Endure

1. Embrace the struggle: Life's challenges shape your character

"Life is never going to be made unbearable by circumstances, but only by a lack of meaning and purpose."

Adversity builds resilience. Cameron Hanes' journey from a troubled childhood to becoming a renowned bowhunter and ultramarathon runner demonstrates the transformative power of embracing life's challenges. Growing up in a broken home with an alcoholic father, Hanes learned early on that hardship could either break you or make you stronger.

• Key lessons from Hanes' struggles:
  • Use difficult experiences as motivation to improve
  • Find meaning and purpose in the face of adversity
  • Develop mental toughness through overcoming obstacles

By choosing to view his circumstances as opportunities for growth rather than insurmountable barriers, Hanes developed the resilience and determination that would later fuel his success in bowhunting and endurance sports.

2. Find your passion and pursue it relentlessly

"All I know is you don't need anyone to believe in your dream. With tunnel-visioned focus, you can be whatever you want to be."

Discover your calling. For Hanes, bowhunting became more than just a hobby – it was a life-changing passion that gave him direction and purpose. When he first picked up a bow at age 20, he found something that challenged him and provided a sense of accomplishment he had never experienced before.

Pursuing your passion requires:

• Dedication to mastering your craft
• Willingness to sacrifice other aspects of your life
• Belief in yourself, even when others doubt you

Hanes' unwavering commitment to bowhunting led him to push himself physically and mentally, eventually becoming one of the most successful and respected hunters in the field.

3. Push beyond your limits to achieve greatness

"I want to find my limits. I want to find out what happens when I push myself too far. Haven't been there yet, but I can't wait."

Embrace discomfort. Hanes believes that true growth occurs when you push yourself beyond what you think is possible. This mindset led him to tackle increasingly challenging hunts and ultramarathons, constantly testing his physical and mental limits.

Ways to push beyond your limits:

• Set ambitious goals that scare you
• Train harder than you think is necessary
• Embrace failure as a learning opportunity

By consistently pushing himself to the edge, Hanes developed not only exceptional physical endurance but also the mental fortitude to overcome seemingly impossible challenges in both hunting and life.

4. Surround yourself with those who inspire and challenge you

"Surround yourself with people who will tell us what we need to hear, not what we want to hear, but at the same time not make us feel we're up against the impossible."

Choose your tribe wisely. Hanes attributes much of his success to the people he surrounds himself with, including his late friend and hunting partner Roy Roth, and other elite athletes and performers. These relationships push him to be better and provide valuable insights and support.

Benefits of surrounding yourself with inspiring people:

• Gain new perspectives and insights
• Stay motivated and accountable
• Learn from others' experiences and expertise

By seeking out mentors, training partners, and friends who share his passion for excellence, Hanes continually finds new ways to improve and push his limits.

5. Cultivate a strong work ethic and never settle for mediocrity

"I'm not talented. I'm just a bowhunter like many others. The only thing that sets me apart is my drive to do more and expect more from myself."

Outwork everyone. Hanes believes that his success comes not from natural talent but from an unwavering commitment to hard work and continuous improvement. He maintains a grueling training regimen that includes daily running, weightlifting, and bow practice, often starting before dawn and continuing late into the night.

Key elements of Hanes' work ethic:

• Consistency in training, regardless of circumstances
• Setting high standards for performance
• Constantly seeking ways to improve and learn

By refusing to settle for mediocrity and consistently putting in the work, Hanes has achieved a level of success in bowhunting and endurance sports that many thought impossible.

6. Use criticism as fuel for improvement, not discouragement

"Hating me won't help you win."

Turn negativity into motivation. Throughout his career, Hanes has faced criticism and skepticism from those who doubt his methods or achievements. Rather than letting this negativity discourage him, he uses it as fuel to work harder and prove his detractors wrong.

Ways to handle criticism:

• Focus on your goals, not others' opinions
• Use negative feedback to identify areas for improvement
• Let your results speak for themselves

By maintaining a positive attitude and staying focused on his objectives, Hanes has been able to rise above the naysayers and continue pushing the boundaries of what's possible in bowhunting and endurance sports.

7. Honor the animals you hunt and respect the wilderness

"To the bowhunter, the animal is held in highest of regard. And when a bowhunter is successful, the animal's death is but a part of the journey."

Ethical hunting. Hanes emphasizes the importance of respecting the animals hunted and the wilderness they inhabit. He views hunting not as a sport but as a way to connect with nature and provide sustenance while honoring the life taken.

Principles of ethical hunting:

• Practice to ensure clean, quick kills
• Use as much of the animal as possible
• Understand and respect the ecosystem you're hunting in

By approaching hunting with reverence and respect, Hanes believes hunters can develop a deeper connection to nature and a greater appreciation for the animals they pursue.

8. Build lasting friendships through shared adventures

"Some bonds built in the mountains are so strong that when broken, it feels like a piece of you is gone."

Forge unbreakable bonds. Hanes' friendship with Roy Roth, forged through countless hunting trips and shared challenges, exemplifies the power of camaraderie in outdoor pursuits. These relationships, built on trust, shared experiences, and mutual respect, can become some of the most meaningful in a person's life.

Benefits of adventure friendships:

• Support during difficult times
• Shared memories and experiences
• Mutual growth and learning

The loss of Roy deeply affected Hanes, highlighting the profound impact these friendships can have on our lives and the importance of cherishing them while we can.

9. Endure physical and mental hardships to grow stronger

"Train hard, hunt easy."

Embrace the grind. Hanes believes that by subjecting yourself to intense physical and mental challenges during training, you'll be better prepared for the rigors of hunting and life in general. His grueling training regimen, which includes ultramarathons and carrying heavy rocks up mountains, is designed to push his body and mind to their limits.

Benefits of enduring hardships:

• Increased mental toughness
• Improved physical endurance
• Greater confidence in your abilities

By consistently putting himself through difficult situations in training, Hanes has developed the resilience and mental fortitude to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles in the field and in life.

10. Learn from failure and keep pushing forward

"Failure is humbling, and in bowhunting, it is an important part of the journey."

Embrace setbacks. Throughout his career, Hanes has experienced numerous failures and setbacks, from missed shots to lost animals. Rather than letting these failures discourage him, he uses them as learning opportunities to improve his skills and approach.

Ways to learn from failure:

• Analyze what went wrong and why
• Adjust your approach based on lessons learned
• Maintain a positive attitude and keep trying

By viewing failure as a necessary part of the learning process, Hanes has been able to continually improve his skills and achieve greater success in both hunting and life.

Last updated: January 23, 2025