Running for office is no ordinary task—it is the equivalent of holding one or two full-time jobs, all while managing your regular 9-to-5, family obligations, and the heavy demands of daily life. The hardest part? There’s often no financial return unless you win. Debt piles up, fundraising feels relentless, and the pressures can be crushing.
So why do it?
Because beyond the handshakes, the policy drafts, and the speeches lies a deeper calling: to test resilience, to prove vision, and to see whether the human spirit can endure and prevail in service to others.
But too often, in the heat of the campaign trail, candidates forget their most important responsibility—their own well-being. If you cannot care for yourself, how can you carry the weight of the public’s problems?
After years of conversations with candidates, activists, and elected officials, I’ve developed a framework of well-being priorities. It’s not just advice—it’s a roadmap to survival in the toughest job interview in America: running for public office.
· Mental Health & Resilience (20%) and Physical Health & Fitness (20%)
At the top of the list. The strength of a candidate is not measured solely in votes, but in their ability to withstand pressure, stay sharp under fire, and show up every single day. Those who invest in mind and body project the discipline and grit needed to lead.
· Work-Life Balance (15%) and Stress Management (15%)
Politics is a battlefield of ideas, but leaders are still human beings. Behind every campaign rally are families, friendships, and moments of grounding. A balanced candidate is not distracted—they are sharper, steadier, and more capable of making difficult decisions.
· Media & Public Relations Training (10%) and Security & Safety Awareness (10%)
Today’s candidate lives under constant scrutiny—every word recorded, every step observed. This is not vanity; it is survival. Leaders must master communication, handle criticism with composure, and protect their safety in public life.
· Rest & Recovery (5%) and Personal Development & Skills Training (5%)
Though smaller in percentage, these are lifelines of endurance. Rest fuels longevity. Personal development builds depth. Together, they prepare candidates not just for one election, but for a lifetime of service.
This assessment is not just numbers—it is a reminder that becoming a politician demands far more than ideology, party affiliation, or whether you win or lose. It is about staying in the fight for the long haul.
It is about shaping leaders who can sustain themselves through the hardest trials, without losing sight of their mission. Leaders who can endure without breaking, govern with clarity and humanity, and inspire by example.
Strong politics requires strong politicians. Not in rhetoric, not in bravado—but in mind, body, and spirit. When candidates invest in themselves, they prove something greater:
They aren’t just fighting for office.
They are proving they are ready to fight for us.
Gonzalo Duran
Vice Chairman, Bronx Conservative Party
Certified Peer Support Specialist (In Renewal)
New York State Suicide Prevention Trained
Mental Health First Aid Certified