Modern life is designed to eliminate friction. Faster apps. Fewer clicks. Instant results. But what does that cost us?

In this episode of Warrior Mindset, Gene and Aaron unpack the idea of friction by design and why effort, resistance, and intentional obstacles are essential for awareness, discipline, and growth. Drawing from martial training, stoic philosophy, and real-world experience, they explore the difference between useful friction that builds presence and pointless suffering that wastes energy. This is a conversation about discipline, attention, and why ease isn’t always progress.

What gets lost when everything is effortless?

Our discussion is based on this article: https://carlbarenbrug.com/friction

The dominant digital design instinct is to remove every bit of friction — fewer clicks, faster flows, instant outcomes. But that can strip away awareness, meaning, and thoughtful intent. Not all friction is bad. When introduced on purpose, friction creates a pause, a check, a moment of presence instead of autopilot. Good friction respects attention. Bad friction is just pain without purpose.

1. In life and in training, where does friction create growth instead of resistance?
2. Are we too focused on removing discomfort instead of making people present?
3. What kinds of friction force us to actually see what we’re doing rather than operate on autopilot?
4. When does friction become a teacher and when is it just pointless suffering?
5. If life goals were designed with friction built in, how would discipline change?