Is Happiness REALLY a Choice? My Hard-Earned Truths from 1,766 Consecutive Ultramarathon Days

If I told you that happiness could actually be a choice, would you believe me—or would you roll your eyes, convinced that life just happens to us? You’re not alone. I wrestled with this question for years, and after 1,766 days of running every single day, barefoot, in pursuit of not just distance—but meaning—I think I’m finally getting close to an answer.

Hi, I’m Kevin Brittain, founder of the Runpreneur Challenge, and I’m on a mission to run 40,075km (that’s a full lap of the globe!), push past 4,292 consecutive days, and raise £1 million for children’s charities worldwide. This journey isn’t just about miles; it’s about mindset, resilience, and the daily battle with our own thinking. Today, I want to have an open, honest chat about happiness, choices, and the ripple effect of how we respond to life’s knocks—because it matters more than you might think.

Here’s What Most People Get Wrong About Happiness…

The other day, after finishing my morning run and popping into my local café (which I own), I ended up having one of the most humbling debates about happiness I’ve ever had (so much so, it spurred me to record [today’s episode]—don’t miss it!). My friend argued, quite passionately, that happiness isn’t a choice; it’s dictated by circumstance. If life’s rough, happiness is off the table, end of storey. Sound familiar?

But here’s my take, forged in the crucible of relentless ultra-running and daily setbacks: most negative events in life are pinpoints on a timeline. Something bad happens—a failed business deal, a heartbreak, even a devastating loss. Yes, there’s a ripple effect that can make those feelings linger for days, months, sometimes years. But here’s the real kicker: the length and strength of that ripple can be changed—with practise.

The Secret They Never Taught Us: Conditioning Your Mind

Here’s what I’ve learned pounding the pavements (and sometimes, just the raw earth) for nearly 2,000 days straight: you can train your mind to process pain and disappointment faster, and more positively. Not by ignoring your feelings—far from it—but by realising when to let go and how not to allow things outside your control to keep you stuck.

For example, think about how much time we waste worrying about outcomes we’ll never be able to change. We stew, we spiral, we allow our anxiety to hijack the only thing we do have control over: our present state of mind.

My friend said, “But Kevin, I need to process things! I can’t just snap out of it.” And I agree! But what if you could learn to process things just a tiny bit quicker? Over months and years, the compounding effect would be enormous. More happiness, less time lost to pointless worry—who wouldn’t want that?

How to Take Back Control (And Why It’s NOT Just “Positive Thinking”)

Look, I’m not naturally positive—ask anyone who knew me years ago! It’s taken relentless effort, years of mindset work, and a refusal to let life’s hardest knocks define me. You don’t need to live in denial, or pretend nothing bad ever happens. But if you can reduce your “negative ripple effect” even by 10%, you gain so much extra peace, energy, and clarity. That’s the difference.

• Acknowledge the pain.

• Process it fully—but don’t let it take over your timeline forever.

• Move forward, focusing only on what you can control today.

If I didn’t live this principle, there’s no way I could get up every day, tie my barefoot shoes, and hit the road—no matter how tough yesterday was.

Join Me on the Ultimate Run—for Happiness, and for Hope

Why does all this matter? Because the Runpreneur Challenge is about more than miles and marathons. It’s about rewriting the narrative for children who face adversity every single day. My aim is bold: raise £1 million for children’s causes, smash past 40,075km, and inspire an unstoppable wave of resilience and positivity.

If you’ve ever felt that life’s circumstances have robbed you of happiness, I urge you: come with me. Let’s train our minds—and our hearts—to take back that choice. Please 👣 subscribe, share, comment your thoughts below, and help save children’s lives. The further we go, the more lives we touch.

Stay positive. Stay happy. I’ll see you at the next mile.