What’s the hardest part of running a marathon? Most people assume it’s mile 26. But in this episode, we explore a surprising truth: for most people, the real “pain cave” is mile one.

As I train for my first marathon, I’ve started to realize that the biggest challenge isn’t running long distances—it’s getting started in the first place. When you’re new to running, every step feels hard. Your lungs burn, your legs feel heavy, and your brain keeps asking why you’re doing this at all. But if you stay consistent long enough, something changes. Eventually, your body settles in, your mind quiets down, and running starts to feel less like punishment and more like momentum.

This episode dives into the lessons that come from pushing past that first mile—lessons about persistence, mindset, and why trying something “a little crazy” might be one o ...