5 inspiring Ted Talks for women who want to run an ultramarathon
In need of a bit of inspiration to get you out of the door? I’ve got you covered.
I wanted to share five of my favorite Ted Talks on all things running, adventure and mindset. Delivered by some incredible global speakers discussing topics such as fear of failure, discomfort, mental health and finding your best self.
I hope that these will inspire you to dream and explore what happens what you replace fear of failure with the courage to simply…begin. And take that first step in moving closer to your goals today.
1. How I survived running 3000 kilometres across India | Samantha Gash
Social entrepreneur powerhouse Samantha Gash takes to the stage to talk about her journey to become the first and youngest person to complete the four 250 km ultra marathons in the driest, windiest, hottest and coldest deserts on Earth – all in one year.
How the secret to a successful life is to just say yes. How the most unexpected transformation of her ‘yes quest’ was signing up for her first marathon.
Samantha talks about reframing suffering through different eyes and how it’s a vital part of growth. You can't avoid it, and nor should you try, if your purpose is strong enough, it actually gets placed into perspective.
2. Grit: The power of passion and perseverance | Angela Lee Duckworth
In this powerful talk, former teacher Angela Lee Duckworth talks about how success isn’t down to social intelligence, physical health or IQ but grit.
As Duckworth says, “Grit is passion and perseverance for very long-term goals. Grit is having stamina. Grit is sticking with your future, day in, day out, not just for the week, not just for the month, but for years. And working really hard to make that future a reality. Grit is living life like it’s a marathon, not a sprint.”
3. Finding your best self | Dean Karnazis
Internationally acclaimed ultramarathoner and endurance athlete Dean Karnazis takes to the stage to talk about how his journey to finding his best self didn’t start until his thirtieth birthday.
He has pushed his mind and body to inconceivable limits and some of the highlights of his running career include running a marathon to the south pole and running a marathon in each of the 50 stages in 50 consecutive days.
4. But what if I fail | Anna McNuff
An inspirational story of British endurance athlete Anna McNuff, who left her corporate job to follow her calling of adventure and cycle 11,000 miles through every state of America. As McNuff says, “The problem with glimpsing your true passion, that thing that makes your heart sing, is that once you’ve seen it, it can’t be unseen.”
She talks about how sometimes we are often our own worst critic in simply dreaming and exploring what happens when we replace fear of failure with the courage to simply…begin.
5. Movement: The magic medicine | Hazel Wallace
Medical doctor and personal trainer, Dr. Hazel Wallace highlights the power of exercise as a tool to not only prevent and reverse chronic diseases but as a tool to make your brain happier and healthier.
“Just like exercise trains your muscles to be stronger, exercise trainings your brain and the connections within it to be stronger too.” She finishes by saying “You have the power to transform your healthy today.”
I hope these talks gives you new reasons (and appreciation) for running.
So which one did you find most inspiring? I’d love to know, let me know in the comments section below.
Struggling to get out of the door? Why not check out my next blog post on how to stay consistent with your training? Click here to read more.