Dr Rangan Chatterjee

World’s Fastest Runner: "Why You Feel Empty Inside!" - Let Go Of Perfection & Find Happiness

This episode is brought to you by: WHOOP: Try the New WHOOP today at https://join.whoop.com/livemore VIVOBAREFOOT: Get 20% off your first order https://bit.ly/44khCNr KETONE IQ: Save 30% OFF your subscription order PLUS get a free gift with your second shipment https://ketone.com/livemore Download my FREE Habit Change Guide HERE: https://bit.ly/3VCaV34 When life doesn’t unfold the way we hoped, it can be tempting to see that as failure. But what if it was those moments that actually shape us the most? This week, I’m delighted to welcome Eliud Kipchoge back to the show for a second incredible conversation - recorded just days after he completed the 2025 London Marathon. Eliud is a Kenyan athlete who is widely regarded as the greatest marathon runner of all time. He has won two successive Olympic marathons and 10 major titles. And of course, he’s the only athlete to have ever run a marathon in under two hours, which he did back in 2019 in Vienna as part of the 1:59 challenge. But as you’ll hear in this conversation, his wisdom goes far beyond running as Eliud shares the life lessons that have shaped his journey - not just as an athlete, but as a human being. You’ll also hear: • Why Eliud believes discipline is what creates freedom - and how keeping promises to yourself builds the self-trust needed to face life’s hardest moments • Why failure is not the opposite of success, but, instead, the soil where wisdom grows • How running has become a metaphor for life - with its highs, lows, unexpected challenges and the need to keep moving forward • How Eliud not being able to finish his last Olympic marathon taught him more than any victory ever could • The true power of community, humility, and purpose - and why Eliud still cleans toilets at his training camp despite being a global icon • How planning, consistency and positive thinking guide his life - and why he believes ego is something we must all learn to let go of Throughout our conversation, Eliud speaks with warmth, humility and compassion. He challenges the idea that goals alone define success - reminding us that it’s the process, the discipline and the way we show up every day that truly counts. Whether you’re a runner or not, this episode is an invitation to reflect on your own mindset, your values, and your relationship with setbacks. Eliud shows us that progress isn’t always linear - and that real growth often happens in the moments we never planned for. I hope you enjoy listening. #feelbetterlivemore ----- Show notes available at: https://drchatterjee.com/567 Find out more about Eliud: About https://www.nnrunningteam.com/team/eliud-kipchoge/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kipchogeeliud/?hl=en Twitter https://twitter.com/EliudKipchoge Facebook https://en-gb.facebook.com/EliudKipchogeOfficial/ Eliud Kipchoge Foundation https://www.eliudkipchogefoundation.org/ Eliud’s book No Human is Limited US https://amzn.to/4kYE1XE UK https://amzn.to/44ehbEd #feelbetterlivemore #feelbetterlivemorepodcast ------- Order MAKE CHANGE THAT LASTS. US & Canada version https://amzn.to/3RyO3SL, UK version https://amzn.to/3Kt5rUK ----- Follow Dr Chatterjee at: Website: https://drchatterjee.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drchatterjee Twitter: https://twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drchatterjee/ Newsletter: https://drchatterjee.com/subscription DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

RCDr. Rangan ChatterjeehostEKEliud Kipchogeguest

Jun 25, 2025·1h 34m·Watch on YouTube ↗

📖 CHAPTERS

1. 1

   “Run a beautiful race”: finishing with values, not position

   Rangan opens by asking Eliud Kipchoge what he means by wanting to “run a beautiful race,” especially after finishing 6th at the London Marathon. Kipchoge explains that beauty in racing is completing the journey with the same spirit you started with—grounded in respect, integrity, and humanity—regardless of ranking.

2. 2

   Goals can inspire—or trap you: focus on planning and the “recipes”

   They unpack how time-based goals (like a 5K target) can motivate, but also narrow attention and drain joy. Kipchoge stresses that the goal matters far less than the planning, preparation, and daily habits that make the goal possible—using a seed-germination metaphor to highlight unseen work.

3. 3

   Redefining success: 119 great days still count if race day goes wrong

   Rangan describes how a perfect training block can be judged as “failure” if race-day variables derail the final outcome. Kipchoge agrees this mindset is a major problem and encourages people to value the learning and accomplishment embedded in the preparation, building resilience (“shock absorbers”) for setbacks.

4. 4

   From champion to mentor: nurturing the next generation

   Kipchoge reflects on aging in elite sport and his shifting role from “next generation” to builder of the next generation. He describes a fatherly approach to younger athletes—offering holistic education and guidance so they become better than he is.

5. 5

   Records are meant to fall: reacting to Kiptum and the sub-2 future

   They discuss Kelvin Kiptum breaking Kipchoge’s world record and Kipchoge’s genuine happiness at seeing progress. Kipchoge argues sport stays alive only if records keep being broken, and he believes a sub-2 official marathon is achievable within 10 years through daring to think, try, and do.

6. 6

   “No human is limited”: origin story and real-life application

   Kipchoge explains how the “No Human Is Limited” idea crystallized during the 2017 Nike sub-2 attempt amid intense skepticism. He argues limitation is primarily a mental construct, and he extends the message to everyday hardship—especially encouraging single mothers, drawing from his own upbringing.

7. 7

   Marathon as life: potholes, rocks, and bouncing back from Paris 2024 DNF

   Kipchoge describes life and marathon as the same journey—full of bumps, potholes, and moments that feel fatal but aren’t. He then addresses the shock of not finishing the 2024 Olympic marathon, framing it as a major challenge that taught him adaptability, humility, and how fast to “wake up” after falling.

8. 8

   The hard decision to stop—and choosing purpose over retirement narratives

   Kipchoge recounts realizing at ~20km that his legs wouldn’t move and facing intense internal dialogue about finishing, stopping, and retirement. He shares how even dismissive social media messages became fuel for a deeper choice: stay in sport and use it as a messenger to empower others.

9. 9

   Humility in disappointment: walking with the crowd and rejecting anger

   They reflect on Kipchoge’s conduct after withdrawing—walking with spectators, giving away gear, signing items, and staying warm and open. Kipchoge emphasizes humility as a tool for clear thinking, and describes anger as a destructive “weed” that blocks knowledge and right action.

10. 10

    Mindset is trained: discipline, trust, and the cement that holds progress

    Kipchoge explains that running success is driven by heart and mind more than legs, and that mindset is cultivated through consistent, happy training. Rangan connects discipline to self-trust—keeping promises to yourself—while Kipchoge describes trust as “cement” that must be kept strong through follow-through.

11. 11

    Planning beats “busy”: journaling, prioritization, and compassion vs discipline

    Kipchoge argues most people aren’t truly too busy; they lack planning and clarity. He advises writing tomorrow’s plan before sleep, finding small “loopholes” for movement, and prioritizing what matters—while acknowledging injury or genuine constraints as exceptions.

12. 12

    Kenyan running culture and the “we” mindset: teamwork, trust, and shared joy

    They explore why Kenya produces so many distance runners—Kipchoge points to culture, altitude, and belief—while insisting talent isn’t exclusive to any nation. He highlights Kenyan respect for sport and a collective “we” mindset: training in groups, sharing outcomes, and enjoying the journey together.

13. 13

    Legacy habits and life lessons: cleaning toilets, seven principles, happiness, and ego

    Kipchoge illustrates leadership through service in camp routines (including cleaning toilets) and revisits his seven life lessons from Oxford: discipline, preparation, organization, positivity, teamwork, consistency, and adapting to change. He closes with definitions of happiness (accepting what’s on your plate) and practical guidance on dissolving ego by focusing on your own “bed” and your own work.