The Mind of an Ultramarathon Runner: Matt Choi on Mental Strength and Endurance

Pursuit of Wellness

Mari Llewellyn

Health & Fitness, Mental Health, Fitness, Nutrition

4.8 • 2.7K Ratings

🗓️ 7 November 2024

⏱️ 66 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Ep. # 148 On today’s episode of Pursuit of Wellness, I sit down with ultra marathoner and content creator Matt Choi to dive deep into his journey from childhood challenges to becoming an ultra-marathon runner. Matt shares how he rebuilt his identity after leaving American football, and the powerful influence David Goggins had on his mindset and approach to life. We get into the raw realities of running, from the importance of nutrition and intuitive eating to the unexpected, like pooping your pants mid-race! Matt also opens up about how running has shaped his mental space, his discipline in content creation, and his advice for new runners. Whether you're into fitness or just looking for inspiration, this conversation is full of motivation and insight! Leave Me a Message - click here! For Mari’s Instagram click here! For Pursuit of Wellness Podcast’s Instagram click here! For Mari’s Newsletter click here! For Matt Choi’s Instagram click here! For Matt Choi’s YouTue click here! For Matt Choi’s TikTok click here! Sponsored By: Visit cozyearth.com/pursuit and use my exclusive 40% off code PURSUIT to give the gift of luxury this holiday season. Jaspr is offering an exclusive deal – get $400 OFF with code POW at checkout or go to Again, that’s code POW at jaspr.co for $400 OFF your Jaspr air purifier! Go to ThriveMarket.com/POW for 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift! That’s ThriveMarket.com/POW Head to Manukora.com/POW to get $25 off the Starter Kit, which comes with an MGO 850+ Manuka Honey jar, 5 honey travel sticks, a wooden spoon, and a guidebook! That’s Manukora.com/POW for $25 off your Starter Kit. Cancel your unwanted subscriptions by going to RocketMoney.com/POW. That’s RocketMoney.com/POW. Show Links: Can’t Hurt Me Topics Discussed 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:02:08 - Matt Choi’s childhood 00:04:37 - Rebuilding his identity 00:06:57 - Influence of David Goggins 00:14:51 - Reasons for running away 00:17:09 - Diving into ultra marathons 00:21:55 - Mari doing the milestone 00:23:44 - Nutrition and intuitive eating 00:28:35 - Eating before or after running 00:29:58 - Running locations 00:33:06 - Pooping your pants while racing 00:34:07 - Food during ultras 00:36:58 - Courtney Dauwalter and other big names in ultras 00:38:53 - Content creation 00:40:35 - Maintaining discipline 00:43:57 - How running has affected his overall life 00:45:23 - Headspace while running 00:47:46 - Advice for new runners 00:49:58 - Content goals and evolution 00:54:43 - Behind the scenes 00:58:29 - Fake running 01:00:11 - Austin run clubs 01:04:01 - Wellness to Matt

Transcript

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0:00.0	running is like a constant learning opportunity because no matter what race you do, no matter what
0:04.8	challenge it is, even if it's not a race, like there's something you can get out of a run because
0:08.8	it's going to hit you in a different way.
0:10.6	This is the Pursuit of Wellness Podcast and I'm your host, Mari Llewellyn.
0:19.3	What is up guys? Welcome back to the show. Today I am sitting down with an Austin local. He's an
0:25.6	ultra marathoner and content creator Matt Choi. You guys are going to love this episode. I've never
0:32.0	had a runner on the show before. And there's a lot here that we talk about with mindset,
0:39.1	discipline and grit.
0:43.7	So whether or not you're a runner, I think this will be a very interesting and motivational episode. We dive deep into his journey from childhood challenges to becoming an ultra marathon runner.
0:49.3	He shares how he rebuilt his identity after leaving American football and the powerful influence
0:55.3	that David Goggins had on his mindset and approach to life. David Goggins is also one of my
0:59.8	favorite people and one of my favorite books I've ever read. So we talk a lot about that.
1:03.7	We also get into the raw realities of running and the importance of nutrition and intuitive eating,
1:09.0	plus the unexpected pooping your pants mid-race.
1:12.6	I had to ask about this, guys. So trigger warning if you're triggered by poop.
1:17.0	Matt also opens up about how running has shaped his mental space, his discipline and content
1:22.0	creation and his advice for new runners, whether you're into fitness or just looking for
1:26.0	inspiration. This is full of motivation and insight.
1:29.8	I hope you guys enjoy it.
1:31.5	Without further ado, let's hop into this combo with Matt Choi.
1:35.3	Matt Choi, welcome to the pursuit of wellness.
1:37.8	I'm so grateful to be here.
	...

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