S4 Ep14 What Happens When You Stop Believing Your Limits with Suzan Brydon

Send us Fan MailShe couldn’t make it through school PE without breaking out in hives, never saw adults “work out” where she grew up, and didn’t run a single 5K until age 42, yet Suzan Brydon now stacks ultras like most of us stack errands. Our conversation traces the real turning points: rural southern Illinois roots, a lifetime of allergies and autoimmune challenges, and the moment her husband, in the middle of cancer treatment, calmly declared he’d run a half marathon. That kind of future-focused grit became the spark Suzan needed to try Couch to 5K and prove that “I’m not athletic” was just an old story. We get specific about what actually helped: structure, medical oversight, dietary changes, and the willingness to be uncomfortable without panicking. Suzan shares how community and fun kept her going, from her first Mo Cowbell half marathon to the pure joy of Disney races. Then the distances grow: marathons, 50Ks, 50 milers, and a bigger mission to run an ultra in all 50 states, with her husband now deep in the ultra world too. She also recaps Denali 135 in Alaska and what it’s like to feel supported when your crew leapfrogs you mile after mile through stunning, isolated scenery. The heart of the episode is purpose-driven endurance. Suzan breaks down her Cigna community ambassador fellowship that powered a 2,000-mile American Discovery Trail run across the Midwest for Girls on the Run, including rural health research and constant community talks. We talk nutrition for ultrarunners, the reality of “trails” that include highways and bushwhacking, safety concerns like dogs, and why giving back publicly can become the mental edge that keeps you finishing. If you’ve ever wondered whether you could do something that sounds impossible, this will nudge you to get curious and take the first step. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a spark, and leave a five-star review so more runners can find stories like Suzan’s. coaching highlights You can reach out to us at:https://coffeycrewcoaching.comemail: [email protected] FB @ Over the Next Hill Fitness GroupIG  @coffeycrewcoaching.comand Buy Me a Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/Carlauhttps://hydra-patch.com/discount/OTNH20https://hydra-patch.com/discount/OTNHBOGO?redirect=%2Fproducts%2Fhydrapatch%C2%AE https://rnwy.life code: OTNH15 https://jambar.com code: CARLA20