Ultramarathoner Courtney Dauwalter on Building Mental Strength

Ryan talks to ultramarathon runner Courtney Dauwalter about the balance between listening to your body and pushing through pain, prioritizing happiness and enjoyment rather than optimization, her metaphor of the pain cave that she visualizes when pushing her body, and more.
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Courtney Dauwalter is the world’s best female ultra runner in the world, and when it comes to races over 200 miles, she is, hands down, the best. She is a two-time ultra runner of the year, and has been named one of the top 50 fittest athletes by Sports Illustrated. She’s won multiple races, most impressively the Mohab 240, where she beat all men and women by 10 hours. Courtney credits this success to her mindset. From her unorthodoxically long shorts, running without a training plan, to her ability to go deep into what she calls “ The Pain Cave,” Courtney is a humble master of mental grit.
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[@TheBoose]

Thank you for another interview of Courtney Dauwalter. Every time I prepare for a marathon, I watch a few of her videos as part of my mental preparation and timing for this one is perfect

[@bev9708]

💪🏻🏃🏻‍♀"If you're going to try something it's going to hurt a little bit to do that but then you make it to the finish line and you realise, like, man I didn't think I could ever do that and I just did, and how sweet is that?"🏃🏻‍♀💪🏻 Truer words never spoken!!!!

[@jt.8144]

Finally!! STOICISM and LONG DISTANCE RUNNING! Finally! Thought I was the only one who applied both disciplines. Thank you!

[@bev9708]

You might enjoy Matt Fitzgerald's book "How Bad Do You Want It: Master the Psychology of Mind over Muscle" (2015). I listened to the audio version out running... what a pleasure!! You probably know Matt from the famous 80/20 Running book!

[@s.s.tillmanesq.305]

Chrysippus. Philosopher. Stoic long distance runner.

[@coreykindhart25]

I have listened to every podcast I can find on Courtney. I am not a runner but try to learn from her mental strength for daily life. I have never even heard of this podcast but the questions asked are 100% the best!!! This is the best interview of Courtney on the internet PERIOD!!

[@laurabellman7682]

I've watched several Courtney interviews. This was the most interesting. Thanks

[@susanzumback7711]

This was hilarious to me ,two opposite ends of the spectrum.Mr analytical and ms go w the flow.superb.

[@DaveIrish66]

I love Courtney. Shes amazing at her craft and as a human ❤

[@nishasankaran]

Courtney is a f’n boss✨🙌🏽

[@vacationmode6286]

Courtney is so amazing!!!! Thank you for sharing

[@ducel]

Thank you for bringing her to the show!

[@eualdito]

This is just pure gold. Thank you for this! You are both a huge big inspiration for me, since I love trail running and stoicism. My favorite part of this interview is when Courtney was talking about her pain cave, the visuals, the when and how, and then Ryan found a direct correlation to Plato’s Cave. How important it is not just to learn the stuff ourselves but to help others. This interview does precisely that. THANK YOU.

[@tjflash60]

Great discussion. Courtney’s enthusiasm for what she does is so great to see. Amazing in ability and attitude.

[@whitneykeen3561]

Totally a fan of the Joy being the reason for sport, even if exceptional discipline is crucial. Can we make our training PLAY for us, and not simply WORK for us? I am inspired by this idea. Thank you!

[@alessandrogarciawoodwindre1250]

Very interesting interview! 🙏🏻

[@shartmann2008]

Music is such a mystery for me and running or concentration...would like to listen more but I haven't sorted it out yet. So good to hear the joy is more important than to plan every minute. Self-check and GO!

[@bev9708]

You might like to try the Runseek Running Music channel where you can choose your cadence ... they have many pieces that I LOVE and genuinely make me run stronger and faster for longer ... I've broken quite a few PBs thanks to that channel!!! My last 50k trail I decided to listen to nature until the last 6-7km when I put on my favourite track and managed to put in a huge final push, upping my pace by 1min/km and passing MANY runners!! What a hoot!!

[@ElizabethM187]

I love this interview!!!!! 🥰

[@tiffanyetzel6041]

Omg I do that with music to! When I find a songs I put that on repeat till I don’t need it at that time anymore.

[@Florencebun]

Omg! She was on your show?!❤❤❤

[@andrewgilbertson5356]

The Double is on.

[@arielhibdon2084]

Courtney- PLEASE GET A KZbin ACCOUNT. You would do so well ❤

[@donnamarshall3784]

A star like Courtney deserves a better prepared interviewer. Disrespectful

[@jeffloflin6316]

Victories at 64. Parking lot to trailhead..yes! I get to go to Waffle house.