How to Become an Elite Ultramarathoner in Two Years - Matt Johnson

Matt Johnson is an ultramarathoner that lives in Austin, Texas. Recently, he completed a run across all of Texas.

In this jam-packed episode of Joe Begley's podcast, Joe is joined by Matt Johnson for an engaging and wide-ranging conversation that explores everything from endurance sports to modern life hacks. The episode kicks off with an inspiring deep dive into how Matt got into running ultra marathons. Matt opens up about the mental and physical challenges of the sport, giving listeners an inside look into the mindset needed to tackle such extreme endurance feats. They discuss how learning to do anything, whether it’s running ultra marathons or picking up new skills, requires determination and a willingness to embrace discomfort.

The conversation takes a turn towards health challenges, as Matt talks about stress fractures—an all-too-common issue for runners. Joe and Matt explore the preventative measures they’ve taken to stay healthy and avoid injuries, before moving into a fascinating discussion about their diet and life protocols that have kept them illness-free for years. Their practical tips offer valuable insights for anyone interested in optimizing their health and wellbeing.

The tone lightens up when they shift gears to discuss their experiences with booze. They reflect on how their social lives, while important, often revolve around drinking, and the balance they try to strike between fun and fitness. This segues into a deeper conversation about the role of social life in overall happiness and mental health. Matt then shares his own diet and training schedule, giving a glimpse into how he stays on top of his game.

From there, Joe and Matt dive into more personal revelations, including their experiences with weed gummies and the surprising insights they’ve gained through using both weed and mushrooms. These moments reveal how both have influenced their perspectives on life and creativity, offering listeners a blend of humor and honesty as they tackle sometimes taboo subjects.

The conversation takes another twist when Joe and Matt open up about content-related anxiety, a familiar issue for anyone in creative fields. They discuss the pressures of consistently producing content while maintaining authenticity. Joe’s curiosity about Matt’s military background adds another layer to the episode, as Matt shares stories from his time in the military and how that shaped his discipline and approach to life.

To wrap things up, they take a critical look at the concept of “brand neutering,” discussing how people and companies often dilute their identities to appeal to broader audiences. This thought-provoking segment rounds off an episode that’s equal parts entertaining and insightful, leaving listeners with plenty to think about.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in fitness, mental health, creative struggles, or just a good laugh.

Matt's IG:   / mattjohnson__  

00:00 How you get into running ultra marathons
3:50 Learning to do anything
9:00 Stress Fractures
16:00 Diet and Life Protocols that have prevented us from getting sick.
21:00 Boozing
25:00 Social Life is important
27:30 Matt’s Diet and Training Schedule
34:00 Weed Gummies
40:00 Weed and Mushroom Revelations
44:00 Content Related Anxiety
46:00 Military Stuff
50:30 Brand Neutering