Rich Roll – How To Live An Ultra Life

Rich Roll is an the American author, public speaker, plant-based nutrition advocate, and vegan ultra-endurance athlete, who Men’s Health named as one of the “25 Fittest Men in the World” .

He is a former entertainment attorney who transformed into a top finisher in the Ultraman, a 3-day / 320 mile, double-ironman distance triathlon, and later raced the EPIC5 – 5 Ironmans on 5 Hawaiian Islands in just about 5 days.

He is the host of his wildly popular Rich Roll Podcast, and his bestselling memoir Finding Ultra tells his inspirational story of addiction, redemption and optimal health.

Chapters:
00:00 Trailer.
03:49 Brian’s thoughts on the episode.
06:04 Brian’s introduction.
06:54 Shoreditch, London vibe and British engagement in ultra-running.
08:29 Rich’s early life and ultra-race challenge resonated with Brian, both of them friends of John Joseph.
12:30 Life for Rich aged 39.
23:48 What it was like to be in rehab.
26:51 What those close to an alcoholic should perhaps say to them.
30:40 How Rich made the tentative steps out of rehab to rebuild a new life and maintain it.
36:55 Those moments in time when, if we have enough awareness, hold the power to transform our lives.
41:04 The strategies Rich employed.
43:08 Embarking on a different detox and the resulting revelation.
45:44 Tribute to the crucial support of his wife and the profound relationship insight he has had.
51:26 How Rich initially deceived himself into thinking he was eating healthily.
57:43 Running and running, getting in a flow state, broadening his horizons.
1:01:02 Why, upon deciding to compete, he went straight into the ultra-challenges.
1:10:19 What training for this level of fitness and endurance teaches you about yourself.
1:13:12 What it was like participating in Ultraman 2008.
1:15:00 Ultraman 2009.
1:21:55 We all have these reservoirs of potential: Inspirational words from Rich.
1:22:55 Epic5 challenge gave Rich a different perspective on the human experience and capability in general
1:35:20 What it was like becoming the poster boy after writing Finding Ultra.
1:41:02 Having achieved so much, came years in the wilderness.
1:46 34 What was the guiding spirit that kept him going.
1:48:56 Why Rich decided to stop competing regularly and how his new concern proved more challenging.
1:52:51 What he is doing now and how it might develop.
1:54:57 How his podcast has changed him.
1:57:13 A plant-based diet and the vegan movement: his approach to being part of it.
2:03:48 Rich is wary of using plant-based medicines himself.
2:07:22 What scares Rich.
2:08:31 Worst and best day of his life.
2:11:43 What keeps him awake at night.
2:13:58 Phone call to the 20-year old Rich.
2:16:00 Success secrets.
2:16:56 Advice to the young person watching, who is addicted to something and they don’t know what to do.
2:20:50 Brian’s summing up.

Notes:
Rich Roll website
Rich Roll on YouTube
Rich Roll Podcast
Rich Roll on Facebook
Rich Roll on Instagram

Books:
Finding Ultra
The Plantpower Way

Topics discussed:
Ultraman (endurance challenge)
Challenge Roth
Meat is for Pussies
Leaving Las Vegas
The Engine 2 Diet
The Thrive Diet
Ironman Triathlon
Hawaii
“Madam Pele” (deity)
Epic5 Challenge
The Game Changers (documentary)

People mentioned in this episode:
The Brownlee brothers (Alister Brownlee | Jonny Brownlee)
Tim Don
John Joseph (rock singer)
Sean Penn
Rip Esselstyn
Brendan Brazier
David Goggins
Jason P Lester
Scott Jurek
Michael Pollan