There’s a moment in every ultramarathon — somewhere past mile 60, when the trail is dark, and the finish line still feels impossibly far — where discipline becomes the only currency that matters.

Michael Dectis knows that moment well.

On April 24 and 25, the Meridian Bank Mortgage Loan Officer completed a 100-mile ultramarathon. Not a typo. A full one hundred miles across trails, through river crossings, over terrain that demanded everything he had, mentally and physically, for nearly two days straight.

But ask Dectis what made it possible, and his answer not only sounds like an athlete’s but also like a successful mortgage loan officer’s.

“It all comes down to really good time management, scheduling, and planning,” he said. “Discipline and consistency — being able to show up consistently, whether that’s on the trail or with partners, employees, and clients.”

The Training Behind the Feat

Preparing for a 100-mile race isn’t something you ease into. Dectis averaged 75 miles per week on trails while layering in strength training and mobility work, peaking at roughly 20 hours of preparation each week.

What made this type of training possible? “Really early mornings and late nights,” he said, simply.

That kind of commitment requires sacrifice, structure, and an almost uncommon patience with the process. Results don’t arrive on your schedule. Trust has to be built incrementally with your body, your training plan, and your ability to handle what the race throws at you.

“You have to be patient,” Dectis said. “You may not see the results of your efforts right away, but staying consistent is what brings it all together.”

Two Worlds, One Mindset

As a Mortgage Loan Officer at Meridian Bank, Dectis helps customers navigate residential home purchases, which are often the biggest financial decision of their lives. It’s work that demands the same qualities that carry a runner through mile 80 in the dark: attentiveness, reliability, and the ability to stay functional when conditions aren’t ideal.

“It’s all about being mentally strong when you’re faced with tight deadlines, being available for customers day and night, weekends, holidays — just being functional when things aren’t ideal,” he said. “That crosses over from endurance into the work.”

It’s not a coincidence. It’s a philosophy.

A Culture That Runs With You

Dectis didn’t broadcast the ultramarathon ahead of time. But the people at Meridian who knew about it? They were in his corner.

“They want to see all their employees thrive,” he said. “Meridian has a good foundation for work-life balance that lets employees pursue what matters to them while being accountable for their work.”

That culture isn’t incidental to Meridian’s identity. It’s central to it, with the Bank holding the belief that employees who grow personally bring something deeper back to their professional roles: focus, resilience, ownership, and genuine care for the people they serve.

In 2019, Dectis even ran a Spartan race alongside Meridian colleagues — a snapshot of an organization that shows up beyond the office walls.

What’s Next

With the 100-miler behind him, Dectis is setting his sights on the Philadelphia Marathon later this year. Professionally, he’s focused on growing his presence in the residential mortgage space, building trust with homebuyers, and deepening the relationships that define good work in this industry.

The finish line, for Dectis, is never really the end. Whether he’s guiding a first-time homebuyer through the mortgage process or grinding through the final miles of a race, the same principles hold: show up, stay consistent, trust the process, and keep moving forward.

At Meridian Bank, that kind of drive is recognized and cultivated. Because when your people are built to go the distance, so is your organization.

Interested in a career at a bank that runs alongside you? Or ready to work with a team that brings this level of commitment to your home purchase? Learn more about Meridian Bank and how it continues to help customers and communities grow through experienced bankers, personalized service, and smart financial solutions. Headquartered in Malvern, Meridian combines local market knowledge with competitive rates, strong digital access, and secure banking tools designed to help you succeed.