Why not you with John OBrien

John OBrien
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Self-Improvement

Why Not You with John O'Brien What if the only thing standing between you and doing something extraordinary… is the decision to start? Do hard things. Turning motivational interviews into personal action Why Not You with John OBrien is a podcast that turns curiosity into courage. Each episode features genuine, down‑to‑earth people who have achieved remarkable things—Olympic gold medalists, world champions, Guinness World Record holders, ultra‑distance race winners, Leadville Trail 100 finishers, backyard ultra champions, and founders of successful businesses. Conversations with ordinary people who did something extraordinary — ultrarunners, Ironman finishers, rebuilders, and people who bet on themselves when it didn’t make sense. The question isn’t why them. It’s why not me. The goal isn’t to impress you. It’s to challenge you to ask a powerful question: Why not you? Want to share your story with me, send me an email at: Johnobie2468@gmail.com Text me: (563)-468-3692 IG: @jjob123 TikTok: johnobrien5854 #whynotyou #authentic #Running #dontquit #hardwork #determination #discipline #motivation #ultrarunning #family #therapy #mentalhealthawareness #training #selflove #selfcare

  1. 1d ago

    Plantar Fasciitis - Cortisone injection - Foot injury update - Podcasting Ryan Seacrest contest

    Update on the appointment with Dr. Beau Shay. I called last week and got an appointment right away which was yesterday. I went into this with cautious optimism because cortisone shots are no joke. I knew it was going to hurt and I was right, it hurt like hell. That needle doesn't just poke you and pinch a bit, he works that thing around a bunch and you can really feel the stuff going into your foot. I also talked about podcasting, the contest I entered sponsored by iHeart radio/Ryan Seacrest. I didn't know it was going to be one of those contests that people need votes, also that you can buy votes, so my chances of winning are basically 1,000,000,000 to 1. Oh well, I love doing these podcasts and will keep doing them, I just need guests! So please start sending people my way. Reach out on FB or text me or call me or email me. 563-468-3692 Johnobie2468@gmail.com

    Plantar Fasciitis - Cortisone injection - Foot injury update - Podcasting Ryan Seacrest contest

  2. 6d ago

    Injury update, Drugs, BPC-157, Money, Peabody, Las Vegas review

    I start off giving an update on my right foot plantar fasciitis injury. It's been a super depressing last 5 weeks not being able to run. I'm supplementing it with lifting (mainly squats), biking, stationary bike, and rowing the Concept 2 rower. My squat workout is simple. start with a weight you can do relatively easy for 1-set of 20-reps. you're going to do 1-set of 20-reps every day, but you add 5lbs to it and progress from there. I've been using a wooden slant board and it's been a hard workout. I've been riding the stationary bike at Level 2 fitness at the Bettplex as well. 45-60 mins every day. The rowing is super tough. I do 2,000 meters right after the squats. I talked about Drugs in sports, where did the drug testing go? Who is taking them? Is the NFL or NCAA testing? Speculation...Money in the Ultra world, good or bad? Is this possibly going to increase the doping/PED's in trail running? Maybe because when there's $100,000 on the line for the 1st place male and female of a 100-mile race, that's not chump change, that's a "job"...I think it might. I went home to Peabody and got to spend a lot of time with my dad. 5 days on the North Shore and got to see my friends (James Olson, Bob Irzyk, Joe Rigol and Dan Connelley). Quick trip home to be with family for the 25th anniversary of my mom's passing 9/16/2001. Love you Louise Vera McCarthy O'Brien. Got home and then took a quick trip to Vegas with friends. The sphere! Wizard of Oz. Gambling. Aria Hotel. Penthouse Sky Suites...Amazing experiences. Food. Fun and Gambling. Iowa Hawkeyes win over Michigan. Iowa's upcoming game against Ohio State. College game day in Iowa City. Please reach out if you want to be on the podcast: 563-468-3692 email: Johnobie2468@gmail.com

    Injury update, Drugs, BPC-157, Money, Peabody, Las Vegas review

  3. Sep 9

    Dealing with an injury or set back - and doing hard things prepares you for what's to come

    Dealing with this nagging super painful plantar fasciitis is not fun. I've had it before but never this bad and not in my heel. I've been trying to do the exercise bike to substitute my running but it's not even close to the same things. I've also been rowing again. Concept 2 rower. I've also started a squat workout that I did back in college. You start with a weight you can do 20-reps with (back then that was 135lbs), you do 1-set of 20-reps every day, but each day you add 10lbs. Back then I got up to 275 for 20-reps. now that I'm 58 years old, I started with the bar and i"m doing them on the slant board. I've added 10lbs every day since I started so today was 20-reps with 110 lbs...it's getting hard. As soon as the set is over I hop on the rower and row 2,000 meters...which is a killer workout. We'll see how this thing goes, been doing everything possible to get over it. Calf raises, ice, heat, etc...wish me luck.

    Dealing with an injury or set back - and doing hard things prepares you for what's to come

  4. Sep 3

    Dealing with an injury - The 5 steps - Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance

    Explaining how you can deal with an injury. Depression, Anger, Denial. Calf raises, rehab, show inserts. Training continues but on the exercise bike. 35-mins, 45-mins, 60-mins, 60-mins, mentally dealing with not running.

    Dealing with an injury - The 5 steps - Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance

  5. Sep 3

    Motivation - Consistency and Discipline

    I talk quick about how Motivation is the fuel that gets the fire started (it is supposed to create action) It's like starter fluid for an engine that won't start...it's like kindling wood used to start a fire. But, consistency and discipline are what keeps you going.

    Motivation - Consistency and Discipline

  6. Aug 25

    Last Soul Ultra and Leadville 2026 Recap

    Me again doing a solo episode again. I'm going to talk about Leadville 2026 and another recap or update to the Last Soul Ultra (LSU) because I saw Ello's interview with his coach Sam Harvey. It's up on YouTube now, the infamous lap 87 was discussed and it was awesome to hear Ello's experience and his coach's perspective as the race was happening.

    Last Soul Ultra and Leadville 2026 Recap

  7. Aug 19

    Why Not Me? What This Show Is About John O'Brien Solo

    Just me doing a solo episode on what Taking Chances - Why not you? Is really all about. It's about being motivated, having mental toughness, taking risks, doing something hard, overcoming adversity. It's turning that why not you? Into a Why not me? Why aren't you achieving your dreams and goals, others are doing it, why not you? If they can do it, you can do it. It's that simple. Set big goals, take chances, don't sit on the sidelines and watch as others achieve amazing things!

    Why Not Me? What This Show Is About John O'Brien Solo

  8. Aug 14

    Scott Kummer: Ten Junk Miles

    Scott Kummer is an attorney, doberman owner and quite possibly the most painstakingly average runner known to man. Scott has stumbled through numerous plus 4 and 5 hour marathons. He's DNF'ed the 150 mile, 100 mile, 50 mile and marathon distance. He was once kicked out of an ultra running group due to allegations of cyber-bullying. He has a habit of offending people by accident while trying to help them. He is a co-founder of the Flatlander Ultrarunners in Chicagoland which has rapidly grown to over 1,100 members. He came up with the idea for Ten Junk Miles after becoming frustrated with hearing interview after interview of Scott Jurek and deciding that runners needed more: more discussions of bathroom breaks that went wrong, pacer stories from hell, DNF reports, stories of getting lost on the trail and other related matters.

    Scott Kummer: Ten Junk Miles
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Why Not You with John O'Brien What if the only thing standing between you and doing something extraordinary… is the decision to start? Do hard things. Turning motivational interviews into personal action Why Not You with John OBrien is a podcast that turns curiosity into courage. Each episode features genuine, down‑to‑earth people who have achieved remarkable things—Olympic gold medalists, world champions, Guinness World Record holders, ultra‑distance race winners, Leadville Trail 100 finishers, backyard ultra champions, and founders of successful businesses. Conversations with ordinary people who did something extraordinary — ultrarunners, Ironman finishers, rebuilders, and people who bet on themselves when it didn’t make sense. The question isn’t why them. It’s why not me. The goal isn’t to impress you. It’s to challenge you to ask a powerful question: Why not you? Want to share your story with me, send me an email at: Johnobie2468@gmail.com Text me: (563)-468-3692 IG: @jjob123 TikTok: johnobrien5854 #whynotyou #authentic #Running #dontquit #hardwork #determination #discipline #motivation #ultrarunning #family #therapy #mentalhealthawareness #training #selflove #selfcare

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