During Episode 81 of The HyperFast Agent Podcast, host Dan Lesniak speaks with Charlie Engle, an ultra-distance runner who was the first person to run across the entire length of the Sahara Desert. Engle shares why he became an ultra-distance runner, how he approaches “impossible” goals, and how to push past boundaries so you can succeed in all areas of your life.
Episode Highlights:
- Charlie Engle is primarily an ultra-distance runner. He has been clean and sober for 26 years.
- It's the hard things that actually separate you from other people.
- Struggle is an opportunity to differentiate yourself and find a way forward.
- Engle describes selling cars in Monterey, CA and the limiting mindsets of those around him at that time.
- When Engle got sober, he started running.
- It’s the hard things that shape us.
- Don't shy away from the difficult things in life because that's where all the good lessons are.
- Engle talks about the advantages of giving our children less.
- Ultra-running is a controlled opportunity for struggle and hardship.
- We want situations to be perfect before we embark on things. That never happens.
- Go out and find a challenge. Seek out challenges in your business and in your personal life.
- Being present is a huge way to give yourself a successful path.
- Enjoy where you are instead of focusing on the finish line.
- Engle was the first person to run across the entire length of the Sahara Desert.
- He took this challenge just like sobriety, one day at a time.
- On most days, his plans fell apart.
- Microtasking: taking big audacious goals and working backwards from there to the present day.
- The story we tell ourselves is more important than any other story that we tell.
- Engle describes how he decided to be the first to run across the Sahara.
- He took full possession of what was possible.
- Engle describes founding H2O Africa (now water.org) and participating in a documentary film around his Sahara experience.
- Qualifications can be overrated.
- People talk themselves out of opportunities.
- Look for reasons why it will happen, not reasons why it won't.
- He doesn't go after goals for the sake of having goals. They have to be meaningful to him.
- Engle describes his next big adventure.
- Connect your goals to bigger purposes.
- Just keep going.
- The formula for success is effort x time.
3 Key Points:
- Struggle is an opportunity to differentiate yourself and find a way forward.
- Be appreciative for what you're actually doing instead of thinking about the finish line.
- The story we tell ourselves is more important than any other story that we tell.
Resources Mentioned:
