From Combat to Comeback — Aaron Hale on Resilience, Adversity & Ultra-Endurance Mindset | The Better Than Rich Show Ep. 207

In this deeply inspiring episode of The Better Than Rich Show, Andrew Biggs sits down with U.S. Navy veteran and ultra-endurance athlete Aaron Hale.

After losing his sight and hearing in a roadside bomb explosion in Afghanistan, Aaron could have given up. Instead, he ran 135 miles through Death Valley, started a business, launched a podcast, and now helps others build bulletproof resilience in their lives.

This episode is a masterclass in overcoming adversity, turning pain into purpose, and choosing to live fully—no matter what you've been through.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• How to build unshakable inner strength when life knocks you down
• The difference between excuses and reasons—and why it matters
• Aaron’s philosophy of resilience and ultra-endurance mindset
• Lessons from training and running the Badwater 135, blind and deaf
• How to reframe trauma into triumph and create purpose from pain
• Why building character > chasing comfort

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - Kicking Things Off: The Power of Your Story
• 00:01:07 - Meet Aaron Hale: Resilience Personified
• 00:01:52 - From Slacker to Soldier: Aaron’s Unlikely Military Path
• 00:03:44 - The Explosion That Changed Everything
• 00:09:16 - Turning Pain Into Purpose: The Mindset Shift
• 00:11:00 - Lessons from the Bomb Squad: High Stakes, High Standards
• 00:13:00 - From Soldier to Father: Rediscovering Identity After Loss
• 00:15:00 - Excuses vs. Reasons: The Power of Framing
• 00:17:00 - Discipline Over Comfort: Everyday Decisions That Shape Us
• 00:19:00 - Practical Grit: Preparing for Life’s Inevitable Ambushes
• 00:21:12 - 135 Miles of Grit: Tackling the Badwater Ultramarathon
• 00:26:37 - Real Talk: Hard-Won Wisdom and Tactical Life Advice
• 00:30:52 - Closing Words: Your Dragon, Your Journey

Connect with Aaron:

• LinkTree

Book Recommendations:

• Effortless — Greg McKeown
• The One Thing — Gary Keller
• The Hero with a Thousand Faces — Joseph Campbell

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