Archive - Winning The World's Toughest Ultra With Sally McRae (Badwater 135)

People run for all kinds of reasons – in many cases as a means of escape. That could have been the story for Sally McRae, Nick’s guest on this episode of The Bare Performance Podcast. Instead, this year’s winner of the Badwater 135 has used her life filled with challenges and losses to fuel her. At 42, she has built a phenomenal running career, competing in ultras around the globe while also building a family. But more than anything, she has taken from early life challenges wisdom that has sweetened her journey and inspired everyone who comes into her orbit.

This compelling conversation touches on fundamental ultra-training, strategy, nutrition, and lessons learned through various race experiences. But it’s the eloquent philosophical insights that will linger long after the podcast sign-off. With remarkable grace, Sally has found meaning in the inexplicable: a childhood marred by a chronically abusive father, a mother taken way too early by cancer, and what seemed like the loss of her dreams of competing as a professional athlete. Sally shares reflections on the upsides – as well as downsides – of strong survival skills. The protective walls that helped her endure a tough childhood might have suffocated her adulthood but because of her curious mind, open heart, and hunger to push herself to the limit, Sally came to understand some fundamental truths. For one, we are strongest at the broken places – and everyone has broken places. For another, feelings are our allies, even the toughest feelings in the midst of the most grueling race. Sally shares insights into how her training has shifted from emphasizing physical mechanics to developing psychological self-awareness and a positive mindset adaptable to all kinds of challenges (including diarrhea 14 miles into Badwater 135, known as “the world’s toughest ultra-race”).

Sally’s life story will leave everyone ready to work harder towards goals while understanding, deeply, that (to quote the songwriter Harry Chapin), “It’s got to be the going – not the getting there – that’s good.” In addition to an amazing amount of wisdom, you’ll also get the scoop on how Sally trains, nourishes herself, beats back heat, and trains for every outcome. It’s no surprise that she has prevailed in life as she did in the 135-mile Badwater Ultramarathon in 2021.

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Key Takeaways:

• (3:54): All about how Sally acquired her childhood nickname, “Sunshine.” It was given to her as a child by her mother, who proclaimed her as bright and shiny as the sun. Hence, Yellow Runner.
• (5:10): Nick and Sally share a central pain in the loss of their mothers to cancer, a grief that has driven them forward with urgency and a desire to do their best in life.
• (7:10): About the impactful role, Sally’s mother played, demonstrating grace and wisdom that provided a huge cushion. But Sally, the middle among five children, was the least liked by her physically and verbally abusive father. This set in motion many years during which Sally sought her father’s, unattainable love. She strived relentlessly, excelling at sports, holding down two jobs as a teenager, being a leader in all ways at school.
• (10:55): Sally’s mother left a deep imprint with her message that her children could do anything so long as they worked hard and went for big dreams.
• (12:50): At 15, under threat from her angry father, Sally realized that she could empower herself to stand up to him and