Ep. 36: Embracing the Gray with Pro Trail Runner Hillary Allen

Hillary Allen is no stranger to adversity. Her story is one of remarkable resilience—coming back from a life-altering fall during a race that would have ended many careers. Instead, Hillary has bounced back, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with a spirit that refuses to be broken. As a motivational speaker, author of “Out and Back”, and seasoned athlete, Hillary’s experiences offer a powerful testimony to the strength of the human spirit.

Lessons in Mindfulness on the Trail

Known not just for her incredible endurance but also for her insightful reflections on mindfulness, balance, and the sheer joy of the journey, Hillary joined me on the podcast to share deep lessons that resonate far beyond the trail.

As I explore these themes with Hillary, it strikes me how dynamic both mindfulness and balance are, not only in high-performance sports but in everyday life. Seeking rigid stability in your performance domain or in life sets us up for disappointment - and Hillary’s perspective on ‘embracing the gray’ within her relationship to running really speaks to her capacity to accept and remain present - especially when the going has gotten tough.

These aren’t just buzzwords; they’re essential tools that help us navigate the complexities of our lives. Embracing mindfulness and balance as daily practices helps us infuse a sturdiness into our life that allows us manage stress and uncertainty, making us more adaptable and resilient.

Daily Practices for Dynamic Balance

1. Embrace Failure as a Stepping Stone: Hillary’s experience at the UTMB race, though it ended in a DNF, teaches us the importance of viewing failures as opportunities to learn and grow. Having a structured reflection practice that helps you see the opportunities within the defeats is critical to cultivating a balanced relationship to your craft.

2. Find Joy in the Process: It’s not just about the destination or the outcome. Hillary’s focus on enjoying her training and the fall season in Colorado reminds us to find pleasure in the daily grind and the small moments. This is one of the simplest ways to juice motivation and keep yourself engaged when things are challenging. Gratitude practice, especially as it relates to your performance discipline, can help you steep in the joy more consistently.

3. Incorporate Mindfulness into Your Routine: Whether it’s through running, journaling, or connecting with a community, being where your feet are and really anchoring yourself in the present moment will help you ride the ups and downs of a season and a career. Whether it’s a formal sitting practice or being embodied while on the trail, the more you arrive here and now the easier it becomes to do it again and again.

4. Lean on Your Community: The support system we build plays a crucial role in our resilience. For Hillary, staying connected with loved ones has been crucial, especially when facing challenges abroad. Setting a process goal of connecting with at least one person who supports you every day will keep you consistent regardless of how the rest of your life may be going.

5. Balance is Relative: Hillary talks about how different times call for different recipes of training and life. When preparing for a big race, the “balance” may be tipped towards a lot of training, and she still finds time to connect with family and refill her cup. During other moments, she may transition to biking or other forms of training to keep her fresh. Giving yourself permission to find balance over the course of weeks, months, or a year helps shift your perspective and opens up your capacity to find balance as your needs shift.

Finding Resilience at Home and in Sport

This episode with Hillary Allen is a treasure trove of wisdom for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of resilience, mindfulness, and the joy of living fully. Her journey is a profound reminder of the strength that comes from embracing life’s uncertainties and finding balance between being and doing. If you’re looking to enrich your mental toolkit and find inspiration to tackle your own challenges, this conversation is a must-listen. Dive into the full episode to discover how you can apply Hillary’s lessons to your own life, and perhaps find that your biggest setbacks could pave the way to your greatest victories.

Learn More

Hillary Allen Instagram | Website
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