're an athlete, entrepreneur, coach, or someone who's been thinking about taking a chance on yourself, this one's for you. 🎧 Listen in, take something away, and go do something uncomfortable. If this episode hits home, drop a comment, share it with someone who's sitting on an idea, and make sure to follow Discomfort Required for more real people, real conversations, and honest discussions about what it actually takes to succeed. Real People. Real Conversations. Discomfort Required.
