One Step at a Time: Miles Victors’ 420-Mile Journey for Mental Health

Just a few years ago, Miles Victors felt stuck in a place that was affecting every part of his life. He was living with depression, navigating suicidal thoughts, and struggling physically in ways that made everyday tasks feel overwhelming. As a husband and father of four, he felt immense pressure to show up for his family, yet internally he felt like he was falling short. His mental health and physical health were both suffering, and the weight of everything he was carrying made it difficult to see a way forward.

At the time, Miles weighed 450 pounds and lived with severe arthritis in his knees, ankles, and feet. Walking was painful enough that he needed to use a cane. Even basic movement felt exhausting, and each day seemed to reinforce the feeling that things might never improve.

On February 7, 2022, Miles made a decision that would ultimately change the trajectory of his life. He didn’t start with a complicated plan or an ambitious goal. He simply committed to moving a little more each day.

He began walking 2,000 to 3,000 steps daily. The progress was slow and sometimes discouraging, but he kept showing up. Over time, those small efforts began to add up. Step by step, he started building consistency. As the weeks passed, he began to lose weight, gain strength, and feel small shifts in his mental health. Eventually, he no longer needed a cane to walk.

As his confidence grew, he wondered if he might be able to jog, even just for short periods of time. That curiosity opened the door to something that would soon become a powerful tool in his mental health journey: running.

The Catalyst for Change

Within six months of starting his daily walking routine, Miles had lost a significant amount of weight. That physical transformation created momentum that carried into other areas of his life. Movement helped him feel more capable, more hopeful, and more connected to himself.

In October 2022, Miles completed his first 5K alongside his wife. About six weeks later, he ran a 10K. Each milestone built confidence and reinforced the idea that meaningful change can begin with small, consistent actions.

Running quickly became more than just exercise. It became a way to manage anxiety, process emotions, and find moments of clarity. While it didn’t eliminate every mental health challenge, it gave Miles a steady and reliable way to support his well-being.

Over time, he continued to lose weight and improve his physical health, but the internal shifts were just as significant. Running helped him reconnect with a sense of possibility that had once felt out of reach.

Going Further Than He Ever Imagined

As Miles became more comfortable with running, he found himself drawn toward longer distances. About a year after starting his journey, he completed his first ultramarathon, a 50K. Soon after, he began setting his sights even higher.

In 2024, he completed his first 100-mile race.

Even as his endurance and physical strength grew, he continued to wrestle internally with feelings of self-worth. For a long time, Miles felt like he needed to prove something through his accomplishments. Pushing harder, running farther, and testing his limits became part of how he tried to quiet the internal voice that told him he wasn’t enough.

Then, during a 100-mile mountain race in September 2024, everything shifted.

Miles experienced heat stroke around mile 46 and lost consciousness. Despite the setback, he continued moving forward. Around mile 60, his heart began going into atrial fibrillation, making it difficult to breathe and even harder to continue. At one point, he found himself lying beside a mountain lake under the night sky, realizing that finishing the race might not be possible.

In that moment, he experienced a sense of peace that surprised him.

Instead of feeling defeated, he felt acceptance. He realized that his worth was not defined by whether he crossed the finish line. Showing up and giving what he could in that moment was enough.

That realization fundamentally changed the way he approached running and the way he viewed himself.

Running was no longer about proving anything. It became a practice rooted in gratitude and self-respect. Each run became an opportunity to appreciate what his body could do and to honor the progress he had made.

A Deeper Connection to Purpose

As Miles continued running, he began to see movement as more than just a personal coping tool. He began to feel a strong desire to help others experience the same benefits he had discovered.

During a trip to Mexico, Miles had the opportunity to run with the Tarahumara people, a culture widely known for their deep spiritual connection to running. While there, he participated in a traditional sweat lodge ceremony that left a lasting impression on him. He describes the experience as clarifying and grounding, helping him recognize a deeper sense of purpose in the path he was on.

Since then, he has become increasingly focused on community. Rather than running only for personal goals, he now looks for ways to bring people together and encourage others to explore how movement can support their mental health.

He often describes running as meditative. When running through the mountains, he prefers to avoid distractions like music or podcasts, allowing himself to fully experience the rhythm of movement and the environment around him. Movement helps him feel present, centered, and connected.

These experiences helped shape what would become his most ambitious goal yet.

Running Across Utah for Mental Health

In October, Miles plans to run approximately 420 miles across the state of Utah to raise $25,000 for Still I Run. His route will take him from the Idaho border to just south of St. George, covering the entire state on foot.

The current fastest known time for this route is 9 days and 8 hours. Miles hopes to complete the distance in 7 days and 8 hours.

After crewing for a friend who previously completed the route, Miles felt inspired to take on a challenge that could create a meaningful impact beyond his own personal goals. He began searching for an organization whose mission aligned with his belief that movement can be a powerful tool for mental health.

That search led him to Still I Run.

Miles believes deeply in the connection between movement and mental well-being. Running has helped him navigate anxiety, build resilience, and create structure during difficult seasons. He hopes that by sharing his story and taking on this challenge, he can encourage others to consider how movement might support their own mental health journey.

He is especially passionate about helping normalize conversations around mental health for men, who often feel pressure to struggle in silence. By sharing openly about his experiences, Miles hopes others will feel less alone.

One Step at a Time

When Miles reflects on his journey, one perspective stands out: there was a time when simply getting out of bed felt as physically painful as running 80 to 100 miles feels now.

Remembering that reality helps him keep moving forward, even during difficult moments.

During long races, when fatigue and doubt begin to surface, he simplifies the challenge by asking himself a single question:

“Can I take one more step? The answer is almost always yes.”

Miles’ story is a reminder that progress does not happen all at once. Change often begins quietly, through small choices repeated consistently over time. Each step forward builds momentum, confidence, and resilience.

Through this 420-mile journey across Utah, Miles is helping create more space for conversations about mental health and the ways movement can support healing.

His story reflects something we believe deeply at Still I Run: you don’t have to have everything figured out to begin.

You just have to keep showing up.

Forward is a pace.

And every step counts.

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You can support Miles on his journey here.