Finding Ultra
Episodes about this book
7 episodesIf I Can, I Will: William Goodge On Running 50 Marathons In 50 States In 24 Days
William Goodge tells host Rich Roll that Finding Ultra was one of the first books he read about ultra running, alongside Dean Karnazes' book. He says it gave him early insight into how people who get into ultra running have often experienced trauma and use the sport as a vehicle to cope with it, and explains why he attached himself to the sport so deeply from the beginning.
From Drinking Every Morning to Running 340 Miles: Tommie Runz on Recovery, Running & Redemption
Guest Tommie Runz describes discovering Rich Roll's book during his early sobriety, while seeking information about veganism. He found it deeply resonant—Roll's recovery journey mirrored his own feelings and struggles, making him feel 'at home.' He credits the book, alongside the podcast, as pivotal in transforming his life from addiction to a thriving running and wellness practice.
The Addict Who Won The Bachelorette: Zac Clark On Getting Sober & Staying That Way
Zac Clark describes 'Finding Ultra' — which he repeatedly and erroneously calls 'Running Ultra' — as one of only two books he has read cover to cover multiple times. He explains it was given to him as a running book, not a recovery resource, and that discovering Rich Roll's sobriety within its pages was a revelation. Rich Roll corrects the title and notes he wrote it, reflecting that he hoped it might help someone get sober sooner. The discussion illustrates how the book reaches people outside the recovery context.
Michelle Khare Is The Tom Cruise Of YouTube: How Anxiety Became Her Superpower
Rich Roll mentions his own book Finding Ultra while making the case to Michelle Khare that books have unusual durability compared to video content. He notes he still receives daily messages about it fourteen years after writing it, contrasting that lasting reach with the ephemeral churn of online video, and uses this to encourage Khare to consider writing a book of her own when the time is right.
Episode 1,000: Rich & Julie Piatt Celebrate By Going Back To Where It All Began
Rich Roll reflects on the difficult post-publication period for Finding Ultra, describing a book tour where almost no one showed up—including a Barnes & Noble signing with just one person. He notes it was not a New York Times bestseller and did not 'light the world on fire,' but has become a perennial seller with lasting impact. Julie Piatt also references it, noting it continues to sell and that a reader moved by it eventually helped save the family financially.
What Happened To The Vegan Movement? Rich & Simon Hill On The Rise & Fall Of Plant-Based Eating
Rich Roll briefly promotes his own memoir, noting it contains roughly 50 pages in the appendices detailing how he has made plant-based eating work as an ultra-endurance athlete competing in double Ironmans and similar challenges.
Reclaim Your Excellence: The Path To A Meaningful & Joyous Life w/ Brad Stulberg
Brad Stulberg uses the book as an example of how pursuing athletic excellence is simultaneously a journey of self-discovery. Rich Roll also names it in the episode outro as one of his books.
January 2025
Compiled from Cal Newport’s Deep Questions. Books read, not necessarily recommendations.
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All summaries are AI generated based on the original transcript.