the.com/obstacle
The thing standing between you and where you swore you'd be by now.
means Something that blocks your path or progress and must be gone around, over, or through.
from From Latin obstaculum, built from ob- (against) and stare (to stand) — literally a thing that stands against you, arms crossed.
Same rootShares stare with stable, status, and obstinate.
Course designObstacle courses began as military fitness training.
Stoic flipMarcus Aurelius said the obstacle is the way.