Ken Rideout’s Win-Or-Die Mindset: Controlling The Variables, Winning His First Ultra, & Why Discomfort is the Price of Admission To Greatness
Nov 13, 2023
02:08:49
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Ken Rideout, an accomplished master athlete, shares his journey of overcoming obstacles and addiction. He discusses his mindset, training strategies, and the challenges faced during ultra races. The speaker reflects on their first ultra race and the importance of mindset and embracing discomfort for personal growth. They also explore the transformative power of personal growth, therapy, and finding gratitude in life.
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Quick takeaways
Embracing discomfort and pushing through adversity leads to personal growth.
Balancing confidence and humility fuels motivation for personal growth.
Practice of perseverance in uncomfortable positions cultivates resilience and tenacity.
Lessons from ultra races: mental fortitude, gratitude, and embracing discomfort.
Believing in oneself and taking action leads to personal and professional success.
Deep dives
Overcoming Challenges and Pushing Limits
In this podcast episode, the speaker shares their experience participating in a multi-day ultra race known as the Gobi March. The speaker reflects on the importance of putting oneself in uncomfortable positions in order to foster personal growth. Despite feeling nervous and anxious, the speaker's confidence and determination led them to persevere through the challenges. The podcast episode explores the mindset of perseverance, acknowledging that true growth comes from pushing oneself beyond their comfort zone.
Balancing Confidence and Humility
The speaker, who achieved success in various athletic endeavors, including marathon running and winning the Gobi March, discusses the balance between confidence and humility. While the speaker possesses unwavering self-belief, they also hold immense respect for elite athletes and the craft they have mastered. This unique combination fuels the speaker's drive to continuously challenge themselves, while simultaneously understanding the gap between their own abilities and those of professional athletes. This mindset allows the speaker to appreciate the accomplishments of others while channeling their own ambition for personal growth.
The Practice of Perseverance
The podcast delves into the concept of the practice of perseverance. The speaker emphasizes the importance of intentionally placing oneself in uncomfortable positions in order to develop resilience and tenacity. This practice extends beyond athletic pursuits and can be applied to various aspects of life, from learning new skills to taking on difficult challenges. By embracing discomfort and pushing through adversity, individuals have the opportunity to cultivate perseverance and achieve personal growth.
Lessons Learned from Ultra Running
Reflecting on their experience in the Gobi March and other ultra races, the speaker outlines key lessons they have learned. These include the value of mental fortitude and staying present during low moments, the significance of gratitude and perspective in challenging situations, and the importance of embracing discomfort for personal growth. Through their own journey, the speaker demonstrates that individuals are capable of accomplishing far more than they might initially believe, and that the practice of perseverance can lead to profound personal development.
Overcoming Fear and Embracing Growth
The speaker emphasizes the importance of being willing to look bad in order to grow and the necessity of perseverance and grit. They discuss the question of whether these qualities are innate or can be developed.
The Power of Therapy and Self-Reflection
The podcast explores the transformative impact of therapy on the speaker's life, particularly during a trauma healing program. They discuss the importance of addressing trauma, overcoming guilt and shame, and developing self-compassion.
Taking Action and Embracing Uncertainty
The speaker shares their experiences of taking risks and making bold decisions in their career and personal life. They emphasize the importance of believing in oneself and taking action, even in the face of fear or uncertainty.
Reflecting on Pain, Failures, and Success
The podcast delves into the role of pain and failures in the speaker's journey towards personal and professional success. They discuss learning from failures, dealing with insecurities, and finding motivation in setting and achieving new challenges.
Maintaining a Positive Mindset and Overcoming Challenges
The podcast episode discussed the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and overcoming challenges. The speaker emphasized the need to overcome fears and doubts, and to push through difficult moments. The key insight is that having a strong mental game can help in achieving success and reaching one's goals, whether it's in sports or in life.
The Role of Consistency and Self-reliance in Achieving Success
Another main idea discussed in the podcast is the role of consistency and self-reliance in achieving success. The speaker shared their personal experience of being self-motivated and relying on themselves to stay dedicated to their training and goals. They highlighted the importance of establishing good habits and routines, such as prioritizing sleep and maintaining a consistent workout regimen. This mindset of self-discipline and accountability can lead to positive changes and personal growth.
How do you evolve into an unbreakable champion? Never set limits. Welcome pain. And be ready to die to win.
This is the ethos of Ken Rideout, returning to the podcast to arm you with the tools you need to chase huge dreams and transform your life wholesale anytime, and at any age.
An absolute force of nature, Ken overcame seemingly insurmountable obstacles—a rough and chaotic childhood and later a battle with opiate addiction—to become one of the world’s pre-eminent master athletes.
He consistently takes the podium at prestigious marathons, including a recent age group world champion title at the Chicago Marathon plus wins in the 50+ division of the New York City, Boston, and Tokyo Marathons.
This summer Ken debuted his ultra career by not only completing the Gobi March, a grueling 155-mile, self-supported, 7-day stage run across the harsh desert terrain of Mongolia, but outright winning it by over 84 minutes.
Today we unpack Ken’s extraordinary Gobi March win, his unique strategy in the race, and what motivates his beast-like drive.
We also discuss the mindset tools, discipline, consistency, and humility that fuel his growth and help him get better, faster, and stronger in his 50s.
Ken is one of a kind, bullshit-free, and 100% authentically himself. His vulnerability is refreshing. His perseverance is remarkable. And his message is powerful: nothing good happens when you’re comfortable.
