--- title: "The In-Between" description: "Posts from The In-Between: life in the micro. Endurance, recovery, identity, and what the small moments between the milestones actually teach." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://christianespinosa.com/#person", "name": "Christian Espinosa", "url": "https://christianespinosa.com/", "image": "https://christianespinosa.com/__l5e/assets-v1/de07e44b-a8e0-4bcc-bcb0-13aec15421f1/headshot-front.jpg", "sameAs": [ "https://www.facebook.com/christian.espinosa.official", "https://x.com/Ironracer", "https://www.instagram.com/christian.espinosa.official/", "https://www.youtube.com/@ChristianEspinosaOfficial", "https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianespinosa/" ], "jobTitle": "Bestselling Author, Keynote Speaker, Entrepreneur", "worksFor": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Blue Goat Cyber", "url": "https://bluegoatcyber.com/" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://christianespinosa.com/#website", "name": "Christian Espinosa", "url": "https://christianespinosa.com/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://christianespinosa.com/#organization" }, "inLanguage": "en-US" }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://christianespinosa.com/#organization", "name": "Christian Espinosa", "url": "https://christianespinosa.com/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://christianespinosa.com/logo.svg" }, "founder": { "@id": "https://christianespinosa.com/#person" }, "sameAs": [ "https://www.facebook.com/christian.espinosa.official", "https://x.com/Ironracer", "https://www.instagram.com/christian.espinosa.official/", "https://www.youtube.com/@ChristianEspinosaOfficial", "https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianespinosa/" ] } ] --- [Skip to content](#main) [](/) [About](/about)[Speaking](/speaking)[Cybersecurity](/cybersecurity)[Programs](/programs)[Books](/books)[Media](/media) Writing Search Ctrl K[Connect](/connect) Category # The In-Between Where leadership meets the messy human work of growth. 43 posts - [ ![How To Reframe A Hard Thought In Four Steps](/blog/reframe-lens-dawn.jpg) Jul 22, 2026 ## How To Reframe A Hard Thought In Four Steps The reframe I use when a thought starts running me: name the story, ask what it's actually about, find the truer sentence, then act before the feeling clears. ](/blog/how-to-reframe-a-four-step-framework) - [ ![An Ending Isn't A Failure. It's Time Doing Its Job.](/__l5e/assets-v1/c2b5f289-e66f-458b-8dbe-a062229b673d/ending-boat-sunset.jpg) Jul 21, 2026 ## An Ending Isn't A Failure. It's Time Doing Its Job. Selling Alpine, losing friendships that were built for one season, and losing the version of me that walked into an Illinois intersection in 2022 all taught me the same thing: endings aren't verdicts. ](/blog/an-ending-isnt-a-failure-its-time-doing-its-job) - [ ![The Long Walk, The Marathon, And The Friendship You Get To Keep For A Few Days](/__l5e/assets-v1/1eb13450-4661-41f7-acf7-67dae203ef0c/the-long-walk-friendship-hero.jpg) Jul 19, 2026 ## The Long Walk, The Marathon, And The Friendship You Get To Keep For A Few Days I read The Long Walk in high school and thought about it at mile 22 of every Ironman. The movie added something new: a friendship worth having even when you know it ends. ](/blog/the-long-walk-friendship-and-this-moment-matters) - [ ![Too Old Is a Decision, Not an Age: How People Quietly Stop Living](/__l5e/assets-v1/03a54f9e-9f5f-4a34-b5d4-483e6214e1ae/too-old-is-a-decision-not-an-age-hero.jpg) Jun 26, 2026 ## Too Old Is a Decision, Not an Age: How People Quietly Stop Living Most people don't run out of time, they run out of permission. Why too old is a story you tell yourself, and how identity calcification turns living into existing. ](/blog/too-old-is-a-decision-not-an-age) - [ ![I Am Statements: How Identity Language Rewires Behavior](/__l5e/assets-v1/d0dcee35-9d36-454f-911c-f52fbb0aae8f/i-am-statements-and-the-identity-you-step-into-hero.webp) Jun 24, 2026 ## I Am Statements: How Identity Language Rewires Behavior The words after I am decide who you become. Why I am an athlete beats I'm trying to get back in shape, and how identity-based language makes change stick. ](/blog/i-am-statements-and-the-identity-you-step-into) - [ ![Bells Beach, Point Break, And Choosing True Over Safe](/__l5e/assets-v1/6ccc8a9c-f5ae-4d75-90c6-96582aa36350/bells-beach-christian-sign.jpg) Jun 22, 2026 ## Bells Beach, Point Break, And Choosing True Over Safe Made it to Bells Beach, Victoria, where Point Break filmed Bodhi's final wave. A bucket-list stop, and a reminder of the line from the movie that quietly shaped how I make decisions: choose what's true over what's safe. ](/blog/bells-beach-point-break-and-choosing-true-over-safe) - [ ![Don't Stop Believing: The Comeback Isn't Dramatic](/__l5e/assets-v1/2862088d-0f6d-4937-b161-90053dc3405a/ironman-chattanooga-comeback.jpg) Jun 21, 2026 ## Don't Stop Believing: The Comeback Isn't Dramatic Six blood clots in 2022. A year later, a finish line at IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga and a song I used to think was cheesy. What nobody tells you about coming back from something that almost killed you. ](/blog/dont-stop-believing-the-comeback-isnt-dramatic) - [ ![Tulum, Prosecco, and the Sign I Almost Missed](/__l5e/assets-v1/4764bbfa-3471-433c-ac67-9c7989c46c0b/keep-tulum-unique-sign.jpg) Jun 21, 2026 ## Tulum, Prosecco, and the Sign I Almost Missed I'd just sold Alpine Security and every instinct said grind the next thing. Then I sat still in Tulum long enough to hear what was actually around me, and the next move got obvious. ](/blog/tulum-prosecco-and-the-sign-i-almost-missed) - [ ![Through Immersion Comes Clarity](/__l5e/assets-v1/ceda7739-361d-4028-bef6-b43b2c7a9b27/through-immersion-forest.jpg) Jun 21, 2026 ## Through Immersion Comes Clarity Sixteen-hour days on AI and the business aren't balanced or sustainable, but they're the fastest way to see the gaps you've been stepping over for years. ](/blog/through-immersion-comes-clarity) - [ ![The Accident That Taught Me to Live in the In-Between](/__l5e/assets-v1/b3bd114c-3a8d-4314-be6d-eef66184f988/the-accident-that-taught-me-to-live-in-the-in-between-hero.webp) May 9, 2026 ## The Accident That Taught Me to Live in the In-Between I spent decades chasing the next summit, the next exit, the next certification. Then a crash in an Illinois intersection taught me the micro-moment is the whole game. ](/blog/the-accident-that-taught-me-to-live-in-the-in-between) - [ ![The Smartest Person in the Room Is Usually Wrong](/__l5e/assets-v1/c16ff4f9-bc30-4e75-b0a6-fe0f70b96619/smartest-person-room.jpg) Mar 14, 2026 ## The Smartest Person in the Room Is Usually Wrong The smartest person in the room is usually the one losing the war. After 25 years in cybersecurity, here is why ego, not technology, is the real breach. ](/blog/the-smartest-person-in-the-room-is-usually-wrong) - [ ![Acting With Intention: What It Means and How to Make It a Habit](/__l5e/assets-v1/7b5fa62a-4eac-4b4f-9dc9-00e10d6340da/acting-with-intention-what-it-means-and-how-to-make-it-a-habit-hero.webp) Aug 20, 2024 ## Acting With Intention: What It Means and How to Make It a Habit Are we always acting with intention? Sometimes, we are aware of it; other times, it seems like it’s just a reaction. Intention can also be a double-edged ](/blog/acting-with-intention-what-it-means-and-how-to-make-it-a-habit) - [ ![No One Wants to Feel Alone in Times of Need](/__l5e/assets-v1/62d53ec4-0d97-47eb-a39b-e671ec47a276/no-one-wants-to-feel-alone-in-times-of-need-hero.webp) Aug 6, 2024 ## No One Wants to Feel Alone in Times of Need There are many variations of the concept of the loneliness of humanness. They say we are born and die alone. In between those two moments, we create ](/blog/no-one-wants-to-feel-alone-in-times-of-need) - [ ![Trying to Do the Right Thing and Getting It All Wrong](/__l5e/assets-v1/be1d6d67-decb-4a1a-beb2-b8a1cf2ba31c/trying-to-do-the-right-thing-and-getting-it-all-wrong-hero.webp) Aug 2, 2024 ## Trying to Do the Right Thing and Getting It All Wrong Most of us are always trying to do the right thing. Except, we often get it all wrong. I came to this realization while I was recuperating from a health ](/blog/trying-to-do-the-right-thing-and-getting-it-all-wrong) - [ ![Shedding Your Defense Modes](/__l5e/assets-v1/29a567ee-af34-45ff-8079-ecbd697e036e/shedding-your-defense-modes-hero.webp) Jul 23, 2024 ## Shedding Your Defense Modes Everybody has the capacity to shift into defense mode. It’s a normal reaction to go into self-preservation behaviors. Sometimes, they occur when others ](/blog/shedding-your-defense-modes) - [ ![Getting Thoughtful About Intentions](/__l5e/assets-v1/e5529b71-761f-4e11-ab4c-3ff2ff42fbc8/getting-thoughtful-about-intentions-hero.webp) Jul 18, 2024 ## Getting Thoughtful About Intentions Intention is an action. It’s how we define what we expect from ourselves in a situation. It involves how we want to feel or what we want to achieve. ](/blog/getting-thoughtful-about-intentions) - [ ![Openness to Input and Feedback Drives Self-Correction](/__l5e/assets-v1/1132383b-1b09-4555-b95b-622a4ca21653/openness-to-input-and-feedback-drives-self-correction-hero.webp) Jul 16, 2024 ## Openness to Input and Feedback Drives Self-Correction If we never experience the feedback of others, we can only rely on our own. It’s often faulty, so self-correction is seldom. We continue to repeat the ](/blog/openness-to-input-and-feedback-drives-self-correction) - [ ![Micro-Moments Center on the Present](/__l5e/assets-v1/63cd1aea-e320-45f1-90e1-843d0a37858c/micro-moments-center-on-the-present-hero.webp) Jun 26, 2024 ## Micro-Moments Center on the Present Micro-moments often pass us by. We usually don’t realize their beauty or importance because of an obsession with the macro. The mindset of the macro ](/blog/micro-moments-center-on-the-present) - [ ![Shifting Your Identity to a Serving State](/__l5e/assets-v1/24d7a66c-2999-4048-9d60-dcac08c969da/shifting-your-identity-to-a-serving-state-hero.webp) Jun 26, 2024 ## Shifting Your Identity to a Serving State Identity is fluid if you’re open to evolving and changing. Everything we experience impacts our identity. Mine was once very rigid and self-serving, even ](/blog/shifting-your-identity-to-a-serving-state) - [ ![Informed Intentions Make You Less Vulnerable to Circumstances](/__l5e/assets-v1/918d81f8-64fd-47a9-8ebb-6f99ce4de938/informed-intentions-make-you-less-vulnerable-to-circumstances-hero.webp) Jun 19, 2024 ## Informed Intentions Make You Less Vulnerable to Circumstances Intentions are a normal part of the human experience. We may have the best intentions in mind in a situation, but they can quickly spiral out of control ](/blog/informed-intentions-make-you-less-vulnerable-to-circumstances) - [ ![Trauma Creates a Wall to Micro-Moments](/__l5e/assets-v1/dfb70e74-475b-407a-9d0d-9b3d8415e8e3/4483286f6e22.jpg) Jun 12, 2024 ## Trauma Creates a Wall to Micro-Moments Everyone carries around the residue of trauma. Some of us have had more than our fair share, but it’s impossible to go through the human experience ](/blog/trauma-creates-a-wall-to-micro-moments) - [ ![Chase Your Dreams by Living in the In-Between](/__l5e/assets-v1/7baf6a0b-f91c-4f37-b59c-2ba10832f699/12fe765638ec.jpg) Jun 12, 2024 ## Chase Your Dreams by Living in the In-Between Dreams and aspirations are part of the human spirit. Many of us set goals and intentions toward making these a reality. However, much of the time, it ](/blog/chase-your-dreams-by-living-in-the-in-between) - [ ![Putting a Goal of Awareness into Action](/__l5e/assets-v1/ada6e9cc-ccb2-47b9-a503-247303ab09f1/19919a7e431e.jpg) Jun 10, 2024 ## Putting a Goal of Awareness into Action Those who wish to be more present, empathetic, and emotionally healthy must have awareness. It’s two-fold. You need to have self-awareness and be able to ](/blog/putting-a-goal-of-awareness-into-action) - [ ![Unexpected Connections Can Have a Big Impact](/__l5e/assets-v1/5ed145e2-d795-4c75-9215-12d8e64cba0f/unexpected-connections-can-have-a-big-impact-hero.webp) Jun 10, 2024 ## Unexpected Connections Can Have a Big Impact Most of our interactions with people throughout the day are merely casual exchanges. We expect little to learn or grow from these moments. However, ](/blog/unexpected-connections-can-have-a-big-impact) - [ ![Indecision and Regret: The Inner Monologue](/__l5e/assets-v1/b9335aa4-2a16-48d0-8497-7a264df4558f/6c141582ddd7.jpg) Apr 29, 2024 ## Indecision and Regret: The Inner Monologue Almost everyone has an inner dialogue. This conversation that goes on inside our heads replays a lot of indecision and regret. When we don’t do things ](/blog/indecision-and-regret-the-inner-monologue) - [ ![Focusing on the Macro at the Expense of the Moment](/__l5e/assets-v1/09211b3c-b149-42b9-9d70-736b5c913d35/038c600f6155.jpg) Apr 28, 2024 ## Focusing on the Macro at the Expense of the Moment Macro and micro are descriptors we use to demonstrate the difference between something large or great and something small. In this instance, the macro ](/blog/focusing-on-the-macro-at-the-expense-of-the-moment) - [ ![Fixation on Yourself Is a Bubble State](/__l5e/assets-v1/f56a7469-b7f3-4492-bd1d-8730d18ab3a0/fixation-on-yourself-is-a-bubble-state-hero.webp) Apr 22, 2024 ## Fixation on Yourself Is a Bubble State It’s easy to fixate on your own needs, problems, and desires. While sometimes this is necessary, much of the time, it causes more harm than good. Fixation ](/blog/fixation-on-yourself-is-a-bubble-state) - [ ![How to Be Good at Being Present](/__l5e/assets-v1/d057e2fa-9aee-4dc3-9c50-f76562cbbcc3/aa9fba30488e.jpg) Apr 19, 2024 ## How to Be Good at Being Present Being present can mean a lot of things. In this context, it describes connections between yourself and others. Living in this state will allow you to ](/blog/how-to-be-good-at-being-present) - [ ![The Confidence-Competence Loop](/__l5e/assets-v1/c7505c02-da8b-420c-b151-3c23d6250917/the-confidence-competence-loop-hero.webp) Sep 5, 2021 ## The Confidence-Competence Loop There is a correlation between confidence and competence; not an A-to-B correlation. These two conditions reciprocally lead to each other. ](/blog/the-confidence-competence-loop) - [ ![How Your Ego Impacts Your Life](/__l5e/assets-v1/f41f36f8-8cbb-4ab6-84be-ad3534777900/how-your-ego-impacts-your-life-hero.webp) Aug 27, 2021 ## How Your Ego Impacts Your Life There are ways to control your ego (not your amigo). If you manage your ego you will live a much happier, healthier life. ](/blog/how-your-ego-impacts-your-life) - [ ![How Emotional States Can Slow Down and Speed Up Time](/__l5e/assets-v1/f01f0d17-0dcb-48af-972c-b4d1fe6c8a38/how-emotional-states-can-slow-down-and-speed-up-time-hero.webp) Aug 23, 2021 ## How Emotional States Can Slow Down and Speed Up Time When we learn how emotions affect how we perceive time, we can easily control how we feel and perceive time. ](/blog/how-emotional-states-can-slow-down-and-speed-up-time) - [ ![Finding Your Purpose In Life: Understanding The 7 Levels Deep Exercise](/__l5e/assets-v1/c21ff292-42b5-49e7-b47c-4f96345e0080/finding-your-purpose-in-life-understanding-the-7-levels-deep-exercise-hero.webp) Aug 18, 2021 ## Finding Your Purpose In Life: Understanding The 7 Levels Deep Exercise The concept of purpose is a very common theme in modern society. One of the many ways to find purpose is the 7 Levels Deep Exercise. ](/blog/finding-your-purpose-in-life-understanding-the-7-levels-deep-exercise) - [ ![The Power of Questions](/__l5e/assets-v1/3e43abd3-d871-40e6-9d9c-ced8591da21c/d3a0a0c5c8f6.jpg) Aug 11, 2021 ## The Power of Questions There are many ways to approach a problem. We often get caught up thinking about answers when we should be looking for the right question. ](/blog/the-power-of-questions) - [ ![What is Congruence?](/__l5e/assets-v1/e8169c0b-b9d6-4958-a53d-5065a6e73329/what-is-congruence-hero.webp) Aug 10, 2021 ## What is Congruence? Is it possible for us to be in touch with what we really feel? In this post, I explain the importance of congruence how we can use it to be fulfilled. ](/blog/what-is-congruence) - [ ![Empathy vs. Sympathy](/__l5e/assets-v1/45eda181-a38f-44a2-a9a9-18fc056ff473/9f199e786a43.jpg) Jun 20, 2021 ## Empathy vs. Sympathy Empathy is to feel and connect with people, while sympathy drives disconnection. Empathizing is being together with the person in the dark so they are not alone while sympathizing is saying “Too bad!” from afar. ](/blog/empathy-vs-sympathy) - [ ![Fixed vs. Growth Mindset](/__l5e/assets-v1/d3fd6804-2e15-46e0-8aea-e6d511d29d85/seedling-cracked-earth.jpg) Mar 6, 2021 ## Fixed vs. Growth Mindset Our mindset is crucial because it affects our ability to learn new skills and cope with everyday challenges. A growth mindset is preferable. ](/blog/fixed-vs-growth-mindset) - [ ![Are You Caught in the Success Trap?](/__l5e/assets-v1/12e09f0a-16b7-4f34-8b3b-17ed088338d3/are-you-caught-in-the-success-trap-hero.webp) Jul 20, 2020 ## Are You Caught in the Success Trap? A lot of us fall into the success trap. We've achieved success, according to how society defines success, but we're unfulfilled and we feel trapped. ](/blog/are-you-caught-in-the-success-trap) - [ ![The Hero's 2 Journeys - Achievement & Transformation](/__l5e/assets-v1/cd4e9655-748f-4e7a-a9d6-fff8bb525877/the-heros-2-journeys-achievement-transformation-hero.webp) Jul 15, 2020 ## The Hero's 2 Journeys - Achievement & Transformation The hero's 2 journeys are achievement, which is external, and transformation, which is internal. For any good story, we need these two elements. ](/blog/the-heros-2-journeys-achievement-transformation) - [ ![FOMO vs JOMO](/__l5e/assets-v1/35727490-c873-490a-aca6-47ba8f718aff/fomo-vs-jomo-hero.webp) Jul 13, 2020 ## FOMO vs JOMO FOMO is the fear of missing out. JOMO is the joy of missing out. You will be less anxious, more fulfilled, and get more done if you practice JOMO. ](/blog/fomo-vs-jomo) - [ ![How to Get More Time in Your Day Without Waking Up Earlier](/__l5e/assets-v1/435b93f2-9186-4ddb-b1b3-1fb8e3073195/how-to-get-more-time-in-your-day-without-waking-up-earlier-hero.webp) Jul 13, 2020 ## How to Get More Time in Your Day Without Waking Up Earlier In this post we'll cover three tips to make you more productive and give you back more time in your day without having to cut into your sleep. ](/blog/how-to-get-more-time-in-your-day-without-waking-up-earlier) - [ ![The Value of Monotasking - What Jesse Itzler and Rainbow Taught Me](/__l5e/assets-v1/74a00371-b5ca-47d9-bd55-243c44f0f775/the-value-of-monotasking-what-jesse-itzler-and-rainbow-taught-me-hero.webp) Jul 12, 2020 ## The Value of Monotasking - What Jesse Itzler and Rainbow Taught Me Multitasking is a thing of the past. Monotasking can help you reclaim your agenda by making you productive, instead of busy. ](/blog/the-value-of-monotasking-what-jesse-itzler-and-rainbow-taught-me) - [ ![Your Ego is Not Your Amigo](/__l5e/assets-v1/fcbcb6e4-9dc7-45d1-904a-7fc554001a96/your-ego-is-not-your-amigo-hero.webp) Jul 10, 2020 ## Your Ego is Not Your Amigo Your ego is not your amigo. Your ego will cost you many things in life, including success and fulfillment. Get the ego off your back. ](/blog/your-ego-is-not-your-amigo) - [ ![Life is Meaningless](/__l5e/assets-v1/ad2334c6-20e4-4c48-9488-0370a3a95d41/life-is-meaningless-hero.webp) Jul 10, 2020 ## Life is Meaningless Life is really meaningless. I know this sounds controversial, and some of you may be questioning what I'm saying. Some of you may have already turned this ](/blog/life-is-meaningless) [← All posts](/blog) Christian Espinosa Bestselling author, keynote speaker, and Founding CEO of [Blue Goat Cyber](https://bluegoatcyber.com/). 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