Hi, it’s Candice —
I’ve been thinking a lot about the LA Marathon winner this week. Nathan Martin, a high school coach from Michigan, pulled off one of the closest finishes in race history — chasing down the leader in the final stretch and winning by a photo finish.
In his post-race interview he started talking about something that stopped me in my tracks.
He described how he used his inner dialogue — that quiet conversation in his head — to keep going when everything hurt. He didn’t let the “I can’t do this” thoughts take over. Instead he kept reminding himself of what he could control: giving it everything he had in that moment.
That’s straight-up CBT and DBT in real life.
I love seeing these skills show up in everyday places — not just in therapy offices, but on the streets of Los Angeles during a marathon. Because that’s always the goal. Not just talking a good game about managing anxiety or emotions, but actually practicing it when it counts.
High-functioning anxiety loves to sneak in with that same all-or-nothing voice: “I’m either completely calm or I’m spiraling.” “I either nailed it or I failed.” But Nathan’s example shows what happens when we shift the script.
You catch the thought. You focus on what’s actually in your control. You keep moving forward even when it’s hard.
That’s anxiety management as a daily practice — not a one-time fix or a perfect outcome. It’s showing up for yourself in the tough moments, one honest sentence at a time.
This is exactly what we talked about in the High Functioning But Fried workshop. We broke down how that inner dialogue fuels high-functioning anxiety and practiced the same simple, repeatable tools that Nathan used on race day — catching the thought, creating distance, and refocusing on what you can do.
The replay is now available with lifetime access + the full digital workbook. If you’ve ever felt like you’re holding it together on the outside while your nervous system is running hot on the inside, this workshop was made for you.
You don’t need to get it perfect. You just need to start practicing — like Nathan did in those final miles.
Grab the replay here → [link]
And if you’re ready for these same skills customized to your exact life and stressors (the ones that show up in your workdays, parenting, or self-care moments), my 1:1 calendar is open for a free 10-minute intro call. No pressure — just real support.
References
- Beck, J. S. (2011). Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Basics and Beyond (2nd ed.). Guilford Press. (Core reference for inner dialogue, thought catching, and reframing cognitive distortions.)
- Linehan, M. M. (2015). DBT Skills Training Manual (2nd ed.). Guilford Press. (Source for distress tolerance and the skill of focusing on what is within your control.)
- CNN (2026, March 10). High school coach speaks out after winning L.A. Marathon by closest margin in history [Video interview with Nathan Martin]. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/10/us/video/high-school-coach-speaks-out-after-winning-l-a-marathon-by-closest-margin-in-history-lcl
- CBS Los Angeles (2026, March). Nathan Martin, LA Marathon winner, speaks after stunning finish in men’s race [Video]. Retrieved from https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/video/nathan-martin-la-marathon-winner-speaks-after-stunning-finish-in-mens-race/
