In October 2023, it hit me that I was about to enter a new decade of life. I would soon turn 40 in March 2024 and needed a way to celebrate this milestone birthday. But, a single party didn’t feel like enough. Instead, I decided to celebrate not by standing still, but by moving with intention. So, I committed to a challenge: run 40 races to celebrate my 40th year of life.

Thus, B40for40 was born!

The Power of Accomplishment & Movement

Later that October, I happened to interview Antonio Neves for my show, Why I Left. I asked him about the advice he would share with someone looking to get out of their comfort zone. His response:

“I want people to finish something outside of their job like a project or something that has a clear beginning, middle, and end.”

He acknowledged that something happens when we do projects outside of our day-to-day work that allows us to be more fully present. His words positively impacted me, given the challenge I decided to undertake, and he provided validation that what I chose to embark upon was a good thing. 

In January 2024, while still wrapping my head around what this challenge truly meant (me and my big ideas!), I was asked what my word/focus for the year would be. It’s a question people often ask as a way of setting intentions for the new year. For me, the answer came easily: Movement.

Movement is life. It’s purpose. It’s presence. And it’s truly a gift.

So as I approached my 40th birthday, a milestone charged with reflection and forward momentum, my goal was to simply complete the 40-race challenge. 

Not for medals. Not for times. But for the joy of movement, the lessons it would bring, and the finish line it would lead me toward, both literally and metaphorically.

In a year where so much felt uncertain and at times heavy, this challenge became a flicker of light. It reminded me of who I am, who I’ve been, and who I’m still becoming. And it offered me something harder to come by than it seems: the chance to start, endure, and finish something for myself.

The line between work and personal life is often blurred, and so much of our worth is measured by productivity to others. I wanted to reclaim something purely mine. A challenge that would get my body moving, focus my mind, and test my will, but also one that could be completed.

Race by Race: The Journey Unfolds

Between March 2024 and March 2025, I ran 40 races, covering a total of 317 miles across cities, coasts, and even continents. Each race had its own flavor, its own story. Together, they formed the mosaic of my 40th year of life.

The challenge took me through crowded streets, muddy waters, and silent trails, from early-morning 5Ks to iconic marathons like Chicago, New York City, and finally, Rome, Italy.

I ran with old friends, new friends, and strangers who cheered me on simply because we shared the same path. I ran through a full range of emotions. And along the way, something beautiful happened:

Others started moving, too.

Friends messaged me saying, “I signed up for my first 10K because of your posts.” A few coworkers laced up their shoes for the first time in years. My social feeds turned into mini celebrations of movement. This wasn’t just about me anymore. It became an unexpected ripple.

The Hawk on the Ridge

One moment that still gives me chills happened during the Rock the Ridge 50-mile relay, a challenging trail race in the mountains on the Mohonk Preserve. As I ran on the top of the mountain ridge, a hawk soared beside me. Its powerful and steady presence cut through the sky with ease. My father, a huge fan of hawks, was likely minding his business on the beach somewhere warm, but at that moment, I felt his spirit cheering me on. The hawk, fierce and free, became a symbol of strength and connection, a reminder that some forms of support are invisible but unshakable.

The Road to Rome

My 40th and final race was more than symbolic. It offered a string of numerical alignment for the year that I may never see again. For all the numerologists out there, it capped off a year where the numbers 10, 20, 30, and 40 were of major significance.

• 10 – I was selected to the 10th class of the Presidential Leadership Scholars Program
• 20 – It marked the 20th anniversary of my study abroad experience in Rome, a time that changed my life and worldview.
• 30 – I was accepted into the 30th Anniversary of Run Rome the Marathon, one of the most beautiful and historic marathons in the world.
• 40 – It would be my 40th race, concluding a year of movement, reflection, and intention.

Rome wasn’t just a race. It was destiny. It was poetry. And it was a full-circle moment.

I ran past the Colosseum and my old apartment, over cobblestone streets, under the Roman sun, and… into my next decade. It was euphoric. It was emotional. It was everything I needed.

Lessons From the Finish Line

This wasn’t just a physical feat. It was a mindset shift. And there are a few key lessons that I carry with me:

1. Finishing Feeds the Soul

There is unmatched power in finishing something that you started, especially something you chose for yourself. Not for work. Not for accolades. But because you wanted to. It builds confidence, joy, and pride.

2. Movement is Medicine

Running is a metaphor for life. There are highs and lows, unexpected turns, fatigue, and triumph. But moving, regardless of the pace, is how we heal and how we grow.

3. You Don’t Have to Go Alone

Yes, I ran solo many times. But this challenge was never done in isolation. Community, visible and invisible, carried me forward. Every cheer, text, and shared mile mattered.

4. You’re Stronger Than You Think 

There were days I didn’t want to run. But I did it anyway. And that’s when the growth showed up.

5. Mental Health Matters

This challenge took place during a difficult stretch in my life, and, in honor of men’s mental health month, it’s important to acknowledge how vital taking care of yourself truly is. 

Running gave me an outlet. A rhythm. A reason to just keep going. When things felt out of control, the road offered me something steady. I could control my stride. My breath. My pace.

If you’re in a season of uncertainty or darkness, I encourage you to find a form of movement, not to run away from what you’re feeling, but to move through it. To feel it. And to let your body carry what your mind sometimes cannot.

Actionable Steps for Your Own Challenge

Want to do something bold for yourself this year? Here’s how to start:

• Pick your “thing.” It doesn’t have to be running. It could be journaling for 30 days, hiking a new trail every month, or finally writing that book. 
• Make it finite: Having the goal structured with a beginning, middle, and end matters more than you think.
• Make it meaningful: Tie it to your story. Because your “why” will carry you when motivation fades, especially when no one is watching.

To Everyone Who Cheered Me On

To my kids, my family, friends, running buddies, podcast listeners, and supporters:

Thank you!

You may not realize the role you played, but I felt it. Every word of encouragement or engagement with a post, every person who said “you’ve got this,” it mattered.

I ran in the dark and the light. I trained in silence and chaos. I showed up when no one was there to see it and when there was a crowd. And I did it for the love of movement. Because I needed it. And because I wanted to prove something to myself.

I did it.

And I’m proud of that.

So now, I pass the baton to you:

What challenge have you finished that made you proud?

Share it below. I’ll be cheering you on, just like you did for me. 

As for what’s next? I’m not sure.

But the marathon continues…

Stay Curious,

Brian

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Brian Aquart is a Healthcare Executive, Board Member, Advisor, and Executive Producer of Why I Left, a podcast chronicling real stories from real people about why they left their jobs. He is also a member of the 10th annual class of the Presidential Leadership Scholars (PLS) program. From March 2024 – March 2025, he ran 40 races to celebrate his 40th year of life. A journey he will never forget. Stay up to date with Brian on LinkedIn.