Trust you gut and lead the way: Insights inspired by Born to Run

Some books hit you at the right time. Born to Run was one of those for me. I picked it up expecting a book about running, and yeah, it delivered on that. But what I didn’t expect was how much it would stir something in me. It reminded me of what we’re really capable of, not just physically, but deep down in our spirit.

The book dives into the lives of the Tarahumara, a tribe tucked away in Mexico’s Copper Canyons, who run for joy, for tradition, for life. I found myself identifying with Caballo Blanco, the lone runner with a heart bigger than his stride, who brought so many people together through a simple race that meant so much more than winning.

As I was reading, I couldn’t help but connect it all to leadership. Not the kind you find in blogs like this or books, but the kind that comes from within. The kind that’s tied to gut feelings, instincts, and purpose.

If you haven’t read Born to Run yet, I can’t recommend it enough. It’s one of those rare books that doesn’t just tell a story, it changes how you think about yourself and what’s possible. Whether you’re a runner or not, a leader or not, this book will challenge you to reconnect with something real and raw inside you.

Trust Your Gut

One of the biggest things that stuck with me is how the Tarahumara live by instinct. They don’t overanalyze. They don’t overcomplicate. They just run. They move because that’s what they were made to do.

That hit me. Because in leadership, and life, we tend to doubt that part of ourselves. We overthink, we wait for the perfect moment, we second-guess that little voice inside us. But sometimes the gut is right. Sometimes it knows before your brain catches up.

I’ve learned over the years that some of the best decisions I’ve made weren’t the ones I could justify with a spreadsheet or strategic plan. They were the ones where something inside just said, “This is the right move.” And when you lead from that place, rooted in conviction, not fear, it makes all the difference.

Don’t Go It Alone

Caballo Blanco, whose real name was Micah True, might’ve looked like a loner. A mysterious, rugged figure who lived simply and wandered the wilds of the Southwest, often barefoot or in minimal shoes. He wasn’t your typical leader, wearing no title or suit, but he carried a deep passion for running and a genuine belief in the power of community.

At his core, Caballo Blanco was all about connection. He wasn’t just chasing personal glory or fame; he believed in building bridges, between people, between cultures, between the everyday runner and the elite athlete. He dedicated his life to sharing the Tarahumara’s wisdom and spirit with the world, not to exploit it, but to celebrate it.

The race he created in the Copper Canyons wasn’t just a run, it was a gathering of souls chasing something bigger than themselves. It was about unity, shared purpose, and the joy found in pushing limits together. Caballo Blanco’s vision was bigger than the finish line, it was about fostering a community where every runner, no matter their background, could feel seen, supported, and inspired.

That’s leadership. We weren’t meant to do this work alone. And honestly, every time I’ve tried to carry it all myself, it hasn’t ended well. But when I invite others in, when I lean on the strengths of the team, when I create space for others to thrive, that’s when momentum builds. That’s when it feels less like grinding and more like running with the wind at your back.

We Were Made for More

There’s a theory in Born to Run rooted in evolutionary science and anthropology, that humans were literally born to run. Not just to sprint short distances or jog on a treadmill, but to run long and far, with endurance built right into our bodies. This idea comes from the work of researchers like Daniel Lieberman, who studies how our ancestors evolved as “persistence hunters.” Early humans who chased prey over miles and hours, relying on stamina and strategy rather than speed alone. They would literally outlast their prey by running it down until it became exhausted.

This concept reshaped how I see movement. Running wasn’t just exercise, it’s woven into our DNA. And as I reflected more, I realized this idea applies to leadership, too.

Because I believe we were born to lead, not by grabbing power or chasing position, but by serving others with heart and purpose. We were made to face discomfort, push through hard times, and endure. To guide others through the messy middle and help them come out stronger.

How Running Changed Me

Running hasn’t always been easy for me. A few years ago, I was nearly 300 pounds and struggled just to run a mile. But something inside told me I could do more. I started slow, building week by week. Over time, running became more than exercise, it became a teacher.

It taught me discipline, patience, and the power of pushing through discomfort. It reminded me to listen to my body, my gut, my purpose. Like the Tarahumara, I eventually found joy in simply moving forward.

I’ve talked about this journey many times before because it’s important to me, it’s not just a story about running, it’s a story about growth, leadership, and trusting the process. That’s when the lessons of Born to Run really clicked. Leadership, like running, isn’t about the finish line, it’s about showing up, trusting your instincts, and putting one foot in front of the other even when it’s hard.

And over the past year, after my neck surgery, I’ve learned just how easy it is to lose that momentum if you don’t keep at it, and how much harder it is to get it back once it’s gone. It’s a powerful reminder that leadership, like running, requires consistency and commitment every day.

Trust your instincts, embrace the journey, and run toward what sets your soul on fire.

Born to Run reminded me of something simple but easy to forget: we were built for this. Not for sitting still, not for shrinking back, but for running forward—into challenge, into purpose, into whatever adventure is calling us. So whether you’re facing a tough decision, a new opportunity, or just a stretch of unknown trail in front of you—trust your gut. Lead from your core. Don’t run away from it. Run toward it.

And if you’re looking for a book that will inspire you, challenge you, and maybe even change you, please do yourself a favor and read Born to Run. It’s one of those rare books that stays with you long after the last page.

Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen: McDougall, Christopher: 9780307279187: Amazon.com: Books