EP81: THE JOURNEY with Patrick Holcomb, Marine, Endurance Athlete, and Author of Where the Seams Meet

Becoming UnDone with Toby Brooks

About the Guest:

Patrick Holcomb is a former member of the US Marine Corps with a distinguished 20-year career. After retiring in October 2021, Patrick embarked on a personal and ambitious challenge known as the "7 & 7" - running a marathon and climbing the highest mountain on each of the world's seven continents. Despite facing physical setbacks that halted his mountaineering quest, Patrick redirected his passion and resilience into authorship. His forthcoming book, "Where the Seams Meet," weaves a narrative deeply rooted in his love for baseball, life transitions, and the father-son relationship.
Episode Summary:
In this riveting episode, we dive deep into the courageous journey of Patrick Holcomb, exploring his transition from a decorated marine to a high achieving author. The show captivates the listener from the onset, presenting Patrick's raw account of his ambitious "7 & 7" challenge and the profound personal growth experienced through the heartaches of unrealized dreams.

Patrick walks us through his initial spark of inspiration to conquer the global marathons and peaks, to the moment he knew his body could not sustain the pursuit on Denali. His narrative underscores the mental and physical fortitude needed to chase such aspirational objectives and the importance of recognizing when to let go for one's well-being and the safety of others. Following his departure from the Marine Corps, Patrick channels his focus into writing, grounding his story in themes of passion, vulnerability, and personal evolution.

Key Takeaways:

• Patrick Holcomb's journey from a US Marine to attempting the "7 & 7" challenge and becoming an author.
• The pivotal realization of physical and emotional limits amidst the pursuit of climbing Denali.
• Transitioning life objectives post-military career and the newfound commitment to authorship.
• The significance of staying present and enjoying the process, rather than fixating solely on the end goals.
• The introspective nature of writing and the challenge of becoming vulnerable to connect with readers authentically.

Notable Quotes:

• "You are either green and growing or ripe and rotting. There's no middle ground and no in between."
• "Enjoy the ride. It's about the journey."
• "But Denali, we did that in May of 2021. And there were a lot of warning signs for quite a while beforehand that my body was just not going to be able to do this forever."
• "Writing the book has changed me in that it unlocked that other side of me. It was a side that was dormant for a long time, but it's a side that I think will make me much more capable and successful and well-rounded in whatever comes next."

Resources:

• Patrick Holcomb's upcoming book, "Where the Seams Meet," released on March 29th.
• Patrick Holcomb's author website: Author Patrick Holcomb
• Social media handles:
  • Patrick Holcomb on LinkedIn
  • Patrick Holcomb on Instagram: @Forevergiant2014

Tune in to the full episode for an in-depth look at Patrick Holcomb's compelling story and the insights he's gained through his remarkable life transitions. His experiences are not just inspiring but a testament to the strength of the human spirit in the face of change and adversity.

Support the Show.

Becoming Undone is a NiTROHype Creative production. Written and produced by me, Toby Brooks. If you or someone you know has a story of resilience and victory to share for Becoming Undone, contact me at undonepodcast.com. Follow the show on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn at becomingundonepod and follow me at TobyJBrooks. Listen, subscribe, and leave us a review Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.