S2 Episode 10 - Reframing The Marathon Of Life With Belief

In Episode 10 of Season 2, Natalie & Chelsea sit down with their guest, Rick Muhr, a 32- time Marathoner, professional running coach, mindset mentor, philanthropist, cancer survivor, and advocate. During this conversation Rick shares his insights on how adopting a growth mindset can transform challenges into opportunities for personal development and collective impact. 

Show Notes:

Hosts:  

- Natalie M.

- Chelsea M.

Timestamps:

**00:00** - Introduction 

**00:31** - Guest Intro 

**01:32** - Beginning of Episode 

**02:55** - Rick tells us about his early years and how he developed a connection to running. 

**11:51** - Rick details his mother’s cancer diagnosis, what a pivotal moment this was for him, and how it shaped the rest of his life. 

**18:00** - Rick tells us how he became a charity runner and later a coach for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society of America.

**23:10** - Rick tells us what it was like to carry the Olympic Torch in 2004.

**30:18** - Natalie asks Rick to tell us about starting the Marathon Coalition. 

**42:29** - Break 

**43:35** - Natalie asks Rick to tell us about the day his life changed.

**1:01:14** - Chelsea asks Rick that if it were not for the bike accident, would Rick’s journey with cancer have been different

**1:02:36** - Rick discusses how the worst part about his accident isn’t the accident itself but rather, it was what happened after. 

**1:19:39** - Rick tells us about how he revels in the “odds being stacked against him” and gives a story to detail his tenacity. 

**1:33:15** - Chelsea asks Rick if there is a word that he would use to capture his journey or a word that enabled him to navigate all of the challenges that he’s encountered and overcome. 

**1:33:56** - Closing

**1:35:06** - End of Episode

**1:35:22** - Stay Tuned

**1:36:00** - Outro

***Please note: any reference made to Tuft’s in this recording should have been made to the  Leukemia Lymphoma Society of America.

Key Takeaways:

1. “Fixed Mindset”: Belief that abilities, talents, and traits are fixed or inherent and cannot be significantly changed.

Example: Avoiding challenges for fear of failure.

2. “Growth Mindset”: Belief that abilities, talents, and traits can be developed and improved through effort and learning.

 Example: Embracing challenges as opportunities to grow.

3. **Tips for Cultivating a Growth Mindset**

Self-Awareness

- Identify Your Fixed Mindset Triggers: Recognize the situations that trigger a fixed mindset (e.g., challenges, setbacks, or criticism).

- Reflect: Make it a habit to reflect on your thoughts and feelings regularly, identifying instances where a fixed mindset held you back.

Change Your Language

- Switch Your Language: Instead of saying “I can’t do this” or “I’ll never . . .,” say “I can’t do this yet,” or “I am moving towards . . . .”

- Embrace Constructive Feedback:  When you or others fail, #failforward by focusing on what can be learned from the experience.

Reframe Challenges and Setbacks

- Stretch Goals:  Set an objective that pushes you out of your comfort zone.

- Reframe Failures: View setbacks as opportunities for growth, not as a validation of an inability or shortcoming.

Embrace Feedback and Prioritize Learning Over Validation

- Constructive Criticism:  Actively seek out feedback that helps you improve or refine your skills.

- Encourage Open Dialogue: Create an environment or cultivate relationships where open and constructive feedback is welcomed and regular.

- Value the Process: Prioritize learning and improving over success or perfection.

- Focus on Yourself: Prioritize yourself, focus on your personal development, and celebrate your achievements.  Avoid seeking approval or v