Running Beyond Limits with Zach Friedley | Enduring Minds
📸 Credit: Bretty Rawson
Enduring Minds Season 2, Episode 4
Hosted by Jason Bahamundi & Evan Birch | Featuring Zach Friedley
Redefining Endurance and Inclusion
In Season 2, Episode 4 of Enduring Minds, hosts Jason Bahamundi and Evan Birch welcome Zach Friedley, an adaptive trail runner, entrepreneur, and founder of Born to Adapt for an open, thought-provoking conversation about inclusion, resilience, and the evolution of endurance sports.
Zach’s story is one of perspective, perseverance, and purpose. From growing up without visibly disabled role models to becoming a pioneer for adaptive athletes, he has turned barriers into opportunities to reshape how endurance sports view accessibility.
From Marathon Jokes to Meaningful Conversations
The episode begins with Jason and Evan’s trademark humor, banter about dancing and Taylor Swift, but quickly dives deep into topics that matter. Zach introduces himself not by his accolades, but by his humanity. “I’m a friend, a husband, and someone trying to change how people see the world,” he says. That intention, to make the world more inclusive, empathetic, and connected, sets the tone for the rest of the discussion.
Born to Adapt: Changing the Game
Zach founded Born to Adapt to create a space where disabled athletes are not only welcomed but celebrated. The initiative has become a movement by organizing adaptive trail and ultra races and advocating for better systems of representation.
He recalls signing up for the New York City Marathon and being stunned by the registration form. It recognized the spectrum of disabilities and provided options for adaptive athletes. “If trail running is supposed to be the most inclusive sport,” Zach says, “why is the marathon miles ahead?”
For him, inclusion starts long before race day. Inclusion begins at registration. Seeing yourself represented in the process is an unspoken message that you belong here.
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The Power of Representation
Representation, Zach believes, is a catalyst for transformation. “You can’t be what you can’t see,” he says, echoing a truth that resonates across all communities. Growing up, Zach never saw disabled athletes in media or sports. It wasn’t until adulthood that he met another athlete like himselfand that encounter changed everything.
Now, through Born to Adapt, he’s working to be that visible example for others. One of his proudest moments was watching Yahir, a young adaptive athlete he mentored, stand at the start line of the OCC at UTMB just a few years after they met. “That’s what representation looks like in real life,” Zach says.
Microaggressions and Meaningful Connection
The conversation takes a reflective turn when Jason and Evan ask Zach about public reactions and how people often approach him with comments like, “You’re such an inspiration.” Zach’s response is thoughtful. He recognizes that people usually mean well but suggests a deeper, more intentional approach: “Ask what got you curious about that,” he advises.
This gentle reframing not only opens dialogue but transforms awkward moments into opportunities for education and connection. It’s a reminder that inclusion isn’t about perfection. It is about learning, listening, and engaging with care.
The Mental Game of Adaptation
As an endurance athlete, Zach has faced more than his share of physical and mental challenges, from prosthetic malfunctions to the everyday realities of training. But for him, the biggest shift came when he stopped running for validation and started running for presence.
He describes his mindset evolution as a move from ego to soul. “I used to chase wins,” he says. “Now, I chase moments.” That mindset, grounded in gratitude and self-compassion, has made him not only a better athlete but a better human.
Celebrating Small Steps and Big Change
Throughout the episode, Zach emphasizes progress and not perfection. He points out how adaptive athlete participation at major races like UTMB is growing rapidly. Each new athlete, each new registration form that includes pronoun options or accessibility fields, is a victory worth celebrating.
Jason and Evan echo that sentiment, recognizing that culture shifts happen one story, one conversation, and one start line at a time.
Creativity, Connection, and the Future
When asked what skill he wants to develop next, Zach answers without hesitation: creativity. He wants to expand his storytelling through speaking, writing, and content creation. He is looking to continue to inspire change through visibility and vulnerability.
As this episode of Enduring Minds closes, listeners are left with a powerful message: inclusion is an ongoing practice, and endurance—whether physical, emotional, or social—is built through compassion and connection.
Final Thoughts
This episode isn’t just about running. The trio discusses reimagining what’s possible when barriers fall and communities rise together. Zach Friedley’s story reminds every endurance athlete that the real finish line isn’t the race itself. Instead, it’s the moment when everyone feels they belong on the course.
Listen to the full episode of Enduring Minds using the links below and join the conversation about inclusion, representation, and the spirit that unites us all.
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