Nate Tuck

Running Through Mountains: The Grounded Grit of Nate Tuck

He runs to remember the kid who chased adventure through the mountains — and the man who learned to find peace there again.

For Nate Tuck, running isn’t just a sport. It’s a language — one spoken in rhythm, breath, and grit.

“Running has been a vital part of my life from a very young age,” he says. “My mum and I used to run through the mountains together. It fed my imagination and sense of adventure.” Those early days — surrounded by nature, lungs burning in the thin air, laughter echoing through pine trees — planted something deeper than just endurance. They rooted joy in motion.

Years later, when life grew heavier, Nate laced his shoes again. “I started running in my adult life for my mental health,” he says. “It got me through adversity and reminded me of that carefree joy — of living in the moment.”

That rediscovery became a transformation. “Running has been a monumental tool for the betterment of my life,” he says. “It gave me purpose, so I decided to use my talents with our amazing STMU Cross Country team.”

He talks about one memory like a scene from a movie — a run across a glacier in Jasper, slicing through the cold wind, high above the world. “It was unreal,” he says. “Running on top of a mountain that high was both a rush and completely freeing. I’ll never forget it.”

But for Nate, the greatest achievements aren’t measured in medals or times. “The biggest achievements in my life are the authentic connections and meaningful relationships I’ve made,” he says. “That’s what matters. Success is all about mindset — perseverance through any situation.”

He’s honest about the challenges, too. “Keeping momentum when you’re tired — that’s tough,” he says. “But pulling through despite the challenge? That’s the point. Even if I don’t hit my expectations, giving my best in that moment means more than winning ever could.”

What keeps him grounded is love — from his partner, his family, his friends. “They’re my foundation,” he says. “And on hard days, I think back to those golden moments — times when I felt at peace. That gives me the strength to push forward.”

This season, he’s focused on self-development, on “pushing what I thought were limitations,” and on helping the Lightning run at higher levels than ever before. “I’ve got room to grow,” he says, smiling. “And I’m excited to see how far I can go.”

Off the course, Nate is an explorer at heart. Mountain climbing is his sanctuary. “It’s how I reconnect with myself,” he says. “Nature strips away the noise. It’s the perfect disconnect from everything — school, work, the world. Out there, you remember what matters.”

Ask his teammates, and they’ll tell you he brings the same energy to practice: steady humor, encouragement, and community. “Being part of a team is like being part of a second family,” he says. “My favorite thing is to bring laughter and connection to the group.”

His personal mantra comes from Angela Duckworth’s words on grit:

“Grit is passion and perseverance for long-term goals… It’s living life like it’s a marathon, not a sprint.”

It’s a quote that could’ve been written about him. His sixth-grade teacher and his mum helped him see that potential early on — to embrace the long race, not just the quick win.

For Nate Tuck, running isn’t about the finish line. It’s about motion, growth, and gratitude. It’s about the kid running through the mountains — and the man still chasing that same peace, one stride at a time.