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The Pole Runner: A Veteran’s Marathon for Mental Wellness

In this episode of Do Hard Things, we sit down with Michael Pickings, a 42-year-old Navy veteran whose story is a powerful testament to resilience, mental toughness, and transformation. From excelling as a long-distance runner in high school to serving as an FMF corpsman in the Navy, Michael has lived a life defined by endurance, discipline, and the relentless pursuit of growth.

But Michael’s journey hasn’t been without its struggles. Battling bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and insomnia, he has faced some of life’s darkest moments. With the unwavering support of his wife, Sherconja, and their six children, Michael has fought to rebuild his life—turning to faith, exercise, and self-reflection as his anchors.

Through his experiences, he has become a mental health advocate, using his platform to inspire others to carry their burdens with courage. As the founder of Dragonz MMA, he has helped others push past their limits. More recently, he’s taken up pole running, a deeply symbolic practice where he physically carries the weight of his burdens, proving that no load is too heavy when approached with resilience.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• Michael’s journey from high school track star to Navy corpsman
• The mental health battles he has faced and how he overcame them
• How his wife and family played a critical role in his healing process
• The story behind pole running and its significance in his transformation
• His mission to inspire others through fitness, faith, and self-discipline

Connect with Michael Pickings:

• TikTok: @thepolerunner
• Facebook: #thepolerunner
• Facebook Reels: Michael Pickings
• YouTube: The Log Runner

Join the Movement:

If you found this episode inspiring, share it with someone who needs to hear Michael’s story. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow Do Hard Things

Welcome to the Do Hard Things Podcast with your host Jay Tiegs, Are you ready to amplify and improve your life? Then you are in the right place.  On this podcast we have unfiltered conversation with inspiring people who take on challenges and share with us, the wisdom from their journey. We talk about how doing hard things adequately enable all of us to deal with life's struggles and challenges and ultimately improve the quality of our lives. 

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