Just Human

Redefining Toughness: Beyond the Finish Line

• Jay Boykin • Season 2 • Episode 13

 In this episode of Just Human, I sit down again with ultra-marathoner and combat Marine Tyler Herman to explore what it really means to be tough.

Tyler recently attempted the URA 100, one of the hardest 100-mile mountain races in the world. After nearly 50 miles and 16,000 feet of climbing, his race ended with three letters: DNF (Did Not Finish). But what happened in those miles and the decision to stop is a powerful lesson in resilience, vulnerability, and redefining success.

We talk about:
🏔 The moment self-doubt hit harder than the physical pain
🏔 How his crew carried belief for him when he couldn’t carry it himself
🏔 The difference between pain and injury, and why stopping can be the bravest choice
🏔 Why failure can sometimes be the very thing we need to grow

This conversation isn’t just about running. It’s about leadership, community, and the human side of toughness.

💡 If you’ve ever faced setbacks in business, family, or life, Tyler’s story will remind you: toughness isn’t about being unbreakable. It’s about being fully human in the climb.