Why Do It?

Welcome back to Digital Gravity 💪

Every Friday, we share strategies to help you grow your business with content marketing and reach ‘critical mass’ in the great online game.

This week, Katie shares her take on Nike’s brand new “Why Do It?” campaign.

Enjoy 👇

⚠️ Why Risk It? ⚠️

By Katie Conover

Most of you may not know this, but for a big part of my life, I was an athlete.

I ran half marathons in high school and was a D1 Rower in college (with some gold medals under my belt, tyty).

My everyday life revolved around precision and practice. And still now, I can’t not be aiming for a goal.

Today, I’m slowly training towards my second marathon. (No one tell my knees!)

I grew up on the “Just Do It” Nike slogan.

It was on every t-shirt in gym class and every water bottle at cross country. 

It was so integrated into daily life that if anyone started a sentence with “Just—,” it was interrupted with “do it.”

There were absolutely no excuses for not being great. You just had to do it.

When I watched Nike’s new “Why Do It?” campaign today, I got chills. 

Another Nike campaign that spoke directly to me. 

Not only was it narrated by one of my favorite artists (Tyler, I love you!), but it finally asked the question many people asked during the previous campaign, “Why?”

• “Why make it harder on yourself?”

• “Why put it on the line?”

• “Why risk it?”

It reminded me of the time I came home for winter break in college, with my palms covered in blood blisters, complaining about how it was only 20 degrees at my last rowing practice. My mom listened in horror and asked, “Why would you do that to yourself?”

Isn’t it easier to do nothing?

Isn’t it safer for your body and for your mind?

Why even give the option of failure?

Because if there’s no option of losing, there’s no way of ever winning. 

This video reignited a desperation in me that I haven’t felt since my last season of rowing. The desperation to win, above all else.

Why do it? 

…Why not?

To be great at something, like really, really great at something, it’s like no other feeling.

You put in the work, you stayed consistent, it was all you.

Why do it?

Because you can. 

This is not just about having an athletic mindset.

A competitive edge and a need to be great are crucial in every aspect of life. 

To become a well-known thought leader or to actually stand out, you need to take risk. 

[^ Ed note: we got a few unhappy replies last week (not a bad thing!) - Louis]

You need to put yourself out there, trying again and again until you reach your goals. 

Real achievements take grit. Effort. Follow-through. 

I'm not saying “go write content until your hands bleed” (like me), but no pain, no gain isn't just for athletes.

You (and your personal brand) can win the online content game.

But not if you give in to fear.

Just do it.

—Katie