How to Build Self-Belief and Mental Toughness as a Runner with Hillary Allen
Everyday Ultra
Mental toughness as awareness and trainable skills
Hillary reframes toughness as trainable mental skills—awareness, composure, focus—rather than raw grit.
Mental toughness is more than just pushing harder or suffering more.
It’s about learning how to believe in yourself when things get uncomfortable — and knowing how to respond when they do.
In this episode, Hillary Allen joins the show to break down what self-belief and mental toughness actually look like for ultrarunners, and why so many athletes struggle to build them in a sustainable way.
With a background in neuroscience, exercise physiology, and mental performance — plus years of experience competing at the highest level of mountain running — Hillary shares a powerful framework for developing confidence, resilience, and awareness that goes far beyond motivation or grit.
This conversation is for ultrarunners who want to perform better without burning out, and who want their mindset to be an asset — not a limiter — in training and racing.
In this episode, we explore:
Why mental toughness is a trainable skill, not a personality trait
How self-belief quietly erodes — and how to rebuild it
The difference between pushing through discomfort and sabotaging progress
The hidden mindset mistake that drains motivation over time
Why rest and recovery are psychological skills, not just physical ones
How identity impacts performance more than most runners realize
What elite ultrarunners do differently when confidence is shaken
If you’ve ever questioned your toughness, struggled with motivation, or felt disconnected from your “why,” this episode will give you a new lens on what it really means to endure better.
About Hillary Allen
Hillary Allen is a world-class trail and skyrunning athlete, U.S. Skyrunning Series champion, multiple-time course record holder, and Team USA medalist. She holds a master’s degree in neuroscience and physiology, is currently studying sports psychology, and is the author of Out and Back, one of the most influential books in endurance sports. Hillary is also a mental performance coach who helps athletes build resilience, confidence, and long-term sustainability in sport and life.
SHOW LINKS:
Register for our race, The Desert Peak Ultra 100K + 50K at desertpeakultra.com
Want to work with me to crush your next ultramarathon in our group coaching program? Sign up for our group coaching program here: https://www.theeverydayultra.com/group-coaching
Want to be coached by me and my team to crush your next ultramarathon in our 1:1 coaching program? Book a free call here with one of our coaches to see if we are a good fit!
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Everyday Ultra YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUelKGeptWZivD6yRIDiupg
Try HYPERLYTE Liquid Performance running nutrition and get 15% off your order when you use code EVERYDAYULTRA at www.hyperlyteliquidperformance.com
Try CurraNZ to boost recovery and performance and get 15% off your first order with code EVERYDAYULTRAPOD at www.curranzusa.com
Get your FREE TrainingPeaks account to track, plan, and analyze your training easier at trainingpeaks.com/everydayultra
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Try Bear Butt Wipes and get 10% off your order with code EVERYDAYULTRA at bearbuttwipes.com
Try Janji apparel and get 10% off your order with code EVERYDAYULTRA at Janji.com
Follow Hillary on IG: https://www.instagram.com/hillygoat_climbs/
Hillary's Website: hillaryallen.com
Hillary's Book: https://www.hillaryallen.com/mybook
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