Try to find an ultrarunner with a cooler origin story then Katy Parrott’s. Found one? That’s what I thought.

Like most people who end up being called an athlete, Katy has loved the outdoors since she was little, but the really cool part of her story is her transition from hobby-level enthusiast to professional outdoors powerhouse. While studying for her master’s degree, Parrott put her fitness and endurance to the test by appearing on the TV show, Special Forces: Ultimate Hell Week. It’s as friendly as it sounds. Competing in this hardcore military-style bootcamp, Katy felt a part of herself unlock for the first time. She gained access to levels mental and physical resilience she never knew she was capable of. She realised just how strong she really was. So, naturally, following this experience she became an ultrarunner, mountain climber, and joined the army reserves.

Believe it or not, that’s only the prologue to Parrott’s impressive career. She tells her full tale in this new video from Webtogs, have a watch to learn about her subsequent travels, military training as a combat medic, her injury, and her return to competitive long-distance running at the 2022 Montane Lapland Arctic Ultra. Katy was hoping to just make it to the end of this 185k race; she ended up finishing fourth.

Next up for Katy, she’s heading to the Himalayas soon to hopefully scale one of the 8000-metre summits.