When Motivation Dips: What an Extreme Marathon Teaches Us About Showing Up
I've noticed lately—among my movement coaching clients and myself—a dip in motivation. It's getting colder, darker, and more rainy. We're all a bit more reluctant to go out and battle the elements.
If you're feeling this too, you're not alone. As autumn settles in and we lose daylight, it's completely normal for that summer energy to fade. But here's the good news: sometimes all we need is a bit of inspiration to remind us what's possible.
The Barkley Marathon: One of the World's Most Brutal Races
Let me tell you about Jasmin Paris, a British ultra-runner who just made history by becoming the first woman ever to complete the Barkley Marathon.
If you're not familiar with the Barkley, here's what makes it legendary: it's a 100-mile race through the mountains of Tennessee with roughly 60,000 feet of elevation gain (that's like climbing Mount Everest twice). Runners have 60 hours to complete five loops of unmarked trails through brutal terrain. There's no aid stations, no course markers, and most years, nobody finishes at all.
Jasmin Paris didn't just finish—she did it while battling exhaustion, hallucinations, and every reason to quit. She's also a mother and a veterinarian. In other words, she's a real person with a full life, not some superhuman athlete from another planet.
What This Has to Do With Your Daily Movement
You might be thinking, "That's impressive, but I'm not running 100 miles through the mountains."
Fair enough. But here's what Jasmin's story teaches us: she didn't think about all 100 miles at once. She focused on reaching the next checkpoint, then the next one after that. When it got hard (and it got brutally hard), she didn't need to feel motivated—she just needed to keep moving forward.
That's exactly what you need right now as the weather gets worse and motivation dips.
You don't need to feel like going for a walk. You don't need to be excited about your workout. You just need to show up and do the next small thing.
Three Ways to Keep Moving When Motivation Disappears
1. Lower the bar. Instead of your usual 30-minute workout, commit to 10 minutes. A short walk beats sitting on the couch every single time.
2. Decide the night before. Don't leave it up to "morning you" to make the decision. Lay out your clothes, set your alarm, and make it automatic.
3. Reframe the weather. Cold and dark isn't an obstacle—it's an adventure. Humans are built to move in all conditions. Dress appropriately and embrace it.
Move and Explore: Give It a Go!
This weekend, watch the documentary about Jasmin Paris and the Barkley Marathon. Even if you're not into running, it's beautifully filmed and genuinely compelling. Let her story remind you what's possible when you commit.
Then get out there and move even if it's just a 10 minute walk around the block. Cold and dark? Dress for it and embrace the adventure. Rain? You won't melt.
You don't need perfect conditions. You don't need peak motivation. You just need to give it a go.
Start small. Show up. Explore what your body can do.
Watch the doc, then let me know what you think I'd love to hear what resonated with you.
Now get moving!
Mike | The Movement Coach
