Ageless Athlete - Longevity Insights From Adventure Sports Legends
Uncensored and deep conversations with extraordinary rock climbers, runners, surfers, alpinists, kayakers and skiers et al. Tap into their journey to peak performance, revealing stories, hidden strategies, and the mindset that defies aging and other limits.
Get educated and inspired to chase your own dreams. Come for the stories, leave with tools, tips, and motivation! Hosted by Kush Khandelwal.
Ageless Athlete - Longevity Insights From Adventure Sports Legends
#64 The Ultimate Comeback: At 46, Tara Tulley Transformed Her Life, Lost 130 lbs, Overcame Illness, and, Conquered a 140 Mile Ultra Run
Tara Tulley’s story is an ode to the power of resilience, determination, and self-belief. At 45 years old, she stood at the start line of a grueling 140-mile ultra-marathon—not as a runner, but as a spectator. Weighing over 250 pounds, battling the effects of POTS, and having stepped away from running for years, she made a bold promise: One year from now, I will be here, and I will run this race.
What followed was a transformation like no other. In just 12 months, Tara lost 130 pounds, rewired her mindset, and rebuilt her endurance to accomplish something most would call impossible. But this is more than a story of weight loss—it’s about overcoming deep struggles, defying medical diagnoses, and proving that we are far more capable than we think.
In this episode, Tara shares:
✅ How she rebuilt her fitness after years away from running
✅ Overcoming POTS and ignoring the “you’ll never run again” diagnosis
✅ The mental shifts that helped her stay consistent and committed
✅ How she used positive affirmations to rewire her mindset
✅ The power of finding the right mentors and support system
✅ Her experience of being overweight in society and how things changed
✅ The brutal moments of her 140-mile race—and what pushed her to finish
Tara’s journey is proof that no matter where you start, transformation is possible. Whether you’re struggling with motivation, facing a setback, or chasing a seemingly impossible goal, this episode will leave you believing that you can do it too.
Resources & References
📌 Tara’s Race: Route 66 UltraRun – More about the historic race
📌 Marshall Ulrich’s Book (Inspired Tara) – Running on Empty: An Ultramarathoner’s Story of Love, Loss, and a Record-Setting Run Across America – Available here
📌 Lisa Smith-Batchen (Tara’s Coach) – Learn about Lisa’s Coaching & Ultra Running
📌 POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) – Mayo Clinic Overview
📌 Book Recommendation: The Four Agreements (Discussed by Tara) – By Don Miguel Ruiz – Available here
📌 More on Positive Affirmations & The Power of Words – The Power of Decree by Patricia King – Book link
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