The Dabbling In Paddleism Podcast is an exploration of all things endurance, adventure, and ultramarathon paddling experienced through storytelling and the celebration of athletes. We'll cover everything from mental & physical training, recovery, strategy, gear, nutrition, hydration, photo-/videography, all the way through to coming out on the other end of any paddling adventure a better version of ourselves. We aim to inspire, build community, and celebrate athletes ranging from DNFs (we’ve all been there) to record breaking performances, epic expeditions, and podium finishes.
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Episode 1: David Miller - 2024 AL650 2nd Place Finish
Season 1 · Episode 1
Sunday, November 24, 2024 • Duration 01:05:19
Today I’m speaking with David Miller, an up-and-coming ultramarathon endurance paddler from North Carolina. We’ll talk about many of his already impressive accomplishments ranging from winning the Suwannee River 230 in 2023, claiming a world record in a dragon boat as a team effort during the 2023 MR340, and most recently his second place finish in the 2024 Alabama 650. One of the things I enjoyed hearing from him the most was how he came off of an impressively successful paddling year in 2023 to overcoming obstacles and challenges he faced during the 2024 paddling season as well as the Alabama 650 to ultimately finish second overall in that event. Additionally, we cover how he started out paddling. This dude literally built his own kayak as his first entry into the sport, which is pretty impressive and I hope leads to another discussion with David just to talk about building boats. We also cover some of the lessons he learned from other races, such as the Everglades Challenge in addition to learnings from his amazing support crew for the AL650, his sister Kim and friend Moogie, which led to his impressive performance in the 650 mile race. And finally we’ll cover one of his bucket list adventure paddling goals on the Finger Lakes in New York that I think will also be related to an exciting announcement coming from me on a later podcast edition.
In this episode, Chris Thomas chats with Lindsey Tilton, a dominant force in the ultramarathon paddling world out of Jupiter, Florida who just became the first female to complete the Alabama 650 on a stand-up paddle board. We hit so much on this episode, including a mutual interest in gardening and linking that to recovery tactics, which Lindsey seems to excel at. We also cover training strategies, tracking sleep scores, heart rate variability guided training, the benefits of an alcohol-free lifestyle, sleep deprivation during ultra races, and strategies around caffeine intake. We take a deep dive into research-based training and her effort via Aloha Athletics to inspire others and bring evidence-based training modalities from other sports to paddle athletes. We also cover many of the details of her experience in the AL650, ranging from portages to her personal hydration strategy. Other races mentioned in this pod include the Crossing for CF, the Yukon 1000, MR340, Seventy48, Suwanee 230, Chattajack, and the Everglades Challenge. And there’s a shoutout to Craig Sawyer as well, the creator of the Yukon 1000 documentary, Push Past Impossible, who offered some key advice to Lindsey prior to the 650 as a result of his learning from competing in the race up North. There’s so much more to this episode and inspirational advice from Lindsey, but I’ll let you hear it all from her instead…
Relevant Links:
Aloha Athletics - https://aloha-athletics.com/
Endless Aloha Challenge - https://aloha-athletics.com/endless-aloha-challenge#endlessaloha
The Great Alabama 650 - https://www.alabamascenicrivertrail.com/great-alabama-650/
Last Paddler Standing - https://lastpaddlerstanding.com/
Ep. #11: Dr. Alison Kole - Sleep deprivation training/mitigation (part 2)
Season 1 · Episode 11
Thursday, April 10, 2025 • Duration 34:35
Welcome to part 2 of 2 in my collaboration series with Dr. Alison Kole of the "Sleep is My Waking Passion Podcast." In this episode Alison and I continue our discussion on how to train for and mitigate the effects of sleep deprivation. We cover topics like caffeine naps, breathing techniques, devices to help with sleep and relaxation, supplements, and optimal sleep duration while maximizing time on the water. There's so much more to this episode, but I'll let you hear it from dr. Kole herself on the 11th episode of the Dabbling In Paddleism Podcast...
Welcome to Season 6 of Sleep Is My Waking Passion! In this episode, I sit down with Chris Thomas, pharmacist by day and ultra-marathon paddler by passion. Chris shares his incredible experiences tackling extreme endurance paddle races like the Yukon 1000 and Alabama 650, where sleep deprivation, physical exhaustion, and mental resilience are all part of the challenge.
Together, we explore:
Part 1:
The unique demands of ultra-marathon paddle racing, from navigating 1,000-mile waterways to managing sleep in remote environments.
The science behind sleep deprivation, its effects on cognition and performance, and strategies for recovery
and in part 2:
Tools and techniques like caffeine naps, sleep banking, breathing exercises, and even cutting-edge devices like Modia Sleep to optimize rest during intense races.
Chris opens up about his own sleep challenges during races, including moments of déjà vu and pushing through exhaustion with creative solutions. We also discuss how nutrition, teamwork, and preparation play a pivotal role in maximizing performance while staying safe.
Whether you're an athlete seeking tips for endurance sports or simply curious about the limits of human resilience, this episode offers a fascinating deep dive into the intersection of sleep science and extreme athleticism.
🔗 Join me for an inspiring conversation with Chris as we paddle through the uncharted waters of sleep deprivation and recovery!
Keywords: Ultra-marathon paddling, sleep deprivation strategies, endurance sports, caffeine naps, recovery tools.
Dr. Alison Kole's podcast aims to help all of us learn to navigate self-advocacy and prioritize healthy sleep.
Dr. Alison Kole's Links:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@asktheSleepMD
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sleep-is-my-waking-passion/id1684976379
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kSqlAoEC7tFmFj0Pms0hw?si=7f9eb2af07ac4549
Connect with Dr. Kole:
Website: www.askthesleepmd.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/askthesleepmd
Facebook: www.facebook.com/askthesleepmd
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/alison-kole-md-mph-fccp-faasm-b6a26715
Ep. #12: Coach Zoe Nance
Season 1 · Episode 12
Monday, April 21, 2025 • Duration 53:56
In this episode Chris Thomas sits down with athlete, exercise physiologist, and veteran coach, Zoe Nance from Uphill Athlete. Zoe has spent 3 decades in the exercise physiology field guiding a very diverse group of athletes from endurance mountain and road bikers, swimmers, triathletes, mountaineers, and paddlers for efforts like 1000 mile biking and paddling races to Mount Everest summits. We cover so much in this episode from the importance of having a coach, aerobic deficiency, glucose versus fat utilization for fuel, maximizing capillary and mitochondria density, lactate as fuel, improving lactate shuttling, using exercise physiology lab tests to personalize training, heart rate variability, recovery, and using carbohydrates as a muscle-sparing tool during exercise. There's so much more to this chat, but I'll let you hear it from Zoe Nance herself in this 12th episode of the Dabbling In Paddleism podcast...
Zoe's book recommendation: "Good for a Girl" by Lauren Fleshman
https://a.co/d/iySurCx
How to find more from Zoe:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-nance-98316185/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@zoefitness
Website: https://zoefitness.com/
And she can also be found at: https://uphillathlete.com/
Zoe's Mission: To combine scientific research, education, and practical applications of sports medicine and exercise science to enhance performance, personal fitness, health and increase the overall quality of life to individuals.
Ep. #13: Bobby Johnson & Brandon Grundy - '25 Everglades Challenge Record!!
Season 1 · Episode 13
Sunday, April 27, 2025 • Duration 01:16:51
In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Brandon Grundy and Bobby Johnson, both out of Florida, who just broke the Everglades Challenge record in the tandem kayak class without a sail. This chat is a true masterclass in how to not only succeed in bot how to set a standard for excellence in ultramarathon paddling races. We cover so much in this episode all surrounding the Everglades Challenge including the chronicles of their record setting race, route/weather/tidal/current strategies, the pros and cons of single versus double blades in a kayak or surfski, tactics to protect the body but more importantly the mind, manatee minefields and how dangerous these underwater allies can be at night, getting lost and the importance of trusting your GPS, and hallucinations. There's so much more to this episode, but I'll let you hear it from Brandon and Bobby themselves in this 13th episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast...
Everglades Challenge website: https://www.watertribe.com/events/evergladeschallenge/Default.aspx
Ep. #14: Ryan Gillikin - 1st place 2024 female solo AL650 finisher!
Season 1 · Episode 14
Sunday, May 11, 2025 • Duration 01:04:17
In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Ryan Gillikin out of Bay Minnette, Alabama who is always a top contender in ultra paddle races and notably was the overall solo female 1st place finisher in the 2024 Alabama 650. We cover so much in this episode from her exhaustive preparation leading up to a race, creative techniques to quote “manage the mystery”, her new approach to training with a coach, Camp 650, her experience as a co-race director of the Suwannee 230 and a deep dive into that race, game changing crew tips, and most importantly the story of her solo female victory in the 2024 Alabama 650. We cover so much more in this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Ryan herself in this 14th episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast…
Ryan’s book rec: A Pearl in the Storm, by Tori Murden McClure
https://a.co/d/cYekSLG
Ep. #15: David Thomas of Stellar Kayaks USA
Season 1 · Episode 15
Sunday, May 25, 2025 • Duration 47:24
In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with David Thomas of Stellar Kayaks USA who is both co-owner and a design team member. Of note, this is not a sponsored episode, as I simply reached out to David to come on the show because I’m a fan of their boats and especially wanted to hear about his journey and the inspiration that comes behind their paddles and kayaks. We cover so much in this episode from Stellar’s commitment to environmental responsibility, wing paddle dynamics, innovation in kayaks and surf skis, listener supported questions, seemingly unlimited variables that go into boat designs for all paddlers, the need for race directors out there, races he directs and hosts, modular kayak offerings, paddling community support, and his thoughts about growth of the ultramarathon paddling sport. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from David himself in this 15th episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast…
Website: https://stellarkayaksusa.com/
Social (IG):
https://www.instagram.com/stellarkayaks?igsh=MXNzcTJhbHkxNTBsbQ==
Ep. #16: Bobby Johnson - Stories of the Destruction of the Human Body & Mind
Season 1 · Episode 16
Sunday, June 8, 2025 • Duration 01:45:38
In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Bobby Johnson out of Clearwater, Florida. While he certainly doesn’t admit to it, Bobby’s racing record is certainly legendary and he is highly regarded in the paddling community as one of the top paddlers on any given race day in ultramarathon paddling. Of note, we recorded this episode before the show with his 2025 Everglades Challenge teammate Brandon Grundy, but thought that the timing of the Everglades Challenge record was certainly notable enough to move that episode up to coincide more closely with the end of that race. We cover so much in this episode from why he keeps coming back year after year to do these grueling races, how ultramarathon paddling helps calm the mind in everyday life, UFOs, racing solo versus tandem, lessons learned from past failures, sleep deprivation strategies and hallucinations, the 2024 last paddler standing and AL650 races, the endless search for the limits of the human body and mind in ultramarathon paddling, and the importance of training in all conditions. We cover so much more in this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Bobby himself in this 16th episode of the Dabbling In Paddleism Podcast…
Bobby's book/documentary recommendations:
-Unbroken - Laura Hillenbrand: https://a.co/d/dmHTe4A
-Race to Alaska (R2AK) Documentary: https://r2akthemovie.com/
-Eat & Run - Scott Jurek: https://a.co/d/9RExnx6
-North - Scott Jurek: https://a.co/d/aVyM7Eb
Ep. #18: Deed Ziegler of Recpak
Season 1 · Episode 18
Sunday, July 6, 2025 • Duration 55:52
In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Deed Ziegler, founder of the backcountry and adventure lightweight nutrition company, Recpak. Deed’s company was first inspired by his career in the military and solidified by aiming to solve a problem many of us face on our adventures and races in the outdoors when every ounce matters. We cover so much in this episode from his journey to creating Recpak, deliberate intention in balancing macro and micronutrient contents, focus on a health-conscious aspect with processed foods, challenges to creating a new brand, his mission to leave the world better than he found it with support for 1% for the planet, veteran and youth group organizations, and first responders in the Ukraine conflict. There’s so much more to this episode with Recpak, but I’ll let you hear it from Deed himself on this 18th episode of the Dabbling In Paddleism Podcast…
Discount code for listeners (25% off first order): DIP25
Links:
-Recpak website: www.recpak.co
-Follow Recpak on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/recpakco/
-The Conservation alliance: https://conservationalliance.com/
-Garage Grown Gear: https://www.garagegrowngear.com/
-Access Fund: https://www.accessfund.org/
Deed’s Book Recommendations:
On The Road - Jack Kerouac: https://a.co/d/axFD0y6
The River of Doubt - Teddy Roosevelt: https://a.co/d/9qv8AXa
Chris’s Book Recommendations:
Paddle to the Amazon - Don Starkell: https://a.co/d/eSBWV4I
No Shortcuts to the Top - Ed Viesturs: https://a.co/d/1Q31IYS
Ep. #17: Dave Maitland & Scott Worthington - 2000 mile Yukon River source to sea attempt
Season 1 · Episode 17
Sunday, June 22, 2025 • Duration 01:22:57
In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Dave Maitland & Scott Worthington, two awesome Kiwis that live their lives seeking adventure and time in the outdoors. I invited them on the show to chat about their 2000 mile source to sea attempt on the Yukon River in 2024. We cover so much in this episode from their views on the current state of affairs in ultra racing, their journey that brought them the Yukon, Scott’s inspiring story and Yukon 1000 documentary with Ben Lott, their story of adventure in the Yukon and what lies beyond the Dalton Highway Bridge, gear differences in a 2000 vs. 1000 mile attempt, and the importance of implicitly trusting a teammate especially when things go sideways in the backcountry. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Dave and Scott themselves on this 17th episode of the Dabbling In Paddleism Podcast…
**Dave & Scott would like to send a shoutout to Ben Schmidt of the Alaskan Canoe Company (https://alaskacanoecompany.com/) who crafted their canoe for their 2000 mile attempt**
Dave’s book recommendation:
-Endurance - Alfred Lansing: https://a.co/d/8B0PCQE
Scott’s book recommendations:
-On the Edge of Nowhere - James Huntington: https://a.co/d/iUqRxtT
-Shadows on the Koyukuk - Sidney Huntington: https://a.co/d/2mXUO0B
Finding Ben - Yukon 1000 documentary w/ Scott Worthington & Ben Lott
-Part 1: https://www.yukon1000.org/findingbenpart1/
-Part 2: https://www.yukon1000.org/findingbenpart2/
**Dave's NZ race recommendations & offer for guidance**
-GODZONE - This is a multi day Adventure race and can range from 4 to five days, only sleep requirement is relating to if there are dangerous river sections for kayaking / rafting or pack rafting. Apart from that you are on your own, map reading is essential. Its great fun but very demanding on the body. It is held in a different location within NZ each year.
*Link: https://godzoneadventure.com/one-new-zealand-godzone-chapter-12-heading-to-marlborough/
-Kathmandu Coast to Coast: This is a race from the beach on the west side of the south Island to the beach on the East coast, traversing the Southislands Southern Alps via a 32km mountain run. Other disciplines include running, road bike and Kayaking. Comperators can enter the following.
One day individual
One day three person team
Two day individual
And various categories of teams in the two day event.
Some may consider it not an endurance event but when you are completing the 240km in between the high 10hr and up to 18hr I assure you it is. If there is anyone interested who thinks they have what it takes I am happy to advise them after having completed it 30 times I have a fair understanding as to what it takes. Would be great to see some from the North make the journey down to our part of the world and have a crack at either of these two events. Only willing to help out with the right type of people.
*Link: https://www.kathmandu.co.nz/pages/coast-to-coast
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