Cliff Young: The 61-Year-Old Who Defied Limits and Won an Ultramarathon
In 1983, Cliff Young, a 61-year-old potato farmer from Australia, did something that shocked the world: he entered a 500-mile ultramarathon wearing work boots and overalls. Spectators assumed he was joking. Some even thought he was lost. He wasn’t. When asked why he entered, he simply said:
“I’ve chased sheep for days on end. I think I can run.”
An Unlikely Competitor
From the start, Cliff looked out of place. Elite runners sprinted ahead, leaving him trailing behind in what appeared to be a slow, awkward shuffle. Nobody took him seriously. But Cliff had a secret advantage: he didn’t know you were supposed to stop and sleep. While the other competitors rested 6–8 hours each night, Cliff kept moving - all night, every night. His strange shuffle, initially mocked, turned out to be incredibly efficient for long-distance running. By the time anyone realised what was happening, Cliff was hours ahead. He didn’t just win the race: he set a new course record, at age 61, in work boots, with zero professional training.
The Lesson Behind Cliff Young’s Victory
Cliff’s triumph wasn’t about youth, speed, or talent. It was about mindset. He didn’t carry the rules everyone else believed. He didn’t limit himself with “should,” “can’t,” or “ought to.”
He simply believed: “I’ll keep moving until I get there.”
Sometimes, that’s all it takes to outperform people who look faster, louder, or more qualified than you.
What Cliff Can Teach Us About Overcoming Limits
Most limits exist because someone taught us they do. We tell ourselves what we “can’t” or “shouldn’t” do, often before even trying. Cliff didn’t know the rules, so he made new ones.
One step.
Then another.
Keep going when others stop.
This approach applies far beyond ultramarathons. Whether it’s starting a new habit, launching a project, or pursuing a personal goal, the key is movement, consistency, and belief in yourself.
A Practical Takeaway
Try this this week: drop one assumption about what you “can’t” do, and take one small step towards it - even if it’s a shuffle. You never know… you might end up winning a race you didn’t realise you were allowed to run.
✨ Ready to push past limits and achieve your goals? Whether it’s mindset, habits, or personal growth, hypnotherapy can help you keep moving forward when others stop.
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