EPISODE · Feb 10, 2026 · 4 MIN
Ultra Tip Tuesday #8: The Chimp Paradox & Ultra Running: Your Mind’s Secret Race
from Trails, Tales, and Fails - An Ultra Running Podcast · host Max Stuart, Sarah Page, Rob Nugent
In ultra running, your brain isn’t just one voice — it’s two.🐒 The Chimp: Emotional, impulsive, scared of pain and discomfort. It wants to stop when things get tough.🧑💼 The Human: Logical, goal-focused, calm under pressure. It knows the long game and pushes through.The trick?Don’t fight your Chimp — work WITH it.✅ Acknowledge when your Chimp screams “Quit!”✅ Calm it down with positive self-talk and reminders of your why✅ Let your Human plan, pace, and focus on progress✅ Use your Chimp’s energy — channel fear and frustration into determinationUltras aren’t just physical — they’re a mental battle.Master your inner Chimp, and the miles become your playground.What’s your go-to way to calm your Chimp mid-run? Drop it below! 👇Support the show via Patroen and buy us a coffee.We’re proud to be supported by Protein Rebel — get 15% off with code TTF15 — and by Beta Outdoor Sports, where you can get 10% off BV Sports compression and apparel, plus 10% off Näak Nutrition products to fuel your adventures using TTF10.For coaching enquiries.Don’t forget to click here to join our Strava club to connect with fellow trail lovers and celebrate your own achievements.👉 Join our Trails, Tales, and Fails Facebook Community to continue the conversation and connect with fellow trail and ultra runners.If you enjoy the episode, please leave us a rating and share it with your running buddies.
What this episode covers
In ultra running, your brain isn’t just one voice — it’s two.🐒 The Chimp: Emotional, impulsive, scared of pain and discomfort. It wants to stop when things get tough.🧑💼 The Human: Logical, goal-focused, calm under pressure. It knows the long game and pushes through.The trick?Don’t fight your Chimp — work WITH it.✅ Acknowledge when your Chimp screams “Quit!”✅ Calm it down with positive self-talk and reminders of your why✅ Let your Human plan, pace, and focus on progress✅ Use your Chimp’s energy — channel fear and frustration into determinationUltras aren’t just physical — they’re a mental battle.Master your inner Chimp, and the miles become your playground.What’s your go-to way to calm your Chimp mid-run? Drop it below! 👇Support the show via Patroen and buy us a coffee.We’re proud to be supported by Protein Rebel — get 15% off with code TTF15 — and by Beta Outdoor Sports, where you can get 10% off BV Sports compression and apparel, plus 10% off Näak Nutrition products to fuel your adventures using TTF10.For coaching enquiries.Don’t forget to click here to join our Strava club to connect with fellow trail lovers and celebrate your own achievements.👉 Join our Trails, Tales, and Fails Facebook Community to continue the conversation and connect with fellow trail and ultra runners.If you enjoy the episode, please leave us a rating and share it with your running buddies.
NOW PLAYING
Ultra Tip Tuesday #8: The Chimp Paradox & Ultra Running: Your Mind’s Secret Race
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
Dec 5, 2025 ·50m
Oct 9, 2025 ·33m
Oct 3, 2025 ·40m
Sep 11, 2025 ·31m
Aug 27, 2025 ·39m
Aug 18, 2025 ·54m