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Ken Rideout’s Win-Or-Die Mindset: Controlling The Variables, Winning His First Ultra, & Why Discomfort is the Price of Admission To Greatness

The Rich Roll Podcast

Mon Nov 13 2023



Ken Rideout's Mindset:

  • Embraces discomfort as a catalyst for growth and transformation, viewing it as an essential component of pursuing huge dreams.
  • Recognizes the importance of pushing past comfort zones to achieve personal development and unleash one's best self.
  • Views fear and discomfort as necessary elements for achieving greatness, highlighting the need to confront challenges rather than shy away from them.

Preparation for Ultra Race:

  • Acknowledges that despite extensive marathon experience, stepping into ultramarathons presents unique logistical challenges such as managing nutrition, hydration, and gear over multiple days without crew support.
  • Reflects on the technical aspects of reducing pack weight and improving proficiency with equipment as valuable lessons learned for future ultra races.
  • Expresses gratitude for having taken the leap to compete in the ultra race despite initial nervousness, emphasizing the importance of showing up and trying new experiences.

Resilience Amid Challenges:

  • Demonstrates resilience in navigating low moments during ultras by staying present through mindset tools like reminding oneself about temporary nature of difficulties and expressing gratitude for life's blessings.
  • Discusses how focusing on gratitude helped maintain mental fortitude amidst physical and mental challenges, providing perspective during arduous moments in the race.
  • Articulates a balance between confidence in capabilities while maintaining humility by recognizing significant differences between elite athletes' abilities and his own skill level.

Impact of Gobi Race Experience:

  • Describes profound sense of accomplishment following victory at Gobi March Ultra, acknowledging it as a transformative experience that has left lasting impact both personally and professionally.

  • Shares insights gained from participating in multi-day desert ultra event, underscoring the value of courageously confronting fears and uncertainties while embracing discomfort as a path to growth.

  • Overcoming Challenges and Personal Growth:

  • Ken Rideout shares his journey of overcoming significant obstacles, including a challenging childhood and battling opiate addiction, to become a successful master athlete.

  • Emphasizes the importance of embracing discomfort as a catalyst for personal growth and transformation.

  • Mindset Tools and Perseverance:

  • Reflects on the concept of perseverance, highlighting the significance of intentionally engaging in challenging situations that demand resilience.

  • Discusses mindset tools, discipline, consistency, and humility as essential elements that contribute to personal growth across various aspects of life.

  • Reflections on Trauma Healing:

  • Recounts his profound experience at an onsite trauma healing center where he underwent intensive therapy with a psychologist for several hours daily.

  • Shares insights gained from this deep dive into mental health, leading to significant realizations about past traumas and their impact on behavior and relationships.

  • The Role of Pain and Suffering in Personal Transformation:

  • Acknowledges the pivotal role of pain and suffering in his journey towards sobriety, professional success, and personal fulfillment.

  • Attributes gratitude for being sober as a driving force shaping his current outlook on life.

  • Ken's Transition to Working for Himself:

  • Ken faced doubts about his ability to work for himself after receiving a year of runway from his partner.

  • He overcame these doubts and successfully raised money for various ventures, including David Sinclair's Life Bioscience in Boston.

  • The Importance of Taking Action:

  • Ken emphasizes the need to start taking action rather than waiting for perfect conditions, highlighting that the right time may never come.

  • Overcoming Fear and Embracing Discomfort:

  • Ken shares vulnerable moments from his ultra race, expressing emotional struggles and physical challenges during the Gobi March.

  • He discusses the importance of overriding fear with a determined mindset, emphasizing the necessity of being willing to fail while pursuing epic endeavors.

  • Personal Health and Well-being:

  • Ken reflects on health concerns such as high ApoB levels, revealing personal anxieties regarding potential health issues and seeking advice on managing them effectively.

  • Endurance Sports as a Teacher:

  • Ken credits endurance sports for teaching self-reliance, integrity, resilience, and cultivating a reflex towards action despite facing fears or uncertainties.