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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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Keto, Ice Baths and Other Fads: vLog 202307
Sorting out the difference between fads and science. Please like, subscribe, share and comment. Thank you!
Michael Van Elsberg
Aug 4, 20231 min read
68 views
0 comments
One Meal a Day? Breaking Impossible Episode 10 vLog 202306
Our discussion of One Meal a Day (OMAD), early time-restricted eating (eTRE), popular proponents of both, how they (might) fit into...
Michael Van Elsberg
Apr 8, 20231 min read
81 views
0 comments
Being Wrong and DNFs: vLog 202305
A slight modification to Tool 6) Move as Much as Possible, Preferably Outside, But Not (now 90-minutes) (~) Two-hours Before Sleep (on...
Michael Van Elsberg
Mar 29, 20231 min read
67 views
0 comments
The Middle Four: vLog 202303
This slightly longer video explains the middle four of the 12 tools that Chris and I use to maintain our active lifestyle. We will be...
Michael Van Elsberg
Feb 27, 20231 min read
78 views
0 comments
The 12 Tools: vLog202301
Introduction to the 12 tools and the Breaking Impossible Method. Chris and I will be explaining why and how we use the rest of the 12...
Michael Van Elsberg
Jan 16, 20231 min read
249 views
0 comments
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,...
Chris Toepker
Nov 12, 20228 min read
102 views
0 comments
Sormlands 100: After Action Report
I had hoped that finishing the Sormlands100 (in time) would be the playoffs. That it would qualify me for the post-season: Hong Kong Four T
Chris Toepker
Sep 19, 20227 min read
117 views
0 comments
100 Miles is 100 Miles: vLog 202204
In our fourth video Chris is getting ready to do the Sörmlands 100 Endurance Run (you can follow him here), 14:00 Zulu (GMT/UTC),...
Michael Van Elsberg
Sep 14, 20221 min read
153 views
0 comments
Triggers, Habits and Training: vLog 202203
In our third video we talk about the power of habits, commitment, sleep, sobriety and just getting out there. Michael was still in Hong...
Michael Van Elsberg
Jul 13, 20221 min read
122 views
0 comments
Alcohol Free? vLog 202202
In this, our second YouTube video, discover which one of us is trying to convince the other to completely give up drinking alcohol, and...
Michael Van Elsberg
May 27, 20221 min read
165 views
0 comments
Chris's Top 10 Training Books
Breaking Impossible is listing our Top 10 inspirational books. Here’s why I put those books on my list! Of course, these are not my Top...
Chris Toepker
Apr 17, 20223 min read
73 views
0 comments
YouTube Channel: vLog 202201
Hello Everyone, please click on the picture above, like and subscribe, and stay tuned for future videos. In this first one, we introduce...
Michael Van Elsberg
Jan 29, 20221 min read
134 views
0 comments
Radical Change: 100-Days of Total Commitment
Today is the last official day of a nearly 15-year job and 10-year position (I've technically been on "vacation" for the last two weeks)...
Michael Van Elsberg
Oct 16, 20213 min read
457 views
0 comments
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!
Chris Toepker
Jul 5, 20213 min read
95 views
0 comments
The Runner's Mentality
What does it take for someone to actually consider themselves to be a runner rather than just someone who runs? Is it how far, how fast,...
Michael Van Elsberg
Jun 21, 20213 min read
174 views
0 comments
Keep Going
The whole point of this blog is to encourage and inspire others that anyone can do big things if they are sufficiently motivated. So this...
Michael Van Elsberg
Jun 15, 20213 min read
158 views
0 comments
Training, Blogging and Moving Forward
We at Breaking Impossible are currently training for the Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge in 2026. The challenge is to run all four...
Michael Van Elsberg
Jun 9, 20212 min read
291 views
0 comments
Why do it at all?!
Add adventure to your mindset & toolkit to keep motivation high, get out more regularly & to be ready for anything that might #SuddenUponYou
Chris Toepker
Jun 1, 20215 min read
157 views
0 comments
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...
Michael Van Elsberg
May 31, 20212 min read
84 views
0 comments
Doing the Homework - it's fun!
I have found at least three ways from shores of the Salish Sea to Snoqualmie Pass. However, I didn’t do it the easy way. This was more fun!
Chris Toepker
Mar 25, 20214 min read
79 views
0 comments
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