I was worrying about you having not posted a video in a while as you're probably my favourite running guy to keep up with. I think probably the fact that the Olympics are on and you're not there may have been a trigger. We're all one step away from making a wrong decision. I hope you start feeling better soon buddy ❤️
Yes, this could well be linked. I don’t think we really process things, and so it’s not like I sat down and thought “am I upset about not being in Paris etc..” this could well have been my body : brain showing me, rather than me needing to think about it. Maybe I am pretty f*cking bothered that I failed to make it etc.. it’s a bloody hard thing to qualify and so I don’t mind saying “failed” but I’m sure there could be a link for sure.
@@stephenscullion262 One thing I've been trying to action in every area of life recently is not to over celebrate the wins or take the losses too heavy. I can only imagine how hard that is in elite level sport but I've seen a good few examples at the games. It can be hard blocking out that internal voice that says we're not good enough even when others point out our qualities so I won't try. However this is only a moment of time and I have no doubt you'll be back. I am genuinely looking forward to keeping up with your journey pal.
My initial reaction was wtf man you just smashed a 10k race. Then realised it must be tough with the lack of structure elite athletes must have in their general lives vs most of ua with 9-5s and such. I am sure elite athletics not always compatible with relationships and family life. You are an inspiration Stephen. Rooting for you all the way and Im willing to bet you have another olympics in you
Sharing this publicly takes a lot of guts. You're not just an athlete, you're an inspiration. By showing your vulnerability, you're actually showing how strong you are. You're not alone in this - many of us have been through something similar. Thanks for speaking out and drawing on that deep well of inner strength you have. Keep pushing forward, stay positive, and know that you're amazing! You're doing great!
7.5yrs sober. Got into running after about 2 yrs sober. Finding your channel helped me understand there was a better way to train that would unlock my potential. Still working on it, but you were an early catalyst. Now I’m doing half marathons, cycling, trail running, and going out of the country for the first time to race….and doing it long term/injury free (so far). Your impact is far beyond your personal results. It’s the impact you have on others. Thanks for making an impact on me.
You're honestly the best person I've found on here. I don't do any social media (unless you count youtube) but I've been watching your videos for a few years and it's been really really positive for me. Thanks a million. Stay strong.
As a father to a young son who is struggling with mental health, your story is a source of inspiration to me. Keep doing what you’re doing! You make a difference.
Man, I hate videos like this. But these are 100% the videos I need and the reason I'm following your journey. You are doing the right thing. Keep sharing. Keep working hard. You got this!!
I don’t post many comments on youtube but just wanted say thanks for sharing this video. The struggle to be the person you want to be is something I have only spoken about with my very closest friends and to hear someone sharing this publicly is really great, as I have honestly not heard anyone speak openly about struggling with this before. You articulated it better than I have ever managed, it seems like your desire is strong enough that it hasn’t affected your trajectory and thats the most important thing, because there will always be days like this no matter how much we don't want them. Really appreciate your perspective on the mental side of training, and your analytical approach 👍
First-time viewer, also from Belfast! I had a bad burnout and depression at the end of 2023, and as a PhD student, I was just lying in bed until 2-3pm, making up excuses to my supervisor, and just avoiding life in general. I spoke to my doctor, who gave me antidepressants and 3 months off work, but also offered me a free gym membership. This got me running on the treadmill, and soon I started enjoying it and getting something positive from running longer/faster than last time. I went from running my first 5k on a treadmill 6 months ago, to running 40k+/week. I've signed up for a half-marathon, and been sticking to a plan for that. I'm back to working on my PhD, it's still hard, but I feel like running has really helped me cope with the challenges in my life. My mental health is greatly improved. My physical health is even better - I've lost 15kg, I've gone from stumbling through a 5k, to 20k long runs. Thanks for sharing your story of struggles and how running had helped! If you ever feel like running at 7min/km along the Lagan Towpath, I'd love the company!
Been there in the gutter with you. I have to remember the old saying, “bend don’t break.” Running has given me a a positive place to burn my natural nervous, anxious energy. Onward
Take care Stephen. I’m sure this may just be what someone out there needed to hear. It’s so good you open up and share when things don’t work. So much online is just the glossy highlights.
Good on you for sharing Stephen and taking ownership of what happened at the weekend. In my 20's I had to rethink my relationship with alcohol after blacking out too much and ending up in dangerous situations. PS I live in South Belfast and love seeing you run all the routes I run around Shaws Bridge!
Good Morning Dear One🌞, I am an Empathetic, Nurturing Soul,a Mom❤ I feel the need to Mother😊 it's what I do ( I've had over 4 decades to hone in on the Truest form of Love. it's as Natural to me as running is to You. ( My Joy, Peace, Comfort) My husband and I watch your videos, He finds them so Helpful in his running, Thank You!🤗. For me it's different, I Cry when I see your videos😭🥺to my Deepest core I can Feel your Pain, the moment I see your face I can read your eyes and See, Feel and Know your in Pain, even when You try to hide it from your viewers. 😢🥺 I feel you don't Know ,Except or Embrace your Worth. You are Amazing! But if You yourself doesn't feel it, what is the Word or Accolade hold to you in meaning? I feel Accolades to you are Hollow and Empty, they are Joyful to hear in the moment but they pass through You and become a fading Whisper 😢🥺 Until You truely Feel others Compliments and Listen that it's You, You Stephen who are Amazing, Helpful, Giving and Kind then You can't Except others at their Words or their Gifts of Positivity. And to me thats so so Sad🥺. How can you tell a person so that they Feel it, so deep so Religiously if their Heart only will hold it for a moment? It's starts with Self Love Stephen ❤️ You are a Gift, there is only one You ,You get one shot at this Amazing, Beautiful, Blessed, Life.🎉 There are going to be : Trials Struggles, Trauma and Hardships (for Everyone,) but even through these Moments there is Growth ,Knowledge and Strength. There are no Magic Words, that I can Give You to make You See, Feel or even to let You Know a Stranger ,someone so far away Knows and Truely Feels your Pain.🥺 Learn to Love Yourself Stephen as much as you Love running, and Life will Always be Beautiful! God Bless You 🙏🕊❤️ Rochelle
I love when you open up and share your hard moments Skully. It makes me feel less alone. I was in a dark place on Saturday, and I knew I had a race to do the next day. It took so much courage to get out of that really deep hole and get to the start line in a positive place We are all in this together 💙
Your passion for running and willingness to share that with the community has helped me soo much on my journey. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Choose Strong, Stephen.
Great courage Stephen. This video could help more people than you know. I lived a life of chronic anxiety, low self esteem and anger. At 50 I started running and addressed long buried issues from my past. Very tough but I moved through it. I forgave who I needed to forgive. I asked for forgiveness from those I could. I prayed for forgiveness from those I couldn’t. I owned my actions and forgave myself. At 52 I woke up from a night on the booze and said that’s it for me. Stopped there and then. I’ve no issue with alcohol and if people get something from it be it relaxation or letting of steam that’s ok by me. My life is net better without it. I’m saying this because you’re a lot younger than me - you have time to get it right. Time to be who you want to be. Don’t wait till your 50 pal. My only regret is I didn’t do this 25 years ago. Be well Stephen, I’m rooting for you.
I think that learning to sit with discomfort and building community of friends is very important… the latter is harder when we’re constantly busy (and/or traveling), but having your tribe / place that feels like home is so important … I’ve also noticed that positive effects of running are not constant or not as contestant as they were in the first few years of running-used to be that after every run the mood was so much better… but after 5 + years of running perhaps body and mind get used to it so maybe higher volume is required … or maybe, just maybe we have to work on other things in life! As always, thank you so much for raising awareness in this area👍
You truly are one of the most honest, relatable, down to earth high performance athletes that creates content on youtube. To be so vulnerable and honest after such a low point and recent difficult times must be so hard but thank you for being brave and putting this out there. Im sure it will help 100s if not 1000s of people that watch this video. So refreshing compared to all other running channel "how I improved my 5k time bs" that just assumes running happens in isolation from life events and circumstances. Thanks for the video.
I admire how you allow yourself to be human and vulnerable without shying away from the good and the bad. It’s important and helps more people, myself included, than you know.
I had to come back to this video. After a short while I've realised that this is actually genuinely inspirational. I like that you failed, that you're not perfect. It's given inspiration that that the best are still people. That I don't have to be a machine to get better. I can always improve, even if I have a bad time, even if I make a mistake, I've not failed.
I look forward to every single video, Stephen! I appreciate the vulnerability and the insights. You inspire me to be a better version that I imagine that I could be. Thank you!
You help a lot of people including me with you videos, they help me keeping me healthy and with a positive mind, cause I struggle the days I rest, anxiety crawls under my skin and I feel terrible , and I hate myself for it, but when I watch one of your videos I'm already looking forward to start running the next day, and it really helps so much, thank you Stephen
thank you, brother. i am one year into a 5 year dry Pledge. its a whole new way of life. forced to deal with it in different ways. ' mental fitness' thank god amen
With your talent, the opportunities that await you in the future with the hard work you are set to put in, the insights, the honesty, the motivation you provide, the clear fact you are an enormous net benefit to all of us here (and no doubt to those closest to you) it means whatever stage of your life you find yourself at, you will always have an incredible amount of worth, and so much to give to so many. How all that manifests is different perhaps to what it would have 5 years ago and no doubt in 10 years it will be different again-you will have loads to contribute at every stage of life. Stephen, if you sat down and wrote a list of all of the good you've done, you'd run out of paper. Running made me a better person, but my anxiety is through the roof and my low moods mean I sit sometimes for hours at a time doing nothing, unable to focus or plan anything. I saw a therapist yesterday, loads to work on, I believe I'll find ways to get better one small change at a time.
Thank you for being so honest. I appreciate how open and vulnerable this video is. This is one of the many reasons I enjoy your content. I hope I can take this advice and put it into practice. Much love
I'm 27, started running about three weeks ago. I'm naturally, and always have been a very naturally good runner. My goal is to hit sub three hour marathon in the next 12 months and your channel is instrumental in learning how to properly train. However, I drink a couple of times a month and its common for me to black out and end up in situations similar to what you described. This is the main hurdle I have to jump over. The older I get the more it hurts the psyche to black out uncontrollably. I always wonder does my blackout state hinder peoples perception of sober me and it gives me anxiety for about a month after. Anyways, thanks for sharing you seem like a gentleman so don't worry to much about the past, it happens to those as you described, cray energy. You've helped numerous people with this channel both with getting started, and hitting their goals. Respect.
You are so brave when you share stories like this. I admire you for your running career and I admire you for your honesty. Very much appreciated! Keep it up :-)
Thanks for that Stephen, an honest, relatable video, no matter whether you are a runner or not. At 55 my days of heavy sessions are thankfully few and far between, but I do find my mental health is affected by the digital world we live in these days. I try and avoid the whole "as an older runner you should be doing this and this" type videos, I prefer to compare myself, against myself from yesterday and tomorrow. Stay happy Stephen.
Thank you for having had the courage to share your struggles and insights. Having dealt with loved ones' mental health challenges, I hope you continue to find productive ways to ease your struggles, both on your own and with the support of others. Thank you for all that you do!
Thank you for sharing this with us.. 2 years ago I was going through the roughest phase of my life , where I would sleep all day , have no motivation etc. I started running and trust me . I would forget all my worries when I would be running . I like to believe that running taught me more philosophy than any other self help book . Grateful :)
Thank you for sharing your life with us. I’ve watched so many of your videos and have benefited from your running and training advice. Continue your mental health journey one day at a time. Embrace the good and bad of it.
you are my favorite athlete of all time Mr. Stephen Scullion! not just because you ran 209 for the marathon, but because of this, because of your BiG Heart and transparency. ThankYou
just purchased your Masterclass and started gobbling through the first few videos. I used to care too much about what people think about me. after watching your vids i didn’t become a whole new person overnight but i can see myself changing.
I'm new to your story, your content. I realy like your energy, probably cause it is similar to mine. Not here to smartmouth, but for me Sadhguru was a flipswitch to happines. Just watch or listen to one of his "Youth and trouth" sessions. Helped me realize how the power and responsibility for my feelings and wellbeing is within me. It held even more gravitas as I came across him while I was in therapy and combination of both sped my path. THX for your content. All of it...
You have the gift Stephen - the same part of you that made you an elite athlete in one of the toughest sports in the world is the same part of you that can destroy you. Stay healthy, be mindful and never give up on the process of developing a stronger relationship with yourself. Many people are reconsidering their relationship with alcohol now, perhaps it could be worth giving it a go.
Thanks for sharing this journey. Mental fitness and training is under discussed. Very helpful approaches. Keep healthy Stephen!! Let’s all do this together 💪
The mental part of your videos is outstanding. I started writing every day about my training and who I feel about it, and it helped me a lot. Thank you so much 🙏
I gave it up for much the same reason. If I pick it up I'm all in. I fought against naming what it was for a long time, so kept finding myself back in a shit place. Last one was probably 13/14 years back, never looked back. It takes courage to talk about where you were , well done. Hopefully the last time you find yourself there.
I started developing mental health issues recently, partially related to stress. It shook me to the core, never imagined having issues like this. I can hardly believe that some like you (talented, great looking) can have similar problems....
Thanks for sharing this Stephen . I’ve been following your marathon program for Palma in October . So I want to thank you for that but also I’ve been journaling ever since I started the training . So I want to tell you that im thankful for that . I feel a great sense of purpose and direction . That’s what im more thankful for than the tools for sub 3 hours Happy Monday my friend 🙌🏻
I also have really benefited from an aggressive focused personality. However, those traits killed me with alcohol. I have been sober for 29 years. My life is so much more balanced with distance from drinking. I can now accomplish my goals by going overboard or overfocused on the one goal. Love your channel
Hi Stephen Thank you for your channel. You add so much value with your channel for us who are performance orientated. You are so easy to relate to. I think it is because you are not ashamed to call a spade a spade. Us performance athletes, we are seldom satisfied with our own progress and achievements. This makes us difficult to be with. This adds more pressure on us to succeed, which is different from each individual. Please remember that it is not how we fall, but how we get up. We all have to ask ourselves: What am I running away from, or am I running towards something? I have to remind myself of the following every week. Success can not come to be without adversity. How you handle yourself in those adverse situations... That is what defines a person - that is how you build your legacy. I'm looking forward to your success and content. Kind regards Tjarra (the has been)
We all struggle in life, im no stranger to severe depression. Since last autumn and into spring ive never experienced depression like this. I don't have issues with alcohol any longer Stephen. I feel sad that you've been this way. It's not easy with many balances or imbalances in life. My phone has 6 hrs plus on it. Loneliness is a killer I feel. I dont have partner etc or children. Friends are hmmm meh ok but they don't understand what it looks or feels like to be lonely. I hear my voice only every day. It's hard it's hard for many. I've no confidence whatsoever I capitulate in races at the moment especially since I now need to train for things. I've got past my initial general fitness increase. I love your videos. I'll keep watching as we're not alone.
I hope you find reasons to become confident, and it’s a skill like any other that can be improved, but it’s earned from becoming the kind of person you’d envision might be confident. Not visually, but confident people are usually disciplined, work hard etc.. figure out what kind of traits might lead to you feeling more confident and then work your socks off to get there.
YT-comments isn't really the place for this, but from the information i have you are socially stressed and lonely at the same time. There is two ways going about this. Gradually improve your behavior towards things that feel better. Or a really hard break, throwing you into a life that might feel better. For me personally the leaving the phone at home and go on a trip or adventure works.
@stephenscullion262 Thank you, Stephen, for your comments. You stay healthy and safe. Keep up you're hard work too. You're a fantastic runner. You inspire many runners.
Thank you for sharing your story! Another video of yours that makes me say "wow, I seem to share the same brain with this man" 😅. I found myself in what you said, for me hikeing the mountains and running are the things that keep me afloat even if I delve into vices quite often lately... I always motivate myself with the way I, in the last 4 years, have gone from a junkie to a sports junkie ahaha😂 and basically saved and transformed my body. The fact that I haven't been able to find a job for some time (in the field I studied), the fact that in Romania "mental health" is a taboo subject, sessions with a therapist are not subsidized by the state and are quite expensive etc., all these things keep me down both mentally and socially.. but as you say running/movement is an anchor. Endurance has a great power over my brain and this power can overcome fatigue and muscle stiffness and lactic acid and depression. Nature is miraculous and we are part of it too, we just have to try to connect or reconnect to it. Keep moving, big up!!
honestly im here, ive got my breakfast and lunch made for before and after tomorrow mornings session. I have everything lined up. If i had the rest of my life as well serviced id be doing well
When we fall it's a process, same as picking ourselves up is a process. We can't stand back up in the same mindset as when we fell down. All we need is the will to learn and we'll be moving again in no time. No regrets.
Thanks very much for sharing this. I often get lulled into a false sense of security with this, and that’s when it can creep back on me. Seems sudden but that disengagement prior to it is there, I’m just too distracted to see it.
Been there many times, and training was my saving grace. I've lost count of the number of times I woke up not quite drunk, and not quite sobar, where the only way to get rid of my mental hangover ( yes, mental ) is to go and train ( run in my case ). It's easy to get into that social drinking trap, and can be extremely hard to break away from. It normally takes something major to shake you out of it. 7 months dry for me, and I won't lie, I really miss it a lot of the time.
Thank us for watching… no. THANK YOU FOR SHARING from the bottom of your heart. It is really helpful and that is the reason why most of us enjoy running. Living the moment and leave apart the monsters that live in our minds. Take after yourself and a big hug.
If only more professional athletes were as open and honest as you are, and presenting it to the masses. I honestly think we would all be in a better place. Love the content mate, keep it up
Saturday was the Olympic men’s marathon day…did that anything to do with it Stephen…I know whatever it was the fact that you’re blogging about it shows you are already on the right track…👍👍
I've had depression for my whole life and recently came off antidepressants after being on them for 10 years because I'm just so tired of being medicated. It's been so tough but running is always there.
This is powerful shit. I appreciate you talking about it. People ask me why do you do triathlons. My wife knows why. Its my church. It keeps me from being a total degenerate. I could go on but I wont. Thank you!
0:47 so you completly forgot how you ran a sub2 marathon wearing nothing but your birthday suit? Jokes aside, let's face it: live is tough. The last 2weeks were especially hard on my wife's family and friends of my family. Divorce, break up, cancer death, drug death, motorcycle death, financial issues... you name it. And while you can't prevent every stroke of fate that happens to you, many of them root in addictive behaviour. I don't want to see you there Steven, I love you and how you try to do everything perfectly (at least runningwise, cause I don't know about your personal life, but I guess it is similar). And since it would simply be wrong to give any advice to you there is just one thing left to say: I know that you have what you need to be happy. Use it❤❤❤
December 2022, I had to make a change in my life. I was doing a lot of stupid stuff. I wanted to challenge myself and find ways to fill “voids” in my life with something positive. So I started running. And I sucked. I nearly quit after my first attempt. But I stuck with it. Kept going. The runs got faster and further. And I haven’t looked back since. Running very much saved me from self destruction.
Meaning and purpose, bro your doing great and you have so much knowledge to pass on 💯 , maybe there's a fine lady waiting in the wings and a family. Either way your here to tell us how to be better runners your knowledge is much appreciated . In your own time can you do something on HIIT as i have found it very useful in my running fitness and my vo2max on another level.
You’re an Olympian. Not only are you an Olympian you’re an Olympian at the most grueling endurance event that exists. You’ve done something that only a few hundred people max on earth, out of 7+ billion people get to do once every 4 years. You need to give yourself credit. To say you’re an outlier of a human, is the understatement of the century. It takes an extreme person to do that, mindset that only you and a few thousand people in history can honestly say they know. Your body can take it, your mind struggles. You’re not the first elite athlete to suffer like this and you won’t be the last. We all enter the pain cave for a reason. I’ve seen enough of your videos to know that you know all this, and are working on it. Just get back at it, do you man.
Takes courage to share this. Your honesty and candidness has helped so many over the years. All the best to you and please keep being who you are.
I was worrying about you having not posted a video in a while as you're probably my favourite running guy to keep up with. I think probably the fact that the Olympics are on and you're not there may have been a trigger. We're all one step away from making a wrong decision. I hope you start feeling better soon buddy ❤️
Yes, this could well be linked. I don’t think we really process things, and so it’s not like I sat down and thought “am I upset about not being in Paris etc..” this could well have been my body : brain showing me, rather than me needing to think about it. Maybe I am pretty f*cking bothered that I failed to make it etc.. it’s a bloody hard thing to qualify and so I don’t mind saying “failed” but I’m sure there could be a link for sure.
@@stephenscullion262 One thing I've been trying to action in every area of life recently is not to over celebrate the wins or take the losses too heavy. I can only imagine how hard that is in elite level sport but I've seen a good few examples at the games. It can be hard blocking out that internal voice that says we're not good enough even when others point out our qualities so I won't try. However this is only a moment of time and I have no doubt you'll be back. I am genuinely looking forward to keeping up with your journey pal.
My initial reaction was wtf man you just smashed a 10k race. Then realised it must be tough with the lack of structure elite athletes must have in their general lives vs most of ua with 9-5s and such. I am sure elite athletics not always compatible with relationships and family life. You are an inspiration Stephen. Rooting for you all the way and Im willing to bet you have another olympics in you
Sharing this publicly takes a lot of guts. You're not just an athlete, you're an inspiration. By showing your vulnerability, you're actually showing how strong you are. You're not alone in this - many of us have been through something similar. Thanks for speaking out and drawing on that deep well of inner strength you have. Keep pushing forward, stay positive, and know that you're amazing! You're doing great!
7.5yrs sober. Got into running after about 2 yrs sober. Finding your channel helped me understand there was a better way to train that would unlock my potential. Still working on it, but you were an early catalyst. Now I’m doing half marathons, cycling, trail running, and going out of the country for the first time to race….and doing it long term/injury free (so far).
Your impact is far beyond your personal results. It’s the impact you have on others.
Thanks for making an impact on me.
You're honestly the best person I've found on here. I don't do any social media (unless you count youtube) but I've been watching your videos for a few years and it's been really really positive for me. Thanks a million. Stay strong.
As a father to a young son who is struggling with mental health, your story is a source of inspiration to me. Keep doing what you’re doing! You make a difference.
Man, I hate videos like this. But these are 100% the videos I need and the reason I'm following your journey. You are doing the right thing. Keep sharing. Keep working hard. You got this!!
I don’t post many comments on youtube but just wanted say thanks for sharing this video. The struggle to be the person you want to be is something I have only spoken about with my very closest friends and to hear someone sharing this publicly is really great, as I have honestly not heard anyone speak openly about struggling with this before. You articulated it better than I have ever managed, it seems like your desire is strong enough that it hasn’t affected your trajectory and thats the most important thing, because there will always be days like this no matter how much we don't want them.
Really appreciate your perspective on the mental side of training, and your analytical approach 👍
First-time viewer, also from Belfast!
I had a bad burnout and depression at the end of 2023, and as a PhD student, I was just lying in bed until 2-3pm, making up excuses to my supervisor, and just avoiding life in general.
I spoke to my doctor, who gave me antidepressants and 3 months off work, but also offered me a free gym membership.
This got me running on the treadmill, and soon I started enjoying it and getting something positive from running longer/faster than last time.
I went from running my first 5k on a treadmill 6 months ago, to running 40k+/week. I've signed up for a half-marathon, and been sticking to a plan for that.
I'm back to working on my PhD, it's still hard, but I feel like running has really helped me cope with the challenges in my life.
My mental health is greatly improved. My physical health is even better - I've lost 15kg, I've gone from stumbling through a 5k, to 20k long runs.
Thanks for sharing your story of struggles and how running had helped!
If you ever feel like running at 7min/km along the Lagan Towpath, I'd love the company!
Been there in the gutter with you. I have to remember the old saying, “bend don’t break.” Running has given me a a positive place to burn my natural nervous, anxious energy. Onward
Take care Stephen. I’m sure this may just be what someone out there needed to hear. It’s so good you open up and share when things don’t work. So much online is just the glossy highlights.
Good on you for sharing Stephen and taking ownership of what happened at the weekend. In my 20's I had to rethink my relationship with alcohol after blacking out too much and ending up in dangerous situations.
PS I live in South Belfast and love seeing you run all the routes I run around Shaws Bridge!
5yrs sober. Started running and triathlon 3 years ago. Running has been the second best thing I've ever done.. it's completely transformed my life.
Please don’t saying getting married was the best thing 🤦🏼♂️
@@oPEaChzNCaKEonah. I don’t get married until December…
@@oPEaChzNCaKEo 🤣
Thank you, Stephen. Hearing your mental health challenges helps me feel less alone with my own.
Good Morning Dear One🌞,
I am an Empathetic, Nurturing Soul,a Mom❤ I feel the need to Mother😊 it's what I do ( I've had over 4 decades to hone in on the Truest form of Love. it's as Natural to me as running is to You. ( My Joy, Peace, Comfort)
My husband and I watch your videos, He finds them so Helpful in his running, Thank You!🤗. For me it's different, I Cry when I see your videos😭🥺to my Deepest core I can Feel your Pain, the moment I see your face I can read your eyes and See, Feel and Know your in Pain, even when You try to hide it from your viewers. 😢🥺
I feel you don't Know ,Except or Embrace your Worth. You are Amazing! But if You yourself doesn't feel it, what is the Word or Accolade hold to you in meaning? I feel Accolades to you are Hollow and Empty, they are Joyful to hear in the moment but they pass through You and become a fading Whisper 😢🥺
Until You truely Feel others Compliments and Listen that it's You, You Stephen who are Amazing, Helpful, Giving and Kind then You can't Except others at their Words or their Gifts of Positivity.
And to me thats so so
Sad🥺.
How can you tell a person so that they Feel it, so deep so Religiously if their Heart only will hold it for a moment?
It's starts with Self Love Stephen ❤️ You are a Gift, there is only one You ,You get one shot at this Amazing, Beautiful, Blessed, Life.🎉
There are going to be : Trials Struggles, Trauma and Hardships (for Everyone,) but even through these Moments there is Growth ,Knowledge and Strength.
There are no Magic Words, that I can Give You to make You See, Feel or even to let You Know a Stranger ,someone so far away Knows and Truely Feels your Pain.🥺
Learn to Love Yourself Stephen as much as you Love running, and Life will Always be Beautiful!
God Bless You 🙏🕊❤️
Rochelle
I love when you open up and share your hard moments Skully. It makes me feel less alone.
I was in a dark place on Saturday, and I knew I had a race to do the next day. It took so much courage to get out of that really deep hole and get to the start line in a positive place
We are all in this together 💙
That screen time thing is real. I almost had a stroke when I saw that I averaged 6:30 on my phone last week. Got to lock in for my marathon, 6 days
Your passion for running and willingness to share that with the community has helped me soo much on my journey. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Choose Strong, Stephen.
Great courage Stephen. This video could help more people than you know. I lived a life of chronic anxiety, low self esteem and anger. At 50 I started running and addressed long buried issues from my past. Very tough but I moved through it. I forgave who I needed to forgive. I asked for forgiveness from those I could. I prayed for forgiveness from those I couldn’t. I owned my actions and forgave myself. At 52 I woke up from a night on the booze and said that’s it for me. Stopped there and then. I’ve no issue with alcohol and if people get something from it be it relaxation or letting of steam that’s ok by me. My life is net better without it. I’m saying this because you’re a lot younger than me - you have time to get it right. Time to be who you want to be. Don’t wait till your 50 pal. My only regret is I didn’t do this 25 years ago. Be well Stephen, I’m rooting for you.
Appreciate that and proud of you for dealing with your past in a good way
I think that learning to sit with discomfort and building community of friends is very important… the latter is harder when we’re constantly busy (and/or traveling), but having your tribe / place that feels like home is so important …
I’ve also noticed that positive effects of running are not constant or not as contestant as they were in the first few years of running-used to be that after every run the mood was so much better… but after 5 + years of running perhaps body and mind get used to it so maybe higher volume is required … or maybe, just maybe we have to work on other things in life! As always, thank you so much for raising awareness in this area👍
You truly are one of the most honest, relatable, down to earth high performance athletes that creates content on youtube. To be so vulnerable and honest after such a low point and recent difficult times must be so hard but thank you for being brave and putting this out there. Im sure it will help 100s if not 1000s of people that watch this video. So refreshing compared to all other running channel "how I improved my 5k time bs" that just assumes running happens in isolation from life events and circumstances. Thanks for the video.
I admire how you allow yourself to be human and vulnerable without shying away from the good and the bad. It’s important and helps more people, myself included, than you know.
Very relatable. About 10yrs ago I was training to move from 42min to
please don´t be so hard on yourself, u r a really great man, and an amazing runner !
I had to come back to this video. After a short while I've realised that this is actually genuinely inspirational. I like that you failed, that you're not perfect. It's given inspiration that that the best are still people. That I don't have to be a machine to get better. I can always improve, even if I have a bad time, even if I make a mistake, I've not failed.
You’re the man Stephen. Stay safe and look after yourself.
I look forward to every single video, Stephen! I appreciate the vulnerability and the insights. You inspire me to be a better version that I imagine that I could be. Thank you!
You help a lot of people including me with you videos, they help me keeping me healthy and with a positive mind, cause I struggle the days I rest, anxiety crawls under my skin and I feel terrible , and I hate myself for it, but when I watch one of your videos I'm already looking forward to start running the next day, and it really helps so much, thank you Stephen
thank you, brother. i am one year into a 5 year dry Pledge. its a whole new way of life. forced to deal with it in different ways. ' mental fitness' thank god amen
With your talent, the opportunities that await you in the future with the hard work you are set to put in, the insights, the honesty, the motivation you provide, the clear fact you are an enormous net benefit to all of us here (and no doubt to those closest to you) it means whatever stage of your life you find yourself at, you will always have an incredible amount of worth, and so much to give to so many. How all that manifests is different perhaps to what it would have 5 years ago and no doubt in 10 years it will be different again-you will have loads to contribute at every stage of life.
Stephen, if you sat down and wrote a list of all of the good you've done, you'd run out of paper.
Running made me a better person, but my anxiety is through the roof and my low moods mean I sit sometimes for hours at a time doing nothing, unable to focus or plan anything. I saw a therapist yesterday, loads to work on, I believe I'll find ways to get better one small change at a time.
Your a great person and you're thankful, you'll be just fine.
Thank you for sharing ❤ Mental health is so so important. It's incredibly brave to be so open and vulnerable.
Just keep running my friend. We need motivator like you. 💪🏻
What an honest revelation Stephen, more power to you. I've learnt a lot from you.
I am praying for you that you stay healthy and keep running. Thanks for sharing
Thank you for being so honest. I appreciate how open and vulnerable this video is. This is one of the many reasons I enjoy your content. I hope I can take this advice and put it into practice. Much love
The total honesty of your channel Scully is off the scale, love it!!!
I'll only say one thing. You are worth recovery and are worth the work. Peace.
Thanks for sharing Stephen. Glad you are OK. You definitely have helped me a lot so far in my young running career. All the best! 💪🏽🔥🔥
I'm 27, started running about three weeks ago. I'm naturally, and always have been a very naturally good runner. My goal is to hit sub three hour marathon in the next 12 months and your channel is instrumental in learning how to properly train. However, I drink a couple of times a month and its common for me to black out and end up in situations similar to what you described. This is the main hurdle I have to jump over. The older I get the more it hurts the psyche to black out uncontrollably. I always wonder does my blackout state hinder peoples perception of sober me and it gives me anxiety for about a month after. Anyways, thanks for sharing you seem like a gentleman so don't worry to much about the past, it happens to those as you described, cray energy. You've helped numerous people with this channel both with getting started, and hitting their goals. Respect.
When you want your goal enough then perhaps it will be worth skipping a few of the nights out..
You are so brave when you share stories like this. I admire you for your running career and I admire you for your honesty. Very much appreciated! Keep it up :-)
Thanks for that Stephen, an honest, relatable video, no matter whether you are a runner or not. At 55 my days of heavy sessions are thankfully few and far between, but I do find my mental health is affected by the digital world we live in these days. I try and avoid the whole "as an older runner you should be doing this and this" type videos, I prefer to compare myself, against myself from yesterday and tomorrow.
Stay happy Stephen.
Thank you for having had the courage to share your struggles and insights. Having dealt with loved ones' mental health challenges, I hope you continue to find productive ways to ease your struggles, both on your own and with the support of others. Thank you for all that you do!
Thank you for sharing this with us.. 2 years ago I was going through the roughest phase of my life , where I would sleep all day , have no motivation etc. I started running and trust me . I would forget all my worries when I would be running . I like to believe that running taught me more philosophy than any other self help book . Grateful :)
Thank you for sharing your life with us. I’ve watched so many of your videos and have benefited from your running and training advice. Continue your mental health journey one day at a time. Embrace the good and bad of it.
you are my favorite athlete of all time Mr. Stephen Scullion! not just because you ran 209 for the marathon, but because of this, because of your BiG Heart and transparency. ThankYou
just purchased your Masterclass and started gobbling through the first few videos. I used to care too much about what people think about me. after watching your vids i didn’t become a whole new person overnight but i can see myself changing.
I'm new to your story, your content. I realy like your energy, probably cause it is similar to mine. Not here to smartmouth, but for me Sadhguru was a flipswitch to happines. Just watch or listen to one of his "Youth and trouth" sessions. Helped me realize how the power and responsibility for my feelings and wellbeing is within me. It held even more gravitas as I came across him while I was in therapy and combination of both sped my path.
THX for your content. All of it...
You have the gift Stephen - the same part of you that made you an elite athlete in one of the toughest sports in the world is the same part of you that can destroy you. Stay healthy, be mindful and never give up on the process of developing a stronger relationship with yourself. Many people are reconsidering their relationship with alcohol now, perhaps it could be worth giving it a go.
I definitely need to reflect more, get back to the gratitude lists and switch off/meditate more etc... thanks for the reminder-love your work.
Thanks for sharing this journey. Mental fitness and training is under discussed. Very helpful approaches. Keep healthy Stephen!! Let’s all do this together 💪
Take care Stephen! Love your content
In the same shoes as you a lot, thanks for sharing champ. Really appreciate it.
The mental part of your videos is outstanding. I started writing every day about my training and who I feel about it, and it helped me a lot. Thank you so much 🙏
I gave it up for much the same reason. If I pick it up I'm all in. I fought against naming what it was for a long time, so kept finding myself back in a shit place. Last one was probably 13/14 years back, never looked back.
It takes courage to talk about where you were , well done. Hopefully the last time you find yourself there.
I started developing mental health issues recently, partially related to stress. It shook me to the core, never imagined having issues like this. I can hardly believe that some like you (talented, great looking) can have similar problems....
Glad you’re ok Stephen!
Thank you for sharing. It takes a lot of courage. At the end of the day, making bad decisions and learning from them is what makes us better. ❤
You are a wondeful person so thanks for sharing your life. It means a lot to me.
Thanks for sharing this Stephen . I’ve been following your marathon program for Palma in October . So I want to thank you for that but also I’ve been journaling ever since I started the training . So I want to tell you that im thankful for that .
I feel a great sense of purpose and direction . That’s what im more thankful for than the tools for sub 3 hours
Happy Monday my friend 🙌🏻
BIG RESPECT for sharing this ❤
I also have really benefited from an aggressive focused personality. However, those traits killed me with alcohol. I have been sober for 29 years. My life is so much more balanced with distance from drinking. I can now accomplish my goals by going overboard or overfocused on the one goal. Love your channel
Just watching you run on your videos, inspires us to keep running and achieve the form that you have. The ease with which you run is a bliss.
Hi Stephen
Thank you for your channel. You add so much value with your channel for us who are performance orientated. You are so easy to relate to. I think it is because you are not ashamed to call a spade a spade. Us performance athletes, we are seldom satisfied with our own progress and achievements. This makes us difficult to be with. This adds more pressure on us to succeed, which is different from each individual.
Please remember that it is not how we fall, but how we get up.
We all have to ask ourselves: What am I running away from, or am I running towards something?
I have to remind myself of the following every week.
Success can not come to be without adversity.
How you handle yourself in those adverse situations...
That is what defines a person - that is how you build your legacy.
I'm looking forward to your success and content.
Kind regards
Tjarra
(the has been)
Thanks for sharing Stephen. Running has helped me get and stay healthy, and your videos have played a part. Run fast instead of buckfast!
We all struggle in life, im no stranger to severe depression. Since last autumn and into spring ive never experienced depression like this. I don't have issues with alcohol any longer Stephen. I feel sad that you've been this way. It's not easy with many balances or imbalances in life. My phone has 6 hrs plus on it. Loneliness is a killer I feel. I dont have partner etc or children. Friends are hmmm meh ok but they don't understand what it looks or feels like to be lonely. I hear my voice only every day. It's hard it's hard for many. I've no confidence whatsoever I capitulate in races at the moment especially since I now need to train for things. I've got past my initial general fitness increase. I love your videos. I'll keep watching as we're not alone.
I hope you find reasons to become confident, and it’s a skill like any other that can be improved, but it’s earned from becoming the kind of person you’d envision might be confident. Not visually, but confident people are usually disciplined, work hard etc.. figure out what kind of traits might lead to you feeling more confident and then work your socks off to get there.
YT-comments isn't really the place for this, but from the information i have you are socially stressed and lonely at the same time.
There is two ways going about this. Gradually improve your behavior towards things that feel better. Or a really hard break, throwing you into a life that might feel better.
For me personally the leaving the phone at home and go on a trip or adventure works.
@MrHaggyy I'm really sorry for YT comments what ever they are.
@stephenscullion262 Thank you, Stephen, for your comments. You stay healthy and safe. Keep up you're hard work too. You're a fantastic runner. You inspire many runners.
Thank you for sharing this❤much respect. I've been in the same boat.
I'll be one year sober in a few weeks🎉
Thanks for this Stephen
Going through dark times at the moment.
Focusing on my running has certainly helped.
❤
Thanks you for your honesty , I wish you the best. You’re my coach !!
Thank you for sharing your story!
Another video of yours that makes me say "wow, I seem to share the same brain with this man" 😅.
I found myself in what you said, for me hikeing the mountains and running are the things that keep me afloat even if I delve into vices quite often lately... I always motivate myself with the way I, in the last 4 years, have gone from a junkie to a sports junkie ahaha😂 and basically saved and transformed my body. The fact that I haven't been able to find a job for some time (in the field I studied), the fact that in Romania "mental health" is a taboo subject, sessions with a therapist are not subsidized by the state and are quite expensive etc., all these things keep me down both mentally and socially.. but as you say running/movement is an anchor. Endurance has a great power over my brain and this power can overcome fatigue and muscle stiffness and lactic acid and depression. Nature is miraculous and we are part of it too, we just have to try to connect or reconnect to it.
Keep moving, big up!!
Thank you for this video Stephen. I'm sure it will be of great help to many people, whether they're runners or not.
i completely identify with what youre saying Stephen, thank you very much for sharing
honestly im here, ive got my breakfast and lunch made for before and after tomorrow mornings session. I have everything lined up. If i had the rest of my life as well serviced id be doing well
When we fall it's a process, same as picking ourselves up is a process. We can't stand back up in the same mindset as when we fell down. All we need is the will to learn and we'll be moving again in no time. No regrets.
I really needed this video. Thank you so much.
You are truly an inspiration my friend.
Thank you so much
🙏
Thanks very much for sharing this. I often get lulled into a false sense of security with this, and that’s when it can creep back on me. Seems sudden but that disengagement prior to it is there, I’m just too distracted to see it.
Thanks for sharing this with us, take care of yourself and keep up the good work 👍
Wow what a great video! Ly Stephen
Thank you so much, in all too many ways !!!!!!
Been there many times, and training was my saving grace. I've lost count of the number of times I woke up not quite drunk, and not quite sobar, where the only way to get rid of my mental hangover ( yes, mental ) is to go and train ( run in my case ). It's easy to get into that social drinking trap, and can be extremely hard to break away from. It normally takes something major to shake you out of it. 7 months dry for me, and I won't lie, I really miss it a lot of the time.
Thank us for watching… no. THANK YOU FOR SHARING from the bottom of your heart. It is really helpful and that is the reason why most of us enjoy running. Living the moment and leave apart the monsters that live in our minds. Take after yourself and a big hug.
Same story for many of us. Thanks for sharing man. 🙏
If only more professional athletes were as open and honest as you are, and presenting it to the masses. I honestly think we would all be in a better place. Love the content mate, keep it up
You are truly an inspiration my friend.
That’s really deep, even for me as a 22yo that has never drank alcohol to this point.
Love you Scully!! I can relate hard to your struggles and this feels really similar to my own life 😎💪🏻
Saturday was the Olympic men’s marathon day…did that anything to do with it Stephen…I know whatever it was the fact that you’re blogging about it shows you are already on the right track…👍👍
Just the Best! Inspiration for years.. Grüße aus Deutschland ❤️
I needed to see this right now, thank you !
Happens to the best of us mate :) onwards and upwards.
Thank You
Thankyou
I've had depression for my whole life and recently came off antidepressants after being on them for 10 years because I'm just so tired of being medicated. It's been so tough but running is always there.
Get well 😊
Check out the music of Irish band, “We Are Messengers”! Absolutely fitting in the mental health scene. Darren Mulligan is the real deal.
This is powerful shit. I appreciate you talking about it. People ask me why do you do triathlons. My wife knows why. Its my church. It keeps me from being a total degenerate. I could go on but I wont. Thank you!
0:47 so you completly forgot how you ran a sub2 marathon wearing nothing but your birthday suit?
Jokes aside, let's face it:
live
is
tough.
The last 2weeks were especially hard on my wife's family and friends of my family.
Divorce, break up, cancer death, drug death, motorcycle death, financial issues... you name it.
And while you can't prevent every stroke of fate that happens to you, many of them root in addictive behaviour.
I don't want to see you there Steven, I love you and how you try to do everything perfectly (at least runningwise, cause I don't know about your personal life, but I guess it is similar).
And since it would simply be wrong to give any advice to you there is just one thing left to say:
I know that you have what you need to be happy. Use it❤❤❤
December 2022, I had to make a change in my life. I was doing a lot of stupid stuff. I wanted to challenge myself and find ways to fill “voids” in my life with something positive. So I started running. And I sucked. I nearly quit after my first attempt. But I stuck with it. Kept going. The runs got faster and further. And I haven’t looked back since. Running very much saved me from self destruction.
Meaning and purpose, bro your doing great and you have so much knowledge to pass on 💯 , maybe there's a fine lady waiting in the wings and a family.
Either way your here to tell us how to be better runners your knowledge is much appreciated .
In your own time can you do something on HIIT as i have found it very useful in my running fitness and my vo2max on another level.
You’re an Olympian. Not only are you an Olympian you’re an Olympian at the most grueling endurance event that exists. You’ve done something that only a few hundred people max on earth, out of 7+ billion people get to do once every 4 years. You need to give yourself credit. To say you’re an outlier of a human, is the understatement of the century. It takes an extreme person to do that, mindset that only you and a few thousand people in history can honestly say they know. Your body can take it, your mind struggles. You’re not the first elite athlete to suffer like this and you won’t be the last. We all enter the pain cave for a reason. I’ve seen enough of your videos to know that you know all this, and are working on it. Just get back at it, do you man.