Book Life Lesson: "Go Slow To Get Fast." - Rich Roll
From his 2012 memoir, "Finding Ultra"
I recently reread “Finding Ultra”, Rich Roll’s 2012 biography, where he details his transformation from an alcohol-addicted corporate lawyer to a middle-aged, overweight father who became one of the world's premier ultra-athletes. It's a great read, and I highly recommend checking it out.
In his journey, Rich does what many of us hope to do when trying to improve—he overhauls his routine and life, adopting healthier habits. He switches to a plant-based diet and commits to a consistent workout routine that includes long trail runs in Southern California and swimming laps—a sport he excelled at in high school and college.
At first, his approach was all about "no pain, no gain." He pushed hard on every run and swim, just as he had in his youth. But when he decided to take on a major endurance challenge, he realized he needed a coach. After completing a fitness analysis at Phase IV in Santa Monica, his coach gave him surprising advice: "Slow down."
Rich, accustomed to going fast, was taken aback. "Go slower?" he asked. "How will that make me faster?"
His coach replied, "You have to go slow in order to go fast."
I’m a big fan of counterintuitive ideas—concepts that, on the surface, seem to contradict the desired outcome. These ideas often contain hidden wisdom, revealing insights the rest of us might overlook. That’s why I pay attention when I hear them.
Rich Roll’s coach wasn’t simply telling him to slow down for the sake of it. The advice was about perfecting form—ensuring the foundation of his training was solid. Once you get the mechanics right, speed follows.
Tom Brady, considered one of the best quarterbacks ever, practices throwing a football without even holding one before every game. He’s rich, famous, and has nothing left to prove, yet he continues to focus on mastering the basics. It's the same principle Rich learned early in his ultra-athlete career: go slow to get fast.
The Navy SEALs have a similar mantra: "Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast." Master the fundamentals first, then speed will come naturally.
So, how can you apply this in your own life? What are the areas where slowing down and focusing on the basics could help you achieve your goals faster? Sometimes, it’s not about pushing harder but mastering the essentials.