Running from the Dead Sea to Everest: Why Charlie Engle Does Hard Things on Purpose

Dr. S continues a conversation with ultra-runner Charlie Engel about addiction as part of human evolution, the loss of identity and belonging that can come with quitting substances, and the need to develop skills for grief, transition, and loneliness rather than numbing out. Engel describes getting sober on July 23, 1992 by committing to an AA meeting and a run every day, taking sobriety one day at a time, and how this helped him become a father and husband, though he later divorced amicably. He explains how endurance running taught him to avoid catastrophizing, focus on the next “aid station,” and make clear-headed decisions rather than quitting in emotional moments. Engel recounts running across the Sahara for 111 consecutive days at two marathons per day, learning to detach from outcomes, and he previews a planned expedition from the Dead Sea to Mount Everest as a metaphor for life’s peaks and valleys, emphasizing integration over constant self-help consumption and prioritizing basic movement like walking for longevity.00:00 Welcome Back Part Two01:13 Beyond Shame and Numbing02:27 Identity After Quitting05:48 Meetings and Running Daily09:57 Running as Mind Training16:21 Ultra Performance Questions19:12 Sahara Run and Mindset22:16 Travel Trust and Humanity27:15 Everest Metaphor Peaks Valleys33:25 Integration Over Consumption36:09 Longevity Basics and Walking37:44 Closing Reflections ThanksConnect with Dr Safia DebarDr Safia DebarSpeaker / Coach | Medical Doctor | Breathwork Facilitator One of Tatler's "Top 21 private doctors in Britain" [email protected]: @drsafiadebarTiktok: drsafiadebarFind our free resources here: www.drsafiadebar.com/resource