In this episode, I sit down with Ken Rideout — author, elite masters marathoner, and one of the most compelling people I've ever had on the show — to discuss his journey from a difficult childhood and decade-long opioid addiction to becoming the Masters (50+) Marathon World Champion and winning the Gobi March, a 155-mile self-supported stage race across the Gobi Desert in Mongolia. Ken shares how running became his path to sobriety and why he finds peace in suffering rather than comfort. We cover his "clean vs. dirty fuel" framework for motivation, the mental tactics he uses mid-race to avoid quitting, his approach to pacing and fueling for marathons, and how his training philosophy evolved once he brought in a coach. We also discuss raising competitive kids, the value of discipline as freedom, and what he'd tell anyone who doesn't know where to start. This episode is for anyone who has ever felt like they've wasted time or lost their way and needs proof that it's not too late.

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Chapters

(00:00:00) Ken Rideout

(00:02:15) Book Tease and Tears

(00:03:27) Gobi March Race

(00:38:23) Relief After Winning

(00:40:29) Why Choose Suffering

(00:47:30) Drugs Versus Discipline

(01:01:10) Quitting And Redemption

(01:05:00) Malibu Half Turnaround

(01:09:29) Racing Tactics Mindset

(01:16:03) Train Fear Compete Fire

(01:17:58) Clean Versus Dirty Fuel

(01:24:00) Health First Baby Steps

(01:27:09) Morning Routine And Discipline

(01:32:48) From Sports To Running

(01:35:31) Triathlon Lessons And Kona

(01:38:16) The Mental Grind Of Suffering

(01:40:31) Try Harder Mindset

(01:49:06) Comfort With Discomfort

(01:52:48) Parenting Toughness And Losing

(01:56:41) Setbacks Into Strength

(01:58:20) Money Doesn't Fix You

(02:00:09) Family Pride And Purpose

(02:00:47) Coaching With Edge

(02:06:57) Ask For Help

(02:09:52) Romanticizing The Suffering

(02:15:55) Grit Beats Talent

(02:19:38) No Roadmap Just Effort

(02:23:54) Marathon Progress And Coaching

(02:28:01) First Marathon Fueling Plan

(02:31:28) Service First Content

(02:32:25) Wrap Up

Disclaimer & Disclosures

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