Watch: Eli

Eli Neztsosie is a rancher, living a self-sufficient life on the Navajo Reservation without modern-day conveniences or running water. Growing up, Eli and his sister would wake to the urging of their grandfather at 4 a.m. each day to go running.

“Very early in the morning is when the gods pass through,” says Eli’s sister. “We asked why he used to make us run because it’s almost like suffering. It meant for us to develop so that we’re strong in heart in mind.”

From Patagonia comes the story of Eli’s struggle and how running keeps him “chasing after the hard things.”