Dane Rauschenberg shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Dane, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
I have a smidgen of a breather right now. I just finished putting on the brand new Break the bank 50 mile race in Duluth MN. This is a first year event where me and my business partner Heather Alvarado are attempting to create the premier 50 mile race in the country here in Minnesota. The first year went off as perfectly as we possibly could have hoped it were to be. I then celebrated that by going on a trip to LjubLjana Slovenia where I ran 1/2 marathon there. This was my fourth half marathon that I’ve run after partial knee replacement surgery this February.
I’m heading to West Virginia soon to run another half marathon is a continual quest to run both a marathon and a half marathon in every state before I turn 50 in may of 2026. This would have happened years ago if not for both COVID and two years lost to knee surgeries. So a lot of my time is simply trying to make up for 16 months of not running which is not an easy task at my not 21 anymore age!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m best known as the extreme athlete who ran 52 marathons in 52 weekends period since that time nearly 20 years ago I’ve written five books both on and off the subject of running and have made a name for myself as a public speaker who attempts to implore others to ignore the impossible.
I’ve also spent a great bit of time creating a new app called Sherpa. It has an on demand app that safely connects athletes with personalized training guides. Think of it as a combination of Uber and Airbnb but for athletes. Getting that off the ground has taken a lot of my bandwidth lately as we simply need to get as many people knowing about it nationwide as possible in order to show that it’s a viable product. The idea is definitely a solid one as I know athletes everywhere are looking for a training partner no matter where they go to be able to meet them at their convenience period now we just simply have to get as many athletes on there as possible.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
It is impossible to look past election night of 2016 where a country that I thought was making leaps and bounds forward decided to choose a wannabe despot over one of the most qualified people to ever run for president. My eyes have been opened to how unbelievably ignorant some people are and how much they wish to follow a cult leader and how many other people simply are awful to the core.
I know many don’t wish to label their once friends and family members as such but it is my opinion that you are a sum of all of your choices and some of your choices have more of a bearing on who you are as a person than others. I don’t really care if you want pineapple on your pizza nearly as much as I do whether you think gay people have the right to be married, for example.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There are plenty of times I have given up in life. I think that is completely different than quitting which is a much more existential and deep philosophical feeling. Often you have to give up so that you can start again. There’s nothing wrong with detours or small stoppages as long as you keep your eye on the prize. And sometimes when you look hard enough you realize that the price has changed and you must change tacks in order to obtain what you want.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
I do everything I can to be as authentic as possible with regards to what I am like in private and what I’m like in public. I am far too lazy to try to remember the different faces and masks that I would have to wear to meet all the different people in the world and mold myself to what it is they want. Some people see this as brash or arrogant or potentially a little too in your face. I see it as knowing that I never have to worry about what I have said because whatever it was was exactly what I feel.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I don’t think that most people have a firm grasp of where they stand in the world. I feel I have a rather spot on assessment of what I can bring to this planet and that sort of certainty really throws people off who think it is a immodest view of your own worth. If after nearly 50 years of life on this planet I don’t know what it is that I can bring to any room, but I have failed at both not only accomplishing things but recognizing what I can accomplish. Knowing your worth is a superpower that most people simply do not possess.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://SeeDaneRun.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danerauschenberg/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dane-rauschenberg-51399b1/
- Twitter: https://x.com/SeeDaneRun
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seedanerun
