Coach Bill StahlCoach Bill Stahl
Addict II Athlete Podcast
Coach Blu Robinson speaks with ultra runner and coach Bill Stahl about carrying on David Clark’s legacy through running, community and positive mindset. The conversation links ultra events, youth coaching and the Warriors programme to addiction recovery and setting bold personal goals.
1:01:53•22 Feb 2021
Running, Recovery and Carrying the Legacy of We Are Superman
Episode Overview
- Running can act as a daily achievement, giving people in recovery a tangible win and a healthier way to handle emotional stress.
- Positive thinking and attitude are learned choices, reinforced by simple tools like “be positive” bracelets and clear goal setting.
- Community support, such as the Warriors group and its active calls and meetups, helps people pursue ambitious goals while facing addiction and eating issues.
- DNFs earned by giving everything to the time cutoff can still be victories, whereas not starting at all leaves a much bigger regret.
- Youth who commit to running often carry over habits like time management, discipline and healthy self-image into adult life.
“If a smart thought ever pops in your head while you're running an ultra marathon, get rid of it right away.”
Bill shares how his friendship with the late David Clark grew through the running scene and how David’s words kept him going during brutal ultras like Squaw Peak: “If a smart thought ever pops in your head while you're running an ultra marathon, get rid of it right away.” That mindset later helped him step in to continue David’s legacy by taking over the *We Are Superman* podcast and leading the Warriors programme, a community focused on big, “audacious” goals for people dealing with addiction, eating issues, or other life challenges.
How do people find strength in their journey to sobriety? This conversation between Coach Blu Robinson and ultra-running coach Bill Stahl offers a mix of heart, humour, and hard-earned lessons for anyone curious about how running and recovery can go hand in hand.
You’ll hear vivid stories of Leadville 100 – from being cut off at mile 60 while fundraising for school scoreboards, to coming back from knee surgery to finish in 29:58 and earn the “last ass in the mass” trophy. Bill talks openly about injury, ageing, and finishing (or not finishing) races, stressing the difference between quitting and pushing to the cutoff with a smile. A big thread through the chat is positivity as a deliberate choice.
Inspired by a friend with terminal cancer, Bill adopted a “be positive” mantra and passes it on to his athletes with simple wristbands and structured training. He and Blu connect this to addiction recovery: running becomes a daily win, a way to build discipline, self-belief and a healthier way to handle emotional pain.
If you’re in recovery, supporting someone who is, or just wondering how far a pair of running shoes and a change in mindset might take you, this one might get you asking: what’s your own “Everest” and are you ready to line up for it?
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