In the face of intense physical challenges, individuals often reach a critical moment where they fully commit to exerting their maximum strength and resources, disregarding the associated toll. This phenomenon is illustrated through the experiences of women during childbirth and men in combat, highlighting the profundity of these moments of surrender to physical demands.

Diana Gabaldon's "Outlander" explores this theme, suggesting that during extreme struggles, people can transcend their limits. They focus solely on overcoming their immediate challenges, whether in the context of a painful delivery or the chaos of battle, thus capturing a universal aspect of human endurance and determination.