Ben Kepes dropped out of high school, became an electrician, and ended up co-founding an outdoor apparel brand in New Zealand before "entrepreneur" was even a word people used. Thirty-five years later, he's made 50 to 60 angel investments across the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, earned a big buckle at the Leadville 100, and is one of only five "originals" to have run all ten editions of New Zealand's Old Ghost Ultra.

In this conversation, Ben covers why he never sits down at aid stations, how a forgotten 1840s gold rush map became an 85km trail that revived a struggling town, the blogging career that accidentally turned him into a tech insider, and the two investments that taught him to trust his read on founders over FOMO. He also gets honest about what's been lost as ultrarunning has gone mainstream, why he'd now pick a Silicon Valley deal over a hometown one, and his next challenge: learning how to slow down.

Takeaways

• Great startups come down to the people. A strong team with a weak idea will pivot; a weak team with a great idea won't execute.
• Running is a problem-solving tool. Ben's hardest business decisions get worked out on the trail, not at the desk.
• Don't invest off FOMO. Both of Ben's worst deals came from outsourcing his judgment instead of building rapport with founders.
• Chase interesting, not money. Ben's career was built on following curiosity and letting the monetization come second.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Ben Kepes
• 06:21 Evolution of the Ultra Community
• 13:10 The Old Ghost Trail Experience
• 20:16 Investing in Startups
• 27:23 Investing in Different Regions

Elton shares his remarkable journey from Albania to Dallas, highlighting his experiences in endurance racing, career in finance, and passion for pigeon racing. His philosophy of 'La Vita è Bella' reflects his pursuit of satisfaction and achievement in life, while his active participation in hobbies and endurance sports shapes his approach to perseverance and patience.

Takeaways

• Diverse experiences shape a unique journey
• Passion for endurance racing and pigeon racing.
• Active participation leads to satisfaction and achievement

Chapters

• 00:00 The Journey from Albania to Dallas
• 08:16 Career in Finance and Venture Capital
• 19:12 Pigeon Racing Passion
• 26:19 Life Lessons and Active Participation

JG shares his journey from competitive rugby to endurance sports and off-road racing, as well as his career as a senior data scientist at Vertex Pharmaceuticals. He discusses the challenges and rewards of both pursuits and provides valuable insights into the application of AI in the biotech industry.

Takeaways

• Endurance sports and off-road racing
• Transition from rugby to endurance sports
• Injury and its impact on training and lifestyle
• Career in data science and AI in biotech industry

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Endurance Sports
• 06:08 Injury and Lifestyle Impact
• 10:53 Career in Data Science and AI in Biotech

The conversation covers Spencer's background in endurance sports, his involvement in Mission 22 and the Ruck 100 event, the impact of endurance events on mental health, leadership lessons and career, the parallel between endurance sports and business, adapting and pivoting in endurance events, mental toughness and motivation, and the impact of fatherhood on perspective.

Takeaways

• Endurance sports as a form of mental and physical challenge
• The impact of endurance events on mental health and camaraderie

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Athletic Background
• 05:42 Leadership Lessons from the Military
• 14:30 Self-Motivation and Endurance
• 20:18 Ultra Community vs. Ironman Community

Social Media Links

https://www.instagram.com/slynn46/

https://www.instagram.com/priceplow/

https://www.youtube.com/@PricePlow/podcasts

https://www.youtube.com/@BevlabMedia/podcasts

Jackie, an endurance athlete, shares her journey from half marathons to ultra marathons, the challenges of training, and the role of running in her recovery from alcohol addiction. She offers advice, discusses future goals, and shares motivational strategies for overcoming challenges during races.

Takeaways

• Transition from half marathons to ultra marathons
• Running as a form of recovery

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Background
• 05:23 Night Training and Trail Running
• 12:22 Future Goals and Challenges

Social Media

TikTok - @jackiefromtiktok
Insta - @jackie_91018

The conversation covers the journey of Schalk Grobbelaar, an endurance athlete and entrepreneur. He he discusses his involvement in ultra racing, training for endurance, balancing training with work, his transition to the timber tech and innovation space, the challenges and lessons learned in entrepreneurship, and his future plans for WoodTechie. Schalk shares insights into his training methods, the challenges of ultra racing, and the complexities of entrepreneurship in the timber industry.

Takeaways

• Ultra Racing and Endurance
• Timber Innovation with WoodTechie

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Background
• 12:38 Balancing Training and Work
• 18:29 Involvement in the Timber Tech and Innovation Space
• 27:29 Future Plans for WoodTechie

Social Media:

https://www.woodtechie.com/

https://www.growingtimberconnections.com/home/

https://www.up.ac.za/york-timbers

Earl M. Furfine shares his journey as a serial entrepreneur, accidental entry into Ironman, the similarities between project management and endurance racing, and lessons in compassionate leadership. The conversation delves into the importance of building and maintaining strong relationships in business, the journey into the whiskey business, the significance of appreciating what you have and who you're with, and the impact of influential books like 'Ego Is the Enemy' and 'Start with Why' on personal and professional growth.

Takeaways

• Endurance and resilience
• Leadership and compassion is crucial for business success.
• Effective communication and responsiveness are key to maintaining relationships.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Journey of a Serial Entrepreneur
• 11:20 Startup Lessons and Compassionate Leadership
• 17:31 The Power of Relationships and Networking
• 23:36 Venturing into the Whiskey Business
• 30:14 Appreciating What You Have and Who You're With

Social Media:

www.devilroadwhiskey.com

Fred Redd shares his journey from opera singing to becoming an Ironman athlete and founding consulting businesses. He emphasizes the importance of adaptability and people skills in the consulting industry, drawing parallels between the world of opera and the world of business. The conversation covers topics such as AI disruption in consulting, critical thinking in entry-level jobs, hiring entry-level talent, life in Italy and pursuing opera, and endurance racing.

Takeaways

• Adaptability is crucial in both endurance sports and the consulting industry.
• People skills and the ability to connect with others are essential for success in business
• The value of critical thinking

Chapters

• 00:00 The Journey to Opera and Ironman
• 06:18 Endurance and Perseverance
• 12:29 Transition to Consulting
• 18:57 Adaptability in Consulting
• 25:36 Hiring Entry-Level Talent
• 30:57 Recovery and Future Plans

Social Media:

www.fredredd.com   

Fredrick Redd - Wikipedia

Fredrick Redd | LinkedIn

Fredrick Redd | Facebook

Fredrick Redd | Instagram

The conversation covers Patrick's journey from triathlons to ultra marathons, his experience with Ironman events, the challenges of endurance training, writing books, and the launch of his business, ERP Mentor. Patrick shares insights into ERP systems, the role of ERP Mentor, and his future plans.

Takeaways

• Endurance sports require mental and physical resilience.
• ERP Mentor provides guidance for successful ERP implementation.
• Investing in oneself and building a business requires dedication and perseverance.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Endurance Sports
• 05:09 Running the London Marathon
• 13:22 Writing Books and Building a House
• 18:51 Understanding ERP Systems
• 30:27 Investing in Self and Business

Mason, an accomplished endurance athlete, shares his journey from starting out in endurance sports to participating in Ironman and ultra marathon races. He emphasizes the importance of mindset, support networks, and the humbling nature of endurance sports. His experiences highlight the mental and physical preparation required for racing and the enduring lifestyle it entails. The conversation covers the speaker's Ironman experience, the journey of writing books, lessons from a cross country coach, mindset shift and belief in possibility, and workforce alchemy for matching people to positions.

Takeaways

• Importance of surrounding yourself with the right people
• The humbling nature of endurance sports
• Workforce Alchemy for matching people to positions

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Mason and his Achievements
• 06:02 The Importance of Surrounding Yourself with the Right People
• 16:21 Finding the Right Support Network
• 23:17 The Mental Preparation for Racing
• 29:06 The Journey of Writing Books
• 40:35 Mindset Shift and Belief in Possibility
• 47:16 Workforce Alchemy: Matching People to Positions

Social Media Links :
www.MasonDuchatschek.com

www.WorkforceAlchemy.com

https://m.youtube.com/@workforcealchemy