Hi, welcome back to Pep Talks with Sam.
Let’s talk about the concept of a marathon mindset. It’s something I’ve spoken about before in different ways, but right now it feels more necessary than ever.
Why a Marathon Mindset Matters
So many of us feel stuck in a deep, dark hole. On a macro level, the world is filled with devastating issues that can feel endless. On a micro level, our personal and professional lives continue moving, no matter what is happening around us. Balancing both can feel impossible.
Part of the stress comes from the way we live in a world that is built on immediacy. We’re used to fast food delivery, quick answers online, one-click purchases. That speed has conditioned us to expect instant relief from stress.
Here’s how it works: stress hits and cortisol spikes. To soothe it, we look for something to quickly boost serotonin. Maybe that means buying something online, eating comfort food, or scrolling endlessly in search of distraction or certainty. This cycle of stress and quick fixes is why so many of us are caught in doom scrolling.
But life is not designed for quick fixes. Life is a marathon. The work we’re doing, the changes we’re trying to make, the growth we want to see — all of it takes time.
Progress Instead of Perfection
When we panic that change takes too long, we forget that incremental progress is still progress. Every small step counts, even when it feels invisible. And yes, sometimes life will push us back a few steps. That doesn’t erase the forward momentum we’ve built.
The question becomes: how do we allow our anxious minds to sit in the discomfort of not knowing how things will turn out, while also trusting that we are doing what we can?
The answer lies in shifting from an obsession with solutions to a focus on progress. Instead of waiting for immediate absolution, we can ask ourselves: what does progress look like today? How can I take one step forward? How can I care for myself when I get knocked down?
My Six-Year Marathon
Recently I announced that I am moving back to New York, and I want to use that as an example of marathon mindset in practice.
I grew up in New York, but after leaving for school and then moving to Utah in 2009, I spent years struggling to feel like I fit in. Every time I visited New York, it felt like home. I wanted to go back, but it didn’t seem realistic. The cost of living, the logistics, my own doubts — it all felt like too much.
About six years ago, I quietly told myself, “One day I’ll move back.” I didn’t know how, but I committed to the desire.
The years that followed were full of detours. I took career opportunities that pushed me outside my comfort zone. I failed plenty. I started projects that ended. I walked through moments where I didn’t know what to do next. My business failed. I left jobs. I made mistakes. But I kept showing up.
Slowly, through all of that messy middle, I built the foundation that allowed me to say yes when the opportunity to move back finally arrived. It took six years of showing up differently, of committing to myself, of taking one step after another.
Now I’m moving home, and it feels aligned in a way I can’t fully explain. But it only happened because of that marathon.
Normalizing the Messy Middle
Most people share the “before and after” story and skip over the middle. I want to normalize the messy middle. Because even now, I’m still in it. I’ve achieved a lot, but I still don’t know exactly where I’m headed. None of us do.
What matters is that we keep moving forward in a direction that feels authentic right now. The marathon is not about perfection. It’s about consistency. It’s about showing up even when things don’t make sense. It’s about tapping back into our values when we feel lost.
Your Marathon
Your marathon might look like starting a business, running for office, volunteering, changing careers, or starting a family. Whatever it is, it won’t happen overnight. It isn’t supposed to. The beauty is in the process.
Every small step matters. Every act of commitment to yourself matters. Every decision to keep moving forward, even when you’re unsure, matters.
So ask yourself:
What does progress look like for me right now?
What direction do I want to point my ship toward?
The messy middle is where the magic happens. Keep moving. I’m proud of you. We’re in this together.
Until next time,
Sam
