In this episode, Paul Gibbs shares his unique journey into the world of ultra running, discussing his experiences with DNFs, and the lessons learned along the way. From his initial motivation to run after a personal loss to his attempts at the Long Haul 100, Paul reflects on the challenges and triumphs of his running career. He emphasizes the importance of community support, proper training, and mental resilience in overcoming obstacles in ultra running. The conversation also touches on the significance of nutrition and hydration strategies during long races, as well as the emotional impact of social media on runners' self-perception. The conversation explores themes of comparison, personal growth, and the significance of nutrition in performance, culminating in reflections on recent race experiences and the evolution of his training approach.

Follow Paul's journey to 100 miles on Instagram:

@theblueeyedrunner24

In this conversation, ultra runner John Kelly discusses his experiences with the Barkley Marathons and other multi-day events. He shares insights into the allure of these challenging races, the mental strategies he employs when faced with obstacles, and his thoughts on the critics of such events. John emphasizes the importance of patience, adaptability, and finding meaning in arbitrary challenges, as well as the mental processes behind DNFing (Did Not Finish) during races. In this conversation, John shares his experiences with the Barkley Marathons, discussing the lessons learned from his DNF (Did Not Finish) experiences and how his mindset has evolved over time. He emphasizes the importance of intrinsic motivation, the value of enjoying the journey rather than fixating solely on the finish, and how reframing goals has changed his approach to racing. John also touches on the absurdity of pursuing challenging goals and the significance of nutrition and preparation in ultra running. He concludes with insights on pursuing big dreams, like his upcoming Appalachian Trail FKT attempt, encouraging others to embrace challenges and learn from failures.

In this episode, Heidi and Michelle welcome Jack Pitcher, the fastest Briton to run across Australia. Jack shares his journey from a young, competitive runner to breaking records in ultra marathons. The conversation delves into the mental aspects of running, the importance of consistency, and the barriers that new runners face. They also discuss the influence of social media and the responsibility that comes with being a running influencer. Jack discusses the importance of authentic running influencers and how he aims to inspire others by demonstrating that anyone can achieve great things regardless of their background. Jack recounts the challenges he faced while attempting to run across Australia, including a severe car accident and the mental and physical toll of running 120K a day. He reflects on the lessons learned from pushing his limits and the impact of his experiences on his mental health. He emphasizes the importance of self-belief and how he transformed his struggles into motivation for his future as a motivational speaker. The discussion also touches on the societal norms surrounding success and the pursuit of new records, highlighting the idea that anyone can achieve greatness regardless of their background.

Check out Jack on Instagram:

@jack_pitcher_

And check out this promo video for his upcoming adventure:

⁠https://www.instagram.com/reel/DINxsjFNO-K/?igsh=a2w3MHZoY2RrMXpu