Joe “Stringbean” McConaughy is an ultra marathon runner. Who would have thought that with only one ultra marathon event under his belt he’d be prepared break a world record in his next ultra event. But he did.

On August 31st, 2018, he destroyed the record for covering the 2,186-mile Appalachian Trail in just over 45-days. And he did it unsupported. Yep, with no help.

His story is one of the perseverance and fortitude, which is obviously required for a physically intense endurance race. But it’s also a great reminder of how the path towards realizing our deepest desires and goals never quite goes as planned.

Listening to his light hearted recounting of his epic accomplishment can only re-instill the sense of “I can” in all of us, one step at a time.

Listen: