EP 782: Fear Isn't the Enemy

Writer and ultrarunner Gaël Dutigny joins us to talk about his Ultra Running Magazine article, "Fear Isn't a Weakness," and why fear may be one of the most misunderstood tools in endurance sports. Gaël shares how, even after finishing UTMB four times and racing in deserts, jungles, mountains, and even Iraq during wartime, fear still shows up before and during big efforts. The conversation reframes fear not as something to suppress, but as information that can sharpen decision-making, expose your true "why," and help you respect the environment you're moving through. We also talk about the thin line between fear that freezes you and fear that helps you function, especially in long mountain races where fatigue, darkness, cutoffs, hallucinations, and self-doubt all start stirring the pot. One of the most useful takeaways for trail runners is that mental preparation deserves the same attention as physical training, because knowing yourself may be just as important as knowing your pace, gear, or nutrition plan.  

Links:

• Gaël Dutigny's Substack
• UltraRunning Magazine
• "Race to the Summit" Dean Potter's documentary on Netflix

Episode Sponsors:

Tifosi Optics - CLARITY ON THE TRAIL: Post your Golden Nugget of wisdom that helps you recover after a huge effort on Instagram, tag @TifosiOptics, @TrailRunnerNation, and use the hashtag #ClarityOnTheTrail.  OR try texting us (within the USA) with your tip: 916-235-3928.
If we use yours on a weekly episode, you get a pair of the new Sanctum SL glasses!

True Nutrition: Customized quality protein: Use Code TRNSummer and get 25% off between May 22-25 for their Memorial Day Sale!

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Timestamps

00:00 | Is Fear Holding You Back or Helping You? Scott opens the conversation by asking whether fear on the trail is something to overcome or something that may actually guide us.

02:40 | Why Gaël Wrote About Fear Gaël explains how decades of running in mountains, deserts, jungles, and difficult environments shaped his view that fear is a deep part of the sport.

05:15 | Why Experience Doesn't Eliminate Fear Even after multiple UTMB finishes and other major races, Gaël shares why fear still shows up and why that may be healthy.

11:30 | Training Fear Before Race Day The discussion turns to how runners can practice facing fear in training, whether that means darkness, distance, terrain, isolation, or uncertainty.

21:20 | Fear as a Decision-Making Tool: How fear can sharpen awareness and help runners make better choices instead of simply pushing blindly forward.

27:15 | Mental Health as Performance Training Gaël makes the case that talking to a sports psychologist or therapist is not weakness, but another form of training for hard things.

44:20 | Fear, DNFs, and Knowing Your Why The group talks about how fear of failure, social pressure, and shallow motivation can unravel a race when things get hard.