🎙️ Rhythms & Roots | Season 3, Episode 3

What happens when the finish line stops being about you?

In this powerful conversation, ultra runner Dylan Ledbetter shares the story behind his journey through Cocodona 250—one of the most demanding endurance races in the world. But this isn't simply a race recap.

It's a conversation about identity, surrender, suffering, purpose, and faith.

Dylan opens up about growing up through family trauma, serving in the military, losing friends, battling alcohol, discovering endurance sports, and ultimately finding Christ in the middle of a search for purpose. Along the way, he shares how ultra running became more than a physical challenge—it became a classroom for spiritual formation.

Together, Donnie and Dylan explore what happens when endurance strips away ego, performance, and recognition, leaving only the deeper questions of who we are and who God is calling us to become.

At the heart of the conversation is a profound realization Dylan experienced just days before the race:

"I almost wanted to remove my name from the bib."

What followed was not just a 250-mile journey across Arizona, but a journey from achievement toward surrender.

This episode is about faith under pressure, purpose beyond performance, and discovering that the greatest victories often happen long before the finish line.

"The life you're living is forming the person you're becoming."

In this episode of Rhythms & Roots, Donnie sits down with ultra runner Dylan Ledbetter to explore the intersection of endurance, faith, identity, suffering, and spiritual formation.

After recently completing the legendary Cocodona 250, Dylan reflects on the deeper lessons learned through ultra running and how God used endurance to reshape his understanding of purpose, success, and personal identity.

• Growing up through family trauma and loss

• How wrestling and military service shaped resilience

• Losing purpose after leaving the Army

• Alcohol, grief, and searching for meaning

• The unexpected role David Goggins played in his transformation

• Giving his life to Christ before his first ultra marathon

• The significance of "40" and a defining moment of faith

• Why suffering often becomes a catalyst for growth

• The spiritual lessons hidden within endurance sports

• The difference between performance and purpose

• Learning to become a vessel instead of seeking recognition

• Cocodona 250 and the moment everything changed

• Why Dylan almost removed his name from the race bib

• Trusting God when fear, exhaustion, and uncertainty collide

• Community, crew, pacers, and the power of shared endurance

• How Scripture became part of his race strategy

• The beauty of Arizona and the spiritual significance of the journey

• Facing fear on Mount Elden

• Faith, success, influence, and staying grounded

• What comes next after accomplishing a dream

"I almost wanted to remove my name from the bib."

"It's about being the vessel, not the recognition."

"If Jesus died on the cross for my sinful self, I can move my body across this finish line."

"Not me."

"Every step in His name. Every step closer to the finish."

"God is undeniable."

The greatest challenge of endurance isn't physical.

It's surrender.

When performance, recognition, and ego are stripped away, we discover who we really are—and who God is forming us to become.

Welcome to the first episode of Deeper, a new leadership series within the Rhythms & Roots podcast.

While Rhythms & Roots has always explored spiritual formation, health, purpose, and the rhythms that shape our lives, Deeper is designed to explore the calling, challenges, and formation of those who lead. Through honest conversations with pastors, ministry leaders, church planters, and faithful servants, we'll uncover the lessons that are often learned far from the spotlight.

For our inaugural episode, Donnie sits down with longtime pastor and leader Dave Debus.

From rural ministry on the eastern plains to decades of faithful service, Dave shares stories of calling, perseverance, leadership, and what it means to stay faithful when ministry isn't glamorous and growth isn't measured by numbers alone.

Together they explore:

• The difference between success and faithfulness
• Lessons learned through decades of ministry
• Leading in small communities
• Endurance in leadership
• The importance of relationships and presence
• What keeps a pastor going through difficult seasons
• Why the Kingdom of God is often built through ordinary acts of faithfulness

Whether you're a pastor, ministry leader, volunteer, or simply someone seeking to live a faithful life, this conversation offers wisdom forged through years of walking with God and serving others.

Because leadership isn't a sprint.

It's a long ride.

Rhythms & Roots | Deeper
Conversations That Shape Leaders

The conversation explores the theme of endurance, focusing on the physical and spiritual aspects of endurance in everyday life. It delves into the significance of breath, the challenges of endurance training, and the transformative power of experiential and formative experiences. The conversation also highlights the importance of community, invitation, and the connection between physical movement and spiritual growth. The conversation delves into the transformative power of nature, solitude, and self-discovery, as well as the spiritual and professional insights gained from challenging experiences. It also explores the significance of breath work and its impact on physical and spiritual well-being.

Takeaways

• Endurance
• Breath
• Experiential Transformation Solitude in nature can lead to profound self-discovery and spiritual awakening.
• Breath work is a powerful tool for physical and spiritual well-being.

Chapters

• 00:00 Transformative Experiences and Community Connection
• 38:06 The Power of Breath Work and Its Spiritual Significance