He Turned Pain Into Purpose (And Ran 200 Miles Doing It)- Don Knotts

Don Tyler Knotts (@chefdonknotts) is not just an ultra runner—he’s a father, Army veteran, wildland firefighter, chef, and sober life coach who has lived multiple lives and come out stronger on the other side. In this episode, we dive deep into Don’s journey through sobriety, faith, and endurance. From completing the Swammie Shuffle 200 to rebuilding after injury, Don shares how the trails became his church and how running helped him confront his biggest enemy—himself. We talk about hallucinations deep into ultras, fueling with sandwiches and soup, the power of prayer on the trail, and the mission behind Swammie Shuffle and Awareness N Action. This one goes beyond running—it’s about purpose, redemption, and becoming better every single day.Awareness n Action (Veteran Suicide Prevention)Alethia SensorOstrich Running StoreIG: @chefdonknotts