Well damn... this was a massive risk! Obviously the premise is risky as hell, but beyond that... taking a little bit more time to try tell a different type of story felt like the real risk. So I really hope ya liked it :) AND huge thanks to Shortform: www.shortform.com/struthless (that link gets you a 5 day free trial & 20% off your annual description) reccos include 'can't hurt me' & 'brain on fire' & 'year of yes' & 'zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance' thanks for watching cam xoxo
i been watching you for a while Cam. and i always enjoy how you express "the self help" kinda stuff... and this was no exception, AMAZING. truly inspiring. a massive risk, with huge reward. thank you for taking us on this journey with you. whatever the future holds, i will always look forward to your videos. whatever you bring to the table, is pure awesomeness. i could get on board with this idea - doesn't have to be a marathon - for me. i am not in a wheelchair, yet, i am too stuborn! although my walking sticks are an annoyance at best! the chronic constant pain is something i am trying not to let get to me too much, it is exhausting though. and how to do anything creative - let alone videos, when all my body does is give me discomfort and pain. your videos over the last year i've been watching have been gold for me - to try explore things that might help my stupid head space. i enjoyed how you chose to put this story and video together, whilst still being you. thank you for creating. Calvin :)
This is one of the best videos you’ve ever done. So powerful, authentic, and beautiful!! I love this direction you are taking. The world so needs you in it!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Yooo, Aaron, the now non-smoker from the vid here. Just want to say thanks to everyone for the kind words from all of us. We put everything we have into these videos, and this new style even more so. Knowing you feel that on the other side is what motivates us to keep going when things get tough. Thanks so much for the love, right back at you ✌️ ❤️
Extra props to you, man. I don’t want to discount what Cam did, but he chose to suffer for a day, and you’re choosing to change your life. Making that decision and committing to taking care of yourself in the long term is amazing. You’re choosing YOU, your happiness 20 years down the road. And now you’re never gonna have to find out what the bad timeline would’ve looked like. Quitting anything is so so hard. I hope you’re proud of how you’re going.
This is going to sound off, but... thank you for almost quitting/cheating. That sort of gave me a wake up call that having that feeling with a BIG challenge is normal. It's one thing to know that, it's another entirely to watch someone else you respect do it. My reasons are usually the same too, a health concern though mine is more of a mental illness nature. Thank you for the inspiration and the friendly reminder that there IS another side and just because your brain tells you it's impossible DOES NOT mean it is.
i definitely wouldn't call it "cheating" when you felt like you had to call it quits in the middle. the siren call of giving up was calling you, but you had your crewmates to keep you tied down. that's why it's a pact! it's no weakness to rely on other people. that's why your friends and family are there. for you to rely on. great video, thanks for sharing ❤️
I got worried that there would be an abelist message around the time you mentioned cheating by quitting... because a big part of being disabled, for me, is accepting my limits and stopping when my body asks to stop... I can't put my finger on it.... but there is something that profoundly speaks to my disabled experience of stopping when I need to, but also trusting my bodily wisdom and knowing when I can push just a bit. And your community gave you support. We can't be pushing ourselves so hard without a strong community. I think you ended up having an anti-abelist message, i just can't put my finger on how lol
I actually cried a little bit while watching this video, cause i really felt how you broke down a wall for yourself. I wish i could do that for myself. And i really liked how your friends and family supported you. That was so amazing. I wish you and your family the best.
A marathon isn't a 26.2 mile race, it's a 6.2 mile race that you have to run 20 miles to get to. Massive respect for enjoying the last stretch and for getting it done. The best bit of prep you did was surrounding yourself with incredible people who supported and pushed you at the right times.
❤ I’ve published 60 books, and I’ve hit The NY Times list. (Yeah, it was in the early 2000, but I did it, so.) And I’m 62, so I’ve been a creative for a while. But I want to tell you that I’ve found your channel and your discussions on creativity really inspiring. I wanted to let you know that you touched me with your videos and you’ve taught me stuff, even though you’re half my age. You make me want to do more. So good on you.
Christ, Cam. That was insane. Thank you for this. The absolute dedication you showed prior, by signing yourself up to that pact, was perfect. You showed dedication to being your better self, by leveraging some simple and effective techniques to help you cross over from "will do" into "fuck me sideways, I'm doing this right now". But most of all, I love how you showed that your wife and friends had at least that same dedication to your better self, by perfectly kicking your ass when you needed that little nudge. I'm so happy for you that you have their support, and that they don't take no shit. Good on you man. Proud of you. You did good. And next time, for the love of God, bring a couple liters of water, some salt, and food... You live in Australia man. It's a million degrees out.
I've been following you for about two years now, I read your book (which was amazing) and this video just blew me away!! Thank you so much for making this, and I love that you are experimenting with this new format. It's amazing!! Can't wait to see what you'll do next 🙏
This was exactly what I needed. I'm approaching the finishing line of what I have termed my 'cocoon phase'. A couple of years ago I had a breakdown, I kind of got back to normal-ish but didn't change anything really about my life apart from quitting drinking so I found myself heading back into a state of poor health and a little over a year ago, my mental health had got so bad that I was pretty much a vegetable. In January 2022, somewhat willingly, I entered this phase where I deconstructed and let go of almost every aspect of the life I had. Came off antidepressants, left the city I was in, left the job I was in left the relationship I was in, moved back home and focussed entirely on my health and how I could rebuild in a way that wasn't going to cause me to break down again. It's been over a year journey so far, it's been long and probably the hardest thing I've ever done but I feel like the finishing line is in sight. Once a couple more pieces have slotted into place, I'm hoping to do a sort of hard "launch" of the next phase of my life, and this video has made me think that perhaps a marathon would be a good thing to do on that day. Thank you!
@@spacegrass6632 I didn't say they weren't. Just that if they need antidepressants, take them. There's no benifit to not taking antidepressants if one needs that help.
@@CAThompson Rest assured, coming off them was one of the better decisions I ever made. They are beneficial for some people, just not me. Much better off them.
When you said you can see the finish line.. it actually made me tear up. I am currently swelling tears up and wiping them away from my eyes. You have given me so much inspiration to keep running my marathon. I have dreams of owning my own company, building up my own brand & it’s an everyday process. I have times where I want to quit. But you didn’t quit , and you had so much support behind you. I can’t quit , and I have support behind me. You truly inspire me. I thank you Cam , for your contribution to society. Stay great man. - Fatal Book
I started running a month after I quit drinking last year. Found your channel a few weeks ago because I'm in design school and was looking for content on typography. Dude, your channel, I'm obsessed. Self-development is a passion and your content is hitting every mark. Thank you so much. I just finished my first 1/2 a few weeks back. Next year I'm going for the full and graduating from a 4 year university at 32, which I never thought was gonna happen at some point. You're a candle lighting a thousand other candles, and I want to do that too.
I love all your videos, but this was top tier. And Jesus, what story this was. I love how you're becoming like the people you've talked about in your other videos. And it's really touching to see how your family and friends showed up for you with equal amounts of enthusiasm. I'm super excited to see what's on the horizon for you.
As a long distance runner this may be a little bias but this has to be your BEST VIDEO YET!!!!!!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 I’m so damn proud of you for checking off this item from your bucket list and doing such a great job at documenting! I was so worried you were going to give up there for a minute!!!! And the way you were able to describe the way crossing a finish line feels 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Thank you 💚💚 CONGRATS 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
I'm watching this while trying to push through the end of my PhD dissertation and some hard shit in my personal life. Man, you always know how to show up for yourself and us here behind you online right when we need you most! Get it dude!
Holy shit actually crying right now. You and Aaron are so motivating. At first I was mad at your friends for not letting no you stop, but they’re right. They’re right for you, and they’re right for the rest of us. I’m proud and inspired! Thank you so much for sharing the entire journey with us. Like you do. ❤️ If you can push through your health concerns, the rest of us able people can push through ours.
Well if you told me at the start of that video I would be crying by the end I would have laughed... wow. This video is a powerful chapter in your ever evolving self and we are so lucky to be exposed to it. I've deep dived your book, binged your videos and you always manage to bring more value and insight with each and every turn. Congratulations on not only finishing but stepping into your new mind set. Best channel on RU-vid, we missed you! Thank you!
This was amazing! Not only did he run a marathon, but he documented it and drew lessons and meaning out of it so he could inspire the rest of us. Thank you
well done mate! incredible work. i myself just ran my first half marathon a few days ago 1 month into running after being hospitalized with pneumonia. running has done wonders for me. proud of you & aaron!
One thing that I really liked about this video is the part where Aaron and your wife were able to convince you to finish the run. Usually, the people around us who love us can see our potential when we don't, and sometimes we need to trust them when they tell us not to give up. The finish line is usually right around the corner but we get so self-consumed and can't see it. Having people like them can really help us to get to our full potential and break limits we never even knew was possible. This is one amazing motivational video even if it wasn't your intention. :)
I visited you're channel a while back when you were doing the drawing [insert character name here] in different styles. I came back 2 weeks ago for all of you're self improvement videos. I've pretty much watched all of them and now I've just watched this. Somehow, you've made this big shift in content with the new concepts and projects being engaging and exciting whilst ALSO keeping some of the previous flavours of your 'usual content'. This video was hands down in my top 3 favourite videos of yours. You took a risk in switching it up a little bit and i am confident this is definitely the 'level up' you've discussed previously. Thank you for not only inspiring me to be better but also creating really interesting and engaging videos. You're the bees knees Cam!
Damn. You're awesome as always but THAT is a legit support group. Wife and both those friends knowing you well enough to know to push you. Ain't gonna lie, this video and your success made me emotional 😅 Thank you for being you and sharing so much!
Hands down one of the best things I’ve ever watched. Seriously. The edits, the storyline, the emotions watching you push though something where most people would have quit… stunningly good. Thank you, Cam 🙏🏻
I’m working on a painting right now and it’s a bit more than halfway done. I almost stopped painting for the day. Thinking about how far the finish line is just drained me. This video is exactly what I needed right now!! You’ve inspired me to keep painting. Thank you so much for sharing this gem ❤️💗
Hey there I am a painter too and I know this feeling so well, when you are just soo drained and then when you push through it’s just the most amazing. Good luck and happy to read this;)
Halfway through a painting is often the hardest part for me - it hasn't yet come together, it's often unclear where to go/what to do next (at least for me), and I can see 100 ways it's failed to live up to the image in my imagination, and I get so frustrated/tired/anxious. But i've discovered that if I force myself to finish it anyhow, the next day, I have a new piece of art that I genuinely love - it never looks like the thing I pictured in my mind at the start, but it looks like something uniquely mine and thats a great feeling.
@@EVBell-gz8iv i feel you! At this point my art process doesn’t involve me trying to make what I imagined. I only stick to a rough subject to begin with and then make decisions on the way however and wherever my heart leads me to. I love not knowing what it’s gonna look like in the end 🥰
At the end of 2019, my marriage finally dissolved. I was grappling with depression for years and my whole life just exploded. About a month later I heard the word coronavirus for the first time. While sitting in my little rental in lockdown, alone and consumed by despair, I discovered mountain biking videos on RU-vid. In what was an act of desperation, I bought my first bike in decades. 3 years later, I own 4 bikes 😂 I have lost over 20kg and last year I rode the 1100km Munda Biddi trail and competed in my first marathon MTB race. I met a wonderful woman who shares my new found passion for riding bikes and the adventures we have together are something I could not have imagined myself doing just a couple of years ago. I still have so much to learn, so much growing to do, and so many complex family issues to work through but it feels so good have the presipice behind me. Thanks for the videos Cam. Love your work mate.
This is incredible. I have had a chronic illness for the past few years that's really impacted my life, it's hard to know when to push yourself and when to rest, pushing myself too much has only ever made my health worse, but not enough and I fall into hopelessness and depression. Your videos have been really inspiring, and now this one. Thank you 😊 p.s. your friends are the best
If this is what your new direction is, then I am so pleased you made the change. Thank you for this very well made and motivating video. Wishing you the best! ❤️
The quality of this documentary is truly astonishing. Honestly, the message, the value, the lessons, the educational side of things. Props to you Sir, looking forward to more of your future content!
Needless to say, you have good friends, including your wife. They are there for you, and help you through the hard stuff. They believe in you, even when you don't believe in yourself. People like that are not easy to come by. Congratulations on achieving your goal and congratulations for having an amazing support team in your life.
I felt genuinely scared for a moment when you thought you'd posted the video accidentally! Awesome video. Anything's possible with the right motivation.
When he said "I'm gonna fucking make it, I can see it" I couldn't hold the tears back. I'm reaching for such a big lifestyle and career shift right now that feels so impossible, I'm putting in all this effort and not seeing the results I want yet, and I feel like time is running out. I'm gonna fucking make it. I can see it.
this was absolutely phenomenal, cam. the idea, the production, the editing, the ups and downs and the final outcome- i enjoyed every second of it. amazing job man
Holy shit that video was amazing, I actually teared up at the end of it. Incredible job man, you've inspired so many people and this video is going to change thousands of people's lives for the better.
Man, I got emotional at the end there. I am so excited to see what comes next! Also this editing, and style of this video was just top notch! Thank you for blessing us with amazing content!!
Holy crap that was better than I expected! I loved this!! Especially the editing style, just…wow😮 I’m gonna send this to my friend who’s also addicted to vaping. Maybe I can convince him to do a similar thing when I am training for my marathon hahaha Also I can attest that runner’s high is the absolute best thing in the world thank god you got it during the run it would have been a million times harder without it lol
This was incredible. I'm really glad that you actually stick to your plans and try to change yourself and the channel. Can't wait to see how the channel is going to develope in the future!
I keep re writing this cause I’m just so blown away by this video. I feel like it’s so personal and heartwarming I couldn’t stop watching. I feel so inspired to run and to do bad ass stuff like this. Thanks for sharing and being so vulnerable. 💕
Wow! I’ve just done 21 rounds of chemo and I start 5 daily rounds of radiotherapy. Despite what I’ve already been through, tomorrow’s sessions were scaring the crap out of me. I cried when you “cheated” but you fucking carried on anyway. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. You’ve so inspired me. Radiotherapy can kiss my arse. I’ve got this. Thanks again Cam. Much love to you and yours and good health ⭐️❤️
Ive been watching your videos for a while and theyve helped me in so many ways. I genuinely enjoyed this video so much! The way its edited and the whole idea behind it is great. Cant wait to see more content like this ❤
congrats on finishing the run and thanks for making this video dude. after stumbling upon you earlier this year, your channel have been a major help in getting myself back on track. if it wasnt for your videos, I wouldve been the same old depressed self from the last few years. and I cant thank you enough for that
To be honest, the way this video started with the gun point and everything, I really thought it was going to be one of those videos that goes along the lines of "your life will be perfect as long as you find a way to make a slave out of your self". But, that last bit changed everything and was so inspiring. I've never seen overcoming challenges that way before. That interpretation gives it so much meaning. Thank you.
I really enjoyed this video. I suffer from chronic illness and IBS, etc. Very relatable. But I'm also always pushing myself and setting new goals. Being sick has given me reasons to strive to be healthy, to care for myself. Also, I've given birth, twice, and its the same kinda Death. The person you were before dies, and then you are a new self on the other side of it.
I cried watching this. You beautifully and succinctly described that feeling I had crossing the finish line for my first marathon. So glad I found your channel. Much love to you and yours.
That's amazing!! The fact that you stopped and asked for support in the middle of it it's so real and so important! I feel like sometimes people don't realize the importance of having a support system. Sorry, you had to go through hospital shit and big words, but I'm glad it made you learn something. Cuz then I learn something too!! Cheers 👏🙌
Flippin' brilliant! Cried actual tears when you reached that finish line. (And way to go Aaron!) This has to be my favorite video that you've put out. Way to go man!
I heard your interview on Art of Manliness, then bought your book and subbed to your channel almost immediately. This is one of the very best videos I've ever seen on RU-vid.
This was the most inspiring video I’ve ever seen. Your story telling skills are amazing and you really know how to captivate your audience and bring them along for the ride. I just discovered your page right after your hiatus and I must say this new style of content is a game changer and much less limiting, yet you’re still portraying the message of self improvement and living your best life. I’m excited to see what you bring out next!
This was so well edited and the graphics were so professional. Good on you for not just holding yourself accountable, but your filming partner as well! Vaping is so so bad for you and so addictive. I would love more videos like this I know this took a lot of time and work but I’m okay waiting for quality content like this. It makes me so happy to see how far you’ve come!
What a beautifully told story, the visuals are on fire, I love the editing, the running clip cliché? Loved it. The story was amazing and it made me feel good and like things are possible. Awesome idea and video, thank you. ❤❤❤
Well done. I started running in 2019 at the age of 44 and running only half marathons. After watching a goggins video I've entered a 32km for the 2nd April and a full marathon on the 1st May.
bro that hospital could be the worst and the greatest thing that ever happened to you. I lost my best friend to cancer in december (37 yr old). He went into the hospital in august and never came out again. I love your video's. When you said "theres a big world out there" it reminded me of the things he was saying to me from the hospice before he died. Go hard my man!
Great video. As an ultramarathon coach, this is the biggest thing that I teach, “you are capable of more than you think, and if you can do this what else are you capable of.” If you think this become real after a marathon, imagine how real this becomes after 100, or even 200 miles.
Im fighting with myself ready to write i will never be able to run a marathon or anything like that. Realising ive quit before ive even begun. Thank you for your amazingly inspiring work.❤
It looks like you're just having fun with life now. I'm happy for you; you've helped me so much before, and if I multiply that by... 250, I'd guess you even deserve More. I'm glad you're alive.🎉
I haven’t cried watching a Yt video in a long time but 20:24 got me man. I’ve seen how impossible quitting feels and I’ve watched people try and fail 1000 times, hearing this was incredible and liberating. To Aaron, thank you for showing that it’s possible to get to the other side, thank you so much, you have freed me in a way I can never fully thank you for
I really really want to run a marathon within my early 20s. I'm turning 23 this year and barely picking up the habit. But I'm going to do it. I know I will, and you just bumped my inspiration a whole bunch. You're wonderful, never forget that.
omg, what a video! awesome! as a distance runner, as an ex smoker... totally get that feeling of "looking from the other side"!! story, editing, camera work, all... top notch!!
Mate, that was incredible. From setup to dawdling to epic montage to giving up to being inspired to finish! And quitting vaping in there too ?! FUCKING AMAZING.
In a previous video you suggested to have a person who you want to emulate, then do what they do... I don't currently plan to run any marathons, but once again you're inspiring me to make goals and find ways of sticking to them. You're the person I want to emulate!
WOWwowWOW I've needed this video I feel so stuck between the list of things for one day and what I think I am capable of - Thank You all so much!!! Love the new format and the strong core behind what your doing feels more enhanced than before : ) XOXO
This was so dang good - and inspiring! I can't wait to see what your next project is. It got me thinking. As someone who has a chronic pain condition, I often feel like my world is very small and very limited. But what started getting me to fight that mentality was an acquaintance of mine who did an experimental treatment program that posited that those beliefs that you can't do something, recoiling from difficult or painful things, actually makes pain much much worse. Since pushing myself (within reason) more, my pain has gone way down. "The flinch" isn't what makes pain so painful, it's believing the flinch that makes it painful. Anywho, massive props and thanks again for sharing your talents!
Cam, I find myself coming back to your videos whenever I need that boost of inspiration. It always inspires me to get out of the negative spirals. Please keep on doing what you are doing. This one made me cry. You are making a huge impact.
This is one of my favorite videos you’ve ever made. I was riveted the entire time. It’s shocking that you may have had any doubt about how wonderful this was. And it literally does the same thing as your old videos which isn’t required but I’m still leaving inspired and with a new life mindset. It helps too that this came a week into my own adventure officially quitting smoking and I finally listened to the book “the easy way to quit” by Allen Carr and it worked. Whole premise is that quitting cigerettes is hard because you think quitting cigarettes is hard which I feel like is what you’re saying here a bit too. In previous attempts to quit I would feel like I was suffering for weeks but this time it was easy and fun. And I really believe I’ll never smoke again. Incredible Thank you for sharing your life and art with the internet I know I specifically am better because of it
This is the absolute best video I’ve seen on RU-vid this year and possibly ever. The epitome of everything good I look for in a video and hope to create. Slam fucking dunk.
This is the most motivating thing I've ever heard. You've inspired me to think about my limiting beliefs and something "I could never do." And prove myself wrong. Thank you for sharing your journey.
I know you’re already pretty big, but I can’t wait to watch your channel grow. You’re so fucking great at storytelling and keeping the audience engaged.
Cam I’m training for a half marathon and have been running into a wall recently with motivation to keep going. This video gave me that inspiration that if someone who isn’t absolutely jacked fit like all those fitness guru’s can do a full. I have hope that I’ll get through this half! Amazing story telling and video. Thank you legend!
Okay, this was awesome! I was excited to see where this new direction you wanted to go in would take you when it came to formatting your new video! And this felt like a true ride! I love it. I'm really excited for your next video
Yes I teared up too. Such a great video. Perfect length 20 to 30min. Great editing and story telling. Well done! Keep them coming Cam. I got you book for my brother in law for Christmas and he loved it. Your content, both book and video is great!
Your videos never fail, Cam; the quality shows just how creative and passionate you are, you really care and your audience can feel it. Didn't expect to cry this morning but here we are 🥲
ive always been moved by your videos, but this is the first one that brought me to tears. i need to make a big change in my life and i am the only one who can make it happen. thank you cam
At it's heart this video is exactly what I love about all your previous videos. On the surface the direction of the channel may have changed, but there's still a comfortable familiarity, in all the best ways.
just had a little cry watching this - by far your best video, cam. such an insane concept, such an amazing payoff, and you kept it realistic by talking about nearly quitting, which i hugely appreciate. you could've just glossed over that, or edited around it, but you decided to put forward the message that being literally, physically well is always more important than any goal, which i don't think is something a lot of creators would have done. thank you so much for this man, i really hope you're having a great day, and can't wait to see what comes next
Hey man- just wanted to give you some credit real quick. I recently moved to Vietnam from the US and have been stuck in a bit of a rut for a while.. it’s been hard to make friends, hard to get out and do the things I love, and just generally hard to be productive and interested in things. I recently found your videos a couple months ago and you have really changed my life for the better. I joined a BJJ gym, am training for a marathon, and am trying to figure out how to turn a love for art and video editing into something real. Just want to say thank you and keep making these videos!! You’re an inspiration man.
Really enjoyed this, I don't think it matters what sort of topic you cover, it still feels like one of your videos (I mean, it is, but you get the idea)
