In the latest episode of the Mile 27 podcast (a podcast for trail and ultrarunners) “Ultras: A Two-Way Influence on Life and Resilience,” Cathy Duffy and Head Coach Andy Dubois explore the powerful interplay between pursuing hard things—whether it’s running, creating art, launching a business, or raising a family—and life’s challenges. The conversation reveals a profound truth: the mindset cultivated through tackling difficult goals feeds into life, and life’s experiences, in turn, fuel your ability to tackle those goals.
Committing to a challenging endeavor—whatever it may be—teaches you to endure discomfort, push through mental barriers, and embrace the unknown. These lessons don’t stay confined to one area; they become a reference point for life’s hardships. When faced with a daunting work project, a personal loss, or even a global crisis, you can draw on the grit that carried you through your toughest challenges. As one runner put it, “If I can survive an ultra, I can survive anything.”
But the influence goes both ways. Life’s trials often fuel the tenacity needed to tackle your next big goal. The podcast highlights the poignant story of a young girl awaiting a lung transplant, whose unwavering determination inspired her loved ones to push through their own challenges. Her courage became a source of strength for someone during a particularly tough race. This reciprocity underscores a key truth: resilience is a skill honed in both extraordinary and ordinary moments.
The takeaway? Leaning into discomfort—whether in your passion or in life—builds mental toughness that transcends domains. Pursuing hard things teaches us to embrace the grind, and life’s challenges remind us why we started. Together, they create a feedback loop of growth, proving that the lessons of perseverance are universal.
As Duffy and Dubois remind us, the journey is never just about the finish line—it’s about who we become along the way.
