Back Stronger: Stuart Secker’s 100-Mile Ultra Comeback After Prostate Cancer

Choose to Endure

Stuart Secker's return to the Choose to Endure podcast brings a remarkable story of resilience that transcends the typical ultrarunning narrative. Just eight months ago, Stuart received a prostate cancer diagnosis that would change everything. Four months ago, he underwent surgery to remove his prostate. And incredibly, just ten weeks after resuming training, he completed his 21st 100-mile race at the Daufuskie Island 100 in South Carolina.
The conversation takes us through Stuart's entire journey, beginning with that pivotal moment of diagnosis. Rather than being paralyzed by fear, Stuart immediately shifted into problem-solving mode, asking "what's next?" With characteristic British pragmatism, he made a decision that might seem unthinkable to most – to run the brutally challenging Ultra Trail Cape Town 100-mile race just two weeks before his scheduled surgery. Why? Because it might be his last opportunity to experience the profound joy and challenge of ultrarunning.
Stuart doesn't sugarcoat the recovery process. From the physical limitations of having his core muscles cut through during surgery to the psychological challenges of rebuilding his running capacity from scratch, he shares the raw truth of his comeback. His methodical approach to training – starting with short walks, progressing to gentle runs with his wife, and carefully implementing run-walk strategies – offers a masterclass in patient persistence that runners of all abilities can learn from.
What makes this story so compelling isn't just the physical achievement, but Stuart's transformation into an advocate for men's health. With staggering statistics (1 in 8 men in will develop prostate cancer, rising to 1 in 4 for Black men - UK statistics), he emphasizes the critical importance of early detection through regular PSA testing. His message is clear: cancer isn't something that "happens to other people" – it can happen to anyone, and early detection saves lives.
Subscribe now to hear this powerful conversation about what it truly means to endure, both on the trail and in life. Whether you're a back-of-the-pack hero or simply someone facing your own challenges, Stuart's journey will inspire you to keep moving forward with gratitude and determination.

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Chapters

1. Welcome and Introduction (00:00:00)

2. Stuart's Cancer Diagnosis Journey (00:03:10)

3. Ultra Trail Cape Town Before Surgery (00:09:02)

4. Surgery Recovery Challenges (00:15:10)

5. Return to Running and Race Strategy (00:21:59)

6. Daufuskie Island 100 Race Experience (00:27:16)

7. Raising Awareness and Looking Forward (00:38:25)

8. Episode Closing and Call to Action (00:47:40)