Who the F*ck is Mike Shattuck Exclusive Interview

What is a real runner? Real human? This guys lives at home with his parents and run. Clearly running away from something and procrastinating adult responsibilities. The well will eventually dry up.

Good article but all it will do is boost his ego.

Sounds like a running homeless person. What he is doing is impressive but def not worthy of sponsorship by any means. The only reason this guy has the time to do this is because he doesn’t work and live with mommy and daddy. Sounds like this guys might need some serious mental health help. Too much of anything can be bad.

Here's what I took out of your interview:

1. He's not contributing anything at all to society. No job. No kids. No spouse.

2. His self-worth is tied to how people view him on Strava and running. Some of his comments in that interview really make me question his mental status. Like the one month challenge on Strava where some lady (I think) was trying to "raise awareness" for some disease/charity and was racking up the mileage. Mike was hurt, but this lady "pushed him" to keep going and fight on. In reality it was because he had to win that (honestly stupid and useless) online challenge.

3. He lost his job and turned to running as his outlet. Which is fine. Believing you are making some huge difference in peoples' lives or in the world by doing this type of mileage is delusional. Eventually you have to re-enter "the real world".

4. What does he do for money? How does he afford all this food/nutrition/gear/shoes he needs? Where does he live?

I'd love for a psychologist to sit down with this guy for a bit.

To me, it's all just kind of....odd.

Bingo!! You hit the nail on the head. Also he is quite hypocritical about the only junk mikes are fast miles when he put out a sub 17 minute 5k. You can also see quite a few disturbing/unhealthy mental issues in the interview. Whether you like it or not, a persons identity is always tied to their job, their hobbies and/or lifestyle. Physical fitness is one thing. Mental issues are a whole different thing. You can’t just train or run more for a healthy mental mind. Running is good for ones mind and body to only to a point. Life is about balance. Plain and simple.

To top it off a few days ago this guy did a 45 hour fast (no food, possibly no water)and ran a marathon during it?!?!? If that’s not unhealthy I don’t know what is.

Santaslilhelper wrote:

Whether you like it or not, a persons identity is always tied to their job, their hobbies and/or lifestyle.thing.

No it isn't. Just your's is.

That’s cute. So a persons identity can just be made up? Or you can pick what you like and discard the rest? If you are a Dr you are a Dr. If you are tall you are tall. Your job, hobbies, lifestyle, personality and maybe your family is what make it up in ‘the real world’, period. If you want I can show you how to get there.

You can identify with whatever you want. But don't claim that you understand how others create their existence or formalize the content of the self.

Well said Fred! I am not saying that I am defining ones self. Ones self or identity is a mix of ones ego and other peoples perception of ones self. If you want to put your self out in any type of public forum, people are well within their rights to disclose ones own opinion especially on a open forum. Again. Good luck. And if want to be introduced to real life. Let me know.

Santaslilhelper wrote:

Ones self or identity is a mix of ones ego and other peoples perception of ones self..

One's self or identity does not include other people's perception of one's self. It may for you because you surrender components of your ego to be jerked around.

It may be true from a textbook definition. Where does insanity/delusion fit in here? Hitler thought he was doing some very good and noble things for a great cause. In this case this guy is jobless and living at home with mommy and daddy. Hopefully at least not on Govt $. Him stating that he is going to run a marathon every day for the rest of his life is only selfish to anyone in his real life circle. Think birthdays, holidays, funeral. “Sorry I have to run a marathon”. Not to mention you can travel more then 3-4 hours. “I have got to run his 26.2”. Then there is the fact of running this much, every day and what it does to your body and mind. It might be slightly better then a drug addiction but not more. Considering that running has been linked to chemical release/ “a high”, he has to run every day to get his fix or the withdrawal will start. Prob becomes angry and cranky to be around. This isn’t even considering physical knee, hip wear and tear. Good luck when you need a new one but the Dr won’t put one in because you are too young.

The best part is he and others think he is on team never quit. Looks like he quit his entire life besides running.

Anyone know what happened to him? Looks like he's barely run all February. Did the junk mileage finally catch up to him?

As an aside, Mike would comment racist crap on one Indian guy's profile because he was ahead of him on the monthly running distance leaderboard. Though I think it's clear already he needs help.

I get he is annoying but I dont hate his cause or the reason he runs. It seems like he is in it for more of the social and health aspects than racing. Is he weird? Yes. Does he live with parents? Probably. But is he harming anyone?

He is not hurting anyone but in no way contributing to society at all. Maybe it’s me getting old but in no way should someone in their early 40s should be not working or volunteering. Even if you have enough money you should find a way to volunteer or give the money to help others. This guy might have some mental health issues but clearly is capable of working a job or volunteering. Sounds like there is someone enabling his ‘professional’ running and there are some codependency going on. He is just wasting his good working years and will be hurting (physically and financially)when he gets to his mid 60s.

Just another case of white privilege and entitlement.