140: Distraction, Defeat, Jealousy, and How to Stay in Your Lane (feat. Ryan Hall)

As talented, gifted, and enthusiastic as each and every one of you are, how many of you will be honest and admit that there are days you wake-up wishing you had what someone else has? Or…you wake-up wishing you were someone else? I know I have. Many, many times in my life, I’ve stewed in comparison and jealousy, wishing I had someone else’s talent, someone else’s favor, someone else’s last name, someone else’s income, someone else’s opportunity. And do you know what I was left with? None of those things. Instead, I was left with distraction, depression, and complete depletion of passion and energy for the unique purpose for which I was created. Truth-be-told, learning how to discover and then stay in our unique lane is a fundamental key to living a life of significance. And that’s the story of today’s guest, Ryan Hall.

Ryan Hall posted the best-ever American times in the Half Marathon and Marathon and has represented the US in the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games. But growing-up, Ryan hated running. He wanted nothing to do with it until one day, he felt compelled to run the 15-mile-trek around his neighborhood lake. 15 miles. In his first run…ever. Suffice to say, he was hooked.

Starting that day, Ryan felt a sense of God-given purpose in running. He knew he could, and would, race with the best runners in the world and that his talent would open doors to help others discover their own sense of purpose in life. Undergirded by those two beliefs, Ryan’s 20-year professional running career led him to the highest highs and through devastating failures. Throughout his journey, though, Ryan learned how to focus on his purpose and say no to distractions, to select and strive for the right goals–goals for the heart as well as the body.

Fueled by a sense of purpose as he trekked millions of miles in his career, Ryan discovered secrets to dealing with defeat and disappointment, enduring immense pain, building resilience, and ultimately, running as if you’ve already won. And that is exactly what you’re going to learn today.

Key Statements

• Who is speaking life into your life?
• Belief + Work = Results
• Keep the main thing the main thing.
• Surviving disappointment begins with embracing mystery and trust.
• An unoffendable life is a stable life.
• It’s difficult to be thankful and jealous at the same time.
• Sometimes, your greatest successes are just beneath your greatest failures.

Buy the Book

Ryan Hall is an Olympic athlete and American record holder in the half marathon (59:43). But as a kid, Ryan hated running. He wanted nothing to do with the sport until one day, he felt compelled to run the 15 miles around his neighborhood lake. He was hooked. Starting that day, Ryan felt a God-given purpose in running. He knew he could, and would, race with the best runners in the world and that his talent was a gift to serve others. These two truths launched Ryan’s 20-year athletic career and guided him through epic failures and exceptional breakthroughs to competing at the highest level.

Along the way, Ryan learned how to focus on his purpose and say no to distractions, to select and strive for the right goals–goals for the heart as well as the body. With God’s guidance and millions of miles pounded out on the track, Ryan discovered secrets to dealing with defeat and disappointment, enduring immense pain, building resilience, and ultimately, running as if you’ve already won. Now a coach, speaker, and nonprofit partner, Ryan shares the powerful faith behind his athletic achievements and the lessons he learned that helped him push past limits, make space for relationships that enrich life on and off the running trails, and cultivate a positive mindset.

Journey with Ryan as he reflects on the joys and trials of the running life and discover for yourself the power of a life devoted to your God-given purpose. Buy Run the Mile You’re In: Finding God in Every Step now.

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What Listeners Are Saying…

“So great to find a podcast that is both encouraging and challenging! It is professionally produced, yet still has an informal feel like I’m hanging out with Chris… And frankly, I’d love to hang out with him! I really appreciate his heart and have been able to apply many of his topics in my life to help me grow professionally, physically, and relationally. A+!”