Carol Seppilu, a Siberian Yupik, shows strength and hope by overcoming great pain and rebuilding her life, and inspiring others through her ultramarathoning and her work in suicide prevention.
Carol grew up in the small village of Savoonga in rural Alaska.
Her life shows the importance of perseverance, community, and finding purpose when facing challenges.
Growing Up In Nome, Carol Faced The Harsh Realities Of Her Community
Growing up in Nome, Carol faced the harsh realities of her community.
Poverty, limited housing, and a lack of care for an aging population created a challenging environment.
Drug and alcohol use were widespread among adults and youth, and issues like domestic abuse and sexual assault cast long shadows.
But the most devastating issue in Nome, and across many remote Alaskan villages, was the alarmingly high rate of suicide, particularly among teenagers.
At just 16 years old, Carol experienced a tragedy that would change her life forever. In a single year, she lost 11 friends to suicide.
The weight of this loss, combined with historical trauma and the struggles of feeling alone and trapped as a teenager, pushed her into a dark place.
She turned to drinking and drugs to cope, trying to numb the pain that seemed certain.
One evening, after drinking heavily at a party, Carol struggled home in a haze.
In an unconscious state, overwhelmed by despair, she attempted to take her own life.
What followed was a fight for survival that would test her in ways she could never have imagined.
Carol’s suicide attempt left her with severe injuries, particularly to her face and skull.
She was airlifted to Seattle, where doctors performed numerous surgeries to save her life and reconstruct her face.
Her survival was nothing short of a miracle, but the road to recovery was long and severe.
The damage to her nasal airway meant she would need a tracheostomy—a device placed in a hole in her throat to help her breathe—for the rest of her life.
She nearly lost her eyesight, and for a month, she was unable to speak. Countless reconstructive surgeries followed, each one a step toward physical healing, but the emotional scars lingered.
As a young woman, Carol struggled to adjust to her new reality. She wore a surgical mask to cover the tracheostomy, but it couldn’t hide the curious stares from others.
She was reluctant to share her story, feeling the weight of stigma and shame. But everything changed when she was asked to speak to a group of high school students about her experience.
Standing in front of her peers, Carol opened up for the first time. Sharing her story was a turning point—it began to heal her, little by little.
Finding Purpose Through Work and Running
After high school, Carol became a certified nursing assistant, working with elders at a local nursing home in Nome.
Caring for others gave her a sense of purpose, but depression still lingered in the background.
In 2014, feeling overweight and stuck in a cycle of despair, Carol made a life-changing decision: she started running.
As a child, she had loved to run, but she had stopped years ago. Now, running became her lifeline—a form of meditation that helped her find clarity and strength.
Her first race, the eight-mile Wyatt Earp Dexter Challenge in 2015, was a challenge.
Breathing through a tracheostomy required extra effort, but Carol was determined to persevere.
She found a rhythm, and as she ran, the surgical mask that once hid her face began to feel less necessary.
Running wasn’t just about physical movement; it was about reclaiming her life and sharing her story with others.
The more Carol ran, the more she connected with people. Strangers asked about her tracheostomy and her journey, and she found herself opening up.
Each conversation revealed the power of her story—not just for her, but for those who heard it.
Her running became a bridge to her community and beyond, inspiring others to face their own struggles.
Carol’s Passion For Running Turned Into A Love For Ultramarathons, Grueling Tests Of Endurance
In 2018, she attempted her first 100-mile race at the Hitchcock Experience Endurance Runs in Iowa but was forced to stop at 85 miles due to frostbitten toes. Undeterred, she set her sights on another goal.
In August 2020, during the pandemic, Carol completed her first 100-mile ultramarathon at Alaska’s Resurrection Pass.
It was a huge achievement, proving to herself and others that she could overcome any obstacle.
In 2022, Carol and her friend Toolie were both accepted via lottery to run the prestigious Leadville 100, a notoriously challenging race in Colorado.
Despite the harsh Alaskan winters, Carol trained relentlessly, logging her best training cycle yet.
She also competed in the Broken Arrow race in June, preparing herself for the grueling climb over Hope Pass in Leadville.
For Carol, these races were more than personal victories—they were a way to carry the memory of her lost friends and honor her community.
A Voice for Suicide Prevention
Carol’s story has reached a wide audience through podcasts, news outlets, and a short documentary.
In 2024, she was featured on an episode of The Moth podcast, where she spoke candidly about her suicide attempt, her recovery, and how ultramarathoning gave her hope.
Her Instagram account, where she documents her life and running, has inspired people across Alaska and around the world.
As an outreach coordinator for IÑUA at Norton Sound Health Corporation, Carol advocates for suicide prevention in her Alaskan Native community.
She speaks openly about mental health, breaking the stigma and encouraging others to seek help.
Her work is deeply personal, driven by her own experiences and the losses she endured during her teenage years.
Through her advocacy, she hopes to show others that there is light at the end of even the darkest tunnels.
Before her suicide attempt, Carol was a bright teenager facing challenges.
After her recovery, she found purpose in running, transforming her life.
Now, each step in an ultramarathon and conversation about mental health reflects her resilience and strength.
Carol Seppilu continues to run, advocate, and inspire. Her story is a reminder that even in the face of unimaginable pain, there is hope.
Through running, she has found a way to honor her past, connect with her community, and show the world that survival is possible.
As she prepares for her next race, Carol carries with her the memory of those she lost and the determination to keep moving forward, one step at a time.
