Finding Ultra: Rejecting Middle Age, Becoming One of the World's Fittest Men, and Discovering Myself

by Rich Roll

“Let’s face it, Rich. Your best thinking has you institutionalized. The time has come to set aside your self-will. Because that barometer is broken. If you look at it objectively, it’s an attribute that has essentially destroyed your life. And you simply cannot solve this problem with your mind. So let it go, already.” I couldn’t fathom it at first.

It’s said that alcoholism is a disease of perception. Change your perception, change your reality. As the Springbrook weeks blurred into months, I began to replace my distorted perspective with a finely ground lens of objective clarity.

All my confusing feelings boiled down to one singular emotion. Fear. Fear of people. Fear of situations and institutions. Fear of economic insecurity, the unknown, and events that hadn’t yet and possibly never would transpire. All told, fear of everything. And there’s only one cure for fear. Faith.

if it’s too complicated, it’s not sustainable.

“The prize never goes to the fastest guy,” Chris replied. “It goes to the guy who slows down the least.” True in endurance sports. And possibly even truer in life.