I disagree specifically, and also with your interpretation of his point.
Embracing the pain of exercise absolutely does reduce the pain. If you don't exercise for months, it hurts like hell to get started again. The natural reaction, especially for people who have never exercised, is to avoid the pain and stop. But if you are returning to exercise after, say, an illness, you will slowly work through the pain until your body responds. There is still some underlying pain, but it is much less for a person who's in shape.
But I don't think he's making the direct analogy you're seeing. I think his broad point is exactly what the title says, that one should lean into the pain in many aspects of life. Exercise and software development are just two examples of applying the principle.
Embracing the pain of exercise absolutely does reduce the pain. If you don't exercise for months, it hurts like hell to get started again. The natural reaction, especially for people who have never exercised, is to avoid the pain and stop. But if you are returning to exercise after, say, an illness, you will slowly work through the pain until your body responds. There is still some underlying pain, but it is much less for a person who's in shape.
But I don't think he's making the direct analogy you're seeing. I think his broad point is exactly what the title says, that one should lean into the pain in many aspects of life. Exercise and software development are just two examples of applying the principle.