In a recent Strength Running podcast, Jason interviewed Matt Fitzgerald about his new book, The Comeback Quotient. It’s.a collection of stories about athletes who faced setbacks but succeeded in overcoming them. Obviously, I want this book. I wanted it so badly that thanks to Amazon, it will be arriving on my doorstep tomorrow. While I’m waiting, here are three interesting points from the podcast.
1. Matt Fitzgerald is dealing with long haul Covid.
Boy, that would suck. Apparently he got Covid in March of 2020, recovered, but six months later was hit with long haul symptoms and has been struggling with it ever since. He’s currently unable to run because of it. Talk about a frustrating situation! Having plantar fasciitis is frustrating, but it’s better than long haul Covid- so I should stop complaining.
2. The distinction between acceptance and embracing a situation.
Matt says that people who who overcome difficult situations are “ultrarealists.” They start by accepting the current situation, but then go even farther than that and embrace it. He describes embracing a bad situation as fully committing to whatever needs to be done in the moment. According to Matt, becoming an “ultrarealist” is a key component to staging a comeback, and I’m looking forward to reading more about it.
3. Increase your overall well-being.
Certain situations may seem temporarily hopeless. Like Matt can’t cure his long haul Covid today, and my plantar fasciitis won’t be gone tomorrow. But Matt says you can still strive to increase your overall well-being every day. Obviously we all know that lying on the couch reading comic books and eating candy bars for dinner won’t help anything. But we can go one step further and get better in some way every day. Maybe my foot won’t be healed, but can I make my hips stronger? Can I get more sleep? Can I eat a healthier dinner? I can still make my life better.
I can’t wait to read this book. He does warn that parts of it may be hard to read, because some of the situations people deal with are very serious, like cancer and depression. But they all make comebacks, so I think in the end it will be inspiring. Just when I needed some serious inspiration, this book appeared on my radar- life is funny like that.
Have you heard of this book? Have you read anything else by Matt Fitzgerald?
16 Responses
That does sound like a great book! I agree with his theory about embracing the situation (rather than dwelling negatively on it). I think having a positive attitude is paramount, as well as a grasp of the bigger picture. Easier said than done, though, for some folks. You seem to be a very positive person, Jenny, so I have no doubt you’re going to ride this wave with grace and optimism 😉
Thank you Kim! I think runners in general tend to be positive people- you have to be, to go through all the hard parts of running, training, and racing, and still come back for more!
I had read some articles about his battles wit covid symptoms. I am really interested to hear your review and thoughts on his new book
It must be so incredibly frustrating for him, because we don’t know enough about Covid yet to really deal with long Covid. The book arrived today and I can’t wait to read it!
Looks like you’re an ultrarealist, Jenny!
This must be a great book.
Embracing a situation and proactively dealing with it is a great recommendation. A few weeks ago, we experienced a loss in our family. I think even in situations like that it’s a good idea to embrace the sadness and do everything that’s necessary at the moment.
You are absolutely right, Catrina! Definitely in situations like that it’s important to embrace the sadness. Without know any details… I’m sorry for your loss.
Thank you, Jenny. My younger brother died at the age of 43. It was terrible – I didn’t blog about it as it’s still too hard to talk about. He led a wild life and it finally caught up with him.
Time will help – us with physical injuries.
Catrina, that is terrible! I’m so, so sorry. Yes, time will help- but it’s probably something you’ll always be sad about.
I heard about Matt’s long haul COVID on another podcast sometime last year. I can’t imagine anything more frustrating for an athlete…tho let’s be real that PF is no joke. Have you read Life is a Marathon? That’s my favorite one of Matt’s books.
No, I haven’t read that one! I’ll look into it after I finish this one (it just came in the mail- I can’t wait to start reading!)
Interesting book. For sure I will read it.
I know that it’s not elegant to talk about myself but I had many negative experiences since 2007 and the last was in 2016. I always tried to embrace the situation. The list is long: femur fracture, L3 fracture, D7 fracture, shoulder fracture …… but I run again, slower and less mileage.
Actually i would be interested to hear more about your experiences- sounds like it’s been a tough time for you! You have your own “comeback” story- you should write a blog post about it (if you haven’t already.)
No, I haven’t. I will write about my bad “adventures” soon. Yes, it was a tough time.
… and the result of the MRI was not so good. But never mind, I don’t give up.
If you write about your adventures maybe someone will have an idea that could help you. We all support each other! Sorry about the MRI- but I like how you’re not giving up.
That does sound like a great book. I hope both of you get healed.
My blog and my friends helped helped in 2012-13. Ankle surgery stress fracture broken foot. 16 months of hell.
All that happened in the same year? That must have been a nightmare! It actually helps me to hear that- it must have been a real low point for you. i’m sure it felt like it would never end, and here you are running your 52nd half marathon and enjoying running more than ever.