Show Notes
EP81: THE JOURNEY with Patrick Holcomb, Marine, Endurance Athlete, and Author of Where the Seams Meet
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 new book, Where the Seams Meet, weaves a narrative deeply rooted in his love for baseball, life transitions, and the father-son relationship.
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 “seven and seven” 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
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Patrick Holcomb’s journey from a US Marine to attempting the “7 & 7” challenge and becoming an author.
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The pivotal realization of physical and emotional limits amidst the pursuit of climbing Denali.
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Transitioning life objectives post-military career and the newfound commitment to authorship.
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The significance of staying present and enjoying the process, rather than fixating solely on the end goals.
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The introspective nature of writing and the challenge of becoming vulnerable to connect with readers authentically.
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Notable Quotes
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“You are either green and growing or ripe and rotting. There’s no middle ground and no in between.”
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“Enjoy the ride. It’s about the journey.”
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“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.”
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“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
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Holcomb’s new book, Where the Seams Meet, released on March 29th.
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Patrick Holcomb’s author website: Author Patrick Holcomb
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Social media handles:
| Timestamp | Summary |
|---|---|
| 0:00:00 | Patrick reflects on the challenges and emotions of pursuing his dream. |
| 0:01:03 | Patrick experiences a mix of relief and disappointment when he realizes he won’t be able to continue pursuing his goal. |
| 0:04:47 | Patrick’s childhood dreams revolved around sports and becoming a lawyer. |
| 0:06:29 | Patrick joins the Marine Corps after high school, seeking discipline and a new direction. |
| 0:08:26 | Patrick’s pursuit of the “seven and seven” challenge begins with a suggestion from a friend to climb Kilimanjaro. |
| 0:09:02 | Patrick explains that the “seven and seven” challenge involves running a marathon and climbing the highest mountain on each continent. |
| 0:10:58 | The challenge is so ambitious and exclusive that there is little information available on others who have attempted it. |
| 0:11:30 | Patrick faces a summit he cannot reach, marking a significant setback in his pursuit of the challenge. |
| 0:11:30 | Toby Brooks introduces Patrick Holcomb’s pursuit of climbing mountains and running marathons. |
| 0:12:10 | Patrick explains the challenges of climbing mountains and running marathons. |
| 0:13:55 | Patrick discusses the time commitment and financial aspects of pursuing his dream. |
| 0:15:51 | Patrick emphasizes the importance of building a support network in pursuing his goals. |
| 0:17:21 | Toby highlights Patrick’s pursuit of climbing the seven summits and completing marathons on all continents. |
| 0:17:55 | Patrick shares his experience on Denali and the realization that his pursuit may not be possible. |
| 0:19:29 | Patrick reflects on the emotional impact of giving up on his dream and the identity he had built around it. |
| 0:21:08 | Patrick discusses the opportunity to pursue other passions, such as writing a book. |
| 0:22:38 | Patrick describes the moment he decided to turn around on Denali and the mixed emotions he felt. |
| 0:23:31 | Patrick reflects on his feelings of relief and disappointment after his decision on Denali. |
| 0:23:31 | Patrick Holcomb reflects on his disappointment and relief when he turned around on his climb |
| 0:24:07 | Patrick explains the physical reasons why he had to turn around on the mountain |
| 0:25:14 | Patrick discusses the importance of considering the team when making a decision |
| 0:26:23 | Toby reflects on the lesson of considering others when facing challenges |
| 0:27:44 | Patrick shares the inspiration behind his book and how it started as an idea |
| 0:29:12 | Patrick talks about the vulnerability and preparation required to write a novel |
| 0:30:21 | Patrick describes the steps he took to start writing his book |
| 0:32:11 | Patrick emphasizes the importance of routine and finding what works for you as a writer |
| 0:33:32 | Patrick discusses the vulnerability of putting his book out into the world |
| 0:34:52 | Patrick expresses his hope for positive feedback and the potential impact of his book |
| 0:35:17 | Patrick wrote a compelling story with the potential to touch people. |
| 0:35:30 | Bravery is being vulnerable and facing fear head-on. |
| 0:35:59 | Transitioning from the military to civilian life was challenging. |
| 0:36:55 | Finding the right job took time, but applying military skills helped. |
| 0:37:28 | Balancing a full-time job with book-related tasks is time-consuming. |
| 0:37:58 | The joys and challenges of writing a book and creating an impact. |
| 0:38:30 | It’s better to have a strong reaction to your work than no reaction at all. |
| 0:39:20 | Lessons learned from the seven and seven and military career will carry through life. |
| 0:40:00 | The Marine Corps shaped Patrick and taught him valuable leadership skills. |
| 0:40:49 | Writing the book unlocked a dormant side and made Patrick more well-rounded. |
| 0:41:24 | Enjoying the journey and being present in all areas of life is important. |
| 0:41:55 | If he could go back, Patrick would tell his younger self to enjoy the ride. |
| 0:42:34 | Being green and growing is important, and Patrick sees himself as a work in progress. |
| 0:43:43 | Achieving literal summits and crossing finish lines is powerful and meaningful. |
| 0:44:11 | Patrick doesn’t listen to music while running to focus on mental health. |
| 0:45:00 | Patrick is the one thing that is yet undone in his life. |
| 0:45:59 | Patrick advises enjoying the journey and being present in the moment. |
| 0:46:21 | Patrick believes in continuous growth and being committed to self-improvement. |
| 0:47:38 | Listeners can connect with Patrick’s work through his upcoming book, “Where the Seams Meet”. |
| 0:47:38 | Looking forward to the book coming out. |
| 0:47:44 | Book release date and upcoming events. |
| 0:48:04 | Social media and author website. |
| 0:48:15 | Thank you for joining us. |
| 0:48:29 | Patrick’s answer to the song question. |
| 0:48:57 | Patrick’s inspiring journey and conclusion. |
| 0:49:31 | More info on today’s episode. |
| 0:49:59 | Upcoming guests and episodes. |
| 0:50:27 | Show production details and social media. |
| 0:51:01 | Closing remarks and call to action. |