"Make the Impossible, Possible" : How 19-Year-Old Ultra Runner Bryn is Taking On Project Mongolia

A raw conversation with 19-year-old Bryn on mental resilience, running for a cause and preparing for his 1,500-mile expedition.

1.Hi Bryn, to kick things off, could you introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about your background?

I’m Bryn, a 19 year old outdoor / adventure content creator and ultramarathon runner. I have been very fortunate to grow up in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand. I’ve always been an athletic kid, and have competed in many sports over the years, and discovered running through Orienteering back in 2020. It was an activity day at my school, I fell in love. I vividly remember my first ever ‘run’. And the rest is history.

Discovering ultra endurance events in 2022 through Adventure Racing where the thrill of pushing my body to its physical and mental limits through endurance events started, and ‘running’ ultramarathons since 2024. In my final years of high school I spent more time training and pushing my body than in my classes and studying.

2.At just 19, you’ve completed a 100-mile track run and the Vietnam 100km ultra. How would you compare the mental grind of endless flat loops against the brutal terrain of mountain trails?

The Vietnam Mountain Marathon 100km ultra is the hardest thing I’ve done in my life. Because of the mental and physical side of it. Yet, the best and coolest race I’ve ever done. The northern Vietnamese mountains are no joke! A quote from an Australian guy I met there was “this course is made to fuck you up” and did it live to its name.

Track running and mountain running are two completely different physical activities. I found that the mountains had more variation on the legs, so I used different muscles for the whole event. Whereas, the track 100 miler had no change in terrain or gradient, the only thing I could do to ‘change things up’ was go faster or slower. So at the end of the track 100 miler, my right leg was so tight and stiff I couldn’t walk, and the last 20km was brutal because of my tight and stiff leg. Stretching while running can only get you so far.

3.Running 100 miles around a flat sports track is very challenging mentally. Could you describe what that day was actually like on the track, and what drove you to push through 24 hours for the mental health cause (Spark That Chat) you were supporting?

The people. The hours leading up to the start line was 10% nerves, 90% frothing for it. I was so excited to get this underway and show what’s possible. The whole event was about trying to inspire others to get out there and join, whether it was run 100 laps or walk 1, just get out there and get involved. As well as creating awareness of mental health through Spark That Chat. The people and charity showed up to support, both the cause and myself. Which was the main motivator for keep pushing through the dark moments.

Hours flew by and dragged at the same time, having people around me made the miles clock by quick. Having strangers turn up and tell me that they were inspired by my run, and they would join for a few laps. Moments like that. Having friends from school who have zero interest in running or sports turn up to run a few laps is something different. 

One particular moment was about 11pm, 80km in (halfway) I was struggling, just trying to find a rhythm and keep going. I saw some headlights in the carpark, horns honking, and revving their cars, then I saw about 15 of “The Boys” from high school jumped out of their cars and walk as a group towards me. They all then joined me for a few laps. Jack Jensen (Founder of Spark That Chat) told me later on that that moment “sent chills down his spine” expressing how unreal that moment was. The adrenaline and enthusiasm they brought at a time of low was unreal. Experiences like that, are the ones that push your mind through anything.

4.You’ve announced 'Project Mongolia'— running over 1,500 miles across one of the world's last true wildernesses. Inspired by Savas Coban, what does it mean to you to 'inspire and be inspired,' and how do you plan to prepare for such a massive expedition?

INSPIRE AND BE INSPIRED is a quote that I use every day. I live by it. It shows that even the most inspiring and influential people have once been inspired by someone or something. I myself am inspired by many people to continue to do these adventures and endurance experiences, and at the same time I am living proof of inspiring others. A quote I’ve heard is “if he can run 100 miles round a track, I can run 5k round the park”, and that for me is proof that this quote is true and effective. 

Leading up to PROJECT MONGOLIA will be interesting, for now it’s working out logistics and doing all of the behind the scenes planning. Huge project like this can’t just be done in quick fashion, they need time to prepare mentally and physically, as well as figuring out all of these logistics such as visas, support vehicle, support and videography crew, food, water etc… all of these things take time. And can’t be done alone.

The lead up will involve mental and physical training, strength will be important on this one. As well as training my body for the elements of Mother Nature. It’s gonna get cold in the Altai Mountains, it’s gonna get hot in the Gobi Desert. Preparing for these scenarios is critical.

5.You mentioned targeting platforms like Netflix to document this journey. How important is the storytelling aspect to you, and when you're weeks into the wilderness facing fatigue and discomfort, what core belief or personal 'why' will keep you pushing forward?

Storytelling is such a unique way of building stories and history. There’s a factor of storytelling to every adventure one goes on. I am trying to target big platforms to be able to help tell a unique story. For me, to start with this project I am trying to gain coverage, not for fame, but to push the message of INSPIRE AND BE INSPIRED.

As well as an important factor for me is to show the world a new culture of Mongolia, it’s one of those countries that a lot of people have heard about but don’t know any details. Through this run I want to not only complete it but also showcase the amazing culture and lifestyle of these people. I personally am very intrigued and interested in the Nomadic culture and lifestyle, it’s so basic and unique.

And I would love to show people that being ‘rich’ is not just how much money you have, it’s also about the experiences you live and people you know.

There is always an aspect of selfishness with these things. Whether it’s big or very small. A part of my personal WHY is to have my name in the history books of completing this run, but also to INSPIRE AND BE INSPIRED. I was inspired and I’m going to inspire more people to step out of their comfort zone and do hard things, and promoting mental health awareness through Spark That Chat, “Lead by doing” is a main aspect of their charity.

Sometimes you have to get quite dark and deep with yourself in those moments. Quotes like… “Trying is not good enough, you WILL finish this” and “If it were easy, everyone would do it. Show the world how strong you are” and “Anyone can start it, but not everyone can finish it”

The Altai Mountains and Gobi Desert will be interesting, but I am mentally prepared to get into those dark moments and prove that your mind is A LOT stronger than you think.

6.What message do you have for young people trying to chase their own 'impossible' dreams?

LEAD BY DOING, just get out there and MAKE THE IMPOSSIBLE, POSSIBLE. People are going to hate and doubt you no matter how big the goal is, your job is to push through that and go show them all wrong. If your goal doesn’t scare you, it’s not big enough.

There is a big difference between saying something, and actually doing it. Get out there and make it happen. Put action to words and inspire the world.