Show Notes: erickrheam.com/087 In this heartfelt and nostalgic episode, Erick reconnects with Jeff Harris, former teammate, friend, and fellow West Point runner. Together, they revisit the shared experiences that shaped their lives—from growing up in small-town America to competing at the highest collegiate level—and the brotherhood that continues to this day. Jeff's story begins in Kentucky, where a simple two-mile soccer tryout changed the course of his life. That run would spark a journey that took him from the fields of Elizabethtown to the hills of West Point, where he learned lessons about grit, leadership, and community that still guide him as a husband, father, and coach. This conversation is full of laughter, storytelling, and wisdom as Erick and Jeff look back on the days that forged their character and discuss how the lessons of running still influence their lives—and their sons'—today. In this episode, you'll discover: How a high school soccer tryout unexpectedly launched Jeff's running career The pivotal role of his mom and coaches in shaping his competitive mindset What it was really like to balance athletics and academics at West Point Behind-the-scenes stories of the Army cross-country teams of the early 1990s How competition, teamwork, and friendship build lifelong brotherhood The lessons Jeff now shares with his son as a coach and mentor Jeff's reflections remind us that life is a marathon—filled with challenges, setbacks, and triumphs—and that meaning is found not in the miles themselves, but in who you run them with. Jeff Harris Jeff Harris is a 1996 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and a member of the storied 1993 Army Cross Country team that finished sixth in the nation. A consistent top-five runner, Jeff was a three-time All-Patriot League performer and Patriot League 5,000-meter champion as a freshman, with career bests including a sub-24-minute 8k and a 14:18 5k. He proudly finished second in the infamous "Tour de Beast" during Cadet Basic Training—and equally proudly recorded an "epic failure" in the steeplechase, a personal reminder that humility is a great training plan. More than individual results, Jeff credits the brotherhood of his teammates as the defining force in his development—men who forged each other through relentless accountability, laughter, and shared suffering in pursuit of something greater than themselves. After graduating, Jeff served as a U.S. Army officer from 1996 to 2003, earning a Bronze Star for his service in Iraq. Today, he leads Business Development for Kellanova, supporting a $1.7 billion business, and is a passionate practitioner of high-stakes negotiation. Trained through the GAP Partnership and the Black Swan Group, Jeff considers negotiation not just a career skill, but a craft and calling. A native of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, Jeff was an individual state champion and captain of the state championship cross country team. Jeff's Middle School team recently cleaned up at the Cincinnati All City Small School Championships, taking home three trophies. He is a husband of 23 years, father of three, and deeply committed coach and mentor who believes he was guided at every step of his journey and is now called to help others find theirs. His life philosophy remains simple: "Embrace the Suck—stop complaining and get to work." Resources Mentioned Subscribe to the podcast Rise Above Chaos book Work with Erick Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner Jeff Harris' LinkedIn Action Step Pick a Day to Load in a Theme

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