The Rich Roll Podcast The King of Moab: Ultrarunner Max Jolliffe On Winning Moab 240, Recovery From Heroin Addiction & Why Suffering Is His Greatest Teacher
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Apr 6, 2026 
Max Jolliffe, ultrarunner, storyteller, and Moab 240 record holder, shares his unlikely path from heroin addiction to elite endurance racing. He talks about a family legacy of addiction, the injury that led to opioids, and the jail cell that changed everything. The conversation also dives into why ultrarunning attracts obsessive minds, how recovery shaped his racing, and what makes Moab 240 such a wild test.
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Why Recovery and Ultrarunning Often Converge
- Rich Roll frames addicts as seekers who still crave connection, safety, and aliveness after substances are removed.
- Ultra running offers both ego reward and a sanctioned descent into suffering, which mirrors what many addicts unconsciously chase.
Jail Became The Opening For Sobriety
- Max Jolliffe says pain, overdoses, arrests, and failed probation tests finally beat him into willingness.
- A 90-day jail violation in 2012 physically detoxed him, and AA gave him structure, mentors, and a way to live.
Broken Ankles Led Him Into Running
- Max Jolliffe discovered running only after broken ankles, cigarettes, and getting badly out of shape while working at Hurley.
- The stair climber led to treadmill runs, then outdoor miles, a 2019 marathon, and a surprise 50-mile win.