Runningman, Ultra Miles, and Community

Hey Team!

I’ve just arrived back home from an incredible weekend of performance, people, and play. What a trifecta. I spent the last few days at the 3rd annual Runningman Festival in Rome, Georgia.

Think Burning Man—but built on running. Every participant chooses their own distance: 5K, 10K, half or full marathon, or a 50K ultra. The rest of the weekend? Live music, food trucks, emerging brands, and a festival atmosphere that makes it impossible not to have fun.

Ten years ago, who would have guessed wellness would be delivered in the form of lifestyle festivals? It was the most fun I’ve had in a long time, and I got to challenge my performance at the same time.

A Mental Edge

When registration opened, the choice was easy. Out of all the distances, I clicked the 50K ultra without hesitation. But then my friend Robbie Bent asked me a sharp question: “Do you feel pressure to do the ultra because of your personal brand?”

It was a fair callout. Was I doing this for me, or for others? After sitting with it, the answer was clear: if I did anything less, I wouldn’t feel challenged or fulfilled. And here’s the beauty—this race wasn’t about medals or podiums. It was about testing yourself, connecting with others, and enjoying the process.

On the 1-mile loop, I cheered and encouraged runners. Later that day, several people told me they went further than planned because they were inspired along the way. That reminded me of a leadership lesson: be a lighthouse, not a tugboat. Light the path, don’t drag people toward it.

Whenever you’re faced with a choice, ask yourself: “Am I doing this to stay comfortable or to grow?” Then step into the option that holds the most tension. That’s where the growth—and the inspiration—lives.

From The Field

While I pushed through the ultra, my tentmate Robbie was staring down his own mountain: his first half marathon. Some thought it was too much for him. I wasn’t going to let him leave without proving those doubts wrong.

We started lap one together. Hours later, I found him on his 13th and final lap. His energy was fading, but the finish line was in reach. I jumped in beside him, and together we cruised through that last mile. Robbie finished strong, claimed his medal, and later shared with his crew that moment was his “rose” of the weekend.

Sometimes the greatest gift you can give is simply showing up beside someone at the right moment. You don’t need to carry them… just run that last mile with them.

Quick Reminders Before You Start:

Many of you tuned in to my recent podcast with Michael Chernow. It’s one of my favorite conversations to date. If you haven’t yet, you can listen on Apple or watch on YouTube.

My friend David is running 50 miles for his nephew Nico, who is fighting Ewing Sarcoma. Nico’s story is one that is so heartbreaking. On the NYC Run Club Tour I asked runners to chip in $11. If it feels aligned for you, that same $11 would mean the world to me, and I’m sure to Nico’s family. You can donate here.

Want to see one of the coolest launch videos I’ve come across? Check out Othership’s here.

This weekend proved again that performance and community aren’t separate—they fuel each other.

Catch you on the Start Line,
—Matty