365 Days to Become a Gladiator

The Arena

Entering the arena, one day at a time.

This is the live record of the journey. Not the polished version — the actual version. Updated as it happens, including the days when nothing goes to plan.

Current day

1

of 365 days

Overall progress

0% complete — Week 1 — The beginning. The hardest part is always starting. So I started.

"The arena isn't a place. It's the moment you decide to show up anyway — scared, unprepared, possibly about to embarrass yourself — and you go in regardless. That's the whole point."

Progress by area

Where things stand right now

Mind

5%

Focus

Showing up publicly. Writing honestly. Not editing myself into someone more polished. Here to show the full journey and the whole process.

Recent win

Published Day 1. That's it. That's the win.

Challenge

The pain-body voice in my head that wants to hide and avoid judgement. Working on it.

Recovery & Finances

8%

Focus

Day-by-day. Building new habits around money. Tracking everything.

Recent win

Paid off more of the remaining debt. Spend money on self development instead of self destruction.

Challenge

The financial hole is real. Progress is slow but steadily in the right direction. That's okay.

Body

10%

Focus

Getting consistent. 50 press-ups, 100 tricep dips, 40 decline press-ups, and 3 min plank everyday before shower.

Recent win

1 month attending the run social club.

Challenge

Consistency over motivation. Motivation is unreliable. Day 1 of 75 Hard. Game on.

World

12%

Focus

Florida chapter. Meeting people. Saying yes to things.

Recent win

Had a proper conversation with someone I'd normally have avoided talking to. Good call.

Challenge

Italian. Day 1 of Duolingo. It's going.

Future

15%

Focus

Getting content out. Not waiting for it to be perfect. "Go vegan but bacon" - If you want to change, perfectionism is often not the answer.

Recent win

This website exists. That counts.

Challenge

Figuring out what kind of content actually represents me. Still working it out.

The rules

How the arena works

01

Show up every day, even when it's ugly.

02

Document honestly — wins, losses and the boring bits in between.

03

No waiting to feel ready. Ready is a myth.

04

Progress over perfection. Always.

05

The embarrassment of trying is better than the regret of not.

Latest entries

From the daily log

Day 1
Mind

Day 1: Why I'm Doing This in Public

The honest answer is that doing it privately hasn't worked. I've started and stopped more times than I can count. So this time, I'm making it harder to quit by making it visible.

Day 2
Mind

Day 2: The Fear of Looking Stupid

Perfectionism dressed up as high standards. I've been waiting to be ready for years. Turns out ready is a feeling that never quite arrives — so you have to go without it.

Day 3
Body

Day 3: Back in the Gym (Humbling)

I used to be fitter than this. That's fine. You start where you are, not where you used to be. First session done. Legs are already complaining.

Luca Mayes

A traveller, tourism graduate and creator publicly documenting the process of building courage, health, finances and a meaningful future — one honest day at a time.

The Journey

MindRecovery & FinancesBodyWorldFuture

"Entering the arena, one day at a time."

© 2026 Luca Mayes. All rights reserved.