E105 - This Video Will Force You To Take Action Before It's Too Late | Hardest Geezer

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Russ Cook (AKA Hardest Geezer) is the first person in history to run the entire length of Africa, over 16,000km through deserts, mountains, war zones and everything in between. But this episode isn’t just about the miles. It’s about the mindset behind them.

We dig into how Russ built his pain tolerance, what it really took to push through the darkest moments, and how ordinary people can unlock extraordinary levels of discipline. It’s raw, honest, and wildly motivating, exactly what you’d expect from the Hardest Geezer.

00:00 Introduction 01:40 Kicking off in London and where “Hardest Geezer” came from 03:15 Growing up in sleepy Worthing and building resilience through banter 06:45 The early gym days and getting roasted for self-improvement 08:05 Reigniting running after a rough patch of drinking and gambling 10:10 Running as a mental battlefield more than a physical one 13:00 Influences like Goggins and Gooch and redefining mental toughness 14:01 When the idea to run the length of Africa was born 15:32 Meeting a world-travelling cyclist and deciding to run instead 17:24 Running 66 days from Asia to London with a hammock and little money 20:24 Wild solo travel stories including wolves, prostitutes, and relentless hunger 22:50 The allure and quiet intensity of running alone with your thoughts 25:34 British culture, team sports, and outgrowing binge drinking 28:46 Staying shredded with gym consistency and knowing your limits 31:07 Body dysmorphia, competing, and finding a healthier relationship with fitness 33:54 Life after success and why fulfilment beats chasing numbers 36:40 Realising chasing status symbols like cars and watches means little 41:48 Planning the Africa run and navigating dangerous, unstable regions 46:57 Starting in South Africa with £10k and no sponsors 51:33 Hostage situation in Congo 54:11 Crossing the Tunisia finish line and feeling true fulfilment 58:09 What comes after Africa and why pole-to-pole might be next 01:11:15 Launching Hardest Adventures to help others transform through challenge 01:14:11 Rediscovering discipline, soft patches, and mental toughness post-Africa

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