What do you do when life keeps telling you “no”?

For Parker Stinnett, the answer is simple: find another way forward.

In this episode of The One More Hour Podcast, Parker shares his unconventional path, from being a backup college football kicker, to failing out of BUD/S prep, to becoming an officer in the Navy flying both helicopters and the Osprey, and how that same mindset carried him into ultrarunning.

In just two years, Parker has gone from his first brutal 50K to winning his first backyard ultra. What makes his story stand out isn’t just the results, but how he approaches challenge, discomfort, and failure.

We dive into:

• Why “no” is never the final answer
• How he mentally navigates pain and adversity
• Lessons learned from backyard ultras and long-distance racing
• The role of perspective in building resilience
• Why signing up might be the hardest and most important step

If you’ve ever doubted yourself, felt behind, or wondered what you’re capable of… this episode will challenge the way you think about limits.

Key takeaways:

• No is just information, not a verdict
• You don't need to feel ready, you just need to start
• Pain is something you can interpret, not just endure
• Perspective changes everything
• There's no substitute for lived experience
• Consistency beats perfection
• You're either growing or getting complacent

Follow Parker on Instagram @gonegumpin

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them)

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website