We asked the community members featured in our Mostly Heartbroken, Still Going campaign to share a little bit about what the themes mean to them.
Josh Mercado is a Heartbreak's Jack of all trades. He's raced distances from the 50 meters through the marathon. He's a Heartbreak coach, a community leader, and a party staple. Straight out of Boston College, he jumped into the Heartbreak scene, often leading the charge with Coach Dan at J.J. Foley's after workouts. When he's not hanging with Heartbreak, Josh works in media. His infectious energy makes everything more fun. We caught up with him after our shoot in Orlando. Shop the collection here.
Heartbreak: What comes to mind for you when you hear: Mostly Heartbroken, Still Going?
Josh Mercado: In Greek mythology, Sisyphus was condemned to roll a boulder up a mountain and watch it roll back down, eternally. I think about the Albert Camus quote: "The struggle itself towards the heights is enough to fill a man's heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy." Camus recontextualizes the "punishment," writing that the universe is messy and happy endings are not owed to us. So the only thing we can do to reclaim our agency over the universe is to take pride in even the most mundane of accomplishments, whether they be pushing a boulder up a mountain or waking up for a run each morning. (Sisyphus probably would've rocked a Heartbreak Hill tee)
HB: What was something that didn't work out for you and how did you bounce back?
JM: Boston Marathon 2019. It was my first marathon and training had been going well. On race day, debilitating cramps in both legs forced me to hobble to the finish line over an hour later than I had expected to. I had so much training with friends so my bounce back was to sign up for this silly, little run club called the Heartbreakers. Pretty fitting name. The rest is history.
HB: What keeps you running?
JM: My friends! Whether it's actively running with them or even just getting to watch their running journeys. I know that at the end of the day, good result or bad, I'll always have my friends there to inspire me and pick me back up.
HB: In one sentence please answer the question: what is love?
JM: Baby, don't hurt meeeeeee! To love is to give something the power to hurt you because that something is fully and wholly worth it.
Shop the spring collection here.
