When running a business, it is a guarantee that problems and challenges will arise. While some problems may be small, others are likely to threaten the livelihood of the business. How a business chooses to address the problems it faces could mean the difference between thriving or dying. The M.O.N.E.Y Matrix videos are designed to help business owners look at what others have done to become successful and give viewers a different perspective on how to tackle the issues in their own business. The video highlighting Cliff Young gives insight on how a different mindset can change the course of an industry or, in this case, a sport.
Every year Australia hosts a 547.3-mile race from Sydney to Melbourne. It is considered one of the most grueling ultra-marathons that only advance athletes compete in. The race takes 5 days to complete, with contestants running for 18 hours straight then sleeping for 6. Most competing in the race are under 30 years old and are sponsored by big time brands, like Nike. However, in 1983 at 61 years old Cliff Young decided to compete in the race. He showed up in overalls and work boots and shocked everyone when he grabbed his number and stepped up to the race line. People told him he was crazy, and he would not be able to finish the race. Cliff told them he would be able to finish. He grew up chasing sheep around his 2000-acre farm and used to run for several days to catch them.
At the start of the race Cliff quickly fell behind, however, when the other runners stopped to sleep, Cliff kept running. He ran for 5 days and 5 nights straight, and by doing so won the race and set a record. There was a $10,000 prize for winning the race which Cliff didn’t know about before the race. He won the prize but gave the money to other racers. He entered again the next year and took 7th place, despite having a displaced hip.
Cliff’s signature shuffle has been adopted by many ultra-marathon runners because it is considered as more energy efficient. His mindset of continuous running has also been adopted by modern competitors of the Sydney to Melbourne race. Winning now requires you to run all day and all night just as Cliff did. Cliff’s mindset went against the status quo and changed the sport of ultra-marathons.