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Hunter Nolen

@huntergnolen

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Girl Dad. Husband. Bowhunter. Ultra runner. Jiu Jitsu purple belt. Looking for the next hard thing to do.

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When I was in graduate school, I wrote a paper on the detriment of victimhood mentality.

The point that I aimed to make is that the playing field is rarely level, but that shouldn’t keep you from trying to win.

Not once in my life did I ever get an allowance.

In 2009, I was told that I wasn’t going to college if I didn’t get scholarships, because we couldn’t afford it.

In the 10th grade, I got my first (legal according to child labor laws) job. I have not been unemployed for a single day since. I have cut grass, I have washed cars, I have waited tables, and have even installed metal roofs.

My dad never covered a living expense for me. To give a few examples, after I got my first job, I stopped eating food in the house that I did not pay for and every time my dad was paid, I reimbursed him for what portion of his paycheck was going to my health insurance premium.

When I was 18, I moved out from home.

6.5 years later, I graduated from my Masters program (I got the scholarships).
In 6.5 years, I covered over $60k in tuition while living on my own with 100% financial independence.

From 2017-2019, I worked 3 jobs (45 hours per week) while full time in graduate school.

I graduated my Masters program with a 4.0 GPA and not a dime in debt.

Here’s the takeaway:

I wasn’t bitter that my friends were getting allowances, having rent paid by their parents, driving new vehicles, and not having to work even a part time job to make ends meet. I wasn’t bitter that the playing field was uneven, because being bitter doesn’t pay the bills.

We all enjoy some advantage that the next person does not.

There are two options:

1.) Play the game with the odds stacked against you, and maybe still win.
2.) Never play and never win.

When you teach people that the result of their game is predetermined by their starting point, you relieve them of their drive. Drive is what allows you to persist no matter what. Drive is the advantage that can be leveraged regardless of starting point. Drive is the ultimate equalizer. Believe it, trust it.

To Ms. Patel’s followers: If you start something, don’t stop when it’s “not fair,” stop when it’s done. by @huntergnolen

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5 years ago

Reflection of the day:

Many of us have convinced ourselves that normal is spending money that we don’t have on things we don’t need- chasing fleeting validation and artificial injections of satisfaction.

In many ways, I’ve found nature to be the antidote to this way of living.

If you’ve ever talked to me about my opinions on hunting, you might know that one revelation that I often try to describe to people that don’t enjoy the perspective of having been alone in a primitive setting for any length of time is the importance of being able to engage in unrestrained introspection.

This is a skill that is too seldom honed by today’s world, whereas, it’s impossible for your thoughts to develop fully with screens, conversation, and other distractions at your incessant disposal.

Our distant ancestors relied on expedience, impulsivity, and short-term reward for survival. In the western world, where resources are not as finite, these tendencies are often counter-productive.

This generation has found itself at the mercy of instant gratification.

200 years ago, we were happy to eat, enjoy reliable shelter, and raise competent and resilient children. Today, we are happy if we don’t feel that our neighbor has managed to accumulate more things than we have. This is a trap.

Small doses of “feeling good” is distinctly different from lasting fulfillment. Don’t let the line separating the two be blurred by the bullshit that is marketed and sold to us as “success.”

The first step is consistently dedicating time to spend by yourself. Don’t do anything, don’t listen to music, don’t open your phone, don’t talk to anyone, don’t turn on the TV.

If you don’t already make time for this, I’m willing to bet the first few times that you do, you find it really fucking hard to slow your mind and relax. The solitude might even feel anxiety provoking at first. If you experience this response, it’s bc you are starved of time spent appreciating the things that matter.

Give yourself the same attention you give your digital following.

You’ll be surprised at how much you learn about yourself.

Happy Sunday. taken in Moscow, Tennessee by @huntergnolen

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5 years ago

Can’t thank the wonderful gentleman at @wearefostercreative enough for this experience.

We hope you all enjoy. by @huntergnolen

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5 years ago

All I want is as much of this as possible. by @huntergnolen

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5 days ago

You’re gonna have a tough time turning red if you’re a cherry tomato anywhere around here. by @huntergnolen

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a month ago

Born Millennial, identify as Boomer. by @huntergnolen

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2 months ago

by @huntergnolen

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4 months ago

Go let ‘em know. @herman.candicee taken in Pyramid Jiu-Jitsu & Muay Thai by @huntergnolen

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5 months ago

Complete. by @huntergnolen

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6 months ago

1,094 videos.
One year of production.
One ultramarathon documentary.

LINK TO FULL FILM IN BIO‼️

Beginning of 2024, after a rough year, I was ready to put my energy into a large project.
Around the same time, one of my closest pals, Hunter Nolen had began his redemption arc in the ultrarunning world.
We were two people each looking for the thing that would push us over the edge. After accidentally sharing our mildly manic goals with one another, 0-100 was born.

0-100 is a documentary full of heart, laughter, a lil running, and a lot of sweet treats. This isn’t just a documentary. It’s my perspective of some of my dearest friends (*family).

Thank you to James Boler, Mamba volunteers, and the whole Mamba team for the help with production.

Finally, thank you to all our friends who supported this process. Additionally, I appreciate everyone being more than understanding of my insane schedule during this year of production. I’m back baby!!!
#ultramarathon #ultrarunning #ultramarathoner #ultramarathontraining #ultrarun #ultrarunners #ultrarunninglife #ultrarunningtraining #mamba100 #mamba100miler #mambatrailrunners #100miler #100miles #trailrunning #trailrunner #memphis #tennessee #documentary #ultradocumentary #marathon #runner #running #run #documentaryfilm #shelbyfarms #shelbyfarmspark #wolfrivertrails #wolfriver #wolfrivergreenway taken in Shelby Farms Park by @huntergnolen

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a year ago

‘0-100’ will be dropping this Sunday on YouTube! An ultramarathon documentary following a runner’s attempt at Mamba’s 100 miler. Subscribe to our channel to stay updated. Link in the bio.
#ultramarathons #ultramarathon #mamba100 #tennessee #memphis #running #runner #documentary #videography #100miles #100miler #ultrarunners #ultrarun #ultrarunninglife #ultrarunnersofinstagram #ultrarunningtraining #ultrarunning #shelbyfarmspark #mambatrailrunners #ultradocumentary taken in Memphis, Tennessee by @huntergnolen

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a year ago

“I’d say they’re like family, but they’re not. They are family.” by @huntergnolen

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a year ago