#1: How to Overcome Challenges in Training, Racing and Life - with Charlie Engle

Charlie Engle is an endurance athlete, a father and a husband. He has completed several extreme endurance adventures, including a run across the Sahara Desert in Africa, 2 marathons a day for 111 days straight in extreme temperatures. In this episode of the Extramilest Podcast we discuss: ways to overcome mental challenges in training, racing and life breaking the Sub 3 Hour Marathon barrier his next adventure run and much more Charlie and I have a lot of passions in common from Running to Storm Chasing and many areas in between. His excitement for life is contagious and I hope you enjoy our conversation! SHOWNOTES Charlie does a lot of cross training to limit risk of injury. He focuses on overall fitness and health (3:12). How Charlie was able to run across the Sahara, 4500 miles in extreme temperatures (4:15) Words said to us by a stranger can be the thing that changes our life, if you really pay attention (5:38) The worst pitch that convinced Matt Damon to make the documentary Running The Sahara (6:30) The first few days of the Sahara run were a slow descent into hell, dealing with unbelievable amount of problems (9:10) The mantra “one day at the time” works for sobriety and massive projects (11:00) Overcoming tough spots in a race by breaking down the distance in smaller parts (11:45) How Charlie trains for long ultra runs, both mentally and physically (16:00) Importance of training enough miles in race condition, with your race gear in the same terrain (20:35) Perceived risk vs. actual risk. Your mind limiting you and how you can overwrite this. (23:05) The type of person Charlie wants on his crew during his races (24:20) Charlie’s failed attempt to break the record to run across the United States. (24:50) Important role of the mind and the right mentality. Lessons learned from the Barkley Marathon (27:12) Charlie’s Mantra and tattoo for when things get tough: “No Big Deal” (29:47) How Charlie has overcome his lows, such as addiction and going to jail (33:22) It doesn’t matters what happens to you in life, all that matters is what you do about it. (37:10) Attraction vs promotion in jail. How Charlie’s daily runs and yoga sessions inspired others in jail to start working out. (39:55) Your happiness and fulfillment is completely up to you and not up to anybody else no matter what the situation is (43:45) What Charlie is up to these days (46:50) His upcoming adventure run of 5000 miles from the lowest point on earth, the Dead Sea, to the highest point on earth Mt Everest (48:50) Matt Damon and Charlie founded H2oAfrica and raised $6 million, then it became Water.org (53:35) How Charlie broke the Sub 3 Hour Marathon barrier after many failed attempts (58:00) Importance of slowing down, rest days and having fun to progress in running. (1:01:00) Dr Phil Maffetone’s approach to listen to your body, focus on the right nutrition, and reducing stress (1:03:15) Charlie’s book The Running Man and a giveaway for a chance to win a copy of the book (1:04:30) LINKS Documentary Running the Sahara Documentary Running Across America Charlie in the Media Barkley Marathon Floris 100 mile run Running Man Book Charlie’s website Dr Phil Maffetone interview H2oAfrica / Water.org Extramilest website PEOPLE MENTIONED Joe de Sena, Founder Spartan Races James Moll, Oscar Winning Director Matt Damon, Actor and Film Producer Andy Walsh, Director of High Performance, Red Bull Ray Zahab, team mate Sahara Run Kevin Lin, team mate Sahara Run Jeff Peterson, Medical Specialist Ryan Immegart, Volcom Gary White, Water.org Phil Maffetone, Endurance Coach