Priorities, Purpose and Presence – a Trail Runner's Way of Life

How I live, run, and stay true to what matters most

Priorities

People often ask how I manage to run and still juggle everything else in life. Truth is—my life is full-on. But the answer stays the same: priorities.

I’ve made a commitment to mine, and nothing comes between us. It might sound selfish or inflexible, but that’s how I stay consistent and get results.

The first hurdle is dealing with compromise. And to avoid being constantly torn, some deep adjustments are needed.

For me, that came from aligning values, beliefs, and discovering my life purpose. Once that clicked, the adjustments weren’t a sacrifice—they were a natural evolution. James v2.0 was born.

Vision and execution became one. I stopped drifting and started shaping my own reality.

Purpose

At some point, we all go searching for meaning. Sometimes more than once.

We’re capable of reinvention, of changing gears entirely and shifting the sphere of influence around us.

When you find your purpose, you know. It just fits. And from that moment, things start to fall into place—as if the path was waiting for you.

It’s deeply personal. Enlightening. Humbling. You feel like you’ve arrived… and yet you’re only just getting started.

That tension—between arrival and the road ahead—shows you the way. Vision becomes action. Purpose becomes real.

Presence

In the middle of all this change, presence is your anchor.

Being present means staying alert to what the world is whispering to you.

The birdsong at dawn. The way the trail flora shifts with the seasons. New rocks surfacing from eroded soil.

These aren’t just trail moments. They’re life moments. The more tuned in you are, the more you notice.

We often say “right time, right place”—but maybe it’s just about being switched on.

Most of the time, we’re switched off. Numb. Disconnected from the ecosystems all around us.

But when we live with purpose and clear priorities, presence follows. We become tuned in. Switched on. And fully alive.

The Trail Runner’s Way of Life

And that’s what it all builds toward—the Trail Runner’s Way of Life.

Rooted in priorities. Driven by purpose. Grounded in presence.

Running trails, yes—but also running life.

What's next? What I Learned From 30 Years of Trail Running & Trail Running 101: Find Your Wild

Location: Županovice, Czechia

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