February 21, 2025

Bankruptcy, Badwater, and Beyond: The Unstoppable "Epic Bill" Bradley

1 hour 37 minutes

Bill Bradley’s journey is one of resilience, reinvention, and relentless determination. After building a video rental empire, he lost everything when Netflix disrupted the industry, leading to bankruptcy. But instead of giving up, Bill found purpose in ultra-endurance sports, tackling brutal challenges like Badwater, the Arrowhead 135, and multiple Grand Canyon crossings. He shares his experiences battling extreme conditions, pushing past failures, and embracing the mindset of never quitting. From attempting Denali and Aconcagua to swimming the English Channel, Bill’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the drive to conquer the impossible.

"Epic Bill" film: https://www.pbs.org/video/epic-bill-7nkun4/

https://epicbillbradley.com/home/

Takeaways

Bill Bradley's journey is a testament to resilience and perseverance.

He discovered running as a child and continued through school.

Bradley built a successful video rental business, but the rise of Netflix led to its downfall.

Facing bankruptcy and personal struggles, he turned to running for healing and purpose.

His first 50-miler was a life-changing moment, solidifying his identity as an ultra runner.

Bradley believes in never giving up and finding creative solutions to challenges.

He attempted Western States with little preparation, learning valuable lessons from failure.

He became one of only four people to complete a quadruple Badwater.

The recognition from fellow runners meant more to him than official awards.

He didn’t learn to swim until 35 but later took on extreme endurance swims.

After an eight-year break, he returned to ultra racing with renewed passion.

Bradley set a record for seven crossings of the Grand Canyon.

Extreme endurance challenges like Arrowhead 135 test both mental and physical limits.

He faced frostbite on Denali and battled altitude sickness on Aconcagua.

Survival skills are essential for extreme cold races and high-altitude adventures.

To overcome his fear of heights, he took on skydiving and bungee jumping.

Mental strength is just as crucial as physical training in ultra-endurance sports.

Every failure is a lesson, pushing him toward greater achievements.

Bradley’s journey proves that perseverance, resilience, and a refusal to quit can lead to extraordinary feats.

Podcast Chapters: Bill Bradley’s Journey of Resilience

00:00 – Introduction to Bill Bradley's Journey

05:08 – Early Running Experiences and High School Athletics

10:01 – The Rise of a Video Empire

15:01 – The Collapse of the Video Business

20:01 – Transitioning to Endurance Sports

25:06 – The First 50-Miler and Its Significance

28:34 – The Journey from 50 Miles to 100 Miles

30:31 – Pushing Limits: The Badwater Experience

32:51 – Extreme Challenges: Quadruple Badwater

37:57 – The Allure of Extreme Running

40:42 – Perseverance in the Face of Adversity

42:32 – The Challenge of the Sissonit 100

44:36 – From Ironman to English Channel Attempts

46:58 – The Reality of Swimming the English Channel

52:33 – Preparing for Another Attempt at the English Channel

55:00 – The Grand Canyon Challenge

01:02:01 – Endurance and Elevation: Mount Denali

01:10:02 – Facing the Heights: Aconcagua Adventures

01:15:06 – Surviving the Cold: The Arrowhead 135 Experience

01:17:15 – The Journey of Perseverance

01:19:56 – Facing Challenges in Ultra Racing

01:22:30 – The Importance of Mental Strength

01:25:57 – Reflections on Epic Adventures

01:30:58 – Staring Death in the Face

01:32:34 – Never Give Up: The Spirit of Resilience

Join us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/theadventurejogger

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

...more

View all episodes

By Steven Kornhaus

4.8

362362 ratings