Dean Karnazes
Ultramarathon Runner
“Do what you love and you’ll be fulfilled and happy.”
Videos
By Roadtrip NationDean Karnazes
Milestones
My road in life has taken me all over.
I was born in Inglewood, California, and started running when I was six years old.
I became very passionate about running and continued with it until I was a freshman in high school—I didn’t get along with the track coach, so I stopped running for many years.
After graduating from college, I didn’t know what I wanted to do, so I decided to go back to school for a graduate degree.
I graduated with my master’s degree and started working for a big multinational corporation—the company saw promise in me, so they sent me to business school for my MBA.
To celebrate my 30th birthday, I decided to run 30 miles.
After rediscovering my love for running, I started running marathons and then ultramarathons.
I kept my day job for safety and security, but I eventually realized that the corporate world just wasn’t for me anymore and I would be happier doing what I loved, which was running.
Since quitting my job, I’ve had a very fulfilling career as a marathon and ultramarathon runner.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Bachelor
Food Science Technology
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Food Science Technology
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Graduate
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Career
Ultramarathon Runner
I run ultramarathon races.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Sports
Travel
Being Physically Active
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Society in General:
"The successful thing to do is go to college, then business school, then spend your life working a big corporate job."
Challenges I Overcame
Work Stress
