Before establishing his career as an EM physician, Nick (Stukel) Stark, MD, MBA, embarked on a remarkable journey that saw him traverse the globe, running marathons on every continent — all while attending medical school. But this wasn’t just an exercise in endurance; it was a mission to raise funds for his music therapy initiative Strums & Strides. From the icy expanses of Antarctica to the rugged terrains of Africa, Dr. Stark’s global adventure didn’t just hone his physical stamina, it also enabled him to underscore the healing power of music and shaped his compassionate, quick-thinking approach to the hectic environment of ER medicine.

Doximity: What was your initial inspiration for running a marathon on each continent?

Nick Stark, MD, MBA: When I ran my first marathon a few weeks before starting medical school, I assumed it would be my one and only. But as medical school became more demanding, I found myself searching for ways to relieve stress. I remembered the clarity and immense sense of achievement I felt after my first marathon, so I started considering running another. At the same time, I also found myself drawn back toward creating and playing music.

Music has always been special to me; I’ve been singing and playing piano since I was 5, and music also played a crucial role in aiding my grandfather’s recovery from a severe stroke.

One day, during a distracted study break, I stumbled upon information about a marathon in Antarctica. That sparked an idea: Why not run a marathon on every continent to promote the healing power of music? That’s how Strums & Strides was born — my initiative to run a marathon on all seven continents during medical school to highlight the healing power of music and enhance hospital music programs.

Dox: How did you orchestrate the timing of each marathon with your med school classes? 

NS: Scheduling each marathon around med school classes required a lot of planning and flexibility. I typically ran during breaks, including the summer break between MS1 and MS2 years, as well as spring breaks, to make sure I could continue to give my all to my medical training. This meant finding marathons that coincided with those breaks, which led to some interesting races, including a combination hike Mount Kilimanjaro/marathon experience in Tanzania for my marathon in Africa.

Dox: What insights did you learn about time management in medical school?

NS: The biggest lesson was how to effectively utilize small amounts of time. Balancing marathon training with fundraising and logistics, alongside medical training, helped me learn the power of 15-minute intervals. I found that by utilizing small amounts of time well, I could accomplish a lot more than I thought I could over the course of weeks and months. Think about it: even just 15 minutes per day adds up to seven hours over the course of a month. I stopped trying to finish things all at once and started taking them on in small pieces.

Dox: How did your experiences influence your decision to become an EM physician? 

NS: As part of Strums & Strides I partnered with a non-profit called Musicians On Call (MOC), which focuses on bringing in-person music to patients’ bedsides. As both a fundraiser and volunteer musician for MOC, I gained experiences that reinforced my passion for patient care and inspired my decision to accompany patients in some of their most difficult moments as an emergency physician. Additionally, the global marathon adventures refined my abilities of thinking quickly, adapting, and responding compassionately in difficult situations — all essential qualities for a successful career in EM.

Dox: What’s something you learned from your marathon-running experience that you use every day in your job?

NS: My global marathon journey had a lot of hiccups: unexpected travel changes, physical injuries, and scheduling errors. These challenges, while painful at the time, helped me grow and refine my ability to be adaptable and make quick, thoughtful decisions with limited information — which are key skills in the fast-paced ED environment. 

Dox: To what extent did other experiences in your life impact your decision to pursue EM? 

NS: My grandfather’s stroke played a big part in my decision to pursue EM. His lack of access to health care ultimately had devastating impacts on his health, and I pursued EM to both provide high-quality, life-saving acute care and also build toward improving overall access and quality of care through leadership roles within the ED and beyond.

Dox: What other factors played an important role in that decision? 

NS: A diverse range of experiences shaped my decision. Growing up on a ranch exposed me to rural emergencies, and my love for high-intensity hobbies like flying planes and scuba diving aligned perfectly with the dynamic environment of EM. I thrive on teamwork and hands-on patient care in the ED, and I’m grateful to have found a field that matches my skills and passions so well.

Dox: What parallels, if any, have you come across between working in EM and running marathons across the world?

NS: Both working in the ED and running marathons across the world require immense amounts of adaptability, resilience, and the ability to perform under pressure. Just as I faced challenges and pushed my limits during marathons, I encountered unpredictable situations and needed to think on my feet in the ED.

Dox: What motivated you to continue running?

NS: There were many moments when I considered giving up. Whether it was dealing with a hectic schedule, juggling studying with marathon training, or facing visa issues while traveling abroad, there were plenty of times when quitting seemed like the most tempting option. No one was forcing me to run marathons on every continent, especially while in medical school. During those moments, I took the time to reflect and ask myself if it was all worth it. I was open to the possibility that the answer might be “No, it's not worth it anymore.” However, every time I posed that question to myself, I discovered a reason to continue. Whether it was for my grandfather, my love for music, my passion for exploring the world, or as a counterbalance to the intensity of medical studies.

For me, I believe that the key to staying motivated was allowing myself to quit if it no longer felt worthwhile. It was about prioritizing my happiness and experiences rather than rigidly pursuing a goal. 

Dox: And just for fun, which was your favorite marathon and continent?

NS: While each marathon and continent held its own unique charm and challenges, running in Antarctica stands out as my favorite. The stunning scenery, including encounters with penguins and seals, made it a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Despite the harsh conditions and demanding terrain, the sense of accomplishment and awe I felt while running on the frozen continent made it an unforgettable adventure.

This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Illustration by April Brust