🎧 Listen to the full episode here: Multisport Mindset – Episode 8: Dustin Biggerstaff
Episode 8 of the Multisport Mindset Podcast takes us inside the story of Dustin Biggerstaff, a former Marine turned endurance athlete and chiropractic student. Hosted by Aubrey Hayes, the episode explores Dustin’s path from military recon missions to marathon running and grad school, all while raising a family and planning for a career in holistic health. It's a conversation rooted in resilience, purpose, and transformation—on and off the race course.
A Foundation in Sports and Service
Dustin’s athletic journey started early. In high school, he played soccer, ran cross-country, wrestled, and even kicked for the football team. “We weren’t the most talented team,” Dustin laughs, “but we worked hard—and that mindset carried into everything else.”
That discipline and grit translated directly into his career as a Marine. From Parris Island to multiple deployments, Dustin served as a reconnaissance Marine and competed in the elite Recon Challenge, earning first place in 2018. But it wasn’t just physical strength that mattered—his mindset, honed through sport, helped him push through the mental demands of elite military training.
“I always tell people—some of my wrestling practices were harder than parts of boot camp. You learn early how to suffer well.”
Injury, Transition, and Finding a New Outlet
In 2016, Dustin sustained a severe eye injury during pre-deployment training—an unexpected trauma that would eventually lead to medical retirement. “They were ready to take my eye out,” he recalls. “I said, give me a few months—I’m not done yet.”
His forced recovery became a turning point. With heavy lifting and high-pressure activity off the table, he leaned into running. What started as rehab quickly evolved into therapy—and eventually passion. He began tackling longer and longer distances, from the Marine Corps Marathon to 24-hour challenges on his own.
“Running became my yoga. I’d get out there and just clear my head.”
Family, School, and the Balancing Act
Today, Dustin is a full-time chiropractic student at Life University, a father of two, and still training for endurance events. How does he manage it all?
“I couldn’t do it without my wife,” he says. “Sometimes she’s the one pushing me out the door because she knows I need it.” Between early mornings, careful scheduling, and a strong “why,” Dustin continues to train hard while balancing 25+ credit hours per term in grad school.
“My kids see me out there grinding, and I want them to know—this is what taking care of yourself looks like.”
Chiropractic and the Athlete’s Mindset
It was his time in recovery through the VA that introduced Dustin to chiropractic care—something he now credits with helping him return to performance and pursue a new career path. “I was skeptical at first, but I’ve seen real change,” he says. “Not just for pain, but digestion, sleep, stress—it’s all connected.”
He sees chiropractic care as part of a broader philosophy: be proactive, not reactive.
“You wouldn’t wait until your engine blows up to change the oil. Same with your body—take care of it before it breaks.”
Community and Recovery Through Sport
A proud member of Team Semper Fi, Dustin is also supported by the Semper Fi & America’s Fund—a nonprofit that helps wounded and ill service members find purpose through sport, entrepreneurship, and community.
“Their Recovery Through Sport program changed my life,” he explains. “From virtual coaching to race support, it’s more than a foundation—it’s a family.”
Dustin encourages any veterans or service-connected athletes to explore the organization, whether they’re looking for athletic challenges or peer support: https://thefund.org
Advice to New Endurance Athletes
Dustin’s biggest advice? Start with grace.
“It’s like eating an elephant—you don’t do it all at once. Take one bite at a time, and remember your why.”
Whether you're a veteran, a busy parent, or someone looking to reclaim your health, Dustin’s story is a powerful reminder that endurance is about far more than finish lines. It’s about showing up consistently—for yourself, your family, and your purpose.