Exercise in Exhaustion? Milwaukee "Habit Coach" Undertakes Grueling Challenge for Charity

MILWAUKEE - March 1, 2021 - PRLog -- Joshua Janis, an organizational culture consultant, "habit coach" and holder of a black belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu, will embark on an unbelievably grueling test March 5 when he laces up his running shoes for the "4x4x48 Challenge," all to benefit a local organization serving Milwaukee's youth.

Janis, 37, will run four miles every four hours for 48 consecutive hours, expecting to finish March 7 around 6 p.m. His exhausting efforts will be part of a nationwide fund-raising initiative led by David Goggins, an ultra-endurance athlete and motivational speaker, who started the 4x4x48 Challenge in 2020.

Janis, whose pre-event regimen is complicated by a knee injury, will raise money for City Champs, a Milwaukee nonprofit that teaches children self-discipline and positive life skills through martial arts training. Janis serves on the City Champs board … and professes he really doesn't enjoy running.

"My goal, first and foremost, is to bring attention to and support the great work of City Champs (https://citychamps.org/programing/), which is making a huge difference for so many kids in our community," he said. "From a personal perspective, I believe that challenges like this help dissolve personal ego. I stop learning as much when things get comfortable. So, as unbelievably exhausting as this will be, it's a form of personal therapy."

Janis plans to run on the Oak Leaf Trail or the lakefront near his St. Francis residence. If weather doesn't cooperate, his treadmill will get a workout like never before.

Janis will post live updates throughout the 48 hours on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. He'll display shirts from different business sponsors during the 12 four-mile runs. All sponsors will be highlighted on his event web site (http://mke4x4x48.com/).

"The energy and focus that Josh is putting into this event is entirely reflective of who he is as a person," said Jared Bell, owner of Movin' & Lubin' (an event sponsor) and founder of City Champs. "We would not be able to help as many kids, nor have as large an impact in Milwaukee, without incredibly dedicated people such as him."

Janis owns MyOdisee, a Milwaukee "habit formation company" that coaches organizations and individuals on changing habitual behavior to improve performance and culture. Its motto: "Habit formation is a long-term solution." Its blog relates stories of Janis going homeless for 48 hours, sitting in a dark room for 24 hours, running up a steep hill 100 times, and more examples of pushing outside life's comfort zones.

More information about Janis's 4x4x48 Challenge, including how to donate, is available at https://www.mke4x4x48.com or by calling (414) 334-0114.