Send us a text

The Pole Runner: A Veteran’s Marathon for Mental Wellness

In this episode of Do Hard Things, we sit down with Michael Pickings, a 42-year-old Navy veteran whose story is a powerful testament to resilience, mental toughness, and transformation. From excelling as a long-distance runner in high school to serving as an FMF corpsman in the Navy, Michael has lived a life defined by endurance, discipline, and the relentless pursuit of growth.

But Michael’s journey hasn’t been without its struggles. Battling bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and insomnia, he has faced some of life’s darkest moments. With the unwavering support of his wife, Sherconja, and their six children, Michael has fought to rebuild his life—turning to faith, exercise, and self-reflection as his anchors.

Through his experiences, he has become a mental health advocate, using his platform to inspire others to carry their burdens with courage. As the founder of Dragonz MMA, he has helped others push past their limits. More recently, he’s taken up pole running, a deeply symbolic practice where he physically carries the weight of his burdens, proving that no load is too heavy when approached with resilience.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• Michael’s journey from high school track star to Navy corpsman
• The mental health battles he has faced and how he overcame them
• How his wife and family played a critical role in his healing process
• The story behind pole running and its significance in his transformation
• His mission to inspire others through fitness, faith, and self-discipline

Connect with Michael Pickings:

• TikTok: @thepolerunner
• Facebook: #thepolerunner
• Facebook Reels: Michael Pickings
• YouTube: The Log Runner

Join the Movement:

If you found this episode inspiring, share it with someone who needs to hear Michael’s story. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow Do Hard Things for more powerful stories of resilience and mental toughness.

Join the Do Hard Things Nation Official Coaching Page:

Do Hard Things Nation

Join the Do Hard Things Nation Facebook Community:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/developgritdohardthings

Get Do Hard Things Swag/Join an Event/Get Running Coaching:
https://www.dohardthingsnation.com

#DoHardThings #ThePoleRunner #MentalToughness #Resilience #VeteranMindset

Welcome to the Do Hard Things Podcast with your host Jay Tiegs, Are you ready to amplify and improve your life? Then you are in the right place. On this podcast we have unfiltered conversation with inspiring people who take on challenges and share with us, the wisdom from their journey. We talk about how doing hard things adequately enable all of us to deal with life's struggles and challenges and ultimately improve the quality of our lives.

Join the Do Hard Things Nation Facebook Community:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/developgritdohardthings

Get Do Hard Things Swag/Join an Event/Get Running Coaching:
https://www.dohardthingsnation.com

Send us a text

In today’s episode, I’m sharing my 4 Winter Weather Running Tips to keep you motivated and moving:

1. Mindset is Key: Embrace the challenge and stay positive.
2. Warm-Up First: Start warm to avoid the shock of the cold.
3. Dress in Layers: Find what works and keep experimenting.
4. Have Fun: Forget pace—focus on effort and enjoy the beauty of winter.

What’s your go-to winter running tip?

If you found this helpful, rate the show on Spotify, subscribe on YouTube, and share it with a running buddy!

www.dohardthingsnation.com #dohardthings

Welcome to the Do Hard Things Podcast with your host Jay Tiegs, Are you ready to amplify and improve your life? Then you are in the right place. On this podcast we have unfiltered conversation with inspiring people who take on challenges and share with us, the wisdom from their journey. We talk about how doing hard things adequately enable all of us to deal with life's struggles and challenges and ultimately improve the quality of our lives.

Join the Do Hard Things Nation Facebook Community:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/developgritdohardthings

Get Do Hard Things Swag/Join an Event/Get Running Coaching:
https://www.dohardthingsnation.com

Send us a text

Learn strategies to stay safe in an unpredictable world with former high-threat environment protector Alan Earl. During our in-depth discussion, we equip you with the tools to enhance your situational awareness, adopt a criminal's mindset for self-protection, and navigate potential dangers with confidence. For runners, cyclists, and everyday individuals, we offer practical tactics and principles to avoid becoming an easy target, changing the way you move through the world with a vigilant yet calm approach.

From sharing tips on planning safe routes to strategies for evading threats, this episode is full of actionable tips. Listen closely as we dissect the importance of being proactive in the face of danger, emphasizing survival over victory when encountering violent situations. Our conversation provides a roadmap for runners and cyclists to maintain their passion for outdoor workouts while minimizing risks.

Alan Earl is in his 30th year in law enforcement and is currently serving as a Team Leader for the U.S. Army Military Police School, Protective Services Branch, where he has instructed since 2002. He is also the founder of Defensive Applications, LLC which has the mission of providing personal safety training to professionals and citizens from all walks of life. Mr. Earl believes the same tactics and principles used to protect our countries’ leaders can be implemented in our lives to make you and your family safer.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DefensiveApplications?mibextid=2JQ9oc

www.defensiveapplications.org

Welcome to the Do Hard Things Podcast with your host Jay Tiegs, Are you ready to amplify and improve your life? Then you are in the right place. On this podcast we have unfiltered conversation with inspiring people who take on challenges and share with us, the wisdom from their journey. We talk about how doing hard things adequately enable all of us to deal with life's struggles and challenges and ultimately improve the quality of our lives.

Join the Do Hard Things Nation Facebook Community:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/developgritdohardthings

Get Do Hard Things Swag/Join an Event/Get Running Coaching:
https://www.dohardthingsnation.com