UK's Drybala discusses his 'Running the World' challenge: ‘It all started with the need and wants to be happier, more fulfilled and more satisfied with my life’

United Kingdom runner Tomasz Drybala recently had an interview with The Houston Daily where he discussed his goal of “Running the World” and how it has affected his life.

“It all started with the need and wants to be happier, more fulfilled and more satisfied with my life," Drybala said. “I keep joking with people that one day I go out for a run to improve my mental and emotional health, and things go a bit crazy. But crazy in a good way. But my run is not so much about running itself. I'm on a mission to positively impact the lives of a billion people around the globe and inspire them to live a conscious and authentic life.”

This will be Drybala’s fourth and biggest running challenge. For this “Running the World” endeavor, Drybala will run the circumference of the world, 40,075 kilometers. It will be for the benefit of UNICEF, the worldwide humanitarian charity, as Drybala hopes to spread his message of mindful self-leadership and living authentically and consciously.

Drybala is in the middle of the “Running the World” challenge, having already completed 2,000 miles as of late April with approximately 23,000 left to go. He recently spent eight days in Houston during this challenge, running with Freaks Run Club, Memorial Trail Running Club, BON Running Club, Sigma Running Club, Astral Running Club and ZFT Run Club. He said that the Houston runs were some of the best he’s ever done, and that the Houston runners “surprised me with their hospitality and respect for my journey.” 

He singled out the Freaks Run Club and Patrick Pressgrove, who runs the club, in particular for inspiring him.                 

Drybala passed through Houston while making his way to the West Coast of the U.S. before he heads to Oceania, where he plans to run in New Zealand and Australia for approximately nine months and then spend a year or so running throughout Asia. The final leg of his journey will take him to Europe, where he plans on running for approximately 18 months before going back to his home in the United Kingdom.  

Drybala has published a book, “Mindful Self-Leadership: How I Broke the Pattern and Unlocked Focus, Creativity and Joy in Work and Life.” His work has appeared in National Geographic, Red Bull, New York Post, The Daily Mail, Fox and more.