He Ran Across America — On Plants

The Rich Roll Podcast

Rich Roll

Health & Fitness, Education, Self-improvement, Society & Culture

4.8 • 12.9K Ratings

🗓️ 18 November 2019

⏱️ 124 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Imagine running an ultramarathon. It’s a huge undertaking for anyone. And a bucket list dream for many. Now imagine running an ultramarathon every day. A minimum of 40 miles, 75 days in a row. Starting in Los Angeles. Finishing in New York. A 3,200 mile transcontinental run. This is the story of Robbie Balenger. Just 6 years ago, Robbie laced up his first pair of running shoes to alleviate the stress he was experiencing managing a restaurant. A small act, that first run set in motion a chain of events that led to a passion for running long distances, followed by a purpose-driven mission promote a message — the power of a plant-based diet to fuel athletic performance. Prevent and reverse certain lifestyle maladies. Ameliorate suffering. And redress climate change. What Robbie didn't expect? The many extraordinary ways running creates community. Unites people across the economic divide. And bridges the political differences that drive us apart. I was unfamiliar with Robbie until an e-mail hit my inbox courtesy of my friend and former podcast guest, Olympic cyclist Dotsie Bausch (RRP 355). Her non-profit Switch4Good was sponsoring Robbie's attempt to cross the United States by foot. Would I be interested in helping to support their efforts? I jumped at the opportunity. On March 16, I showed up at dawn in Huntington Beach to meet Robbie for the first time and help kick off his momentous attempt. Running the first several miles alongside Robbie and a small crew of supporters, I immediately took to his earnest yet humble disposition. His passion for promoting the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle. And his determination to reach New York a mere 75 days later. We struck up a friendship that day. I kept keen tabs on his progress over the following months. And made him a promise: Finish the run and you earn a seat at the podcast table. All heart, he indeed finished it. Today I honor that promise. And it’s a great story, well told. You can watch it all go down on YouTube. I sincerely hope you enjoy the exchange as much as I relished having it. Peace + Plants, Rich Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	I think it all came down to like, I desperately wanted this.
0:05.2	I wanted it for a lot of reasons.
0:06.9	I wanted it one for the outreach for the advocacy.
0:10.4	It meant a lot to me to start being a force for positive change.
0:15.9	And two, I was lost.
0:17.6	I'd come out of 15 years more in the restaurant industry and it didn't feel like I wanted to
0:22.6	do that anymore.
0:24.7	I knew whatever I did next.
0:26.0	I wanted it to be something that fed my soul.
0:29.8	And moving my body does.
0:31.6	And pushing the limits of what I can do physically.
0:34.4	So I just kept doubling down that this is what I had to do.
0:37.6	I had to get this together and a lot of it was just faith that it would come together.
0:43.2	And again, going back to that mantra that my mom instilled in me.
0:46.8	You can do anything you set your mind to.
0:48.5	And I think that's something important for people to understand is just because something
0:52.3	tard in the beginning doesn't mean it's always going to be.
0:55.4	It's amazing what we're capable of.
0:57.0	And I think a lot of what you have to do is not get overwhelmed by the larger task
1:00.8	of hand, whatever it is.
1:02.5	And to start chopping away, little by little, at whatever you're trying to achieve, nobody
1:08.0	gets to something huge overnight.
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Rich Roll, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Rich Roll and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.