Explore every episode of the podcast The Steep Stuff Podcast
Dive into the complete episode list for The Steep Stuff Podcast. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.
On this episode of the Steep Stuff Podcast, we sit down with Makena Morley, one of the standout talents in American distance running!
We dive into Makena’s journey as a competitive runner, her transition across different racing distances and terrains, and the training, discipline, and mindset that fuel her success. From the roads and track to the trails and mountains, we explore what drives her to compete, how she approaches the demands of high-level racing, and what continues to motivate her as an athlete.
We also talk about the evolving world of mountain and trail running, the challenges of stepping outside your comfort zone, and what it takes to keep chasing big goals in a competitive sport.
Tune in for an insightful conversation with one of American running’s exciting talents!
🎙️ The Steep Stuff Podcast — your stateside show dedicated to short trail and the mountain running scene.
On this episode of the Steep Stuff Podcast, we sit down with trail and mountain running legend Max King!
A force across multiple disciplines, Max has built an incredible career spanning trail running, mountain running, ultrarunning, and obstacle course racing. We dive into his journey through the sport, the experiences that have shaped him as an athlete, and the mindset required to compete at the highest level across so many different racing formats.
From training and racing to longevity in the sport and the evolution of trail and mountain running, Max shares his perspective on what it takes to become a better runner and continue pushing the limits.
This is one of the most-watched episodes in Steep Stuff Podcast history, and for good reason. Tune in for an insightful conversation with one of the sport’s most accomplished and versatile athletes!
🎙️ The Steep Stuff Podcast — your stateside show dedicated to short trail and the mountain running scene.
On this episode of the Steep Stuff Podcast, we sit down with Mason Coppi, runner-up at the 2026 WMRA Défi des Couleurs Final!
We dive into Mason’s journey in the mountain running scene, his performance on the international stage, and what it takes to compete against some of the best mountain runners in the world. From training and race-day strategy to the mindset required to perform when it matters most, Mason shares insights into his approach to the sport and what’s next on his running journey.
Tune in for a conversation about mountain running, competition, and the drive to keep pushing the limits on the trails!
🎙️ The Steep Stuff Podcast — your stateside show dedicated to short trail and the mountain running scene.
The Steep Stuff Podcast | Erin Moyer — WMRA World Cup Final Recap
On this episode of The Steep Stuff Podcast, James Lauriello sits down with Erin Moyer following an impressive performance at the Défi des Couleurs, the WMRA World Cup Final! Erin secured 3rd place in the Uphill and 5th place in the Classic, capping off a standout showing against an international field of mountain running talent.
We dive into her experience racing at the WMRA Final, the challenges of competing in both uphill and classic mountain running disciplines, and the preparation, strategy, and mindset required to perform at the highest level. Erin also shares insights into her journey in the sport, lessons learned from racing on the international stage, and what's next as she continues to make her mark in mountain running.
Tune in for a conversation about racing, competing against the best in the world, and everything that makes mountain running so special.
🎙️ The Steep Stuff Podcast — your stateside source for short trail and the mountain running scene.
On this episode of the Steep Stuff Podcast, we sit down with Remi Leroux, the 2026 Canadian Mountain Running Champion, Vertical Champion & Quebec Provincial Champion to talk all things mountain running, racing, and the journey to the top of the Canadian scene.
We dive into Remi’s path to becoming a national champion, the preparation and mindset required to compete at the highest level, and the challenges that come with racing on steep, technical mountain terrain. We also discuss his approach to training, his experiences in competition, and what’s next as he continues to build his career in the sport.
From the grind of training to the thrill of race day, this is a conversation about the work, dedication, and passion behind mountain running at its best.
🎙️ Tune in for another episode of the Steep Stuff Podcast, your stateside show dedicated to short trail and the mountain running scene!
On this episode of the Steep Stuff Podcast, we sit down with Dylan Flewelling, the 2026 USATF 50K Champion!
We dive into Dylan’s journey to the top of the American ultra running scene, breaking down his championship performance, the preparation behind racing 50 kilometers at an elite level, and the mindset required to compete against the best in the country. We also discuss his approach to training, racing strategy, and what it takes to find success as a competitive distance runner.
From the challenges of championship racing to what lies ahead, Dylan shares insight into his development as an athlete and his ambitions for the future.
Tune in for an inside look at one of America’s top endurance talents on this episode of the Steep Stuff Podcast — your stateside source for the short trail, sub-ultra, and mountain running scene.
🎙️ Subscribe to the Steep Stuff Podcast for more conversations with the athletes, coaches, and personalities shaping the world of trail and mountain running.
The Défi des Couleurs is in the books! 🌈⛰️ On this episode of the Steep Stuff Podcast, we’re breaking down all the action with our post-race reactions, analysis, and takeaways from one of the most exciting challenges in mountain running.
We dive into the biggest storylines, standout performances, surprises, and defining moments from race day. Who delivered when it mattered most? Which results caught us off guard? And what can we take away from the racing and performances?
From the athletes who rose to the occasion to the moments that shaped the race, we’re unpacking it all and looking at what the results mean for the wider mountain running scene.
🎙️ The Steep Stuff Podcast — covering the athletes, races, and stories shaping the short trail and mountain running scene.
Alex King, Founder of Terignōta | The Business of Making Trail Running More Accessible
Alex King is back on the Steep Stuff Podcast! One year after our first conversation, Alex returns to share how life has changed as the founder of Terignōta, the trail running apparel brand challenging the industry’s traditional approach to pricing, marketing, and product development.
We catch up on Terignōta’s rapid growth, the realities of building a business from the ground up, and the rollercoaster of running an independent brand. Alex pulls back the curtain on the business, discussing everything from major sales days and quieter stretches to the risks of scaling production, navigating tariffs, and staying true to his vision in a competitive market.
We also dive into Terignōta’s approach to radical transparency, why Alex has chosen to prioritize community and organic growth over paid advertising, and how he’s working to deliver high-quality gear without the premium price tag. From product development and customer service to the lessons learned along the way, this conversation offers a fascinating look at what it takes to build a brand in the modern trail running landscape.
And, of course, we talk running. Alex shares updates on his own racing, the lingering effects of his Achilles injury, and how his relationship with the sport has evolved as Terignōta continues to grow.
Whether you're a trail runner looking for quality gear, an aspiring entrepreneur, or simply curious about the business behind the sport, this is an episode you won't want to miss.
Subscribe to the Steep Stuff Podcast for more conversations with the athletes, founders, and personalities shaping the trail and mountain running community!
What does it take to run up Pikes Peak, turn around the next day, and do it all over again?
Rick Webb just found out.
Fresh off winning the 2026 Pikes Peak Doubler, Rick joins The Steep Stuff Podcast to break down one of the most unique challenges in mountain running — completing both the Pikes Peak Ascent and Pikes Peak Marathon in the same weekend. Rick finished the two races in a combined 7:54:59, earning the overall Doubler title.
We dive into what it actually feels like to race up Barr Trail knowing you have a full marathon waiting for you the following morning, how Rick approached pacing and recovery, and what goes through your head when the legs are already beat up but you still have another 26.2 mountain miles ahead.
Rick also takes us through his 2026 Pikes Peak weekend — the strategy behind the Ascent, recovering overnight, managing nutrition and fatigue, and then tackling the Marathon descent when your body is already carrying the damage from the day before.
We talk altitude, training, fueling, downhill running, racing Pikes Peak, and the mental side of committing to one of the toughest back-to-back challenges in mountain running.
If you've ever wondered why anyone would voluntarily run Pikes Peak twice in one weekend, this episode is for you.
A single gear text from a mountain guide sparked a bigger question: why do the most trusted people in the outdoors drive so many purchases and earn nothing from it? We sit down with Hunter Macy, founder and CEO of Rendezvous, to unpack how that moment turned into a platform built for trail running gear recommendations, athlete monetization, and brand partnership management all in one place.
We get specific about the athlete side: building a profile that reflects what you actually use, earning from authentic recommendations without living in your DMs, and using real analytics to prove your value. Hunter explains why transparent click and sales data can change sponsorship conversations from “take a chance on me” to “here’s what I’ve already driven,” especially for the large middle of the sport trying to go fully pro.
Then we flip to the brand perspective: ambassador roster management, campaign tools, product gifting, messaging, and sales tracking that help small teams run high-impact programs without scattered spreadsheets and endless email threads. We also talk growth with intention, staying mission-led, responding fast to community feedback, and expanding internationally without losing what makes trail running feel like a soul sport.
If you care about the future of outdoor commerce, trail running sponsorships, and buying gear you can actually trust, press play. Subscribe, share this with a running friend, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.
A last minute race entry. A season stitched together from recovery. A mindset that refuses to let results decide your worth. James L’Oriello sits down with mountain runner and endurance athlete Hillary Allen for a wide ranging conversation that starts with a literal tide mishap on a bike in California and quickly climbs into the real terrain: returning to hard efforts after injury, trusting your body again, and finding joy in the grind of uphill racing.
We talk Vertical Kilometer racing, power hiking, and why stacking events like Run The Rut, Mammoth, and Pikes Peak Ascent can work when you manage impact and keep expectations light. Hillary shares how cycling helped her maintain fitness during rehab, and why VKs feel like the perfect blend of brutal and beautiful. Then we go deeper into applied sport psychology, including her approach to “healthy detachment” from outcomes and how that shift changed the way she competes at the highest level.
Hillary also tells two Team USA stories that still sound unreal: the Broken Arrow qualifier surprise and the phone call in Europe that nearly turned her VK week into an 80K long trail world championship in the Pyrenees. From team dynamics to pacing differences, it’s a behind the scenes look at world class mountain running that’s equal parts tactical and human. We wrap with her experience publishing a book about recovery, how she keeps her identity bigger than sport, and why Unbound Gravel can be 200 miles of mud, wind, and pure problem solving.
If you enjoy conversations about trail running, mountain running, injury comeback strategies, sport psychology mindset, and endurance training across running and cycling, you’ll want this one. Subscribe to Steep Stuff, share this with a friend who’s rebuilding after injury, and leave a review to help more runners find the show.
A 47-mile pacing shift on a record attempt would be a season highlight for most runners, and Noah Disot treated it like another valuable day in the mountains. Fresh off crewing and pacing Joe McConaughy on a John Muir Trail (JMT) effort, Noah joins us ahead of North Bend Trailfest to talk about what he learned from nonstop movement, staying on top of nutrition, and keeping the vibe positive when the work gets long and messy.
We also dig into the Pacific Northwest trail running scene and why the Seattle area deserves more credit as a training base. Noah explains how Issaquah, Tiger Mountain, Squawk Mountain, Cougar Mountain, and North Bend can deliver serious vertical gain without living at altitude, plus why connected trails and a tight community make it easier to stack consistent weeks. If you’ve wondered how the PNW compares to places like Boulder or Flagstaff, Noah gives an honest, athlete-level view of what actually matters day to day.
From there we zoom out to Noah’s bigger ultrarunning goals: building on strong races like Cascade Crest, chasing sponsorship, and taking a real shot at a Western States golden ticket at Havelina 100. We get specific about what changes his 100-mile outcomes, including patience early, finishing strong, dialing fueling (think higher carb intake), and using sauna sessions for heat prep without digging a dehydration hole. Noah also opens up about altitude and breathing challenges and why he’s drawn to rugged, mountainous hundreds even when they bite back.
If you like pre-race energy, training talk that stays practical, and the real-life balancing act of an athlete with a demanding engineering career, subscribe, share this with a trail friend, and leave a rating and review so more runners can find the show.
Race week exposes everything: what you’ve built, what you’ve ignored, and what actually holds up when the course turns steep. We’re joined by Dustin Mullaney, defending North Bend Trail Fest champion, to talk through the reality of racing often, recovering from monster efforts like The Rut, and why a condensed stretch of competition can feel like a cross-country season with a “never-ending taper.” If you’re trying to balance fitness, fatigue, and injury history, this conversation gets honest fast.
We also go deep on why the Cascades and Western Washington are an underrated training ground for mountain running and skyrunning. We compare Seattle-area vert to Colorado, talk about how long runnable climbs change race dynamics, and why sea-level speed, humidity, and sustained climbing can translate well to UTMB-style racing. Dustin shares what keeps pulling him back to Chamonix, what hut-to-hut days taught him, and why goals like OCC and other iconic European-style races demand more than just a big engine.
Then we nerd out on the details that decide results: smooth transitions from running to steep power hiking, building fatigue resistance so you do not panic before a technical descent, and why winter ski mountaineering and backcountry skiing can be the smartest endurance cross-training for durable mountain legs. We even take a left turn into genetics, de-extinction headlines, and what it means to be skeptical while still loving the science.
If you enjoy trail running training talk, mountain race strategy, UTMB prep, and behind-the-scenes athlete pathways, you’ll get a ton out of this one. Subscribe for more, share it with a training buddy, and leave a rating and review so more runners can find the show. What part of your training needs the biggest upgrade right now?
Something wild happens when a runner stops chasing “perfect” and starts chasing what they actually love. Casey Campbell is living proof. Casey joins us to unpack his late-season shift toward uphill racing, including a breakout day at the Broken Arrow Ascent that surprised even him, and the training choices that helped it happen. We talk uphill specificity, winter Nordic skiing as strength-building cross training, and why Bend, Oregon is one of the best all-around places in the U.S. to train for mountain running thanks to its mix of Cascades climbs, high desert terrain, and year-round options.
We also get into Casey’s path from soccer to starting running in high school, then walking on at the University of Oregon for track while studying architecture. That background shapes how he thinks about progress: building blocks, patience, and problem-solving instead of panic. From there we dig into what it’s like to race in a Team USA jersey overseas, including his recent trip to Poland for a fast, punishing mountain course with huge vert and relentless climbs. Casey shares what team racing adds that most of us miss after college, and how the shared effort changes your mindset mid-race.
The real heart of this conversation is balance. Casey works a demanding architecture job, manages travel stress and limited PTO, and still shows up ready to compete. We talk coaching with Joe "Stringbean" McConaughy, why adaptive communication beats cookie-cutter plans, and why AI coaching and spreadsheet “magic numbers” can’t capture sleep, stress, and real life. If you care about trail running, uphill racing, mountain running performance, and sustainable motivation, this one hits deep.
If you enjoy the show, subscribe, share it with a trail friend, and leave a rating and review so more runners can find these conversations.
A hundred-mile podium doesn’t happen by accident, and Matt Zupan doesn’t chalk it up to luck. From a quiet start in Missouri to finding his stride in the Reno and Truckee trail running scene, Matt tells the full story of how community, mountain obsession, and steady habits shape the runner he is now, including a breakthrough day at the Leadville 100.
We talk through the Sierra Nevada pull that keeps bringing him back, from the John Muir Trail to big linkups and the kind of off-trail scrambling that tests more than fitness. Matt unpacks Norman’s, the 13 fourteeners route that echoes Nolan’s, and why failing multiple times in the same spot became the point. The win isn’t just finishing; it’s learning navigation, patience, and how to keep going when the goal stops impressing anyone but you.
Then we get tactical on Leadville. Matt shares how he deliberately goes out slow, manages altitude, and climbs the ranks without drama, plus what it feels like when a lifelong dream race finally clicks. We also get into guiding with Rogue Expeditions, ski patrolling with an avalanche rescue dog named Kazakh, chasing Western States and UTMB dreams, and the debate around distance hype versus beautifully designed courses that actually make you want to suffer.
If you like honest trail running conversations with real lessons and big goals, follow the show, share this one with a friend, and leave a rating and review so more runners can find it.
Something breaks in an athlete’s season, and the story usually gets edited into a neat comeback. We do the opposite here. Matt Daniels talks with us in real time about the messy middle: a divorce, an unexpected mold exposure that kept making him sick after travel, and the slow process of feeling like a normal human again. From there, we map how he’s rebuilding toward Run Rabbit Run, including what changed once he brought on CTS coach Cliff Pittman and started treating long-distance development as a craft, not a gamble.
We also get into the side of trail running most people only whisper about, the business. Matt shares how working with an agent takes the stress out of negotiations, why brand alignment matters more as you get older, and how athlete media is becoming a real second lane. That naturally leads to the Boulder Boys Show: how it started as friends talking on long runs, why honesty resonates, and what joining Jonathan Levitt’s collective could mean for exposure and sponsorship opportunities.
Fueling is the performance thread that ties it together. Matt explains why nutrition has been his limiter in ultras and how Hyperlight’s simple, high-carb approach helps him train his gut for 100 miles. We trade stories on Sierre-Zinal and Zegama, then zoom out to the future of professional trail running: UTMB’s gravity, why the Olympics might be the wrong fit, how prize money and media rights could shape athlete pay, and why anti-doping conversations are only getting louder.
If you care about ultramarathon training, sponsorship reality, and where trail running is headed next, hit play. Subscribe, share this with a running friend, and leave a rating and review so more people can find the show.
Winning Pikes Peak isn’t just about fitness, it’s about decisions you make when your lungs are burning, your stomach is turning, and the mountain keeps asking for more. I sit down with Chrissy fresh off her Pikes Peak Marathon win to replay the day from the first miles on Barr Trail to the long, lonely stretches above treeline where you don’t get feedback from the pack, you only get truth from your own pacing.
We talk about the tactical side of mountain racing: why the W’s can ruin your race if you surge, how she stayed controlled even while moving into the lead, and what it’s like to chase the men and run your own race when you’re suddenly out front. Chrissy also gets real about race-morning nausea and the unsexy skill that separates great days from disasters: continuing to fuel with gels, fluids, and sodium so you still have something for the descent. If you care about trail running nutrition, high altitude strategy, and finishing strong instead of just surviving, you’ll get a lot out of this one.
From there we zoom out to the season that built this result, including consistency on trails, learning through frequent racing, and the value of having coach Rachel Spaulding and a tight Colorado Springs training community. Chrissy shares how she balances a demanding nursing career with training, why gravel biking helps her stay durable, and what’s next as she pivots toward CIM and a faster road marathon while still keeping her heart in the mountains. We even nerd out on shoes, including why the La Sportiva Prodigio Pro felt so locked-in on Pikes Peak.
If you enjoy these athlete deep dives, subscribe, share this with a training partner, and leave a rating and review so more runners can find the show.
Ten tries at Pikes Peak can either break you or build you. Our guest Darren Thomas shows exactly what it looks like when it builds you, turning a decade of near-misses into a 2026 Pikes Peak Marathon win that’s equal parts patience, craft, and pure downhill grit. We talk through the emotions of finally getting the hometown title, the weird whiplash of flying home and going straight back to work, and why “post-race depression” gets easier to manage when you return to real life quickly.
Then we get into the race breakdown trail runners actually want: where Kieran Hammer put pressure on the climb, how Darren refused to chase splits, what altitude felt like above treeline, and how a six-minute deficit at the summit disappeared fast once the descent began. We also dig into how the Bar Trail has changed over the years, why downhill running is a skill you earn, and what “racing by vibes” really means when you’re trying to win at 14,000 feet.
From there, the conversation widens into Darren’s full 2026 trail running season, staying healthy after years of injury cycles, strength training, and the simple rule that saves careers: if it starts to hurt, don’t run that day. We also talk long-distance racing, hydration and nutrition, chasing classic European events like Zegama and UTMB, sponsorship without becoming an influencer, and why stepping back from social media can make you a better athlete and a happier person. If you love mountain running, altitude training, and honest race strategy from a champion, this one delivers.
If you enjoy the show, subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube, share it with a friend who loves trail racing, and leave a rating and review so more people can find Steep Stuff.
A new 100-mile race is coming to the Catskill Mountains, and it’s not pulling any punches. Amy Kohler, race director at The Running Kind, joins us to reveal the Catskill 100, a technical Northeast ultra marathon that leans hard into steep climbs, rocky descents, and true backcountry vibes. Think Devil’s Path brutality up front, big mountain linkups across the range, and more than 27,000 feet of vert that won’t feel “easy” for a single step. If you’ve ever felt like the Catskills get overlooked in mountain running conversations, this one makes the argument in the loudest possible way.
We walk through the course like a guided tour: where it starts, how the Devil’s Path packs massive elevation into a short distance, and why this terrain can favor strong hikers as much as fast runners. We also get into the on-the-ground realities that make this a serious undertaking, including DEC permitting through state-designated wilderness, minimal road running, long stretches with limited cell service, and the operational lift of building aid stations at trailheads. Amy shares ideas for a Phoenicia halfway cheer zone and what it takes to staff an event that can run for 51 hours.
Then we zoom out to the bigger “why.” The Running Kind is a carbon neutral race organization, and Amy ties trail running directly to stewardship and advocacy, including what she learned meeting lawmakers in Washington, DC with Runners for Public Lands. We break down the Roadless Rule and the Travel Management Rule in plain language, why they matter for trail access and safety, and how runners can have real influence by paying attention and speaking up.
If you’re excited for the Catskill 100, share this with a friend who loves technical terrain, then subscribe so you don’t miss upcoming race previews and interviews. And if the show helps you, leave a rating and review to help new listeners find it.
Pikes Peak week has a way of making every runner take stock: what am I chasing, and what’s actually worth it when the climb gets real? I sit down with Will, a full-time high school English teacher and developing mountain runner, to talk about the years-long build behind “overnight” progress and why the best performances usually come from a love of the work, not a fear of the result. We trace his path from the Pacific Northwest to Western Colorado University in Gunnison, where day-to-day trail miles with a stacked crew helped shape his approach to training, racing, and staying grounded as the sport gets louder.
From there, we get honest about pressure, self-criticism, and the post-college urge to make something happen immediately. Will explains why he picks races for the place and the experience, even when the elevation gain is intimidating, and why the finish line rarely delivers the fulfillment people expect. We also dig into his coaching relationship with Kieran, how they think in multi-year arcs, and what it takes to rebuild speed and running economy after a big hundred-mile effort while keeping the stoke high for a legendary mountain race.
You’ll also hear how he balances ultrarunning training with the real demands of teaching, why Southern Colorado terrain near Mancos and Durango is an underrated playground for technical trail running, and how music and creative writing keep his creativity sharp. We even go deep on AI and why he and his students push back against shortcuts in art and learning. If you care about trail running mindset, ultramarathon training, and the craft of becoming a better mountain athlete, this one will stick with you. Subscribe, share this with a friend who’s training for a big climb, and leave a review so more runners can find the show.
One mountain, nearly a century of stories, and a finish line that keeps moving further into the clouds. We sit down to unpack the deep history of the Pikes Peak Marathon and Pikes Peak Ascent, from its early ascent roots to the moment it becomes one of the most competitive mountain running events in the United States.
We talk about how the race really starts taking shape, including the strange early “smokers vs non-smokers” era, the legends who helped define what was possible, and the athletes whose names deserve to be remembered. We dig into why the Pikes Peak results database matters so much, how Matt Carpenter shaped the race both on the trail and online, and why his records became the standard everyone measured themselves against.
From skyrunning pivots and WMRA championship spotlight years to the Golden Trail World Series surge, we connect the dots between big organizational decisions and the moments fans still argue about. We also get practical about what makes Pikes Peak uniquely hard: altitude, weather swings, barometric pressure, and pacing traps like the W’s. If you love trail running history, mountain running strategy, and the culture of racing a 14er, this one is for you.
Subscribe for more deep dives, share this with a friend who loves big climbs, and leave a review with your favorite Pikes Peak era or record to chase.
She didn’t just beat a record on Mount Kilimanjaro, she rewrote what “supported speed” can look like at 19,000 feet. Aaron Ton joins us fresh off a massive double: new supported ascent and supported round-trip Fastest Known Times on Kilimanjaro, plus an honest look at the parts that felt smooth and the part that nearly derailed everything when altitude slammed her around 15,000 feet.
We get into the real build behind a big mountain FKT: stacking altitude in Colorado, grabbing a fast acclimation bump in Ecuador near Quito, then navigating Tanzania logistics where a lost bag and a strict six-day permit window forced a smarter timeline. Aaron breaks down the Mweka route from humid jungle darkness to high, dry rock, how she staged guides at camps to meet national park rules, and why those guides weren’t just “support” but true athletes who helped her unlock speed on the descent.
Then we zoom out to the bigger mission: chasing speed records across the Seven Summits. Aaron explains why Mount Elbrus is suddenly on the table, what it takes to get a Russia visa, why Denali intimidates her more than Everest, and how she thinks about risk, intention, and the way social media can make dangerous terrain look easy. We also talk optimization culture, consumerism in trail running, and a post-climb Tanzania safari that raises its own conservation tradeoffs.
If you enjoy deep dives on mountain running, altitude strategy, and the mindset behind big objectives, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave us a rating and review.
She called it a “bonus race,” showed up with no pressure, and walked away with one of the biggest wins of her career. Marie Nive joins me right after UTMB week to unpack what it felt like to win ETC, why that result matters for mountain running, and how she reframes nerves when the stakes get loud. We talk about the specific thing she wanted to fix from last year, technical downhills, and why confidence comes from solving real race problems rather than trying to “feel ready.”
We also go behind the scenes of UTMB week inside the Nike ACG house. Marie explains how sharing the week with teammates can actually reduce pressure, how the group cheers without adding expectations, and what it’s like to stick around and spectate the biggest races after you’ve already competed. Her take on Lauren’s OCC win is pure goosebumps, and it opens up a bigger point about mindset, composure, and finishing fast when everyone is watching.
Then we widen the lens: US trail running culture versus France, why Broken Arrow felt like stepping into the TV version of America, altitude preparation, and how she trains between the French Alps and the Pyrenees. Marie also shares the less-seen side of her life as a sports science PhD studying hypoxia and high-intensity exercise to help people age well, plus how she balances research with a packed Golden Trail World Series season and a long travel block through Japan, China, and Korea.
If you enjoy deep athlete stories and smart trail running talk, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a rating and review so more people can find the show.
A skimo World Cup podium is rare. Coming back after an ACL and meniscus tear, then surviving a major shoulder injury right after, is even rarer. We sit down with Cam Smith to talk about what it really takes to rebuild your body and your confidence when momentum gets ripped away and the biggest goal is still out there: qualifying for the 2026 Winter Olympics (Milano Cortina) in ski mountaineering.
Cam walks us from Rockford, Illinois to Western Colorado University’s Mountain Sports program, then into the Crested Butte skimo scene that helped him snowball from “mid-pack and stoked” into Team USA and a history-making World Cup result. We get specific about what changed at that breakthrough moment, why belief matters in elite endurance sport, and how training at altitude forces you to chase power and pace, not just watts per kilo.
Then we zoom into the Olympic reality for skimo. The format is sprint and co-ed relay, the athlete quota is tiny, and the qualification math is unforgiving. Cam explains how nations earn spots, how the U.S. plans to test relay pairings, and why the level is rising fast as countries pour resources into these short, explosive events. Along the way we hit the fun stuff too: training in France, the croissant count tradition, vegetarian fueling, Dynafit sponsorship loyalty, Pierra Menta as a “lifetime memory,” and a mindset reset that comes from working with a sports psychologist and staying grounded through work outside sport.
If you care about ski mountaineering, trail running, strength training, ACL rehab, or Olympic qualification, this one delivers. Subscribe, share this with a mountain athlete friend, and leave a five-star review if it helps, what part of Cam’s story are you taking into your own training?
A mountain town, a brutally steep VK, and a trail festival that’s trying to feel like a hometown party instead of a corporate expo. We’re joined by Joe McConaughey, ultrarunner, coach, and race director of North Bend Trailfest, to break down why Mount Si delivers one of the most compelling short-course mountain running tests in the Pacific Northwest and why that matters for the future of sub-ultra racing.
We talk course specifics and what you actually get when you show up: a Mount Si Vertical Kilometer that hits sustained steep grades, a 30K that links ridgelines toward Tenerife, and a 10K option that still gives you a real summit-style effort. Joe also shares how North Bend’s location near Seattle makes travel simple, and why building the event around the park, local vendors, and family-friendly ideas like childcare support can make the weekend feel bigger than the distance on paper.
Then we zoom out into the behind-the-scenes reality of race directing on public land. Joe walks through permitting constraints in Washington, the difference between DNR land and other agencies, and the constant tradeoffs between protecting wilderness and keeping trails maintainable and usable. If you’ve ever wondered why some iconic routes can’t host races or why certain events cap fields well below demand, this conversation gets specific.
We also get into Joe’s athlete brain: FKTs, big ultras like Cocodona, John Muir Trail experience, and why overplanning hydration and sodium can backfire when the body refuses to follow your model. Add in new dad life and you’ve got a real look at how endurance goals evolve when time and energy are no longer unlimited. Subscribe, share this with a friend who loves steep singletrack, and leave a rating or review so we can keep bringing you conversations like this.
A lot of runners dream about a breakthrough season. Adam Joland is living one, and he’s honest about how messy it looks from the inside. Right after a standout run at Sierre-Zinal and a strong Golden Trail campaign, we sit down to dissect what actually went right: keeping the monster climb under control, staying mentally present for the whole race, and learning how to race with confidence instead of just hanging on and hoping. If you follow mountain running, Golden Trail World Series racing, or just love hearing how elite athletes problem-solve in real time, this one gets specific fast.
Adam also shares the long road that led here, from growing up in Bonnie Lake, Washington to running collegiately at the University of Nevada, Reno where trail running became part of the training culture early. Then comes Flagstaff, Arizona, a training environment that can either sharpen you or swallow you. We talk about adjusting to altitude, finding a crew, and building the Ponderosa Pirates as a group of hungry “misfit” trail runners who keep each other honest.
Outside the racing, Adam balances a mechanical engineering PhD at NAU with research focused on carbon sequestration, plus the practical question every emerging athlete faces: how do you chase a professional trail running contract without turning your brain over to social media? He explains why he quit posting, why he came back, and how outsourcing Instagram helps him stay focused on training, nutrition, and technical skills. We also get into the sport’s rapid professionalization, what we gain with bigger money, and what we risk losing from trail running’s dirtbag roots.
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Mason Copi just came off a win at Cirque Series Alta, and what stood out to us wasn’t only the speed it was the optimism. We talk right after the race about the course, the steep Baldy descent, and why feeling “locked in” can look like smiling, waving, and actually enjoying the chaos.
From there we zoom out into Mason’s full arc: Southern California roots, a nationally competitive high school program, Division I running at Furman, and the moment the sport started to feel like self-worth instead of sport. Mason shares how David Roche’s The Happy Runner mindset helped him rebuild a healthier relationship with training, then why trail running and sub-ultra racing became the perfect reset. If you care about mountain running, the Golden Trail Series, and the rise of the hybrid track-to-trails athlete, this one hits all the right notes.
We also get practical. Mason breaks down how he trains like a road athlete during the week with threshold and 10K-style work, then adds mountain specificity on weekends. We dig into cross-training doubles on the bike to build aerobic volume with less wear and tear, plus his simple race-day nutrition for an hour-long mountain race, including caffeine gel timing and why “something sweet” can help you go all out.
If you’re chasing faster sub-ultra results, better mindset under pressure, or just a more sustainable love for trail running, you’ll leave with tools you can use right away. Subscribe, share this with a running friend, and leave a rating and review so more people can find the show.
He just set a Grand Teton FKT, but what grabbed me most wasn’t the time on the clock. It was the way Michelino “Mike” Sanseri thinks about mountains, suffering, joy, and what it actually takes to become dangerous on a start line without losing yourself along the way.
We talk about how a single run on the Teton Crest Trail and a moment on Hurricane Pass pushed him to leave Tahoe and move to Teton Valley, why trails always felt like home, and why college running on roads and flat paths broke his body year after year. Mike gets real about quitting, the “lost years,” and the surprisingly human way motivation can come back when you finally reconnect with what makes movement feel alive.
From there we trace the messy climb into elite mountain running: early comeback races, learning ultrarunning through painful mistakes, and the competitive edge that helped lead to major results like Speedgoat and Broken Arrow. We also get into The North Face partnership and team culture, ski mountaineering goals (including skiing the Grand Teton), and what it’s like to train where grizzlies, wildfire smoke, and real consequences live right outside the door.
We close with mindset and training lessons you can steal today, including Mike’s “box of matches” metaphor for managing intensity, plus a fun detour into aliens, pyramids, and the simulation question. If you’re into trail running, mountain running, FKTs, ultrarunning training, and big mountain adventure, this one hits. Subscribe, share it with a mountain friend, and leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so more people find the show.
A hip that might not cooperate. A course that’s basically a slip-and-slide. A start line you’re not even sure you’ll stand on. Then somehow… you find yourself racing at the front anyway. That’s the headspace Allie Mack brings us into right after earning another Team USA spot with a hard-fought third place at a gnarly mountain running qualifier. It’s her eighth team since 2014, and she explains why it somehow feels more special now than it did early on, especially as the U.S. trail running and mountain running depth keeps getting stronger.
We walk through how the race actually unfolded: the calm choice to run “within herself,” the reality of technical mud and rocks where speed is capped by footing, and the tactical moments where you decide whether to chase a move or protect the result. Allie also opens up about the mental whiplash of being a high-level athlete: expectations after winning a world title, the pressure you can put on yourself, and the way one good day can reset your whole season.
From there we look ahead to Broken Arrow and the Vertical Kilometer style battle she loves, plus the idea of Team USA chemistry and how bonding and shared experience can matter when you’re heading to the World Mountain Running Championships. We close with a real look at support systems, including what it meant to have her fiancé Dylan there when the weekend could have gone the other way.
If you’re into trail running, mountain racing strategy, injury decision-making, and the mindset it takes to keep showing up year after year, hit play. Then subscribe, share this with a running friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show.
Winning world titles is hard. Getting told you are “fine” for 18 months while your body is clearly breaking down might be harder. We sit down with Grayson Murphy to talk through the parts of elite mountain running that rarely get said out loud: identity, sponsorship pressure, health uncertainty, and the behind-the-scenes work it takes to keep showing up.
Grayson opens up about her Crohn’s disease diagnosis and the long, frustrating path to getting answers, including how repeated dismissal can wreck an athlete’s ability to trust their own body signals. We also dig into what changed once treatment started working, why volume and lower intensity made more sense during recovery, and how shifting to short trail and 50K racing created a lower-pressure space to learn again.
Then we go straight at the athlete versus influencer debate. Grayson explains how trail running sponsorships are evolving, why engagement metrics can punish even the best performers, and how she now avoids partnerships built around algorithm-driven reach. We also talk entrepreneurship through her Wild Strides Paper Co planners and training logs, sustainability consulting work that pushes back on greenwashing, and her hot takes on Olympic trail running, pay-to-race pro expectations, and anti-doping reality in the sport.
If you care about trail running, mountain running, Golden Trail style racing, athlete marketing, or health advocacy for endurance athletes, this conversation will stick with you. Subscribe, share it with a friend who loves the sport, and leave a review, what topic should we go deeper on next?
UTMB week brings out the most honest kind of sports conversation: we have a stacked start list, a million storylines, and almost no certainty once the race hits the high climbs and the long night. Nick Tusa joins me for a focused UTMB and CCC preview where we argue through the men’s and women’s fields, call our shots, and explain what we think actually decides Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc when everyone is fit.
On the men’s side, we dig into the big questions around Jim Walmsley and Kilian Jornet lining up after Western States DNFs and why UTMB is a totally different test with more hiking, longer climbs, and way less room for error. We talk about Caleb Olsen’s upside as a mountain athlete, John Alban’s winning profile, and why names like Josh Wade, Hannes Namberger, Zach Miller, and Theodore Diente sit right on that edge between a career day and a hard blow-up. Then we make a clear call on who we think wins, including the case for Ben Diemon and the mental side of “closing” when the podium is in reach.
On the women’s side, it turns into one of the best matchups in trail running: Ruth Croft returning as defending UTMB champion against Courtney Dauwalter, who is always capable of rewriting what we think is possible. We also hit the depth behind them with Marianne Hogan, Abby Hall, Rachel Drake, and more, plus the wild card factor of limited UTMB experience across parts of the field.
We wrap with a CCC preview full of redemption and breakthrough potential, including why certain runners look ready to finally get over the hump. If you love UTMB predictions, ultrarunning strategy, and smart race coverage, hit subscribe, share this with your trail crew, and leave a rating and review so more people find the show.
UTMB week has a way of making trail running feel bigger than sport. The streets of Chamonix fill up, legends stroll past like it’s normal, and suddenly a 60K like OCC feels like the center of the universe. We’re back with Nick Tusa to break down why this year’s OCC field looks so deep, how the course changes keep reshaping the short trail world, and why tactics matter as much as fitness when everyone’s fast.
We dig into the men’s side with a real focus on decision-making: who can stay patient, who risks detonating early, and why “letting guys go” might be the difference between a podium and a long walk home. We talk veterans with course reps, skyrunning talent jumping in, and the Americans we’re most curious about when the pace goes nuclear. Then we pivot to the women’s race, where one question hangs over everything: how do you beat someone who doesn’t crack? We lay out what it would take to pressure Tove Alexandersson, who has the downhill and durability to try it, and why Lauren Gregory vs the field could turn into a defining moment.
After OCC, we zoom out to UTMB and CCC for the biggest storylines of the week: Jim and Kilian after Western States DNFs, Ben Dhiman’s closing problem, and the women’s title fight with Ruth Croft and Courtney Dauwalter. If you’re building fantasy picks, planning your livestream schedule, or just want sharper context before the starts, this one is for you. Subscribe, share this with a UTMB-obsessed friend, and leave a quick rating and review if the show helps you follow the racing.
Sierre Zinal doesn’t hand out gifts, and neither does a season that starts with a stress reaction, rolls into a posterior tib strain, and then keeps whispering from an irritated Achilles. We sit down with Christian Allen fresh off a huge European stretch to talk about what finally clicked, how he stayed consistent enough to stack results, and why his best racing shows up when he resists the urge to force the day early.
We get specific about the realities of pro trail running training: when to shut things down, when to lean on cross training to keep your engine, and how you decide whether pain is “manageable” or a warning siren. Christian shares how he navigates limited certainty without perfect health insurance, why trusted PT support matters, and what a hydrodisection injection did and did not change. If you care about injury prevention, Achilles tendinopathy management, or smart return to running, there are plenty of practical takeaways here.
Then we pivot to OCC at UTMB week. Christian explains why OCC feels like one of the sport’s most meaningful sub ultra wins, how he thinks about pacing a now longer 60K distance, and why “run your own race” is harder than it sounds when the front of the field lights up from the gun. We also talk Golden Trail World Series selection, the balance between road speed and trail skill, and his longer arc toward Olympic Trials marathon goals before stepping up to 100 mile racing.
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Chamonix does something to your brain. You land, look up at the peaks, and suddenly every run feels like it should be longer, harder, and higher. We sit down with Noah Williams to talk through the reality of preparing for OCC when the terrain is unreal, the field is stacked, and the smartest move might be holding back even when your legs feel electric.
We get into the nuts and bolts of mountain running performance: adapting from Leadville altitude to lower-oxygen-cost running, why that “superhuman” feeling can still destroy your quads, and how Noah thinks about controlled downhill stimulus to build durability without blowing up the taper. He also opens up about a rough Sierra-Zinal day, what he learned from it, and the lifestyle shifts that are improving recovery in a measurable way, including better sleep quality and HRV.
From there, we zoom out to race craft and expectations. Noah breaks down how he approaches deep fields like OCC: staying within himself for the first 20 to 25K, taking stock mid-race, then turning it into a real fight over the final kilometers. We also talk course recon choices, realistic goals like a top-10 finish, and why the sport’s growth and sponsorship money can be a good thing if we protect what makes trail running special.
If you’re training for OCC, UTMB week races, or any mountain marathon style ultra, this one is packed with practical strategy, recovery lessons, and honest perspective. Subscribe, share this with a trail friend, and leave a rating and review so we can keep bringing you these conversations. What part of taper week do you struggle with most?
A 15K can feel longer than a 100K when the course is straight up, straight down, and the field is absolutely loaded. We’re fired up for ETC in Courmayeur during UTMB week, and we’re treating it like what it’s becoming: a legitimate proving ground for mountain running specialists who live for steep climbs, fast singletrack, and fearless descents.
We dig into what makes ETC unique, starting with the course math that matters: 15K with roughly 1200 meters of gain, a big first climb, a dip, a second push to the high point, then a demanding downhill where pacing mistakes show up fast. We also talk about why this race sits at a fascinating intersection of the Golden Trail Series, the European championships scene, and the UTMB week spotlight. With OCC now stretching to a harder 60K, athletes have to choose their battles, and we debate how racing blocks like Pitz Alpine plus Sierre-Zinal can either sharpen you or leave you flat.
Then we make picks. On the women’s side, we break down the contenders and why an athlete like Courtney Coppinger has the tools to take the win, plus we look at how the American crew could surprise. On the men’s side, we lay out the matchups, the skyrunning wild cards, and why Taylor Stack feels like a true “guy to beat” pick if he gets his day. We also sneak in a few OCC predictions, including excitement around Lauren Gregory and Christian Allen.
If you like smart race previews, mountain running strategy, and honest takes on what actually wins these courses, subscribe, share this with a trail friend, and leave us a rating and review. What’s your podium prediction for ETC?
Mont Blanc in the background has a way of rewriting your definition of “normal.” We’re checking in with Taylor Stack from Chamonix as UTMB week starts to buzz, and he shares what it feels like to train in a place where even the “easy” routes quietly stack thousands of feet of vertical gain.
We talk about the practical reality of Alpine trail running versus Colorado mountain running: bigger relief from a lower start, fewer truly flat miles, and terrain that can surprise you even when the map looks friendly. Taylor also gets into the mental side of being in a legendary venue, the temptation to over-explore, and how he’s trying to stay disciplined with a big effort coming up.
Then we zoom in on ETC and why racing early in the week is such a gift. Taylor explains how he plans to use the rest of UTMB week to spectate OCC, CCC, and UTMB, and why watching the gear logistics, nutrition, and crewing up close can be the best prep if you want to race OCC next year. We also hit course recon, what elevation profiles miss, the joy of French food on a runner’s budget, and what it’s like to be just recognizable enough to get stopped for a photo while still holding onto that underdog mindset.
If you’re training for a mountain race, dreaming of UTMB Chamonix, or curious about ETC, press play, then subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave a quick rating and review so we can keep telling these stories.
A hamstring injury doesn’t just take away fitness. It can mess with your confidence, your decision-making, and even your ability to trust basic sensations like a cramp. Sam Lewis joins us from the Chamonix area to talk about the messy middle of a comeback, right after a hard Sierre-Zinal and just before lining up for ETC near Courmayeur.
We get into what it’s like to train in the Alps without getting carried away, why UTMB week in Chamonix feels like a mini home for so many trail runners, and how Sam is approaching a short, fast mountain race as a way to reconnect with her roots. She also shares a meaningful shift in her week: pacing an OCC para athlete through Born To Adapt, and what it means to show up as support instead of chasing your own result.
Then we go deep on her PhD in philosophy of sport and sport ethics at the University of Idaho. Sam breaks down research on moral reasoning in sport, why win-at-all-costs culture can make people worse at ethical decision-making over time, and how coaches can actively teach better values through reflection and lived-experience focused tools. If you care about trail running culture, coaching, athlete development, and what we sacrifice to win, this one hits hard.
If you enjoyed it, subscribe or follow, share the episode with a friend headed to UTMB week, and leave a rating and review so we can keep telling these stories.
A race where the “course” is more like a suggestion sounds fun right up until you’re waist-deep in a peat bog, freezing, and trying to decide which ridge will get you to the next checkpoint fastest. That’s the world of UK fell running, and Finlay Grant joins us to explain why it creates a uniquely durable kind of mountain athlete.
We talk about Finlay’s path from school cross-country into fell running, then onto the European skyrunning scene, including his build toward ETC and the longer skyraces on his calendar. He breaks down what training looks like when most of your runs are already technical and steep: elevation-heavy weeks for leg durability, three to four hard sessions when he’s sharpening up, and just enough faster running to keep speed online without living on the track.
Finlay also tells the story of racing well in broken shoes held together with duct tape and how that moment helped open the door to working with Scarpa. Along the way, we compare the grassroots culture of fell races to the big production feel of modern trail events, and we get into the real logistics of balancing work shifts with travel, recovery, and racing ambitions.
If you’re into trail running, skyrunning, mountain running, or you’re simply curious about route choice racing and the toughest terrain traditions in the UK, this one will expand your view of what “technical” can mean. Subscribe or follow, share the episode with a mountain-running friend, and leave a rating and review so we can keep telling these stories.
Chamonix has a way of making trail running feel like the center of the universe, and Sydney Peterson is soaking it up while she can. After stacking a string of brutally competitive European races, she joins me for a catch-up from the Alps where recovery, team time, and UTMB week energy all collide. We talk about what it’s like to live among people who treat mountains like a daily ritual, from running vests at the grocery store to the quiet confidence that comes from being surrounded by athletes chasing big days outside.
Sydney breaks down what’s happening at Brooks trail camp, why UTMB recon is such a powerful advantage, and how scouting now can set up future goals like Marathon du Mont Blanc or an OCC debut. We also get into ETC and why it’s such a smart way to experience the UTMB scene: you race early, then you get the rest of the week to cheer, crew, and actually enjoy the spectacle without carrying race-week nerves the whole time.
The deeper thread is how she’s building her season on purpose. Sydney explains why she’s choosing courses that attack her weak points, especially technical downhill running and the mental intensity of deep fields. Then we look ahead to the Golden Trail Series final in South Korea, a course she describes with a “healthy amount of scared” and a lot of excitement to learn. We close with an incredible story about trail legend Stevie Kremer and how mentorship can shape not just results, but an entire career. If you enjoy the conversation, subscribe, share it with a trail friend, and leave a rating and review so we can keep telling these stories.
A 3:05 at Sierre-Zinal and a Mont Blanc Marathon 23K podium is the kind of season that usually comes with “full-time pro” stamped on it. Kirsty Sky Dixon is doing it while working full-time as an orthodontist in Scotland, and the way she thinks about that balance might change how you approach your own training and goals.
We talk through what Sierre-Zinal felt like on her first attempt, why the course is so addictive, and how the race exposes both strengths and weaknesses, especially when you’re a pure climber who wants to level up on technical descents. Kirsty shares what she noticed about the heat, the atmosphere, and the little details that matter when the times are historic and you’re racing the mountain as much as the field.
From there, we get into the practical side: training for big vertical when you don’t have endless alpine climbs outside your door. Her setup is surprisingly simple, built around Arthur’s Seat, commuting runs to the train, weekend adventures in the hills, and the accountability of guidance from mountain running legend Angela Mudge. We also dig into the UK hill running and fell running culture, why Edinburgh is such a strong hub, and how Great Britain team trials work when selection is tight and timing is tricky with a clinical schedule.
One note: we hit technical difficulties and lost the final portion of the conversation, so the recording ends abruptly. If you enjoy this one, subscribe, share it with a friend who’s juggling big goals, and leave a quick rating and review so we can keep bringing these stories to the trail running community.
The mountain running GOAT label sounds shiny until you hear what it demands day after day. Joseph Gray joins us for a wide-ranging, no-fluff talk about winning at the highest level, staying motivated deep into a long career, and how he handles the pressure of being someone other athletes look up to.
We dig into why sub-ultra trail racing often gets overlooked in the US compared to ultrarunning, even when the performances are absolutely world-class. Joseph breaks down the economics of attention, how “more hours” creates more marketable drama, and why short mountain races are a different kind of suffering where you cannot hide from pace, tactics, or mistakes. He also talks candidly about media blind spots, race storytelling, and what it means when the best athletes are not the ones getting covered.
Then we go where most people avoid: anti-doping in trail running. Joseph explains out-of-competition testing pools, why untested events can warp opportunity, and why programs like Quartz can create the appearance of safety without real protection. We also get practical with training for uphill running, including progressive efforts and building an aerobic engine that sustains power on steep terrain, plus the youth work he is proudest of through the Colorado Springs trail running camp for kids and Project Inspired Diversity.
If this conversation hits home, subscribe, share it with a friend who loves steep trails, and leave a five-star rating and review so more people find the show.
One decision on Everest can erase years of work, and Tyler Andrews knows that better than most. After six failed summit pushes and three straight Everest seasons, he finally threads the needle and sets a blistering speed record, then comes home to the weirdest part of any big win: the emotional comedown and the sudden question of “now what?” We talk about what it’s like to chase a far-out goal for years, hit it on the last possible day, and then step straight into a new level of attention that reaches far beyond the trail running world.
Tyler breaks down why Mount Everest isn’t a simple fitness contest. The jet stream shrinks the summit window, crowds turn the route into a bottleneck, and the Khumbu Icefall remains a moving hazard that never really feels routine. We get into the real logistics of a speed attempt: waiting for the right weather, positioning for the end-of-season window, and staying ready when so much is outside your control. Tyler also shares how mentors and time in Nepal helped him build the mountain skills he didn’t grow up with, and what he’s learned about the culture clash between traditional mountaineering and modern endurance-driven approaches.
We also tackle the oxygen vs no oxygen controversy head-on. Tyler explains his original plan, the exact moment safety and wind forced the pivot, and why he thinks both categories are valid but fundamentally different. From there, the conversation goes deep into the performance details that sound like ultrarunning at 29,000 feet: camps as aid stations, fast transitions, fueling around 400 calories per hour with gels and drink mix, and heart rate data that still doesn’t fully make sense. We wrap with his hypoxic training setup, blood testing, whether he’ll return via the north side, and a quick detour into the Mount Elbert FKT that never got submitted.
If you want more Everest speed record detail, altitude acclimatization tactics, and the mindset behind endurance mountain performance, hit subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a rating and review. What part of Tyler’s approach surprised you most?
A “clean” MRI can still leave you limping, doubting yourself, and stuck in the worst kind of uncertainty: pain without answers. James sits down with Abby Bennett for a candid, detailed update on her long road to a hip labral repair and what she wishes she knew from day one.
Abby unpacks how her injury started as a weird, persistent fatigue in one leg, then escalated into deep hip pain that spread through her glute, adductors, and hamstring as her body tried to stabilize an unstable joint. We dig into why her first 1.5T MRI missed the problem, how a hip preservation specialist used better imaging and a full workup to identify labral instability plus pincer impingement, and what her surgery included: labral anchors, shaving the impingement to prevent re-tearing, and a psoas tendon lengthening that changes the rehab timeline for athletes who live in hip flexion.
We also go beyond anatomy and talk about the mental weight of chronic pain, identity loss when training disappears, and the small wins that bring you back: conservative PT, pool work, short Zwift spins, strict boundaries to avoid flare-ups, and recovery basics like hitting protein goals and using collagen with vitamin C before rehab. If you’re a runner, trail runner, cyclist, or skimo athlete dealing with stubborn hip pain, this is a practical guide to advocating for the right care.
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