Why I Ask: How Trusting Should We Be?

I’m Kevin Brittain, the bloke behind Runpreneur, and today’s post comes directly from my 1,873rd consecutive day of run vlogging yes, really! As I grind out the ultimate ultra-marathon challenge (going way beyond 4292 days, and clocking up 40,075 km in the circumference of the globe!), I’m reminded that every great mission, just like in business and life, runs on trust.

But here’s the dilemma: each generation seems more wary than the last. As someone who grew up seeing neighbours leave their doors open and now double-locks my own, I have to ask are we all getting less trustworthy, or just more protective?

Generational Shifts in Trust It’s Not Just You

Looking back, my late Nan’s generation genuinely trusted each other. People helped themselves to sugar from next door and didn’t worry about a thing. Fast-forward to today: not only are our doors locked, but so are our hearts.

I’ve watched this change across generations, from my Nan, to my parents, to myself, to my kids. Each step, trust gets a bit thinner. And technology however much we love it has made it easier than ever for people to wrong each other, both subtly and spectacularly. It’s not just me, by the way. Every entrepreneur, colleague, and friend I chat with seems to have their own tale of betrayal.

My Experience: Trust Isn’t Black & White

Let’s get personal and real. Over the years, I’ve been wronged by people I let into my world. Close friends, colleagues, even family have let me down. And yes, I’ve made mistakes too. But here’s my rule: if my intention was honest, I can live with unintentional mistakes. What matters most is how we put things right when we fall short.

But increasingly, I’ve seen people act with the wrong intentions deliberately doing others harm. That’s not just a mistake. That’s a choice. And unfortunately, it’s more common than you think.

So, How Trusting Should You Be?

Honestly? Not very. Trust should be earned, not given away like cheap free samples. Think of trust as a “trustometer.” Every encounter, every year, the needle moves up or down. Even then, people you’ve known for decades can let you down. There’s no perfect formula, which is why being realistic not negative is key.

Remember: everyone has their own agenda, and desperation can make people act out of character. The question to ask each time is what was their true intention?

Moving Forward How I Use Trust to Power Runpreneur

Here’s the Runpreneur reality: I don’t let setbacks or distrust hold me back. Instead, I focus on intention my own, and those around me.

• If intentions are good, but mistakes happen: Take responsibility. Make it right.

• If intentions are bad: Distance yourself. You owe it to your sanity, your mission, and the children we’re here to help.

My ask for you to keep your guard up, but don’t close off completely. Trust is still possible. But it’s built, step by step, just like running a marathon.

Join the Mission Let’s Build Something Worth Trusting

Every day, I run barefoot towards raising £1,000,000 for children’s causes one daily vlog and one step at a time. If you believe in intention, positive action, and making the world just a bit safer for the next generation… subscribe, comment, and share this mission.

The more people we reach, the more lives we save. Let’s be the change and the trust we want to see.

Stay positive. Stay happy. And I’ll see you on the next run.