}

Alzheimer's Can't Stop Ultra Runner Mark Macy and His Son, Travis

Presented by Spartan Training®

Ultra runners Travis Macy and his father, Mark, were excited about the return of World's Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji, and they planned to race. Travis was set to join a younger, competitive team, and Mark was slated for Team Stray Dogs.

Plans changed after Mark, then 66, was diagnosed with was Alzheimer's disease. The elite endurance runner had won the grueling Iditashoe 100-mile snowshoe race and competed in nine eco-challenges, but this race would pose a special challenge. At the same time, a unique reward and opportunity suddenly presented itself. 

On this edition of the Spartan Up! podcast, Spartan founder and CEO Joe De Sena — a veteran endurance racer himself — trades tales with Travis and Mark about their eco-challenge experiences and their last meeting, when he interviewed Travis about his book, The Ultra Mindset.

Related Link: Off the Grid and Super Moosey: Back to Nature at Vermont’s Peak Ultra

Listen to the podcast in its entirety below.

2 Key Lessons From Travis and Mark Macy 

  1. Make time for family.
  2. Sometimes the risk of avoiding the challenge is greater than the risks that the challenge poses. 

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