Today is the day we get into one of my most notorious obsessions. No, it’s not Pedro Pascal. At least not today. Today we’re talking about the one, the only Rich Roll and the positive influence he’s had on my life. I’ve mentioned him several times within the newsletter and he comes up in conversation regularly. So why the hero worship?
I discovered The Rich Roll Podcast about four years ago. I was immediately drawn in by the combination of interesting guests and Rich’s own vulnerability. Whether he’s talking to a doctor, a yoga teacher, a professional athlete or a writer, Rich is able to extract inspiration from every conversation.
Then there is Rich’s story, a powerful arc of redemption that struck a chord with me. I immediately wanted to know everything about him. I didn’t have to dig very deep. There are countless articles, podcast interviews and YouTube videos about him.
After getting sober at the age of 31, he spun his wheels — in an unfulfilling law career, living off a junk food diet — until a health scare on the eve of his 40th birthday inspired him to change. Two years later he was competing in Ultraman races at an elite level. He famously completed five Iron Man Triathlons, in five days, in 2010. An accomplishment considered basically impossible at the time. His record has since been smashed, but he was a pioneer of making the impossible possible in the ultra endurance world.
When I first encountered Rich, I felt electrified. I was 37 at the time, I had just given up alcohol and I was looking to make more big changes in my life. His story felt relevant to me in a deeply personal way.
I sought out his popular memoir “Finding Ultra”. He narrated his own audio book and listening to him tell his story in such detail made me feel like I could do anything. I decided to emulate him and Run. I went out, bought a snazzy new pair of running shoes and rushed home to start my new life as a runner.
Now, I am not a runner, nor have I ever been a runner. The only time I ever ran was when I was forced to in P.E class. I’ve actually always hated running with a passion, but I got carried away with the Rich Roll of it all and I like to learn my lessons the hard way.
So, I chose a time of day when I thought my neighbors would be the least nosy. I laced those new shoes up tight and yelled “Rich Roll” as I ran out my front door. I made it about an eighth of a mile before realizing I messed up.
By the time I rounded the first corner, I was ready to crawl into the ditch and die. Unfortunately, the little dirt road I had hoped would be deserted this time of day was inexplicably filled with people — A neighbor walking her dog, another pulling out of their driveway and an entire crew of men from the power company unloading their truck.
Torn between my desire to save face and the need to not be running anymore, I tried to soldier on. These people know where I live. If I turned around, they would know I went for a 500 yard jog.
My resolve to look cool in front of the neighbors and the linemen lasted about thirty seconds. I slowed to a stumble, hung my head and turned around. At least my neighbor had the decency to avert her eyes as I took my walk of shame. Even her dog seemed embarrassed for me.
In hindsight, I see my mistake. I took Rich’s example and tried to apply it too literally. Rich is a runner. He’s a triathlete and a specimen of physical prowess. I’m a bleeder and a reader.
The running incident wasn’t the first time my enthusiasm got me into hot water…..or pool water anyway. I was a competitive swimmer as a kid (so was Rich!). As an adult, I always wanted to get back in the pool. So, when I saw an ad for Masters Swim in the local paper, I decided to go for it. All I had at the time was a two piece swimsuit with a modest tank top and a tennis skirt style bottom. I wore it to my first practice and knew I was out of my depth the second I left the locker room. Speedo clad swimmers stood on deck, adorned with swim caps and goggles, looking well prepared for the punishing workout we were about to endure.
I was a little self conscious but, still confident. Misguided confidence, considering I hadn’t dipped a toe in a lap lane in nearly twenty years. As It turns out, all the confidence in the world couldn’t save me from ending up completely gassed, hanging onto a lane divider for dear life. I had stopped swimming in the middle of the pool, halfway through practice, unable to continue.
The coach walked over and crouched down at the edge of the pool, her eyes filled with concern.
“Are you okay?”
I could tell she was considering the possibility that she might have to jump in and save my dumb ass. I told her I was fine and “just catching my breath haha”. I somehow drug myself through the rest of the workout and never went back.
What I understand now, and what eluded me then, is that the energy created by inspiration/enthusiasm is only useful when channeled appropriately. It doesn’t have to be redirected into the thing that stimulated it. I mean, David Goggins is one of my biggest inspirations. I’m not going to go out and join the military or run an Ultra Marathon.
I’m a comfort zone queen. I like to be warm and well rested and, yes, comfortable. So a tough love shove to go out and run ten miles, or climb the tallest mountain within driving distance doesn’t do me much good. What I need, is a firm nudge to do hard, yet perfectly attainable tasks.
Like mowing my own gigantic lawn with a push mower or shoveling my whole driveway when the plow truck breaks down. Taking control of the situation instead of waiting for someone to come rescue me.
I get on my yoga mat as soon as I get out of bed, every single day, and I try not to be lazy about it. I resist the urge to spend my time in child’s pose. I work my way through planks and warriors. Even when I don’t feel like it.
Turns out, a thousand baby steps have gotten me a lot farther than either of those delusional, poorly planned leaps did. I’ve gained so much self respect by holding myself accountable for the small things and having the discipline to consistently follow through on them.
I need people like Rich Roll and David Goggins to look up to. I need them to go out and do undoable things. To shatter every perceived limitation of the human mind and body. Their feats of superhuman strength remind me that my goals are attainable. They land on the moon so I can see how close the treetops are.
My grand athletic attempts weren’t completely useless. They delivered a big ol’ serving of humble pie. Which I obviously needed. They taught me to find a practical application for all that inspirational energy and that’s probably the biggest gift I’ve gotten from Rich too: tempered enthusiasm, applied intelligently.
I’m not going to compete in any Ultra Endurance events. Hell, I’m not going to compete in any events, but I am going to keep showing up for my yoga practice and taking care of business. Sometimes, I even hit the pool to swim long lazy laps with no purpose other than to be in the water and move my body.
I still have those running shoes. I wear them on the treadmill now. I walk at a slow and consistent pace while everyone around me sweats and strains. I’m not trying to prove anything. I’m just there to get my steps in. Rich Roll is always playing in my headphones and I still get a little thrill from whatever he discusses with his guests.
Every once in a while I give in to that inspirational urge and whisper “Rich Roll!” as I push the button to speed up the treadmill. But not too much, because I finally learned my lesson. 45 minutes at level three is always better than 4 minutes at level ten.
This was a great read! Laughed out loud 😅 (I’ve been there with the running).
I'd never heard of Rich before I read this piece, yet I absolutely loved your story and writing here :)
Especially the paragraph where you talk about baby steps and discipline... and this line -
'They land on the moon so I can see how close the treetops are.'
Thank you for a lovely read!