Ken Rideout: Opioids Controlled My Life for Years Until Running Saved Me!

Ken Rideout is a marathon world champion, winner of the Gobi March, and proud father of four, but he was once struggling with a years-long opioid addiction. In this inspiring episode, he shares his journey through addiction, and how running helped him finally break free from the drugs. Ken shares an unfiltered look at how anyone can turn adversity into purpose and that no matter where you start, you can always fight for a better version of yourself.

In this candid conversation with Dr. Kristen Holmes, Ken bares all:

How he went from an opioid addict to marathon world champion

The ugly truth about the worst of his addiction

Why running 10 miles every day became critical to his recovery

What motivates him to keep going during extreme endurance events

How childhood trauma continues to shape his mindset

Why his addiction recovery isn’t the perfect story

How he survived a 155-mile ultramarathon in the Gobi Desert

The toughest battle he and his family has faced

This episode is not just about running or athletics, but how to face life’s hardest battles and emerge stronger on the other side.

Follow us here:

https://www.instagram.com/theline.show

https://www.instagram.com/drkristenholmes

Follow Ken here:

https://www.instagram.com/ken_rideout/

https://x.com/KenRideout_

And learn more about his upcoming book here:

https://www.theothersideofhard.com/

(00:00) Intro

(02:33) How Ken's Dysfunctional Childhood Shaped His Life

(04:50) Early Lessons in Resilience: Ken's 5am Paper Route

(08:04) Ken's First Introduction to Drugs at Framingham State

(12:38) Making the Jump from Blue-Collar Boston to New York City

(16:19) How Percocet and Prescription Drugs Changed Everything

(20:10) When Ken Realized His Addiction Was Spinning Out of Control

(22:45) What the Drugs Brought to Ken's Life

(26:23) The Battle to Stay Sober and Relapse Struggles

(30:01) Ken Rideout’s Breaking Point in His Addiction Journey

(34:48) How Running 10 Miles Helped Ken Fight Addiction

(38:33) Bon Charge Ad

(39:35) The Emotional Toll of Quitting the Kona Ironman

(43:18) 'My Addiction Story Isn't the Perfect Recovery Story'

(48:26) Onsite Recovery: Finding Purpose Beyond Accomplishments

(53:08) How Ken Rideout Completed All World Marathon Majors in 17 Months

(56:14) Four Weeks to Prepare for the 155-Mile Gobi March Ultramarathon

(01:02:37) Ken’s Grueling Experience Competing in the Gobi March

(01:05:24) Running an Ultramarathon in Desert Conditions

(01:07:47) The Final Push to Win the Gobi March

(01:11:56) Hot Spring Spas Ad

(01:12:56) WHOOP Ad

(01:13:58) How a Running Coach Unlocked Ken's Potential

(01:16:42) How Ken Recovers From Extreme Endurance Events

(01:17:31) Why Hyrox is More Than Just a Fitness Challenge

(01:19:30) What Anyone Can Learn from Ken’s Story of Resilience

(01:23:28) The Hardest Thing Ken Has Faced: His Wife's Cancer Diagnosis

(01:28:53) Kristen Breaks Down the conversation

Sponsored by:

Hot Spring Spas - https://hotspring.com/kristen

WHOOP - https://join.whoop.com/gb/en/SCIENCE/

Bon Charge - http://BONCHARGE.COM/KRISTEN used code KRISTEN for 15% off

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