E081 - Give Me 90 Minutes and I'll FORCE You to Lock in This 2025 | William Goodge
Mar 23, 2025
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William Goodge, an ultramarathon runner, model, and entrepreneur, shares his transformative journey of coping with loss through running. He reveals how pain catalyzed his greatest achievements, turning grief into motivation for endurance challenges. Goodge discusses the mental battles of extreme marathons and how suffering can be a tool for growth. He emphasizes the importance of accountability in fitness and reflects on personal milestones, including completing 48 marathons in 30 days. Tune in for insights on finding purpose and beauty in hardship.
William Goodge illustrates how transforming personal grief into the pursuit of ultra-endurance challenges can lead to profound emotional healing and purpose.
The mental aspect of endurance sports plays a crucial role, as true strength is often more about mental resilience than physical ability.
Finding joy in life's simple pleasures and focusing on experiences over material success is essential for genuine happiness and fulfillment.
Deep dives
Running as Therapy
Running serves as a therapeutic outlet for many, especially those coping with personal tragedy. The speaker recounts losing his mother to cancer at a young age, which led him to channel his anger and grief into running. It became a form of escapism, providing emotional release during difficult times, enabling him to process his feelings and memories. The experience of running transformed from a punishment in sports to a vital coping mechanism, illustrating how physical activity can help in managing mental health.
Finding Purpose Through Endurance
The journey into ultra-endurance events began when the speaker ran his first marathon on Christmas Day after his mother passed away. This experience was cathartic, allowing him to turn a painful memory into a positive act by raising funds for cancer support. It sparked a realization that he could channel his grief and trauma into something greater, enabling him to help others in similar situations. This shift from personal anguish to a mission of support exemplifies how adversity can lead to meaningful pursuits.
The Challenge of Extreme Running
Extreme challenges, such as running 48 marathons in 30 days, push the limits of both physical and mental endurance. The speaker shares his experiences with such rigorous endeavors, highlighting the importance of resilience and mental strength. He emphasizes that only a fraction of ultra-running is physical ability; the majority is a mental game, requiring determination and grit to surpass one's limits. Struggling through pain and fatigue during these challenges reinforces a powerful mental note of past achievements that motivate further efforts.
Living in the Moment
The concept of living in the moment and appreciating the simplicity of life is vital for maintaining happiness. The speaker reflects on how many people pursue material success, often at the cost of personal joy and fulfillment. He contrasts this with the serenity found in nature and the outdoors, where life's simple pleasures prevail. Acknowledging the beauty of experiences over possessions underscores the philosophy that true happiness comes from within and from personal connections, rather than material wealth.
The Importance of Action Over Planning
When considering taking on significant challenges like marathons, the speaker advises against over-planning and emphasizes the importance of simply taking action. He believes that aspiring athletes often fall into a trap of excessive preparation that can lead to procrastination, which ultimately hinders progress. Signing up for events and tackling them head-on, regardless of training, can yield surprising personal breakthroughs. This perspective promotes the idea that effort and direct engagement in challenges are fundamental components of growth.
The Balance Between Challenge and Rest
Post-challenge blues are common after completing significant endurance events, where the initial high of achievement is often followed by a sense of loss or emptiness. The speaker describes how, after his extreme running feats, he experienced feelings of sadness despite notable accomplishments. It's essential to recognize and prepare for these emotional transitions to avoid disappointment. Establishing a balance between pursuing new goals and allowing oneself time to recover and relish achievements can aid in maintaining mental well-being.
Pain is often seen as something to overcome, but for William Goodge, it became the driving force behind his greatest achievements. After losing his mother, William turned to running—not just as an escape, but as a way to transform grief into purpose. What started as a coping mechanism became an obsession, pushing him to complete ultra-endurance challenges that test the limits of human resilience.In this episode, William shares how loss shaped his mindset, why suffering can be a tool for growth, and the mental battle of running thousands of miles. From his first marathon on Christmas Day to running across entire countries, he explains how endurance sports became his way of finding meaning in hardship. Tune in to hear how turning pain into fuel can unlock an entirely new level of drive, focus, and achievement.00:00 William and his nomad spirit02:34 Early modelling days and industry reality03:51 Finding running on Santa Monica beach07:02 Running barefoot through blood blisters08:49 Dealing with loss through movement10:32 Using exercise to process emotions14:51 Mental strength in endurance sports18:14 Pushing through pain with codeine21:49 Turning suffering into strength24:38 Making marathons accessible for everyone26:12 Finding beauty in earned pain28:37 Breaking down major running achievements31:06 The Africa run possibility35:06 Balancing extremes: trails to fashion shows38:22 Life lessons from Hollister days42:01 Having freedom to explore in your twenties46:19 How Australia shaped his outlook50:06 Going for the cross-country record54:23 Training data and recovery secrets56:08 The special meaning behind Japan58:13 Why Cape Town feels like home1:00:01 Making adventures sustainable1:05:46 Living simply while dreaming big1:25:04 Finding peace in a simpler life» Escape the 9-5 & build your dream life - https://www.digitalplaybook.net/» Transform your physique - https://www.thrstapp.com/» My clothing brand, THRST - https://thrstofficial.com» Custom Bioniq supplements: https://www.bioniq.com/mikethurston • 40% off your first month of Bioniq GO • 20% off your first month of Bioniq PRO» Join @Whoop and get your first month for free - https://join.whoop.com/mikethurston» Follow William«Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/williamgoodge/?hl=enWebsite: https://tinyurl.com/4vy6pvn5
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