What would make someone run two marathons a day for 111 days straight across the Sahara Desert?

For Charlie Engle, it wasn't about medals or headlines—it was about survival, transformation, and purpose.

In this raw and powerful episode of The Purpose Matrix, Phil sits down with Charlie Engle—ultramarathon runner, recovering addict, author of Running Man, and one of the most resilient humans alive. From the depths of crack addiction and federal prison to becoming one of the world’s top endurance athletes, Charlie’s story is a gripping masterclass in doing hard things on purpose.

Charlie reveals how fear became his greatest motivator, how recovery taught him presence, and why doing hard things—on your own terms—is the only real training for life. He shares the full story behind running across the Sahara Desert, his upcoming expedition from the Dead Sea to Mount Everest, and the mindset shifts that helped him become not just a survivor—but a purposeful force.

Whether you're battling addiction, striving for a big goal, or just trying to parent better—this episode is a must-listen on authenticity, self-awareness, and how to keep moving forward.

0:00 Intro

1:23 Who Is Charlie Engle?

4:00 Learning Presence Through Pain

5:53 From Addiction to Endurance

10:06 The Rock Bottom Moment That Changed Everything

13:20 Fear, Identity, and Outcome Obsession

18:03 Self-Awareness as a Lifelong Practice

20:08 Authenticity and Purpose

28:35 Running Across the Sahara Desert

33:11 The Hardest Day and Mental Shift

36:58 Is It Physical or Mental?

39:07 The Dead Sea to Everest Expedition

42:20 Why Purpose Evolves Over Time

46:33 Training Your Recovery, Not Just Your Body

49:49 Final Reflections on Purpose

Resources Mentioned:

📚 Running Man by Charlie Engle🌐 CharlieEngle.com – https://www.charlieengle.com

📖 Unlimited Life / Dave Asprey – https://www.daveasprey.com📘 "Good to Great" by Jim Collins

Follow on social @PhilOnPurpose https://www.instagram.com/philonpurpose https://www.facebook.com/philonpurpose