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Adventures in Breaking Impossible

We're all about ordinary people overcoming big, difficult challenges!

Join Chris and Michael as we train, travel and, step by step, build up to The Big One(s)

Previously we walked around Lake Washington (in 24 hours), ran marathons (and ultra-marathons), flipped a tire for a mile (twice), all to prepare for our biggest, most difficult challenge yet . . .

the Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge

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Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge

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Michael Van Elsberg

Mar 29, 2023
1 min

Being Wrong and DNFs: vLog 202305

A slight modification to Tool 6) Move as Much as Possible, Preferably Outside, But Not (now 90-minutes) (~) Two-hours Before Sleep (on...

65 views0 comments

Michael Van Elsberg

Feb 3, 2023
1 min

The First Four: vLog202302

This slightly longer video explains the first four of the 12 Tools that Chris and I use to maintain an active lifestyle. We've also...

120 views2 comments

Triggers, Habits and Training: vLog 202203

Michael Van Elsberg

Jul 13, 2022
1 min

Triggers, Habits and Training: vLog 202203

In our third video we talk about the power of habits, commitment, sleep, sobriety and just getting out there. Michael was still in Hong...

122 views0 comments

Michael Van Elsberg

May 27, 2022
1 min

Alcohol Free? vLog 202202

In this, our second YouTube video, discover which one of us is trying to convince the other to completely give up drinking alcohol, and...

160 views0 comments

Michael Van Elsberg

Jan 29, 2022
1 min

YouTube Channel: vLog 202201

Hello Everyone, please click on the picture above, like and subscribe, and stay tuned for future videos. In this first one, we introduce...

133 views0 comments

Chris Toepker

Nov 28, 2021
3 min

Fitting it all in!

Fit in all the important items during the important "all the rest" eight hours, left over after Work, Family, and Sleep.

148 views0 comments

Radical Change: 100-Days of Total Commitment

Michael Van Elsberg

Oct 16, 2021
3 min

Radical Change: 100-Days of Total Commitment

Today is the last official day of a nearly 15-year job and 10-year position (I've technically been on "vacation" for the last two weeks)...

456 views0 comments

Chris Toepker

Jul 2, 2021
2 min

Hails to the Rails: Newcastle Trail

By now you’ve noticed - I really enjoy running rails to trails. It’s the way they wind through so much, connecting it all. The rails are...

67 views0 comments

Chris Toepker

Jun 25, 2021
1 min

Hails to the Rails: Cedar River Trail

By now you’ve noticed - I really enjoy running rails to trails. It’s the way they wind through so much, connecting it all. The rails are...

79 views0 comments

Chris Toepker

Jun 11, 2021
2 min

Palouse to Cascades trail

By now you’ve noticed - I really enjoy running rails to trails. It’s the way they wind through so much, connecting it all. The rails are...

167 views0 comments

Michael Van Elsberg

Jun 9, 2021
2 min

Training, Blogging and Moving Forward

We at Breaking Impossible are currently training for the Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge in 2025. The challenge is to run all four...

243 views0 comments

Chris Toepker

Jun 1, 2021
5 min

Why do it at all?!

Add adventure to your mindset & toolkit to keep motivation high, get out more regularly & to be ready for anything that might #SuddenUponYou

132 views0 comments

Michael Van Elsberg

May 31, 2021
2 min

Social Media Experiment

If you're reading this, you probably know me, or Chris, (or both), or maybe not (please let me know) and you've probably also read a post...

84 views0 comments

Chris Toepker

May 28, 2021
2 min

Issaquah Preston Snoqualmie Trail

By now you’ve noticed - I really enjoy running rails to trails. It’s the way they wind through so much, connecting it all. The rails are...

130 views0 comments

Chris Toepker

May 28, 2021
2 min

Snoqualmie Valley Trail

By now you’ve noticed - I really enjoy running rails to trails. It’s the way they wind through so much, connecting it all. The rails are...

89 views0 comments

Chris Toepker

May 21, 2021
2 min

East Sammamish Corridor

By now you’ve noticed - I really enjoy running rails to trails. It’s the way they wind through so much, connecting it all. The rails are...

87 views0 comments

Chris Toepker

May 14, 2021
2 min

Hails to the Rails!

By now you’ve noticed - I really enjoy the rails to trails. It’s the way they wind through so much, connecting it all. The rails are...

91 views0 comments

Chris Toepker

Mar 25, 2021
4 min

Doing the Homework - it's fun!

I have found at least three ways from shores of the Salish Sea to Snoqualmie Pass. However, I didn’t do it the easy way. This was more fun!

73 views0 comments

Snoqualmie Pass or Bust, After Action Report

Chris Toepker

Mar 18, 2021
5 min

Snoqualmie Pass or Bust, After Action Report

We are disappointed, but not discouraged. As we often joke, “Yeah, we only did a marathon!” And this time? Through the middle of the...

66 views0 comments

Michael Van Elsberg

Dec 12, 2019
3 min

Hong Kong

I fell in love with Hong Kong when I made my first trip there in November to train for the Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge (and get...

378 views0 comments

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