Sally McRae
Ultra Runner, professional endurance athlete, and host of the Choose Strong podcast
Sally McRae, known worldwide as "Yellow Runner", is one of the most recognizable and resilient figures in ultra/mountain racing. She has stood on podiums at some of the most iconic races around the world, including first place finishes at Badwater 135 and Moab 240. Sally is a sponsored professional endurance athlete, bestselling author, and highly sought-after keynote speaker. Sally is known for her mental fortitude and the ability to push through extreme discomfort, but her real strength wasn’t built in the gym.
Sally's story begins in hardship. She grew up with an emotionally & physically abusive father, and her mother lost her battle with cancer when Sally was just a teenager, leaving Sally to mature quickly and develop fierce independence. In the months following her mother's death, her father was publicly arrested, forcing Sally's younger siblings into foster care. Instead of allowing pain to define her, Sally made a decision that would become the anchor of her life's philosophy and the title of her book, Choose Strong. At its core, Choose Strong teaches that strength is not a feeling - it's a decision made repeatedly in moments of pain. Sally pulls back the curtain on the full arc of her life - abuse, family illness, faith, fear, marriage, motherhood, and elite sport.
From the stage, Sally candidly shares her story of pain, loss, and wild resilience that laid the foundation for who she is today. Executives, entrepreneurs, sales teams, women's groups, athletes, and everyday individuals connect to her because she doesn't offer hype - she offers hard-earned truth. Sally's message is honest, raw, and relatable. She teaches that:
- Pain is inevitable; quitting is optional.
- The middle is messy - but it's where the growth happens.
- Your past can shape you without owning you.
- Discipline creates freedom
Sally McRae, known worldwide as "Yellow Runner", is one of the most recognizable and resilient figures in ultra/mountain racing. She has stood on podiums at some of the most iconic races around the world, including first place finishes at Badwater 135 and Moab 240. Sally is a sponsored professional endurance athlete, bestselling author, and highly sought-after keynote speaker. Sally is known for her mental fortitude and the ability to push through extreme discomfort, but her real strength wasn’t built in the gym.
Sally's story begins in hardship. She grew up with an emotionally & physically abusive father, and her mother lost her battle with cancer when Sally was just a teenager, leaving Sally to mature quickly and develop fierce independence. In the months following her mother's death, her father was publicly arrested, forcing Sally's younger siblings into foster care. Instead of allowing pain to define her, Sally made a decision that would become the anchor of her life's philosophy and the title of her book, Choose Strong. At its core, Choose Strong teaches that strength is not a feeling - it's a decision made repeatedly in moments of pain. Sally pulls back the curtain on the full arc of her life - abuse, family illness, faith, fear, marriage, motherhood, and elite sport.
From the stage, Sally candidly shares her story of pain, loss, and wild resilience that laid the foundation for who she is today. Executives, entrepreneurs, sales teams, women's groups, athletes, and everyday individuals connect to her because she doesn't offer hype - she offers hard-earned truth. Sally's message is honest, raw, and relatable. She teaches that:
- Pain is inevitable; quitting is optional.
- The middle is messy - but it's where the growth happens.
- Your past can shape you without owning you.
- Discipline creates freedom
Choose Strong
In the world of endurance sports, one of the greatest motivators for athletes battling challenges mid-race is to remind them of what they can’t see- the finish line. Sally McRae is a professional ultra-trail runner known for enduring through the most grueling races on the planet. Her story of perseverance began as a child and has been shared all over the world to encourage others to keep going even when they can’t see what lies ahead. At the end of the presentation, attendees will learn...
Don't Quit in the Middle
In this inspiring and powerful keynote, Sally shares lessons drawn from her experiences conquering grueling endurance challenges and life's toughest moments. Sally explains the difficulty posed in the middle of a race or challenge. The middle is where vulnerability lies and your courage demands your attention. Because when it's the hardest, that is where you are carved into a stronger person. That is how you get strong. Too often, we think we become strong...
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