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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

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#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.

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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:
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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:
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After slogging through the long, cold months of winter, there’s this collective itch we all start to feel – an itch for change, for warmth, and for shedding the old to make way for the new. And what better time to "spring clean" our running routines than now?

It’s not just about getting back out there in shorts and soaking up the sun (though let’s be honest, that’s a pretty fantastic part of it). It’s about taking a moment to pause, reflect, and redirect our energies where they’re most needed. Whether you’re gearing up for the spring race season or simply looking to inject some new life into your runs, now is the perfect time to reset and refocus.

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:
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Ever wondered how to maintain your fitness mojo when you're crisscrossing time zones or stuck in a hotel room? Angie and Jay pull back the curtain on keeping your workout routine on point, no matter where your travels take you. We kick off with a candid reflection on our own fitness journeys.

Plus, we highlight the undeniable link between fitness, self-care, and self-esteem, illustrating why investing in your well-being is the ultimate power move for your body and mind. Tune in and transform travel downtime into a fitness upswing with us as your guides.

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:
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In this inspiring episode of the "Do Hard Things" podcast, Jay and Angi talk about the importance of mindset, from the starting line of race day to the continuous path of everyday life, exploring the transformative power of endurance. Drawing from the rich terrain of endurance sports, Jay and Angi reveal how the principles that lead to athletic success—such as embracing a growth mindset, the art of visualization, strategic goal setting, and the resilience to bounce back—are invaluable tools for navigating the marathon of daily existence.

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:
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When Kairi Saraya walked into our studio, a wave of stories untold and life experiences unbeknownst to many came with her. As a former Air Force veteran turned advocate, Kairi's tale isn't just about service to the country, but also about the courage in serving her true self. Today's heartfelt discussion unveils the complex fabric of the transgender community, with Kairi guiding us through her personal odyssey towards acceptance. We uncover the nuances of gender identity, the societal hurdles, and the internal battles faced during such a profound transformation. Embracing one's truth can be a tumultuous path, yet here, Kairi exemplifies resilience and the power of living an authentic life.

Parenting is no small feat, and it takes on an added dimension of complexity when intertwined with mental health challenges and a transitioning parent. Kairi opens up about retaining the essence of fatherhood through her transition, striking a delicate balance that maintains family bonds and respect for everyone's role within the familial unit. As we traverse the alarming intersection of suicide rates among veterans and transgender individuals, we confront the dire need for emotional literacy. Together, we stand firm in our mission to dismantle misconceptions and advocate for support systems that recognize the individual stories and struggles, emphasizing the vital importance of connection and support.

The conversation then extends beyond the personal and into the societal, examining the strides in military inclusivity and the role of performance rather than identity. Kairi's initiative within the gaming community showcases the therapeutic potential of virtual worlds as sanctuaries for veterans seeking camaraderie and understanding. Our episode is a testament to the strength found in shared experiences and the unity of purpose within these communities. As we navigate the topics of sports, gaming, and the importance of emotional literacy, we celebrate the collective journey of growth and understanding, honoring the diverse paths that lead us to become the best versions of ourselves. Join us in this episode for an enriching exploration of life's complexities and the beautiful spectrum of human identity.

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:
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Get Do Hard Things Swag/Join an Event/Get Running Coaching:
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Ever hit that wall where your legs feel like lead and your motivation is as fleeting as a mirage? Angi and I certainly have, and we're here to take you on a journey between pushing our limits and crashing into the unwelcome arms of overtraining. Angie\ opens up about her grueling encounter with shin splints during a Ragnar race prep, painting a vivid picture of the consequences when our mental tenacity outpaces our physical readiness. Together, we unpack the necessity of tuning into our body's whispers before they turn into screams, and how to spot the red flags that signal it's time to ease off the gas pedal.

Imagine having a personal coach strapped to your wrist, quietly nudging you when to push harder or when to take a step back. That's the beauty of what gadgets like Garmin and Whoop straps offer, and we get into the nitty-gritty of how these tech pieces can be game-changers in managing training loads. But it's not all about the tech; we also stress the value of human insight. A good coach's perspective can be the difference between peaking and peaking too soon. And who knew that bursts of high-intensity intervals could be your secret weapon for improved race times while giving your body the breather it needs? We dissect the strategies for ensuring your recovery is as strategic as your training, keeping you on the track, road, or trail and out of the injury clinic.

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