The Mental Miles to Leadville 100

My journey to the Leadville Trail 100 is about far more than running 100 miles.

Transitioning from bodybuilding to endurance, running has been one of the most challenging and eye-opening experiences of my life. Both sports demand discipline and mental strength, but running has taught me something incredibly simple that has begun to shape the way I approach life: put one foot in front of the other.

That idea extends far beyond the trail. Over the years, I’ve had to navigate uncertainty, adapt to change, find my direction, and work through my own mental battles. Running has reminded me that we don’t have to have everything figured out at once. Sometimes progress is simply taking the next step—step by step, day by day.

That is why Leadville is bigger than me.

The Leadville Trail 100 is one of the most legendary ultramarathons in the world: 100 miles through the Colorado Rockies, climbing and descending roughly 15,000+ feet, with much of the race taking place above 10,000 feet in elevation and reaching nearly 12,600 feet at Hope Pass. It is designed to test the limits of both the body and mind.

I’m taking it on to show what can happen when we are willing to chase something that scares us, step into the unknown, and attempt the things we might think are impossible. I’m running for those fighting battles that cannot always be seen: those facing mental-health challenges, and for those who may not have the opportunity to move their bodies every day.

Through my Leadville fundraising, I’m supporting the Leadville community and the work that helps create opportunities for the people who call it home. I have until December to reach my fundraising goal, and every donation is another step toward something much larger than a finish line.

Thank you so much for your support.