In Ethiopia, men participate in brutal stick-fighting battles and sometimes bash each other’s heads in, all to win a woman’s heart.

In Morocco, runners participate in a barefoot marathon in what is known as the “toughest footrace on earth” - a six-day-long ultramarathon located in the Moroccan Sahara Desert where participants volunteer to run 251km, the distance of six regular marathons.

And in France, cyclists take on the ‘Hell of the North’ ¬– a women-only race where participants tackle a gruelling route that is 256.6 kilometres long with 29 sections of cobblestone. Broken ribs and shin-bones piercing through the skin are not foreign injuries, yet many women finish the race in spite of these oedeals.

In today’s society, we are constantly bombarded with expectations to prove ourselves and demonstrate our worth. Whether in our personal relationships, workplaces, or even on social media, the pressure to excel and measure up can be overwhelming. Could this be the reason why there’s been an increase in the uptake of extreme sports? Breaking away from society to pursue a one-on-one relationship with one’s self-worth through self-inflicted pain, and pushing the boundaries by participating in radical acts that test strength, courage, character and resources has long been a common exercise by the human race.

But what does self-imposed “pain” in this context mean, and why is it considered legitimate? Ultimately, what does it symbolise?

Famed boxing legend Muhammad Ali once said of a more humble form of exercise: “I don’t count my sit-ups. I only start counting when it starts hurting because they’re the only ones that count.” Then, of course, no fitness fanatic’s social media feed is complete without motivational posts like “No pain, no gain”, or “Where there is no struggle, there is no strength to be gained”. And while these punchy motivators are not forcing you to free-dive into a volcano to feel something, there is a psychological aspect that sheds light on the drive behind the search for meaning in pain through physical exercise.

In the 1990s, Hungarian-American psychologist, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, developed a theory called “flow state” – a key concept that explains the possible mindset behind the “no pain no gain” belief system. The concept comes into when one is in a state of deep focus and immersion in a challenging activity, which can lead to a sense of timelessness, satisfaction, and personal fulfilment. According to Csikszentmihalyi, “The best moments in our lives are not the passive, receptive, relaxing times... The best moments usually occur if a person’s body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile”.

Extreme sports often induce this flow state, providing participants with a profound feeling of control and mastery.

The allure of extreme sports lies in their ability to provide an escape from the day-to-day demands and expectations of society, replacing them with self-imposed expectations instead. Finding a space in the raw, unfiltered nature of these experiences allows individuals to step outside their comfort zones while finding solace in a more controlled fashion. If you choose it, you’re in charge of it, and so confronting physical challenges and embracing the inherent risks of extreme sports can be a way for people to regain a sense of control over their lives.

We’re asked to prove ourselves in so many areas of life that exist outside of our independent thinking – at work, at home, within the family construct or the dynamics of gender roles, and even in religion. The desire to prove oneself is a fundamental aspect of human nature, but what extreme sports offers is a tangible and measurable way to do so. Conquering treacherous terrains, surviving intense physical trials, and overcoming one’s own limitations provides a sense of achievement and empowerment. When society constantly asks us to prove ourselves, these extreme sports offer a platform for genuine selfdiscovery and personal growth.

When you approach the pain-for-gain ideology with this perspective in mind, the trend seems less like a reckless and irrational endeavour, and more like a calculated and deliberate conscious choice. The “self” becomes rooted in a deeper understanding of one’s innermost desires and aspirations. By willingly embracing discomfort and pain, individuals gain insights into their true selves, their capabilities and the extent of their resilience.

At the heart of this movement is the need for individualism and a desire to break free from the norms and values imposed by traditional communities. In a world where conformity can stifle personal development, extreme sports present an opportunity for individuals to forge their own paths and challenge themselves in a way that aligns with their values. It allows them to express their uniqueness and defy societal expectations.

Another psychological aspect is the concept of “self-determination theory”. Self-determination refers to a person’s ability to make choices and manage their own life. To be self-determined means that you feel in greater control, whereas being nonself- determinedcan leave you feeling that your life is controlled by others.

Individuals have an inherent need for autonomy, competence and relatedness, and extreme sports often provide the perfect environment where these needs can be fulfilled. Participants have the autonomy to choose their challenges, gain competence by overcoming them, and feel a sense of relatedness to a community of like-minded individuals who share their passion.

Self-Determination theory is grounded in the idea that people are motivated to grow and change because of their psychological needs, and the concept of intrinsic motivation is often the main motivator behind engaging in activities that reward behaviour.

Neuropsychological and biological research has also confirmed the physiological impact of Self-Determination theory, with findings suggesting that the experience of an internal drive is associated with the neural system of the anterior cortex of the brain. Moreover, sometimes the reward is not just knowing that you have finished the race – regardless of the blisters and bust-ups – but rather the feeling and rush of adrenaline, dopamine and serotonin that increase your motivation to continue participating in more restrictive environments.

Triggering the release of endorphins and neurotransmitters leads to feelings of euphoria and pleasure. These neurochemical responses reinforce the desire to repeat the experience, creating a positive feedback loop.

Death-defying sports – or bruise-inducing sports, at the very least – also symbolise the human spirit’s unyielding drive to explore the uncharted territories of physical and mental endurance. The challenges and tribulations faced during extreme sports mirror life’s obstacles, and conquering them serves as a metaphor for overcoming life’s hurdles.

Ultimately, the need to bleed, in this context, is a quest for self-discovery and empowerment. And in the words of Csikszentmihalyi, “It is better to look suffering straight in the eye, acknowledge and respect its presence and then get busy as soon as possible focusing on the things we choose to focus on”.

Do, however, consider that maybe the best way to do this isn’t to run barefoot through a desert for six days…