The Paradox of Excellence

In this highlight from the Running Explained Podcast, NYT Bestselling author and performance coach Brad Stulberg breaks down the paradox of excellence: how the pursuit of greatness can both harden and soften you at the same time. Brad explains why true excellence is not perfectionism, obsession, or performative hustle. Instead, it is about caring deeply about something that aligns with your values and showing up consistently for the work. As runners, we learn to sit with discomfort, push our limits, and build resilience. But in that process, we also develop humility, empathy, and perspective. If you are chasing a PR, building your business, or striving to become a better version of yourself, this conversation will challenge how you define success and mental toughness. Watch the full episode on the channel for more on sustainable excellence, mindset, and high performance. Subscribe for more conversations on running, mindset, performance psychology, and sustainable success. -- 🚨 TRAINING PLANS THAT ACTUALLY TRAIN YOU 🚨 ㅤ If you're chasing a big goal, whether it's your first race, next PR, or anything in between, you don’t need 1:1 coaching to train like a coach wrote your plan. Now you can follow the same strategy our coaching clients use, just in a self-guided format! ㅤ Running Explained Training Plans include: ㅤ ✅ Clear daily structure & run-by-run guidance ✅ Built-in recovery and rest (because that’s part of the plan too) ✅ Fueling & hydration tips so you’re not guessing ✅ Post-race recovery schedule ✅ Choose what works for YOU: mileage, kilometers, or time-based versions (all included!!!) ㅤ 💡 Not sure which plan to choose? There’s a quiz on the website to help you find your perfect match.