Episode
"I Need This to Stay Alive" | Inside the Compulsive Mind of Biel
- Published
- Sep 8, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 1750
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Summary
Ultrarunning rewards people who can keep going. Biel makes you wonder what happens when stopping no longer feels like an option, and where ambition ends and compulsion begins. Biel is a Brazilian ultrarunner, Speed Project athlete, tattoo artist and printmaker living in Berlin. He has represented Brazil at the 24-Hour World Championships and set records from Los Angeles to Las Vegas and Chamonix to Marseille. But the more interesting story is the force connecting his face tattoos, his art and the extreme experiences he says he needs to stay alive. Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review. If you’re new to Borderlands, start here . Topics / Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 02:27 Face Tattoos, Identity + Freedom 05:17 Why Ultrarunning Keeps Biel Alive 07:19 TSP | Chamonix-to-Marseille Record 10:59 24-Hour Racing x The Speed Project 13:07 A Perfect Fit for Biel 18:40 From Nightclub Cleaner to Pro Runner 22:48 Art + Life Beyond Running 27:39 Beyond Records + Limits Resources / Links Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races Borderlands.cc Additional photo courtesty of Tycjan Trzpioloa Related Episodes Ultra Running isn't Just Running Presented by Kiprun . ---- Borderlands explores trail running through culture, media, and the forces shaping it. Watch on YouTube Read on Substack