Relentless Forward Progress with Mike Ubaldini

What do you do when no one is watching? What do you do when they are? When I was growing up, I imagined, that no matter where I was, what I was doing, my dad knew what I was up to. That conditioned me to try to be nice, kind, respectful, and do the right thing. It worked, for the most part (right dad 😊); I did have my fare share of mistakes!! But, as I grew older, it did teach me to do the right...

I drafted some thoughts on a book I just started reading, “Strong Fathers Strong Daughters,” by Meg Meeker, M.D. Today – I am going to just add them in this section and I am going to share my heart. Possibly an extension of blog from yesterday, about kids, this one specifically about daughters. “Strong Fathers Strong Daughters” by Meg Meeker, M.D. – Story about this girl that had a good freshman y...

I’ve mentioned before that I use the Headspace app to guide me in my meditation each day. A few weeks ago, there was a question asked, during a mediation, “what is the most important thing in your life right now?” I felt that this was a good topic to have as a podcast and today’s episode digs into it. “Live life without hesitation.” - #5secondrule by Mel Robbins

Friday Fun with what gives me anxiety!!! Running an ultramarathon, or any race for that matter, can give you some anxiety. The sheer distance, how your body will react, where your mind will be, how things will go. Many things can cause you stress leading into the race, and, during!! Today’s episode, I share with you what gets me. Brace yourself for some transparency, more than you probably will li...

A couple of weeks ago I put out a podcast entitled “Fear vs. Courage.” I think we mainly think of displays of courage in large circumstances, not our daily life. Last week I began reading Mel Robbin’s “5 Second Rule” and one chapter talked about those small instances, each day, we all display courage. I don’t believe we give ourselves enough credit for how much courage we all have in us. Each day,...

This will be the final podcast/blog post before the race. Will be getting back to it, likely mid-next week after some rest and recover 😊, with a race wrap-up, and some other fun stuff to share. Two days before we toe that line and wanted to express some final thoughts and reflection. Thanks for being with us for this journey and looking forward to Saturday/Sunday. Whatever the outcome, there will...

Race week - How do you train for that? We are only a few days out from the Javelina Jundred, my second 100-mile ultra-marathon. This one, again in AZ, is a bit different since, I now live here so it makes that portion of the journey much easier. However, running 100 miles is still, well, running 100 miles. This week I am going to share the process leading up to this point and what my mind is going...

There is a good portion of the material that I share that I am fortunate enough to come across and learn from others. I am grateful for their courage to share their insecurities, and that has provided me the inspiration to share mine. This wisdom, if you well, or education, comes from conversations with mentors and connect with others, but also comes from books, articles, publications, and yes, po...

This morning I had the great fortune of meeting with a group of young adults that are looking to be mentored. As I reflected on such a wonderful experience, I thought about all the people that have helped me get to this point, specifically mentors. This episode discusses some of the one’s I’ve had and how I found them. “I’ve learned a lot from mentors who were instrumental in shaping me, and I wan...

There is something to say about getting up before everything else and getting a start on your day. There is peace, quiet; a calmness when you are the only one up and about. I think it sets a tone for the day and puts us in the right mindset for what is to come. Today’s episode talks more about this and some ideas. “Get YOURSELF done before the distractions of the world take over.” - unknown

Several weeks ago I listened to an Impact Theory episode with Alex Banayan (linked) and really liked what he had to say about shame, doubt, courage and fear. Thought it was connected to what Brene’ Brown has shared in her books. After listening I went and bought his book “The Third Door” and finished reading that a couple of weeks ago. The topic of fear and courage form the podcast and book resona...

Last week I read another “All Pro Dad” article by Tony Dungy, former NFL Football coach, titled “Are you tough.” I encourage you to read it because the title doesn’t represent where the story goes and I believe that was on purpose. This got me thinking about the meaning of toughness and how I’ve discussed it with my daughters. Today’s episode discusses that and other thoughts around what “being to...

The last week I’ve been thinking a lot about others in my life and many that I want to help. Who is it that I want to reach and how can I connect with them. This episode shares my heart on the audience I want to be able to impact and help; the ones I want to share the journey of life with. “Appreciate where you are.” – Billy Yang “Be present and accept whatever comes your way.” – Timothy Olsen

The things we want! Had an idea of a blog post come to my mind last week from a conversation I had with my wife on what it is I want to do. I started writing it on Friday but still need to put some work into it. While meditating this morning I thought more about that “want” word and reflected on things that I set out to get and never did, how has that impacted me. Today’s episode talks a bit about...

Have spoken on this topic often and shared my thoughts on it. It is something I believe in but, many times, it is very challenging to “be in love” all the time. This morning I read an article by James Clear titled, “How to Stay Focused When You Get Board Working Toward Your Goals.” The last paragraph about this love, maybe hate, relationship got me thinking and today’s episode shares those thought...

Wrote down a note a few weeks back for a podcast episode to discuss some interesting feelings I’ve had with traveling in and out of Phoenix and how it felt vs. my 11 years in Philly. That gave me the idea, since we’ve been in Phoenix for 2 months now, to provide you all with some observations. Today’s episode goes into some of those things I’ve seen, some laughs, and some thoughts. “When you chang...

It has been a week since my last podcast due to travel and some down time so this one is a bit longer than usual. The last several days I got to live through some amazing experiences. From spending time with great friends and loved ones, meeting some great human beings, driving through beautiful areas of the western U.S., and learning, first hand, from my two daughters how incredible kids can be i...

RFP Podcast Episode #72 – “Just today” I heard the above phrase in a Wayne Dyer podcast. He was talking about his battle with alcoholism and how he quite drinking by just saying, “I am not going to drink today.” He ended up staying sober for over 20+ years until his death. How many times do we set out on journey are forget that it is about each step we take and not the destination we are going to....

RFP Podcast Episode #71 – The Most Wonderful Time of Year! For so many years, Saturdays in the fall were my day to just sit on the couch, or at my nearest watering hole, and sip some suds, eat some food that isn’t all that great for me, and enjoy my favorite game. Penn State is my college football team and, at the very least, that is my main choice, but love watching the game in general. Really do...

When it is not your day? Typically, I put a blog post out there for my post race wrap up. This time I decided to do a podcast so you can hear my voice and lessons learned when you have a day, when in reality, you are not at your best. The time since late Saturday night has been a struggle, but something, I believe, had to happen. And, coincidentally, I received this in my email today, a very relev...

Yesterday, our Mastermind Group got together on our usual biweekly call to update each other on our growth, discuss our challenges, and see how we can lift each other up and beyond our struggles.  As typically the case, it was a great call, with love, gratitude, transparency, and, in some cases, toughness.  That is why we have all grown so much over the last 2-3 years.  As a follow on to our call,...

Walking the Edge Just yesterday I finished reading “The Untethered Soul” by Michael Singer. It was a very good book, quick read actually, and offered some excellent nuggets. One specifically caught my attention, so much so that I wrote it down and wanted to launch a podcast about it. Today’s episode shares a metaphor on life about how we feel when we get close to that edge. “Ultimately, if you pro...

I do believe I shared this video in the past – “Ten Thousand Hours.” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWEF5Ie89ug This episode will dig deep into how we tend to have this misconception on what it takes to create the life we want to live. Those looking in from the outside see what is sexy and fun, but they don’t see the dirty hard work and the struggle to overcome so much. There are so many mentor...

Got this title from something a brave and wonderful member (Thanks Patty!!!) from my Mastermind group said during our call this past week. She was basically referring to us, human beings, and that we all want to be loved and feel that we are contributing. How great is that and how true is that? I am struggling to remember the exact context that she mentioned it, but I wrote it down once I heard it...

During my run today, the thoughts about what we’ve experienced the last several months came to mind. How, certain parts of this journey, this move to AZ, felt natural, right and uncomfortable. The moments leading up to the move, there was many natural feelings. Since we got out here, things have not felt natural, but it feels right. We know it is right and we know, staying in PA, was not going to...