The Running Explained Podcast Caring is Cool - A Discussion of Excellence with Author Brad Stulberg
Feb 26, 2026
Brad Stulberg, New York Times bestselling author and performance coach focused on human flourishing, describes caring deeply as central to sustainable excellence. He talks about choosing values-aligned goals, embracing discomfort, building supportive communities, the humble badass paradox, and rethinking balance through seasons of life.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Choose Goals That Match Your Values
- Care deeply about pursuits that align with your personal values to practice excellence.
- Brad defines excellence as involved engagement plus value alignment, not perfectionism or obsession.
Start With Daily Values Then Pick The Goal
- Pick goals by deciding how you want to spend daily time, not by chasing shiny mountaintops.
- Example: If you value speed, train for a mile; if you value muscular endurance, choose a half marathon instead of an ultra.
Not Caring Is Often Protective Self-Handicapping
- Nonchalance often masks fear of failure and self-handicapping.
- Brad explains people pretend not to care to avoid vulnerability, but that prevents deep growth and numbs meaningful experiences.
