Embracing the Last Place Finish

Connect with Zachary Fenell:

Website: https://www.zacharyfenell.com/
Email: [e-mail]
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zacharyfenell/
Get Zach’s Books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B006M49S6A/allbooks

In this episode of The YLF Chats Podcast, I’m joined by my friend and longtime content collaborator, Zachary Fenell. You may know Zach as a blogger, author, and the self-proclaimed “cerebral palsy vigilante.” But today, we’re talking about something a little different—his experience as a marathoner.

This is a conversation about mindset, progress, and what it means to cross the finish line—especially when you're the last to do it. Zach shares the mental and emotional evolution he went through as someone who was never considered athletic growing up, to someone who has now finished multiple marathons, half marathons, 10Ks, and 5Ks.

We unpack the emotional rollercoaster of race day, what it means to own a last-place finish, and why showing up, doing the work, and embracing your pace is what truly matters. We also explore how living with cerebral palsy adds a unique perspective to endurance sports and how resilience is built not just through training, but through personal reflection.

If you're someone who’s ever questioned whether you're “fast enough” or “fit enough” to participate in a race or physical activity—this episode is for you.

Please share this episode with anyone you think would be interested in listening to it.

For comments, questions, topic ideas, or possible collaborations, please email [e-mail]