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Trail Runner Nation

EP 706: Running Through Adversity to Find Joy

Trail Runner Nation

Trail Runner Nation

Ultramarathon, Fitness, Running, Community, Health & Fitness, Trail, Endurance, Trails, Sports

4.51.2K Ratings

🗓️ 5 December 2024

⏱️ 59 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Sometimes, life's greatest challenges lead to its most meaningful moments and change our lives. Dion Leonard joins The Nation to tell one of his stories that might motivate you to embrace resilience, foster kindness, and value the connections that make life extraordinary.

Ultra-runner and author Dion Leonard shares his journey through his remarkable transformation from an overweight, heavy-drinking smoker to a decorated endurance athlete. Dion shares the pivotal moments that defined his path, including a half-marathon bet that set him on the road to health and his life-changing encounter with a stray dog named Gobi during the Gobi Desert ultramarathon.

Dion reflects on the themes of resilience, personal growth, and the impact of kindness—lessons that extend far beyond the trails.

Check out his New York Timse best-selling book, Finding Gobi: A LIttle Dog with a Very Big Heart. 

Learn more about Dion Leonard HERE

Episode Sponsors:

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

But what if she's got rabies? What if she bites my armor? And I'm looking at it and I see

0:05.9

myself in the dog. Here we are. These two little souls coming together. I'm like, wow,

0:12.4

maybe I was meant to go back and pick this dog up after all. Welcome to the Trailhead of Trailrunnation.

0:30.0

We go on virtual trail runs with all of you that have tapped into this podcast.

0:35.7

We're going to talk about things that help us become better runners, healthier human

0:39.6

beings, and maybe just kinder human beings. And today we're gonna hear a story that will allow us all

0:48.1

to be a little bit kinder.

0:50.2

This is probably one of my favorite stories Scott

0:52.8

and it's on this show.

0:55.3

Scott, one of us needs to get a different color print

0:58.6

on our Zeppler Runner Windshell by John G.

1:02.7

We both often meet at the trailhead

1:04.5

and we have like we did on Saturday

1:05.8

We're in the exact same wind flower mountain print. Yeah, it looks good

1:10.7

But people notice when we're matching Scott and it's a noticeable print and neither of us wants to change because it's such a great piece of gear

1:18.7

It weighs absolutely nothing packs down for easy carrying if the day gets warmer and it just cuts down on that early morning crispy coldness.

1:30.0

And John G currently has four different colors

1:32.0

and a couple cool prints including the Vaseline's print.

1:35.0

Maybe I should get that one Scott.

1:36.5

I've got to do something to separate myself.

1:39.2

John G offers free shipping for purchases over $100

1:43.3

and they also have free 60 day exchanges. So layer up,

...

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