Finding Joy Through Exertion with Sanjay Rawal

Today on the show we’re talking a bit about exercise, a bit about spirituality, a bit about indigenous cultures and quite a bit about a very select group of people who choose to run around and around an extended city block in New York City for not just days but weeks at a time!

My guest is Sanjay Rawal, an award winning documentary maker based in New York City. We’re talking about his film 3100: Run and Become, a beautiful and intriguing documentary about the Self Transcendence 3100 Mile Race and the role that running plays in personal growth. But as you’ll hear the film is just a starting point for a deeper, wide ranging and insightful conversation about the many different paths we can take to be our best self.

During our conversation Sanjay and I discuss:

The Self Transcendence 3100 Mile Race - What is it and how did it come to be?Who enters it and why?How to manage your mind to run for 52 days.Finding flow through exertion and contemplation through movementStaying in the moment to manage challenge and hardshipHow striving towards a goal contributes to our wellbeingThe role of running in traditional culturesFinding meaning and purpose through serving others.

This conversation and Sanjay’s film has completely reframed exercise and exertion for me. Rather than dwell on discomfort and challenge I am finding the joy in exertion and the peace in each moment, even when it hurts.

Thanks to our partner PAFOW20 Sydney for this episode of the podcast. Join me at PAFOW20 Sydney on March 3 & 4 2020 to Honour the Human Experience in the Age of AI & Perpetual Change.