“What would make you take a one-way flight across the US to meet up with 27 strangers and spend the next 7 weeks running 4,700 miles back home?” As someone who has dealt with crippling mental health issues, I knew I needed to overcome my fear of the unknown and participate in something bigger than myself. I had to overcome that fear by embracing it for its benefit rather than detriment. This desire only became reality by applying one of my greatest passions to fuel the adventure—endurance running. Stumbling upon the 4K for Cancer gave me purpose. But what started out as an opportunity for me to overcome personal difficulties turned into something much, much more. I learned to live in the moment—to be fully immersed in the beauty of the present without paying any attention to possible troubles of the unknown future. I learned how to draw strength from others to overcome pain and stretch boundaries to grow together. But, most importantly, I learned my higher purpose of living a life of service to others. My main goal in sharing this experience on a public platform is to help bring light to the inherit goodness of humanity when faced with suffering. But, if nothing else, I hope that being completely open and honest about my own mental health problems can help make others realize they’re not alone. This is an unfortunate reality so many of us face but realizing its prominence can further help de-stigmatize the image it often has in society today.