Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Grayson Murphy. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Grayson , so happy to have you with us today and there is so much we want to ask you about. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others developed certain skills or qualities that we are struggling with can be helpful. Along those lines, we’d love to hear from you about how you developed your ability to take risk?
As a professional runner, I have learned a lot from my sport. While running has taught me many life lessons, learning to take risks has been of the most impactful. In races, and in training, you have to push to your limits. In order to get to places you’ve never been, you have to do things you’ve never done. Whether that is running a mile faster than you ever have before or setting a personal record in the gym. In races, taking risks can sometimes look like signing up for a race distance you’ve never done or running with people who might have faster PRs than you do. But in the end it almost always pays off. The culmination of taking this small risks often leads to big results and you might find yourself crossing the finish line first.
Similarly in business, sometimes you have to take risks. If you want your company to grow you might have to take a leap of faith and try something new. You might have to develop a new product or invest in branding before you see a return on your investment. But running has taught me that if I am willing to trust myself and bet on my risk taking, it almost always leads to a great return.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My name is Grayson Murphy and I am a 2x World Mountain Running Champion and in 2024 I founded Wild Strides Paper Co. The goal of creating Wild Strides Paper Co. was to build upon the successful “Training Log + Planner” (TL+P), which debuted in 2018 and is now in its 6th edition with over 12,000 copies sold worldwide. With race day schedules to habit trackers, and space for keeping organizing in daily life and in training, the TL+P was designed to be a holistic tool for any athlete. The TL+P even has monthly mental health journal prompts because I believe that taking care of your mind is just as important as taking care of your body.
With original TL+P as our inspiration we have expanded our product offerings to include more fun stationery products, accessories, and TL+Ps to share with the endurance athlete communities. At Wild Strides, we also understand the power of putting pen to paper. We know that sometimes, you just need a break from the screen and a chance to connect with your goals in a more tangible way. Any chance to inspire less screen time, we are in for!
So, what can you find in our store? Well, we’ve got everything from training logs and journals to greeting cards, stickers, and more. With our products our goal is to provide the perfect blend of organization and motivation alongside a sprinkle of fun.
Need a place to jot down your personal records and race day schedules? Our training logs have got you covered. Want to express your love and support for your fellow runners? Our greeting cards will do the trick (and maybe even make them laugh). And if you’re in the mood for some sticker swag, we’ve got those too!
At Wild Strides Paper Co., we’re all about spreading love and support to the athletic community. We believe that every stride counts and every athlete deserves a little extra motivation and support. That’s why our products are designed with care and a touch of quirkiness, because who said staying organized can’t be fun?
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, I think that a curiosity to try new things, courage to take risks, and daring to be different have all been impactful in my journey and contributed to my success. My journey to the top of professional running is quite unique and so is my journey to becoming a small business owner. For those still early in their journey, I would urge you to challenge conventional paths and imagine what it could look like if you took a path less traveled?
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
After 6 editions and nearly 12,000 copies sold of my Training Log + Planner I decided to take the leap and build a full paper company around my flagship product. In July of 2024 I launched Wild Strides Paper Co. and it has resulted in a huge growth of the business and of my professional network. The company has grown more in the last 12 months than it has in the prior 6 years combined. And this December, we brought on a partner and co-owner as well as launching the Wild Strides Coaching Collective. I would never have dreamed that using my Training Log + Planner to build a business would have resulted in the growth we have experienced so far, but I am here for it!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wildstridespaper.com
- Instagram: @wildstridespaperco
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