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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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Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge

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Keto, Ice Baths and Other Fads: vLog 202307

Michael Van Elsberg

Aug 4, 20231 min read

Keto, Ice Baths and Other Fads: vLog 202307

Sorting out the difference between fads and science. Please like, subscribe, share and comment. Thank you!

66 views0 comments

One Meal a Day? Breaking Impossible Episode 10 vLog 202306

Michael Van Elsberg

Apr 8, 20231 min read

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...

81 views0 comments

Michael Van Elsberg

Mar 29, 20231 min read

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...

67 views0 comments

Michael Van Elsberg

Feb 27, 20231 min read

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...

78 views0 comments

Michael Van Elsberg

Jan 16, 20231 min read

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...

245 views0 comments

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,...

100 views0 comments

Chris Toepker

Sep 19, 20227 min read

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

112 views0 comments

Michael Van Elsberg

Sep 14, 20221 min read

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),...

147 views0 comments

Triggers, Habits and Training: vLog 202203

Michael Van Elsberg

Jul 13, 20221 min read

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...

122 views0 comments

Michael Van Elsberg

May 27, 20221 min read

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...

162 views0 comments

Chris Toepker

Apr 17, 20223 min read

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...

73 views0 comments

Michael Van Elsberg

Jan 29, 20221 min read

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...

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Radical Change: 100-Days of Total Commitment

Michael Van Elsberg

Oct 16, 20213 min read

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)...

457 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!

95 views0 comments

Michael Van Elsberg

Jun 21, 20213 min read

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,...

171 views0 comments

Michael Van Elsberg

Jun 15, 20213 min read

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...

157 views0 comments

Michael Van Elsberg

Jun 9, 20212 min read

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...

274 views0 comments

Chris Toepker

Jun 1, 20215 min read

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

156 views0 comments

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

Mar 25, 20214 min read

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!

74 views0 comments

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