Yoann Stuck: “Over time, I realized I willingly embraced effort. Perhaps more than what’s considered normal.”
Last Friday, April 4th, the book by Yoann Stuck, “A Life in Balance,” was released in bookstores. Marathons.com had the chance to meet the cheerful man to discuss this event… Refreshing, just like his story.
Yoann Stuck emerged like a comet in the high-level running scene after taking up sports to “quit smoking.” It’s hardly an exaggeration. His fascinating and rare story, that of a Lyon transplant, needed to be told in a book (published by Vagnon) now available at newsstands. It delves into his childhood, injuries, loves, and his rapid rise in the running world, whether it be trail or road. His latest achievement: a 2h20 marathon debut in Florence, finishing 8th… Do you have dreams that seem impossible to reach? Then read “A Life in Balance“ and let’s talk about it.
| Yoann, your book has been out for a week. Have you received any feedback yet?
I’m very pleased. I’m receiving more and more feedback on the book, and it’s very positive. People seem to appreciate, be inspired by it, and want to share it, which makes me very happy. The goal of this book is to pass on something. Before I took up running, I lived day to day, only thinking about partying. It’s sometimes said that living in the present is good, but I wasn’t truly living it. I was overwhelmed by time. It’s still a challenge today, but I suffer from it much less! I love this proactive life, where I’m dynamic in all areas—family, running, work… The “life in balance” is this one, I believe. So yes, I am happy with the initial feedback. People have told me it’s a good read.
| How did this book come to be?
A few years ago, I launched myself on social media because people around me encouraged me to share my story. I didn’t think it was that unique—the story of a guy who takes up sports to quit smoking or lose weight—but I eventually accepted that the story of a guy who performs so quickly and builds great sports projects is a bit rarer… Finishing fifth overall at the Marathon des Sables last year (2024) supports that. When I started on social media, I might have been clumsy at times, but I’m trying to improve. Like running, I do everything self-taught, so mistakes are inevitable. The important thing is to learn. Creating this book is moving from the virtual world of social media to reality. If people today can pass on the book because it has been inspiring, that’s great! And there’s also the desire to share more personal aspects of my life, to perhaps allow some to understand me a bit better. I put a lot of personal aspects into this book, which I needed. It’s more challenging to open up on social media.
“I didn’t think it was that unique—the story of a guy who takes up sports to quit smoking or lose weight—but I eventually accepted that the story of a guy who performs so quickly and builds great sports projects is a bit rarer.”
Yohann Stuck
| How did Cécile Bertin collaborate with you on the writing while always on the go?
(smile) We optimized! In the summer, I always take unpaid leave and we settle in La Plagne as a family. I have a bit more time between training sessions. We communicated a lot by phone. She transcribed it into chapters, which I then reviewed. The second phase, organizing the book, was done in the second half of the year. Whenever I had some free time…
| You are very honest in this book about certain addictions…
Writing this book was a real catharsis. Re-reading the book even made me face certain realities again. I feel today with alcohol the same things I felt when I quit smoking. It might be a bit strong to say the planets are aligned now, but I feel that flow in me that appeared back then. Now there’s work to be done beyond that. This addiction is much more complex than cigarette addiction…
| Back to sports. Are you aware of having an incredible body?
Yes, yes, I realized it quite quickly, regarding the predispositions I had. When I started running, within two months, I reached 45 minutes for 10 kilometers. Yet, I was overweight, carrying the legacy of that past life. I started in August in the south of France, it was hot, not really the easiest… But I also quickly saw that I handled work loads really well. I’m progressing. At 42, I achieved a remarkable time in Florence (Editor’s note: 2h20), my first marathon for which I had a true preparation.
| You mention speed a lot in the book, your pleasure, but also endurance, the love of effort…
Over time, I also realized that I willingly embraced effort. Perhaps more than what’s considered normal. I listen a lot to people at the sports store where I work. And I notice some differences.
| Did your mother instill that kind of fierce work ethic in you?
I barely knew my father, who separated from my mother when I was 3-4 years old. I don’t have fond memories of my dad, who was an alcoholic. My mother raised me alone, she worked night shifts in a psychiatric hospital to earn a bit more, she built a house on her own… She kept telling me to study hard in school to have more opportunities than she did professionally. She passed on values of hard work and sacrifice. I then went back and forth between my grandmother and mother. I learned to fend for myself quite early. I talk about it a lot in the book. Working and accepting the pain that comes with it, that doesn’t bother me. On the contrary. On Sundays, when I’m on the couch watching cycling races, I feel like going for a run. I don’t think I’m hyperactive, but I love being active (smile)… It stimulates me. Balance is important, and Estelle, my partner, helps me a lot in this regard, especially with organization.
| Although you come from trail culture, you seem to have fallen in love with the marathon. Can you tell us more?
There are many reasons for this. First, I enjoy the preparation the marathon requires. I thought it would be much more boring. I’m having a lot of fun! Even though I always run through the same places in training, I don’t get tired of it. I love the change in pace that pushes me out of my comfort zone. I really enjoyed preparing for the Florence marathon after the summer and the CCC. I love the speed, covering the miles… It’s exhilarating! The preparation for London was a bit more challenging as I worked on different paces, going even faster. We’ll see how it goes, knowing I have to manage my 40-hour workweek. Fortunately, I have a shower at work. So I run to get there and back! We make the most of it. I listen to history podcasts, I love that during my training runs. For both Florence and London, I had a great time. And to go further back to the question, as I like rolling trails, the marathon also allows me to work with that in mind.
| How does someone as instinctive as you are set long-term goals?
(laughs) You must have read the preface by Adrien Séguret… Sometimes it’s tough for him. But I’ve become much wiser in that regard! From November to April, I’ll be focusing on cross-country and road races, perhaps some short trails to maintain that speed element. Then I’ll aim for races like the XTerra Trails, the MCC… And since I do a lot of volume, I’d like to continue with stage races. I love them. They bring back that human spirit. The Marathon des Sables validated everything I’ve done before, and I want to continue on this path.
| What will be your goal at the starting line of the London Marathon on April 27th?
For me, the goal will be achieved if I run under 2h20. If I clock 2h19’59”, I’ll be happy! That’s 20 seconds less than in Florence, which translates to half a second per kilometer… that works for me! That would be mission accomplished. I hope to be wiser than on the second CCC… If there are a few seconds in me, it will be a bonus. Plus, we’re going there as a family, so it’s going to be really cool.
✔ You can get Yoann Stuck’s book: “A Life in Balance” from Vagnon Editions.
