Advice from a World Record Holder

I recently listened to a podcast with the “Iron Cowboy” James Lawrence.  He holds the world’s record for many things related to triathlon, most notably doing 50 Ironman Triathlons in 50 states in 50 days!


For those of you who aren’t tri junkies, it means that he swam 2.4 miles, biked 112 miles, and ran a marathon EVERY day for 50 days…. 


😮😮😮😮😮 RIGHT?!



I’ve actually listened to the podcast TWICE now, and the 2nd time I was furiously taking notes on my phone as fast as I could.


I figured: this guy is doing a LOT of things right…. There’s probably a few lessons I can learn from him to fuel my own success in triathlon, business, and life.


Boy was I right.


I want to share a few of the takeaways because they’re just too powerful to keep to myself:

• “People say they don’t have time for ______. And I say to them, no, you just don’t know what the definition of prioritizing and sacrifice is.”

This guy isn’t a single dude who’s 24 years old with nothing better to do than train for insane competition.  He has a wife and 5 (yes FIVE) kids…. He runs a coaching business, he has spoken in something like 68 countries over the past 4 years…. In other words, this dude is BUSY!  BUT- he still makes breakfast for his kids every single morning that he is in town.
To me, that is a huge deal… especially because we ALL use the “well, I don’t have time” excuse from time to time.  He called us all out on our bullshit… we need to prioritize better.

• Tolerating monotony is an underrated superpower.  In order to be great, you’ve got to be an expert at the basics.

So often we look for a new and “sexy” thing to help us reach our goals.  The latest fad workout, a new fitness tool or piece of equipment, a supplement, etc….. And the answer is always the same: it never delivers long-lasting results.  And that is simply what James reminds us of here… that the brilliance truly is in the basics. We MUST master the basic skills of training regularly for optimal movement patterns, moving our bodies, making healthy nutrition choices, working to stay balanced in our mindset and stress, sleeping enough, etc.  None of these are sexy...and they don’t provide immediate gratification, but they are the basics that we MUST master in order to move onto more interesting and sexy things.

• The man who holds the Guinness Book of World Records for the most amount of Ironman triathlons completed was once beat by a few stroller-striding moms having a full conversation in a 5k race.  

This is a 100% true story.  James struggled through a 5k race and was passed by a few moms pushing strollers, having a full-on conversation.  And now look at him. This is proof that he’s not genetically gifted, or “special”... it is proof that HARD WORK WORKS!  He has busted his A$$ for years to become better at his craft, improve, beat the best, and he continues to set world records. 



What powerful information from an incredibly inspiring man.  I hope that you feel fired up to carve your own path (with some help!) and author your own success, no matter where you are right at this moment.  James is proof positive that it can happen for anyone who wants it badly enough.
If you are inspired to take the 1st step in your journey, I'd love to help. Simply contact me atmichelle@lucky13fitness.com to set up a complimentary consultation call. 

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