How An Overweight 40-Year-Old Became A Top Ultra-Athlete

After shortness of breath from climbing the stairs at home, Rich Roll, author of Finding Ultra, decided to completely change his lifestyle. Dropping 60 lbs in 6 months, this out-of-shape dad became an ultra-endurance athlete at 39. Following is a transcript of the video.
Rich Roll: Ultra-endurance sports didn't just change me physically, they actually gave me a brand new life. Throughout my 30s, I was climbing the corporate ladder, very intent on achieving the traditional idea of the American dream. But deep down inside, I started to question this path that I was on.
For well over a decade, I really hadn't been taking care of myself. I had become a junk food addict, I was 50 pounds overweight, kind of semi-depressed, and shortly before I turned 40, I was climbing up a simple flight of stairs to go to bed one evening, and I had to pause halfway. I was winded, I was out of breath, I had tightness in my chest, and it was a very specific moment in time in which I realized that not only that I needed to change my lifestyle habits but that I had the willingness that I truly wanted to.
I realized that vague ideas of eating better or working out a little bit or going to the gym weren't really going to work for me. I needed something specific, something definitive. I'd played around with a bunch of different diets, to no avail, and I sort of attempted this experiment in plant-based eating as kind of the last thing that I hadn't explored. And I didn't have a big expectation that it would make a big difference, but within about seven to 10 days of eating nothing but plants, nothing with a mother, nothing with a face, I experienced this extraordinary thing, like I had this resurgence in vitality, my mental acuity improved, my sleep improved, I had this sense of well-being and energy that I hadn't really felt since I was a teenager. And I didn't really know what I was doing, but I knew in that moment that I was onto something.
And it started getting me thinking about human potential and my own potential, because if I could make such a simple, basic shift and experience such a dramatic result, where were there other untapped reservoirs of potential that I could explore? And that's what got me interested, ultimately, in the world of ultra-endurance sports.
At the peak of training, I would say I was training about 25 hours a week, so it was really almost a second job, and at the time, I was still a practicing attorney, I have four kids, I'm busy doing a lot of things, and in order to make the time that was required to appropriately prepare for this race, I had to make some significant cuts and really look hard and fast at how I was spending my time on a day-to-day basis. I had to get rid of late-night television and sort of business meetings that could be pushed to a conference call or an email chain to free up the time that was required so I could show up at the starting line and know in my heart of hearts that I could complete this race.
I started training, which really connected me with myself in a very profound way, and to the surprise of myself and many other people, I ended up showing some prowess in this field and ended up competing at a very high level, specifically a race called Ultraman, which is a double Ironman distance triathlon. Over the course of three days, it completely circumnavigates the entire big island of Hawaii.
--------------------------------------------------
Follow Business Insider on Twitter: / businessinsider
Follow BI on Facebook: bit.ly/1W9Lk0n
Read more: www.businessinsider.com/
--------------------------------------------------
Business Insider is the fastest growing business news site in the US. Our mission: to tell you all you need to know about the big world around you. The BI Video team focuses on technology, strategy and science with an emphasis on unique storytelling and data that appeals to the next generation of leaders - the digital generation.

[@sandeepshetty1589]

People often mistaken the symptoms of picking up some bad habits for aging. Aging really is a slow process. Your physical capacity only goes down like 3% to 4% in a decade as long as you do not pick up injuries. Yes your hair will grey, the skin will wrinkle. But your internal organs age real slow if you maintain some good habits.

[@mikefitzpatrick43]

True

[@titolovely8237]

the three best decisions i ever made: 1) give up soda and junk foods 2) exercise 3-5 times a week 3) stop watching television if u do these three things, it's astonishing how much better and clearer u feel. i feel like the first 2/3 of my life i was in a stupor, only to have emerged and realized i had been asleep the whole time.

[@anmnou]

Television is one of the biggest depressants in my experience.

[@Vestu]

yep with those you get to the next level which to me was very difficult: stop watching / browsing needless youtube / netflix / social media

[@justahuman4862]

@@anmnou but I love my kdramas and I like a small cup of soda when I watch a movie.

[@jont2576]

No one under the age 40 watch TV in the last 10 years.

[@topthermite9253]

@@jont2576 ong. We watch stuff on our phone if we do.

[@jesuiszrr]

I thought his name was "Rick Roll" for a sec 😅

[@jennifernunez3179]

Turning 40 on next birthday in 9 months. Realized I have the body of a 70 year old and that’s probably insulting 70 year olds. Started journey a month ago and finally in the head space to make it a lifetime commitment. Will be at my fitness goal well ahead of turning 40. No doubts or questions about it. Work.

[@Lion-1.]

Awesome ! Hope you’re feeling better and overall wellness on your fitness journey ✌️💪👍

[@itsaaronlolz]

i turned 30 last year. what does it feel to turn 40? i still get treated like i’m younger lol.

[@Andy-Bodhi]

Can you describe the colour red?​@@itsaaronlolz

[@HealthyAndrew]

Just reading the title I knew this was about Rich Roll. I followed him for years since he started his journey after being a lawyer which I think he continues to do. He was on The Joe Rogan podcast and talked about how diet and exercise change the way his brain works and makes him want to accomplish more things and more emotionally put together. It was only a matter of time before you guys did a piece on him

[@kaurkaur6098]

Am 37 year old and now am able to get some time for myself to achieve my dream of become an sports person and am trying hard for this after my professional work regime...age is just an number.. entire thing is your will and hardwork

[@247th]

Good job turning your life around!

[@jasontungjw]

Regular exercise and diet since young is the keypoint to better health.

[@adarshachatterjee493]

+Curr3ncy Games we live only once... to die while living because of obesity is rather a nightmare and healthy living is not only for the ladies it induces a massive confidence and self belief in ones mind that life seems so awesome... isn't that a necessity in life,?

[@FalconWindblader]

Curr3ncy Games Having shitty state of health means feeling shitty most, if not all the time. Looks are hardly relevant in this case. Your body in such a state would just keep demanding more nutrients you don't actually need yet is extremely unwilling to work, which affects how your brain works. You're less stress tolerant & you get tired physically & mentally easier. Everyone dies eventually, sure, but that doesn't mean you hafta feel like shit most of the time while alive.

[@Half-Blood_Prince]

Big ups to this man.

[@Pooty_With_A_Fat_Booty]

I gotta get on that train before it's too late

[@vandertuber]

GO FOR IT DUDE !!

[@PEDROLEVELUP]

I started StreetWorkout at 35yo, I will be 40yo in 1 month, and I'm at the best shape of my life, including skills performance, just start freestyle competitions ! And Streetworkout is not fitness, it's really more risky for tendons/joints, but I feel better and progressing ! Never give up on your dreams while it's possible, make a try, do your best, smart training and clean food, trust the process, but no regrets !!! Nice video

[@jayhillz3705]

I feel the same way eating beef, butter, bacon, and eggs 😋

[@SoCalFreelance]

I cut my Comcast cable 6 years ago, don't miss it at all. All of my entertainment comes from the Internet which means I watch content on my schedule, not a teevee networks.

[@benjaminabarca5121]

Awesomeness,, been working out for two years lost 60 lbs! Benching 225 shoulder press 185lbs !! I AM 44 years of age never felt physically mentally emotionally better!! 💪🏾💪🏾

[@Boufcon]

Congrats man ! It's good to know that a healthy diet and regular exercises are key to finding a proper balance in your 40s. Your story motivates me to develop a similar healthy lifestyle, even though i'm only 19 :)

[@benjaminabarca5121]

Boufcon dude you start now , i guarantee you won’t regret it !

[@bhggoilable]

What supplements are you taking? and any test? Thanks

[@CarsSupercars]

Wow...inspirational

[@emmabila3480]

sent this to my dad..... disowned! anyone adopting?

[@indiawildfilms]

42, 37 Marathon, 5 K in 18.57, 6 pack all year around, No Dieting....I Got a Life...The Best 🍎🍎🍎

[@aakashbhardwaj930]

Are bhaiya yha bhi😂😂😂m watching your video bro they are cool and very informative

[@365tonkatruckfit2]

LOVE studying people who changed their Life by changing their Nutrition/Fitness, FIRST GENERATION WEALTH IN THIS LIFESTYLE FOR MY SISTER AND I.

[@noraa.616]

*Excellent, truly* =D

[@Indiegaze]

Damn, I was listening to his podcast when I saw this.

[@nicholasbuonanno5938]

great job very motivateing

[@a.g.4843]

Hi there, i didn’t climb the corporate ladder but i am a normal scientist with no big responsibilities but nevertheless quite a salary and a 38,5 hour work week. So well that’s good. It’s good to find the golden middle way

[@manowar5516]

Inspirational story.👍

[@Sudstah]

You look amazing well done.

[@hoangkimviet8545]

He has the plummy bodies :0

[@julianfischer2341]

What a champ!

[@Lion-1.]

Very interesting story 😎✌️👍

[@namer5353]

Thank you for this i was thinking about giving up because im 32 years old and i was thinking maybe im to old

[@meowmeowone8479]

Cool, but fat juicy mice are just sooo hard to give up!

[@Miguelangelfilms94]

That's going to kill you one day meows. Stick to the lean ones and steam cook them.

[@popopopo9947]

his name tho

[@LeaLittleDanishGirl]

I think it's a thing - the energy surge after switching over to plant based... I have a lot of vegan friends - my self included, who report having so much more energy on their hands on a day to day basis, that they almost NEED to give it an outlet and a purpose somehow...

[@justanotherjoe6151]

FINALLY....a good BI video.

[@azzaid8068]

Wow I'm 19 and I can't even run 10 miles

[@rohaanmuzaffar3187]

10 miles is a lot buddy 😂

[@kageshigi1012]

Wish I could do that.

[@ometofu]

This meant you can do whatever till you are 40. Then become vegan. And focus your earlier years in money making then u don’t need to work like normal person and have fun in Hawaii...

[@changobeatz7648]

😆

[@chickfinnegan8969]

If you dont, do yourself a favor, and follow Rich Roll. John Joseph, too.

[@VGLV888]

👍👍❤❤

[@cannonball9478]

Good lad 👍

[@monsieurdiecasts3393]

That Juicero though...what next fad will you be pushing rich?

[@Drew-kq3kh]

Respect 🇯🇲

[@amv12vantage]

Saw this guy in men’s health about ten years ago. They were showcasing his house, I think.

[@lecorny007]

It doesnt matter if you're a vegan or not, it's about loving yourself and trying to make a change for the better, its about discipline and hard work, u dont have to be eating grass crying over dead fried chicken to be fit and healthy. It's all about doing what's right and making changes.

[@MarshmilloJB]

4 kids and a job and training? HOWWWWWW

[@anmnou]

One can eat healthy and still incorporate lean meats, fish and eggs into one's diet...it does not have to be this drastic. There are vegans who eat crap. I do believe that a vegetarian or vegan diet suits certain people; personally I get hypoglycemic and get panic attacks. My vegan friends have the worst skin for some reason, acne et all...

[@israfeelm5821]

Totally agree! Tired of this crap.. ohh I do not eat anything with a face!! Dude you just stomped 100s if not 1000s of little creatures running that triathlon crap..they all had faces and asses!

[@vienryalvindobastian4645]

So in other words, "vegan"

[@VenturiLife]

Propaganda?

[@Sebastian-xy3xk]

shades2 Meat and Dairy is the real propaganda. It's a lie tought by society in order to "be healthy" when it's a lie to kill the masses

[@vienryalvindobastian4645]

Here comes the vegan vs meat eater argument

[@Sebastian-xy3xk]

Vienry Alvindo Bastian it's not an opinion it's fact lol 😂😂. But seriously though, meat is bad ;-;

[@jacobe7094]

Helloz World What about healthier meats like fish?

[@stevo19451]

Inspirational! when he talked about the WILLINGNESS for the life change- really empthaized with that

[@DD-jz2tv]

Sorry dude I watched this to know how you became a ultra athlete not a bloody vegan. Heck this annoys me

[@steddybeing4164]

Didn't see a single clear photo of him in his 30's being overweight. One side pic of him sitting a beach, and one drinking beer which clearly looks as though it was taken in his young 20's. This is vegan propaganda.

[@cameromanuel2010]

Lol, I do believe you might be right. clap clap

[@S.Georgia]

I wanted to comment the same thing

[@millabasset1710]

Why do men treat 40 like 60 or 70? There plenty of athletic middle-aged men. Yeah of course you're better in your late 20s to early 30s, but you're not geriatric at 40.

[@tarik2629]

Those athletic middle aged men probably startet early on. I would guess that it is really hard to change things when you are in your 40s because of your job, family and friends.

[@akifakhan1177]

Not Rick roll I thought rock n roll Just kidding what ever his work is good

[@TELEVISIBLE]

Sun block !

[@watermelonlover745]

"had four kids, had a career" yeah he ignored his kids to become this

[@victoriaslife]

He didnt look really fat in the belly, he doesnt even show a pic of his really fat belly.

[@Simon-pl2zi]

quit - alcohol, processed sugar, processed food and increase intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. It’s not rocket science.

[@nikitaw1982]

Steak

[@borisyurinov4822]

You need lips. But I'm with you. Vegan & endurance is the way to go

[@plantplanetearth509]

Go Rich! Go Vegan!

[@plantplanetearth509]

Ape man Commeth Triggered much?

[@glennbarrera8353]

Sperm is a super food

[@hydrobuu]

Ape man just upset cause he has aids.

[@emmabila3480]

or just exercise

[@Mani_Matter]

Healthy - as healthy as a drug addicted

[@mokummie]

Böooooooring

[@tamarikimani5701]

Am eating a bigggggg burger!!Help🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

[@MrAmrmnabil]

One word roids

[@encycooper]

Get a proper haircut ... that is so annoying ...

[@nochance114]

encycooper ...he looks amazing 😎😎

[@HealthyAndrew]

Look him up 1 year ago his hair was good then. He changes his look every now and then

[@jamesdooling4139]

I'm 41... I stopped caring how I look years ago. Kudos to you, but I'd rather have a footlong chili cheese coney and some bourbon.