There are guests whose stories are filled with incredible achievements. And then there are guests whose stories crack you open—with their heart, their humility, and their humanity.
Today’s guest, Rebecca Rusch, is all of the above.
Rebecca is one of the world’s most extraordinary endurance athletes—a 7-time World Champion, mountain bike hall-of-famer, best-selling author, Emmy Award winner, and activist. She has not only pushed herself to the physical edge through rock climbing, whitewater rafting, and multi-day adventure races like Eco-Challenge—she has also traveled to the emotional core of what it means to live fully, love deeply, and be good.
You may know her from the acclaimed documentary Blood Road, which follows Rebecca’s 1,800-kilometer mountain bike journey along the Ho Chi Minh Trail to locate the site where her father’s plane went down during the Vietnam War. That quest wasn’t just about closure—it was about connection, healing, and honoring the man who shaped her spirit.
In this deeply moving episode of the Cracking Open podcast, we explore:
✨ How the loss of her father at a young age ignited a lifelong search for meaning
✨ What growing up with a single, hard-working mom taught her about strength and self-reliance
✨ The power of curiosity, nature, and endurance to reveal who we really are
✨ How a traumatic brain injury forced her to slow down—and reimagine what success looks like
✨ Why “being good” matters so much more than being perfect
What we didn’t know when we scheduled this conversation was that Rebecca’s beloved mom would pass away just one week before we recorded. And so what unfolds in this episode is not just an interview—it’s a powerful reflection on how we live, how we love, and how we show up for the people who matter most.
Rebecca’s story is one of grit, grace, and growth. And at the heart of it all is a simple message from her father, who signed every letter home from Vietnam with the same two words: Be Good.
It’s a mantra that continues to guide her—and now, maybe, it will guide you too.
🎧 Tune in now and let Rebecca’s courage, curiosity, and compassion inspire you to slow down, dig deep, and live your own version of being good.
Love,
Molly
Connect with Rebecca Rusch
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Explore Rebecca’s Work
Official Website
The Be Good Foundation
Rebecca’s Private Idaho
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