Running on Joy

Joy is...Burning Bright.

Special Episode Alert! Jack Kuenzle is a US based mountain runner, who has just set the trail and mountain running community alight by smashing Kilian Jornet's Bob Graham Round record (66 miles with 28,500 feet of ascent across 42 Lake District fells) by an astonishing thirty minutes. This, however, is just the icing on the cake of a string of incredible feats of endurance in 2022 alone.

Jack is an entertaining, passionate, driven guy and this was a rollercoaster of a conversation – much like his incredible record breaking effort.

We deep dive into his history in the sport, his preparation mentally and physically for FKTs, the specificity of his training, smashing your idols, the issue with bogs, his relationship with pain, not having a mantra, and finding joy far from the crowd.

Jack is not one to shy from the path less travelled, and I felt like we could have spoken for a lot longer. Nevertheless, hopefully this gives something of a brushstroke of his authenticity and magnetic energy, as well as his evident pure talent and work ethic. So much gratitude to Jack for giving up his time in a busy schedule (what he doesn't mention is that he is supporting someone else's Bob Graham attempt before he heads back to the States: he clearly can't get enough!) Please do show your support and follow his future endeavours on Instagram and at Uphill Athlete where he coaches.

Jack Kuenzle IG: @jackkuenzle

Uphill Athlete: www.uphillathlete.com

Photo Credit: @andrewmaybury

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Joy is...Giving.

Paul Minter is currently on the final leg of a 5,000 mile run around the coastline of the entire UK to raise awareness and funds for his charity Head Up. Paul has been running Forrest Gump style since 1st March 2022, housed and joined by members of the public along his way.

Head Up intends to promote mental health awareness for UK Armed Forces, and to help forces personnel build a positive mindset and improve their mental resilience. Paul and his fellow founding veterans are on a mission to raise enough money to develop a holistic and positive 7-day retreat for all those who have served, and are still serving, in any service of the UK military, who wish to improve their mindset and outlook.

Paul shares with me, in his characteristic humble and honest fashion, his own battles with PTSD and the loss of friends to suicide that motivate him; the challenges and joys of his Herculean effort; how running has helped him personally; staying true to your 'why', and his mission to spread a message of resilience, hope and immense gratitude, not only to those from a similar background to him, but to everyone he encounters on his incredible journey.

Paul is an exceptional human, and it is an honour to share his story with you.

To follow Paul and support Head Up:

www.head-up.org.uk

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Please be aware that this episode contains discussion of mental health and suicide.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.