What an Ultramarathon Runner Can Teach You About Managing Anxiety

Life can feel like a marathon, can’t it?

Balancing work, family responsibilities, and hoping to find just a smidgin of time for yourself is exhausting and, if I'm being honest, not at all what life has to be like.

If that sounds familiar, keep reading.

So many of the women I work with feel stuck in a race they didn’t even sign up for: overwhelmed, anxious, and unsure of how to slow down without feeling behind.

That’s why I loved chatting with ultramarathon runner Sav Holmes on my podcast, More Than Anxiety.

Her story isn’t just about running 50+ miles (yes, you read that right!); it’s about managing her mindset, staying present through discomfort, and finding focus - even when her body hurts and her mind wants to spiral into anxiety.

Anxiety Reducing Lessons You Can Use Today

1. Quiet Your Mind with Movement: You don’t need to run an ultramarathon to benefit from movement. Whether it’s a walk around the block or yoga in your living room, moving your body helps calm your mind and gives you space to focus.
2. Flip the Script on Negative Thoughts: Anxiety loves negative self-talk. Sav shared how she reframes unhelpful thoughts, turning “I can’t do this” into “Let’s see what I can do.” Small shifts like this can have a big impact on how you feel and what you believe about yourself.
3. Prioritize Rest and Recovery: High-achievers often push through exhaustion, but Sav reminds us that rest is just as important as work. Making recovery part of your routine, whether that’s sleep, hobbies, or saying “no” to draining commitments, isn't optional.
4. Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable: One of my favorite takeaways was Sav’s perspective on discomfort and it happens to line up with Derek Laliberte 's message as well. (Follow them both.) Whether it’s the pain of training for and running ultramarathons or the anxiety of uncertainty, learning how to feel uncomfortable and calm your body and mind instead of resisting and pushing it away can help you grow and build resilience.

Ask For Help

Sav’s story is so inspiring, but most of us need a little extra support to manage the stress, anxiety, and overwhelm of everyday life. That’s where coaching comes in.

I help high-achieving women create balance and routines to knock out overwhelm and anxiety and grow their confidence.

I'll help you find the thoughts and behaviors that keep you stuck, build new habits and routines using simple tips and tricks to calm your mind and body using a plan that's specific to your life and likes.

You learn more by booking a free consultation today. https://calendly.com/10000swords/consultation

Let’s get you feeling calm, in control, and ready to tackle whatever comes next.

What’s Coming Up This Week?

MONDAY

Read this week’s blog post to learn more about how your mindset helps you manage anxiety and find success at work and at home.

TUESDAY

In this week’s podcast episode, I sat down with ultra-endurance athlete Sav Holmes , who shares how her mindset has been the key to thriving in both her athletic and professional life. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to juggle everything on your plate, this episode is for you. A new episode airs every Tuesday morning at 5:00 a.m. EST. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss a thing.

WEDNESDAY

Think about a challenge or overwhelming situation you’re currently facing. What thoughts are running through your mind when you think about it? Now ask yourself:

1. What would this situation look like if I approached it with the mindset of growth and resilience?
2. What’s one small step I can take to make progress without feeling overwhelmed?
3. Who or what could support me in staying calm and focused as I work through this?

End your entry by writing one affirmation or belief you’d like to hold onto as you move forward.

THURSDAY

Connect with Sav on Instagram and share this week’s podcast episode with someone else who needs inspiration and a mindset shift.

FRIDAY

Find me and connect on LinkedIn. I’m always looking for great connections and to connect people with others. Who are you looking for?

SATURDAY

Are you more of a video fan than blogs and podcasts? I get it and I’ve got you covered. You can catch the video version of this week’s podcast on You Tube at 2:00 pm EDT Saturday.