Josh Cox

Writer, Speaker, TV personality, and Elite Marathon Runner.

Twitter: @JoshCox

“Those who have abandoned their dreams will try to convince you to abandon yours. Don’t listen to them.”

JOSH: What compels you to compete at such a high level?

JOSH C: Each January I write down my goals for the year, some broad, some specific. I graduated school in May 1998, the following January I took to the pen and wrote the following:

“I will do everything in my power to maximize my gifts. Hard work. No Shortcuts. Believe in the dream.”

Making a commitment to pursue my dreams meant giving up the short term “good thing” for the long term “best thing” – I couldn’t always control the end result but I could control my preparation. I didn’t have a paying shoe contract out of school, I got free shoes, clothes, and PowerBars, but unfortunately bill collectors don’t take Gels and warm-up jackets as forms of payment. I worked full time and ran races to make ends meat. Today, I still remember the mantra that got me through the lean times – it’s served me well.

JOSH: How do you keep going when you don’t feel like?

JOSH C: If we only did things when we felt like it, we wouldn’t be very good at anything. I love running, writing, announcing on TV, and connecting with folks via social media but I don’t love them all the time. The professional world is competitive, no matter your discipline. Doing something only when you “feel like it” is a guaranteed formula for failure. Passion isn’t enough, talent isn’t enough; you have to commit to putting in the work. Somewhere, there’s someone just as passionate and talented as you that’s willing to hone their craft daily – they’ll beat you on game day. Pursue your passion and be willing to put in the painstaking work it takes to succeed. Lots of folks want success without sacrifice but life doesn’t work that way. Marathon running is a great metaphor for life because in order to succeed you have to make daily deposits over a long period of time. I’m a part of the Mammoth Track Club, our training group rivals any on the planet. We meet every morning at 8:30 and in the afternoons for gym work. Surrounding yourself with others who are working towards a common goal pays huge dividends and provides accountability. Even still, there are many days I don’t feel like getting out the door. Something that renowned children’s author Madeline L’Engle said has always stuck with me, “Inspiration usually comes during work, rather than before it.” I’ve found this true in just about every area of life. In running, inspiration rarely finds you on the couch; it likes to wait around the first corner. On days when I’m having trouble getting motivated, I shut my mind off, get dressed, lace ‘em up, and get out the door. It’s not inspiration’s job to come find us, it’s our job to go find inspiration. The key to training, and life, is taking that first step. The first step is the best step; it’s where intent meets action. Don’t talk about it; be about it. When you don’t feel like doing what you know needs to be done, take the variable of “the choice” out of the equation. Shut the mind off and just begin.

JOSH: What’s the biggest career mistake you’ve made and what did you learn from it?

JOSH C: When I signed my first major contracts it was all about what my sponsors could do for me. What I should have been asking is what I could do for them. My error: I thought being a sponsored athlete was enough. My mindset was this, I’d train crazy hard, go race, and the sponsors would get what they paid for… a fast time. Thing was, if I lived in seclusion in the mountains, came down twice a year to race and happened to have a bad day, my sponsors didn’t get anything in return. This became an all too real reality after I had an abysmal performance at the World Track & Field Championships. And the truth was, and is, they’re not paying me to win a race, that’s only part of the equation, ultimately they’re paying me to leverage their product.

If all I am is a name in headline and a time in a box score then I’m easily replaceable. So I added a new title next to my name – brand ambassador. I’d go the extra mile, I’d connect with folks personally, I’d sign every autograph like it was my first, I’d have something to say in interviews, I’d post my workouts to help others reach their goals, I’d make videos to encourage folks to get off the couch, and a host of other things. I would make my job about serving others – both my fans and my sponsors – rather than serving myself. This meant I had to be willing to do what others weren’t; I had to be willing to build relationships and build my brand – not just sit back and hope for it to happen.

JOSH: What advice would you give to 22 year old Josh Cox?

JOSH C: Easy one: In 2004 you’ll host a big Christmas bash, there you’ll meet a pretty bartender who you’ll consider asking out – please don’t. Just kidding… um… no, I’m not. Seriously though, if I could fire up the flux capacitor and hop in the DeLorean and talk to myself, the conversation would sound like this: There will be days when you’ll want to quit, there will be races where you’ll get beat and be so frustrated you’ll run an 18 mile cool down. There will be a race where you’ll get in your truck and fight off tears the whole drive home, you’ll think you’re wasting your time, you’ll even say it out loud. A person close to you will tell you to “give up on your stupid dream”, you’ll wreck your truck, have to buy a 10 speed bike, run before work, bike to your job, work all day, bike home, and run again. You’ll lay on the floor and stare at the ceiling fan wondering if this pursuit will ever pay off… Don’t worry; it does, in so many amazing ways. Don’t give up, don’t waiver, believe in your dreams, and always follow always follow your heart.