Relentless Forward Progress with Mike Ubaldini

“Are we here to achieve or experience?”

“Are we here to be good or authentic?”

“Are we here to build for tomorrow or dig into today?”

“Are we here to save for a perfect future or to fuel a flawed but loving present?”

“Just what is the nature of our work once awake?”

These are compelling questions that were shared in Mark Nepo’s book, The Exquisite Risk: Daring to live an Authentic Life and the topics for discussion on today’s podcast.

The RFP Ultra Dad’s Podcast is sponsored by Time on the Trails – delivering you a customized experience out on the trails in Arizona and beyond. Please visit us at www.tottaz.com and on social media via IG, FB, TW & LI.

Keep an eye on the Ultra Dad’s Instagram account @ #ultra_dads.

You can view the live recording of today’s episode on our YouTube Channel Here!

How’d we get here?

The Ultra Dad’s Podcast came from an idea Cindy Shane created. Well, she planted the idea in our head after listening to the first time Bryan was on the RFP Podcast in May 2020. There have many times over the years when we speak on the phone or in person the “we should be recording this” line comes out. Well, here we are jumping in with both feet, like we tend to do, sharing with you our perspectives on life. Let’s be candid – we are not perfect, and we fail often. Our favorite term to use is “it’s not ideal” and there have been countless times we’ve uttered, “a plan is great until you are punched in the face;” – but we do laugh a lot, at ourselves and/or each other mostly 😊. All that said, there are those brief moments where things tend to fall into place and we, somehow, make it to that finish line – as ultrarunners yes, but most importantly has husbands, fathers, friends, and human beings. We wanted to share those imperfections and those incredible moments that we’ve been fortunate enough to experience together over the last 30+ years. So, sit back, grab a cold one, and hopefully this will be another time where things fall into place.

Bryan & Mike

Heard this question asked of someone last week and got me thinking:

“When did you realize you made it?”

What does that really mean, thought? I also thought do we ever truly make it, because in my mind, that “finish line” continues to keep moving! This and some other updates, nuggets, and pieces of humor on this episode.

The RFP Ultra Dad’s Podcast is sponsored by Time on the Trails – delivering you a customized experience out on the trails in Arizona and beyond. Please visit us at www.tottaz.com and on social media via IG, FB, TW & LI.

Keep an eye on the Ultra Dad’s Instagram account @ #ultra_dads.

You can view the live recording of today’s episode on our YouTube Channel Here!

How’d we get here?

The Ultra Dad’s Podcast came from an idea Cindy Shane created. Well, she planted the idea in our head after listening to the first time Bryan was on the RFP Podcast in May 2020. There have many times over the years when we speak on the phone or in person the “we should be recording this” line comes out. Well, here we are jumping in with both feet, like we tend to do, sharing with you our perspectives on life. Let’s be candid – we are not perfect, and we fail often. Our favorite term to use is “it’s not ideal” and there have been countless times we’ve uttered, “a plan is great until you are punched in the face;” – but we do laugh a lot, at ourselves and/or each other mostly 😊. All that said, there are those brief moments where things tend to fall into place and we, somehow, make it to that finish line – as ultrarunners yes, but most importantly has husbands, fathers, friends, and human beings. We wanted to share those imperfections and those incredible moments that we’ve been fortunate enough to experience together over the last 30+ years. So, sit back, grab a cold one, and hopefully this will be another time where things fall into place.

Bryan & Mike

No big intro for today’s episode. We are going to get right to it.

The RFP Ultra Dad’s Podcast is sponsored by Time on the Trails – delivering you a customized experience out on the trails in Arizona and beyond. Please visit us at www.tottaz.com and on social media via IG, FB, TW & LI.

Keep an eye on the Ultra Dad’s Instagram account @ #ultra_dads.

You can view the live recording of today’s episode on our YouTube Channel Here!

How’d we get here?

The Ultra Dad’s Podcast came from an idea Cindy Shane created. Well, she planted the idea in our head after listening to the first time Bryan was on the RFP Podcast in May 2020. There have many times over the years when we speak on the phone or in person the “we should be recording this” line comes out. Well, here we are jumping in with both feet, like we tend to do, sharing with you our perspectives on life. Let’s be candid – we are not perfect, and we fail often. Our favorite term to use is “it’s not ideal” and there have been countless times we’ve uttered, “a plan is great until you are punched in the face;” – but we do laugh a lot, at ourselves and/or each other mostly 😊. All that said, there are those brief moments where things tend to fall into place and we, somehow, make it to that finish line – as ultrarunners yes, but most importantly has husbands, fathers, friends, and human beings. We wanted to share those imperfections and those incredible moments that we’ve been fortunate enough to experience together over the last 30+ years. So, sit back, grab a cold one, and hopefully this will be another time where things fall into place.

Bryan & Mike

Typically, I put out a race wrap up in the form of a blog but wasn’t driven to write this one, so we are doing it in a podcast. Much gratitude to my wife Robin for being around for the first third of the race and with some inspiring words of wisdom around the midpoint with a phone call & text 😊. Also, much thanks to Aravaipa Running (Jangover Night Runs - Aravaipa Running), who continues to put on great events and finds the best volunteers and staff – appreciate you all. A fist pump and hug to James & Sean for a good time spent together for some miles, some not ideal, but a few laughs and great company. Hope you enjoy the story & more to come at the end of next month!

The RFP Ultra Dad’s Podcast is sponsored by Time on the Trails – delivering you a customized experience out on the trails in Arizona and beyond. Please visit us at www.tottaz.com and on social media via IG, FB, TW & LI.

Keep an eye on the Ultra Dad’s Instagram account @ #ultra_dads.

You can view the live recording of today’s episode on our YouTube Channel Here!

How’d we get here?

The Ultra Dad’s Podcast came from an idea Cindy Shane created. Well, she planted the idea in our head after listening to the first time Bryan was on the RFP Podcast in May 2020. There have many times over the years when we speak on the phone or in person the “we should be recording this” line comes out. Well, here we are jumping in with both feet, like we tend to do, sharing with you our perspectives on life. Let’s be candid – we are not perfect, and we fail often. Our favorite term to use is “it’s not ideal” and there have been countless times we’ve uttered, “a plan is great until you are punched in the face;” – but we do laugh a lot, at ourselves and/or each other mostly 😊. All that said, there are those brief moments where things tend to fall into place and we, somehow, make it to that finish line – as ultrarunners yes, but most importantly has husbands, fathers, friends, and human beings. We wanted to share those imperfections and those incredible moments that we’ve been fortunate enough to experience together over the last 30+ years. So, sit back, grab a cold one, and hopefully this will be another time where things fall into place.

Bryan & Mike

Pretty epic pictures taken from a run this past Saturday morning. The first on is the moon setting! That’s right, the moon setting and part of the inspiration for today’s topic. The other came from a mentoring conversation I had with another athlete getting ready to do their first event and from this video and quotes below:

The Participant: Understanding the 100 mile distance - https://youtu.be/8gzc6ta6bVw

Dylan Harris - “Are you interested in running 100 miles or committed to it?” “Find a way to get it done, get myself to a place that I haven’t been before, a place that holds the unknows and see if I quit or keep moving forward.”

“Once you decide to run 100 miles you are not in charge anymore. The people in charge are your former self and your future self. So during the race when it gets really hard and you don’t want to keep going, you don’t want to eat, or basically life is awful, just remember your former self decided to do this and your future self wants you to do this, so let those two be the guides.” – Eric Senseman

Sure – it may be centered on ultrarunning but these are metaphors for life and lessons that can be used for any type of endeavor – any mission where we try to test our limits and see what we are made of.

The RFP Ultra Dad’s Podcast is sponsored by Time on the Trails – delivering you a customized experience out on the trails in Arizona and beyond. Please visit us at www.tottaz.com and on social media via IG, FB, TW & LI.

Keep an eye on the Ultra Dad’s Instagram account @ #ultra_dads.

You can view the live recording of today’s episode on our YouTube Channel Here!

How’d we get here?

The Ultra Dad’s Podcast came from an idea Cindy Shane created. Well, she planted the idea in our head after listening to the first time Bryan was on the RFP Podcast in May 2020. There have many times over the years when we speak on the phone or in person the “we should be recording this” line comes out. Well, here we are jumping in with both feet, like we tend to do, sharing with you our perspectives on life. Let’s be candid – we are not perfect, and we fail often. Our favorite term to use is “it’s not ideal” and there have been countless times we’ve uttered, “a plan is great until you are punched in the face;” – but we do laugh a lot, at ourselves and/or each other mostly 😊. All that said, there are those brief moments where things tend to fall into place and we, somehow, make it to that finish line – as ultrarunners yes, but most importantly has husbands, fathers, friends, and human beings. We wanted to share those imperfections and those incredible moments that we’ve been fortunate enough to experience together over the last 30+ years. So, sit back, grab a cold one, and hopefully this will be another time where things fall into place.

Bryan & Mike

RFP Podcast Episode #262 – Ultra Dad Session #70: Unexpected Troubles

The pictures included with this episode were taken 4 days apart from one another on opposite ends of the coast. One in the Arizona desert the other on the Gulf Coast of Florida. When I looked after recently taken the last one, I thought about change, and how fast it can happen. How quickly we can be driven to pivot and how the unexpected can great situations that are not ideal.

There is a great quote by Mark Twain that I read, almost each day, “I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened.”

Today’s episode discusses, at least from my perspective and what I am beginning to become acutely aware of, is it seems that when we don’t plan and circumstances that are not ideal come up, we tend to navigate them much smoother, calmer, and better. This, verses spending so much time thinking about, planning and yes, worrying about how to handle a situation that in all reality, never happens!

The RFP Ultra Dad’s Podcast is sponsored by Time on the Trails – delivering you a customized experience out on the trails in Arizona and beyond. Please visit us at www.tottaz.com and on social media via IG, FB, TW & LI.

Keep an eye on the Ultra Dad’s Instagram account @ #ultra_dads.

You can view the live recording of today’s episode on our YouTube Channel Here!

How’d we get here?

The Ultra Dad’s Podcast came from an idea Cindy Shane created. Well, she planted the idea in our head after listening to the first time Bryan was on the RFP Podcast in May 2020. There have many times over the years when we speak on the phone or in person the “we should be recording this” line comes out. Well, here we are jumping in with both feet, like we tend to do, sharing with you our perspectives on life. Let’s be candid – we are not perfect, and we fail often. Our favorite term to use is “it’s not ideal” and there have been countless times we’ve uttered, “a plan is great until you are punched in the face;” – but we do laugh a lot, at ourselves and/or each other mostly 😊. All that said, there are those brief moments where things tend to fall into place and we, somehow, make it to that finish line – as ultrarunners yes, but most importantly has husbands, fathers, friends, and human beings. We wanted to share those imperfections and those incredible moments that we’ve been fortunate enough to experience together over the last 30+ years. So, sit back, grab a cold one, and hopefully this will be another time where things fall into place.

Bryan & Mike

Another solo session this week and appreciate y’all for the patience. Thanks to all for the continued support. We are just settling back in from taking our eldest, Isabella, to college. It was an exciting, at times emotional, fun, and growing experience, for all of us. It was also a bit exhausting putting 3400 miles on the car and driving for 24 hours, twice. There were nuggets that surfaced, laughs that were had, and memories created as we continue to march forward on our journeys. Now Isabella gets to do it and design who she wants to become. Hope y’all enjoy the ride.

The RFP Ultra Dad’s Podcast is sponsored by Time on the Trails – delivering you a customized experience out on the trails in Arizona and beyond. Please visit us at www.tottaz.com and on social media via IG, FB, TW & LI.

Keep an eye on the Ultra Dad’s Instagram account @ #ultra_dads.

How’d we get here?

The Ultra Dad’s Podcast came from an idea Cindy Shane created. Well, she planted the idea in our head after listening to the first time Bryan was on the RFP Podcast in May 2020. There have many times over the years when we speak on the phone or in person the “we should be recording this” line comes out. Well, here we are jumping in with both feet, like we tend to do, sharing with you our perspectives on life. Let’s be candid – we are not perfect, and we fail often. Our favorite term to use is “it’s not ideal” and there have been countless times we’ve uttered, “a plan is great until you are punched in the face;” – but we do laugh a lot, at ourselves and/or each other mostly 😊. All that said, there are those brief moments where things tend to fall into place and we, somehow, make it to that finish line – as ultrarunners yes, but most importantly has husbands, fathers, friends, and human beings. We wanted to share those imperfections and those incredible moments that we’ve been fortunate enough to experience together over the last 30+ years. So, sit back, grab a cold one, and hopefully this will be another time where things fall into place.

Bryan & Mike

Another solo session this week and appreciate y’all for the patience. Thanks to all for the continued support. This weeks episode was inspired again by, Happy Mind, Happy Life: The New Science of Mental Well-Being by Rangan Chatterjee.

It was also driven by our family coming off of a vacation last week and the adjustment getting back to reality. I’ve struggle in the past with going from such a high and great experiences with vaca digging into life and responsibilities. I had thought about how great things were and the, “I was at the beach at this time last week,” thoughts as I was banging away at sales calls or in meetings. What I learned from the book is that we have the gift, each day, to take little daily vacations! Hopefully today’s episode helps you find your daily breakaway and you also are blessed with taking much more time away with family and friends!

The RFP Ultra Dad’s Podcast is sponsored by Time on the Trails – delivering you a customized experience out on the trails in Arizona and beyond. Please visit us at www.tottaz.com and on social media via IG, FB, TW & LI.

Keep an eye on the Ultra Dad’s Instagram account @ #ultra_dads.

You can view the live recording of today’s episode on our YouTube Channel Here!

How’d we get here?

The Ultra Dad’s Podcast came from an idea Cindy Shane created. Well, she planted the idea in our head after listening to the first time Bryan was on the RFP Podcast in May 2020. There have many times over the years when we speak on the phone or in person the “we should be recording this” line comes out. Well, here we are jumping in with both feet, like we tend to do, sharing with you our perspectives on life. Let’s be candid – we are not perfect, and we fail often. Our favorite term to use is “it’s not ideal” and there have been countless times we’ve uttered, “a plan is great until you are punched in the face;” – but we do laugh a lot, at ourselves and/or each other mostly 😊. All that said, there are those brief moments where things tend to fall into place and we, somehow, make it to that finish line – as ultrarunners yes, but most importantly has husbands, fathers, friends, and human beings. We wanted to share those imperfections and those incredible moments that we’ve been fortunate enough to experience together over the last 30+ years. So, sit back, grab a cold one, and hopefully this will be another time where things fall into place.

Bryan & Mike

Another solo session this week and grateful to get back-to-back ones out. Thanks to all for the continued support. This weeks episode was inspired by another book, Happy Mind, Happy Life: The New Science of Mental Well-Being by Rangan Chatterjee.

A few nuggets to list here that drove me to put this out and we go into some of the weeds with a little dash of our perspective.

“Content – being at peace with life and decisions.”

“Control – being able to make meaningful decisions. Not being overwhelmed.”

“Alignment – are who you want to be and who you are actually being the same?”

The RFP Ultra Dad’s Podcast is sponsored by Time on the Trails – delivering you a customized experience out on the trails in Arizona and beyond. Please visit us at www.tottaz.com and on social media via IG, FB, TW & LI.

Keep an eye on the Ultra Dad’s Instagram account @ #ultra_dads.

You can view the live recording of today’s episode on our YouTube Channel Here!

How’d we get here?

The Ultra Dad’s Podcast came from an idea Cindy Shane created. Well, she planted the idea in our head after listening to the first time Bryan was on the RFP Podcast in May 2020. There have many times over the years when we speak on the phone or in person the “we should be recording this” line comes out. Well, here we are jumping in with both feet, like we tend to do, sharing with you our perspectives on life. Let’s be candid – we are not perfect, and we fail often. Our favorite term to use is “it’s not ideal” and there have been countless times we’ve uttered, “a plan is great until you are punched in the face;” – but we do laugh a lot, at ourselves and/or each other mostly 😊. All that said, there are those brief moments where things tend to fall into place and we, somehow, make it to that finish line – as ultrarunners yes, but most importantly has husbands, fathers, friends, and human beings. We wanted to share those imperfections and those incredible moments that we’ve been fortunate enough to experience together over the last 30+ years. So, sit back, grab a cold one, and hopefully this will be another time where things fall into place.

Bryan & Mike

Today’s episode is another solo mission and a compilation of from several resources over the last couple of weeks. Don’t really need to put too much into this outline, the show notes below and title above sum it quite well. Enjoy folks and have a great 4th of July weekend!

John Maxwell’s Go for Gold: Amazon.com: Go for Gold: Inspiration to Increase Your Leadership Impact eBook : Maxwell, John C.: Kindle Store

“The only true measure of success is the ratio between what we might have been and what we have become. Success comes as a result of growing our potential”

“Potential is God’s gift to us and what we do with it is our gift to Him.”

“We have limitless potential, yet too few ever try to reach it.”

“We can do anything, but we can’t do everything.”

“Many people let everyone around them decide their agenda in life. As a result, they never really dedicate themselves to their purpose in life.”

Surround Yourself With People That Push You To Be Better (leadershipfirst.net)

“Surround yourself with people that push you to be better. Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions, especially during these unprecedented times. According to Mark Twain, small people always do that, but the greats make you feel that you, too, can become great.”

“Being around like-minded people will help you reach your goals and, in the process, allow you to become extraordinary.”

From Impact Theory Podcast: Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu: The 5 Habits BILLIONAIRES Run Daily! (Try This To Change Your Life) | Tom Bilyeu on Apple Podcasts

“Who you are today is awesome & how you exist right now but this version of you isn’t sufficient next year.” - Ed Mylett

“Be crazy driven on becoming that next version of yourself.” – Tom Bilyeu

“So stoked on who I am today. So desperate to get better & so hungry to know why I am inadequate today.” - Tom Bilyeu

“I want more peace, gratitude, kindness, love, growth, progress, fulfillment, joy & satisfaction.” – Ed Mylett

The RFP Ultra Dad’s Podcast is sponsored by Time on the Trails – delivering you a customized experience out on the trails in Arizona and beyond. Please visit us at www.tottaz.com and on social media via IG, FB, TW & LI.

Keep an eye on the Ultra Dad’s Instagram account @ #ultra_dads.

You can view the live recording of today’s episode on our YouTube Channel Here!

How’d we get here?

The Ultra Dad’s Podcast came from an idea Cindy Shane created. Well, she planted the idea in our head after listening to the first time Bryan was on the RFP Podcast in May 2020. There have many times over the years when we speak on the phone or in person the “we should be recording this” line comes out. Well, here we are jumping in with both feet, like we tend to do, sharing with you our perspectives on life. Let’s be candid – we are not perfect, and we fail often. Our favorite term to use is “it’s not ideal” and there have been countless times we’ve uttered, “a plan is great until you are punched in the face;” – but we do laugh a lot, at ourselves and/or each other mostly 😊. All that said, there are those brief moments where things tend to fall into place and we, somehow, make it to that finish line – as ultrarunners yes, but most importantly has husbands, fathers, friends, and human beings. We wanted to share those imperfections and those incredible moments that we’ve been fortunate enough to experience together over the last 30+ years. So, sit back, grab a cold one, and hopefully this will be another time where things fall into place.

Bryan & Mike