Rich Roll could not be properly covered in a mere 6 minutes. He's a renaissance man. Aside from being a super-endurance athlete and a high-powered Hollywood attorney, he's a writer, film maker and producer. Rich rubs shoulders with the entertainment industry elite.
I met Rich via Facebook (as I have with so many interesting new friends). While we moved in the same circles and competed at the same time in the late 1980s, we somehow missed each other. It was clearly my loss. Rich is the kind of guy you want to know; supremely compassionate while pursuing his own, often lonely, personal goals...
Our interview went long, and I made a lot of mistakes, but Rich was patient and encouraging. (He has been since I started social-networking with swimmers and Olympic-fans). There was a section of the interview I could not cut-down into a bite-sized clip for the web. Rich talked eloquently about his Ultraman journey, an almost tribal feeling that enveloped him as he progressed through the 320 mile competition. While Rich, a 42 year old man, was the 3rd fastest American, he didn't go into any detail about his place. It wasn't about that. It was, I gathered, as close to a spiritual journey as anyone could ever experience. He said, "When you're in it, the competition, you want everyone to finish..."
I've known endurance-athletes my whole life, and they all seem to have the same provocative similarities. They live life on the absolute edge, in their work, their personal lives, and when they party.
I always hung with the distance swimmers when I swam. After a 60 mile week of grinding it out, they uncorked and released the pressure valve. Many have gone on to become highly regarded in their respected fields of work or fabulously wealthy. Some have almost made it, or they've flame-out. A few have crumbled into extreme addictions and even gone to jail. Rarely has there been a middle-ground.
You might think I'm reaching on this subject, making a gross generality, or maybe you've seen this for yourself--but I know how these athletes are wired. They must be the absolute best they can be, or they feel they've failed miserably. I've dealt a little with this problem (in marriage, as a father, as an athlete, and in work). I trained with distance athletes, and won Olympic gold, and owe my success to their persistent presence, pushing me year after year in the water...but, in many ways, I knew I wasn't as disciplined as them. I knew they had a psychological make-up that I'd never fully understand.
If you want success, I do NOT THINK YOU WILL GET IT FROM A LIFE COACH; the Tony Robbins of the world, hawking feel-good buzz-lines for life. Watch endurance-athletes. Study their discipline. Investigate their psychology. I don't think everyone should do exactly what endurance athletes do. I don't think life should be so dire, but I do know you will learn a lot. And I'm sure you will always be inspired.
If you read Rich Roll's blog, you'll get a low-key, humble inside perspective of what it takes to do the unbelievable. I'm a reader, and I have a sneaking suspicion, Rich has battled a few demons. He relays the information in a way, though, that lets you know he's bigger than anything life throws at him. For me, personally, endurance-athletes are heroes. (I know I'm not alone in my thinking. At swimming meets--World Champs, the Olympics--watch the Michael Phelps or Ryan Lochtes or Jason Lezaks of the world. They stand up and watch every minute of the mile. They know and respect the most disciplined of us all.)
For the inside stuff on the most grueling competition in the world, go to ULTRAMAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS and read more.
For the inside stuff on Rich Roll, go to his blog, jaiultra.blogspot.com. (If you're not an endurance fan, go there anyway. You appreciate the information on diet and nutrition.)
Hey Mel, The question with the vegan plan is getting enough protein, lots of egg plant and tofu. Try Los Osos and the sand bar next time you're on the central coast. Fun stuff, Burbank Greg.
Posted by: gregory m. gregerson | March 25, 2009 at 08:02 AM
taking about another french , alain bernard is going to Coral Sping (florida) for swim camp from the 1st to the 13th febuary
Posted by: maly | January 16, 2009 at 04:07 PM
Awesome as usual. I bet that was a bitch to edit! But your hard work is always much appreciated by your loyal followers.
Posted by: Candace | January 15, 2009 at 04:40 PM
i think she does speak english , she loves coming to train in colorado before the big races, last year , she came to the usa to train before the games. on her wiki page , you will see that she has won a lot of races in the usa , her best result in the usa , is her gold medal in atlanta .
Posted by: maly | January 14, 2009 at 11:08 AM
Maly, does she speak English? Think she would do an interview with me?
Posted by: goldmedalmel | January 13, 2009 at 06:10 PM
in france , jannie longo is a sport icon , she hasn't ruled out the possibility of going to london in 2012,
Posted by: maly | January 13, 2009 at 05:23 PM
Neptune, I did not know about Jeannie Longo (and I should)! 50 years old? 4th at the Olympics? Unbelievable!
Posted by: goldmedalmel | January 13, 2009 at 03:46 PM
awesome debut Mel - looking forward to more of these.
Posted by: gus | January 13, 2009 at 03:33 PM
I am still new to this BIG SWIMMING comm. You prolly don't remember me. I haven't been here since Christmas because I have been spending a lot of time on MPhelps Daily lately. Crazy but excellent stuff going on there too...
I am glad to see you're still in puuuurrfect shape, Mel!
Amazing interview and again you're also the reason why it is good ;)
I agree, "middle-age returns" are always impressive.
I know this has nothing to do with swimming but as a European, my absolute reference in sports would be French racing cyclist Jeannie Longo. Few Americans truly know about her, unfortunately. She already won 1013 trophies - true fact no joke! She never really stop competing, she's now 50 and she even managed to finish 4th (!!!) during the last Olympics. That woman is such a miracle of nature. Even local journalists have stopped interviewing her because they have no words left to describe her.
I believe diet is the key, for Longo also mentioned having drastic changes in that department in order to stay fit.
Am also having Agassi in mind. I mean, isn't he like the best example, like the perfect metaphor for "return" since IT was HIS best shot?...
Mel, I could speak about "middle-age returns" for hours. Thanks for popping up this subject...
Sincerely,
Yours.
You're really really good at what you're doing...
Posted by: The Fiery Messengers of Neptune | January 13, 2009 at 08:12 AM
Thanks Melissa R! Trying to have fun along the way...
FYI: Lots of women will be interviewed over the next few weeks on GOLD MEDAL MINUTE......
Posted by: goldmedalmel | January 12, 2009 at 10:47 AM
Great Interview! He is an interesting and inspirational guy. And I like the new intro.
Posted by: Melissa R. | January 11, 2009 at 04:37 PM
Thanks Megan
Posted by: Mel Stewart | January 10, 2009 at 05:55 PM
Whoa. That's amazing. What a humble, inspirational, driven guy. Great interview and and writing.
I wish Rich all the best for a happy, successful and fun 2009.
Posted by: Megan | January 10, 2009 at 02:24 PM
Rich is inspiring! I didn't even know how great he was until I started reading his blog.... He never brought it up!!! I'd like to go to the Ultraman as a reporter in 09 and see everything first hand.....
Posted by: Mel Stewart | January 10, 2009 at 12:58 PM
Cool that you profiled Rich here Mel!
I LOVE the Ultraman. It is my one event goal left in triathlon and I hope I get to do it before I leave this earth... If I don't, I hope someone will scatter me over the course!
I've seen the swim and the run - some of the bike course, but not all.
It is paradise with the tiniest flashes of hell. So tiny, they are quickly forgotten after the finish line.
Rich goin at it vegan is impressive. I've been a vegetarian/vegan for about 11 years. Its very do-able and clean fueling.
Congratulations and good luck to Rich in the new year!
Posted by: Ahelee | January 10, 2009 at 11:55 AM