An Interview with Marc Hopkins

Marc Hopkins is an endurance athlete, author, and speaker who has completed the Bigfoot 200, eight Ironman-distance triathlons, and more than 300 races ranging from 5Ks to ultramarathons. He holds an Executive MBA and has coached hundreds of athletes across their own finish lines—often helping them overcome the mental barriers that matter as much as the physical ones. Marc lives in the Portland, Oregon area, where he spends his time exploring the trails of the Pacific Northwest and the deeper questions that endurance reveals, including family, love, and the reasons we keep running.

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Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

The title of the book evolved as the book did. It started as a self-help book and eventually morphed into a memoir that was much more deep and meaningful. I’m not sure when the title hit, or what inspired it, but very shortly after I began writing the memoir version, I started calling it Hard Things and it felt very right, and the title stuck. As I worked with a writing coach, critique group, beta readers, developmental editors, and eventually Atmosphere, I always expected someone to push back on the title, but no one ever did, especially after understanding what the book was about.

How did it feel when you first saw your book cover? Or when you first held your book in your hands?

I submitted my thoughts and input to the cover design team, and they came back with two options. The first was very close to how I had envisioned it, and the second was bold, bright, and eye-catching. I knew immediately that, with some work, this was going to be the cover. It felt right, it stood out on a shelf, and it captured the spirit of the book. I still love it every time I see it, and I have received numerous compliments on the cover!

What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?

As the book has moved through the world, I’ve continued to get feedback from people that they connect with the book, that they saw themselves in it, and that they gained insight or learned things about themselves from having read it. That was always my desire, for the book to help others, and so whenever I hear from someone who found value in the story, it is extremely meaningful to me.

What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?

My hope is that if readers are already out there pushing themselves with big challenges — be it endurance sports, career ambitions, a master’s degree, or whatever in their life they may be pushing for — that they pause at some point and question the reasons behind it. To truly dig into the deeper “why” under the surface and ensure they are working towards a goal and not running away from something. Then work on what is needed to have healthy motivations fuel what is driving them. Change toward a better version of themselves is my sincere wish for all readers of the book.

What creative projects are you currently working on?

I am currently working on the sequel to Hard Things, so keep an eye out in a year or two! In the meantime, I am building a new shop for woodworking, painting, and continue to get out on the trails.

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Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.