What does it mean to find your hard?

For Tyler Herman, it started with a sense of gratitude and an unshakable desire to give back—a mindset that led him into the United States Marine Corps at 17. But that's just the beginning of his story.

In a recent Just Human podcast episode, I had the privilege of sitting down with Tyler—a Marine, a former law enforcement officer, a father, and now an ultramarathon runner—to explore how challenge shapes us, how purpose anchors us, and why all of us need to find our hard.

From Marine to Marathoner

Tyler's journey started quietly at his grandfather's house, watching a Broncos game. A Marine Corps commercial came on the screen, and at age 13, something clicked. That was it. That was when he decided: This is how I say thank you.

And say thank you, he did. Tyler served four years of active duty in the Marines during the height of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. He lost 31 Marines and sailors from his unit—brothers in arms who didn't make it home. That weight never left him.

After the Marines, Tyler continued to serve, joining the Colorado State Patrol and spending nearly a decade with the Parker Police Department. But through all that, he carried a silent challenge: to push himself physically, emotionally, and mentally to keep growing.

Why Ultra Marathons?

Let me be clear: Tyler didn't start running 5 Ks and work his way up. He jumped right into ultramarathons. And when I say ultra, I mean 50 miles, 100 miles, and his next race? 102 miles with over 40,000 feet of elevation.

When I asked why, he didn't hesitate to say, "To prove to myself I could still do hard things. And to show my kids what it looks like to commit to something difficult."

But there was more. Tyler runs for those who can't. For the 31 brothers he lost in combat. For the veterans whose battles didn't end when they came home. For those who never got the chance to feel discomfort again, because feeling discomfort means you're still alive.

Tyler said, "If those 31 Marines and sailors could return, they'd run into the pain. They'd embrace the chance to feel it."

Resilience, Redefined

There's a particular power in hearing someone describe writing a death letter at 19, only to find later a purpose running through freezing rain on a dark Colorado trail at 3:30 in the morning. Tyler's life experience offers a crystal-clear message: resilience is built in discomfort and magnified in community.

Whether in a combat zone or on a mountain trail, Tyler reminds us that we are stronger when people with a shared mission surround us. His military unit, his law enforcement partners, his running crew—it all ties back to that Just Human truth: we grow better together.

"Go Find Your Hard"

Tyler doesn't expect everyone to run a hundred miles. He doesn't recommend it unless you're ready. But he does issue a challenge to us all:

"Go find your hard. Whatever that is for you. It could be walking a mile. It could be starting a business. It could be being fully present with your kids every day. Whatever it is, don't make excuses. Go do it."

Because hard things grow us, and sometimes, the hardest thing is just deciding to start.

What's Next

Tyler is training for his next race—the Ouray 100, a 102.1-mile mountain ultra with 13 summits and 42,000 feet of climbing. He'll run it in July. And yes, we'll have him back on the podcast to share how training is going and what it feels like to stand at the starting line of something that feels nearly impossible.

Until then, I'll leave you with this:

You don't grow where you're comfortable. You grow where you're tested.

So, what's your hard? And what are you doing today to meet it?

If you enjoyed this post, be sure to check out the full conversation on the Just Human Podcast and subscribe for more episodes that explore what it means to live with purpose, grit, and connection.