Running Into Yourself Format: Paperback

The power of running to alleviate our suffering and frailties.

Whether you're a novice runner making your way from the couch to your first 5K race, or an elite runner toeing the line at the start of the Olympic marathon, you soon discover that within the beauty of movement, there comes a point where you arrive at a mysterious boundary—the border where one valiantly tries to quiet the mind, while allaying incapacitating doubts and fears. This subtle negotiation, this dance with discomfort, is the birthplace of an inner fortitude, and it demands we keep moving when everything inside us is screaming for us to quit.

Bédard explores running's ability to nurture inner resilience and build community, and how it can help us work through the traumas of addiction, depression, or anxiety. This book is a message of strength and hope.

In addition to being a featured contributor to the Huffington Post and the writer behind the popular blog Breathe Through This (with over 2 million subscribers), Jean-Paul Bédard is a high profile endurance athlete, and a veteran of over 100 marathons and ultramarathons. A sought-after public speaker, Bédard is known for his ability to infuse humor into his talks as he speaks candidly about addiction, depression, and childhood trauma.

In addition to being a ‘featured contributor’ to the Huffington Post and the author behind the popular blog “Breathe Through This” (with over 2 million subscribers), Jean-Paul Bédard is a high profile endurance athlete, and a veteran of over 100 marathons and ultra marathons. In 2012, he represented Canada in the prestigious Comrades Marathon in South Africa, a grueling 90km race through mountainous terrain.

Jean-Paul turned to long distance running to help him battle his addiction and mental health issues. In 2013, Jean-Paul disclosed to family and friends that he is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and rape. Since that time, he has become an advocate for other survivors. In 2014, Jean-Paul ran the iconic Boston Marathon twice in the same day to raise funds and awareness for survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

A sought-after public speaker, Jean-Paul is known for his ability to infuse humor in his talks as he speaks candidly about coming to terms with serious issues such as addiction, depression, and childhood trauma. Jean-Paul passionately believes life is not about "what happens to us", but about "what we do with what happens to us." His is a message of hope, strength, and resiliency.