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Adventures in Breaking Impossible
We're all about ordinary people overcoming big, difficult challenges!
Join Chris and Michael as we train, travel and, step by step, build up to The Big One(s)
Previously we walked around Lake Washington (in 24 hours), ran marathons (and ultra-marathons), flipped a tire for a mile (twice), all to prepare for our biggest, most difficult challenge yet . . .
the Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge
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Chris Toepker
Jun 15 min read
Heroic running advice, without questions
Defeat is a crucial ingredient to heroics, see how we put it to work here at Breaking Impossible - with hope, and imagination.
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Chris Toepker
Nov 12, 20228 min read
Breaking Impossible: Method Me Up!
“You’re on the same road, I’m just a little further ahead” my kung fu brother Ben Hunter once said. He was referring to how he’d met Lam,...
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Chris Toepker
Jul 8, 20221 min read
Servant Leadership in the Wild
If you're like me, you often hear about servant leadership. What might it really look like? I was lucky enough to spot an excellent...
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Chris Toepker
Nov 14, 20214 min read
No Limits, Just Steps
Breaking Impossible is all about setting big goals and challenging yourself, then achieving them step by step. These are powerful tools, and
176 views0 comments
Chris Toepker
Jul 5, 20213 min read
Got grit?
What is grit? How do you use it? How can it be practiced? Let's see, using kung fu and running as exmples!
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Michael Van Elsberg
May 31, 20212 min read
Social Media Experiment
If you're reading this, you probably know me, or Chris, (or both), or maybe not (please let me know) and you've probably also read a post...
84 views0 comments
Chris Toepker
Feb 9, 20212 min read
Still here, still going
Team, It's been a long while since Michael & I provided updates. Please accept our apologies! And thanks to the many of you that reached...
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Chris Toepker
Aug 13, 20205 min read
Let's have adventures!
What makes a good adventure? Good weather? Good friends? Something more? Let's find out!
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Chris Toepker
May 12, 20203 min read
Its Quiet. Too Quiet!
The past few weeks have been quiet ones, like with many of you I’m sure. While I had been taking advantage of the exceptions for outdoor...
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Michael Van Elsberg
May 11, 20205 min read
Breaking Obstacles
I have practiced martial arts since I was nine-years old starting at one of Ed Parker’s (Tracy’s) Kenpo schools before the Bruce Lee...
420 views0 comments
Michael Van Elsberg
Apr 4, 20203 min read
The MacLehose Trail Part Two
The MacLehose trail is the longest trail in Hong Kong and it covers most of the highest peaks from one side of the New Territories to the...
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Chris Toepker
Apr 2, 20208 min read
Real Challenges Require Standards
Without standards, without the chance to clearly fail, it is too easy to spin into self-doubt and time wasting.
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Michael Van Elsberg
Mar 28, 20203 min read
Lantau Island
At the beginning of my second trip to Hong Kong in February I stayed in Tung Chung for several days and got my first taste of the Lantau...
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Chris Toepker
Mar 22, 20203 min read
Microadventuring
I have been out microadventuering - getting a bit of challenge, difference & outing into everyday life. Here's a summary of 8-week attempt.
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Chris Toepker
Mar 1, 20204 min read
Tech Sabbatical: Keeping it Real
What is wrong with tech? Should we abolish it in order to recover? We should use it as the tool it is, being neither hamstrung nor reliant.
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Michael Van Elsberg
Jan 9, 20203 min read
The MacLehose Trail
I'm going back to Hong Kong in about a week to face the MacLehose trail for my third time. It's a daunting prospect. The Mac is the...
151 views0 comments
Chris Toepker
Dec 30, 20193 min read
2020: Must We Resolve? (We Must)
Set a goal, it'll niggle just enough to move you along. Small wins add up. Soon, those goals are astonishing!
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Chris Toepker
Dec 15, 20194 min read
Incrementally Yours
Get where you're going incrementally. Seemingly small accomplishments add up. Get started, keep going, don't stop. Step by step.
155 views0 comments
Michael Van Elsberg
Dec 12, 20193 min read
Hong Kong
I fell in love with Hong Kong when I made my first trip there in November to train for the Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge (and get...
384 views0 comments
Michael Van Elsberg
Oct 11, 20192 min read
Secret Beach Lessons
So, Chris and I agreed that the Secret Beach run at Gold Beach, Oregon, would be a "training run" and a "nice day on the beach" if...
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