The School of Greatness

653 Become Superhuman and Achieve the Impossible with Iron Cowboy James Lawrence

Jun 13, 2018

James Lawrence, the Iron Cowboy, is a record-setting triathlete famous for completing 50 Ironman triathlons in 50 states over 50 days. In this conversation, he discusses pushing through extreme physical pain and mental barriers to achieve greatness. James shares how embracing discomfort fosters personal growth and resilience. He reflects on the birth of his 'Iron Cowboy' alter ego and the importance of mental toughness. Ultimately, he highlights the significance of forgiveness and living joyfully while uplifting others.

01:02:02

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Episode guests

James Lawerence

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Quick takeaways

James Lawrence emphasizes that overcoming mental barriers is essential for unlocking human potential and achieving greatness.

The importance of teamwork and support is highlighted through Lawrence's journey, showcasing that collective efforts can lead to extraordinary achievements.

Lawrence advocates for the practices of forgiveness and gratitude as foundational elements to personal growth and maintaining a positive mindset.

Deep dives

Endurance and Records

James Lawrence, known as the Iron Cowboy, is renowned for his extreme endurance feats, including completing 50 Ironman triathlons in 50 consecutive days across all 50 states. Each Ironman involves a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile marathon, totaling 140.6 miles daily. Lawrence previously set world records for the most Ironman events completed in a single year, showcasing not just physical prowess but also remarkable mental discipline. His journey highlights the importance of training beyond physical endurance to include mental preparation and resilience.

Intro

6min

Conquering the Ultimate Endurance Challenge

2min

Endurance Beyond Limits

14min

The Challenges and Triumphs of Ironman Racing

3min

Embracing Discomfort for Growth

17min

The Birth of the Iron Cowboy Alter Ego and Mental Resilience

2min

Building Mental Toughness

6min

Overcoming Criticism: The Journey of Trust and Personal Goals

2min

From Struggles to Joy: A Journey of Motivation

10min

10.

Embracing Forgiveness and Redefining Greatness

4min

"AS A PEOPLE, WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT WHAT OUR ALTER EGO IS.”
One of the hardest things for us to deal with is pain. Our mind tries to prevent us from experiencing it. It's just trying to protect us and keep us alive.
When we push through that pain, however, that’s when we accomplish greatness.
Now I don’t mean continuing with a broken arm. I mean pushing through those tough times when your mind is trying to tell your body to stop, but you know you have more to give.
That’s why I wanted to bring you today’s guest, the Iron Cowboy himself: James Lawrence.
James did 50 Ironman Triathlons, in 50 days, in 50 states.
He was constantly on the move for 12 hours a day, running, swimming, and cycling. As soon as he was finished, he had to travel to the next state.
Most days James only had about four hours to rest.
That’s no time for your body to recover.
Did he hurt? Did he want to give up? Of course. But James ended up powering through, breaking a Guinness World Record.
At the end of the 50 days, his body had begun to accept that this was its new reality (and he felt like he needed to do another triathlon after he finished!)
Humans can push themselves so much further than we think. We just need to get over our mental barriers to see what we can really achieve.
Learn what it takes to develop your skills and overcome your boundaries, on Episode 653.
Some Questions I Ask:
The universe was telling you to quit, how and why did you continue? (12:01)
When did you do your first Ironman Triathlon? (21:00)
Why do you think it’s important to put your body through a stress that your mind says no to? (25:36)
What was your greatest fear growing up? (29:16)
What’s the greatest personal struggle you’ve ever faced? (32:15)
Were the conversations you were having with yourself more about forgiveness or the future you wanted to create? (37:56)
How much mental training did it take for you to find your alter ego? (42:53)
What’s your mental routine on a daily basis? (52:56)
In This Episode You Will Learn:
How James helped someone with Cerebral Palsy finish the triathlon (7:29)
How long it takes for him to finish an Ironman Triathlon (14:32)
The greatest lesson he’s learned from all 50 Ironmans (24:34)
Something we can do on a daily basis to help us increase our mental toughness (27:25)
How he’s preparing his children to take on the world (30:45)
What he thinks about at hour 7 of the day during a race (34:51)
The power of his alter ego (39:42)
Why he felt the need to achieve the impossible (47:25)