This episode of Endurance State of Mind brings together real race experience and expert insight into the mental side of endurance sports.

We start with a full recap from the Fondren Ultra, breaking down race-day strategy, lessons learned, and how the endurance community continues to grow. From first-year reflections to experienced race execution, we talk through what actually changes when you spend time in the sport—both physically and mentally.

Then we sit down with Sierra Morris, a sports and performance psychologist and ultra runner, to dive deep into the mindset required for endurance racing.

If you’re training for a marathon, ultramarathon, Ironman, or any long-distance event, this conversation will give you practical tools you can apply immediately.

In this episode, we cover:

• Ultramarathon race recap and real-world endurance lessons
• How to mentally prepare for a race (24 hours, race morning, and start line)
• Sports psychology techniques for endurance athletes
• How to handle pain, discomfort, and mental fatigue during long races
• The difference between positive thinking and productive thinking
• Self-talk strategies and mental performance tools
• Building confidence and resilience through training
• Why endurance sports are more mental than physical

Whether you’re running your first 5K or training for a 100-mile race, this episode will help you better understand the mental side of performance and how to stay strong when things get hard.

Because at some point in every race, it stops being physical—and becomes a decision.

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We’re back.

After a couple weeks off, we finally catch up—and yeah, there’s a lot to unpack. Anthony just got back from Europe, and what was supposed to be a vacation somehow turned into an endurance event (24 hours of travel will do that to you). We talk Switzerland, Lake Como, Milan, and why running through those cities hits different.

We also get into what’s been going on back home—Hattiesburg Half, Rattlesnake Rumble, and some big performances from people in our circle.

Then we shift into cycling for a bit because Paris-Roubaix was absolute chaos. If you don’t follow cycling, this is the one race that’ll pull you in—crashes, cobblestones, and a sprint finish after 160 miles.

And somehow… Fondren Urban Ultra is already here. We talk about where we’re at going into it (mentally and physically), and what we’re looking forward to this weekend.

Just a good old-fashioned catch-up episode.

Also—if you’ve been listening and enjoying the show, go leave us a rating and review. We’re terrible at asking, but it helps more than you think.

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Anthony is currently somewhere in Europe pretending he’s on a “business trip” (we all know it’s mostly espresso and views), so Zach is holding down the fort and keeping Endurance State of Mind rolling.

In this episode, Zach sits down with Grayson Taylor to talk about what it looks like to trust your instincts and bet on yourself. After building an impressive high school running career at Oak Grove and setting school records in the two mile and 5K, Grayson seemed to have a clear path in front of him. Instead, he made the bold decision to step away from running and fully commit to cycling.

Grayson opens up about burnout, outside criticism, and the pressure that comes with walking away from something you are known for. He shares how that transition happened, what gave him confidence in the decision, and how quickly things began to click once he got on the bike.

The conversation also dives into his rapid early success in cycling, what he is learning about the sport, and why trusting the pivot has already started to pay off. This episode is about more than running and cycling. It is about having the courage to choose your own path even when other people don’t understand it.

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In this episode of Endurance State of Mind, we sit down with Mississippi endurance athlete Jamie Stevison, a runner who has quickly built a reputation for doing what most people won’t—waking up at 2 a.m. to train before work, putting in double-digit miles daily, and showing up no matter what.

Jamie’s journey into endurance sports didn’t start with a lifelong passion for running. It started during one of the hardest seasons of his life. After going through a divorce, he turned to running as an outlet—and what began as a way to cope quickly turned into something much bigger.

In just a short period of time, Jamie went from running his first miles on a treadmill to competing across multiple distances including 5Ks, half marathons, marathons, and 50Ks. Along the way, he dropped over 40 pounds, ran a sub-3-hour marathon, and even won his first ultra race.

But this episode isn’t just about results—it’s about discipline.

We dive deep into:

• How Jamie structures his life around consistency
• Why he wakes up at 2–3 a.m. to train
• The mindset shift from motivation to discipline
• Lessons learned from early race mistakes, including hitting the wall in his first marathon
• How he balances work, marriage, and high-level training
• His transition from road racing into the ultra world
• Why “I don’t have time” is the most common excuse—and how to overcome it

Jamie also shares his future goals, including stepping into longer distances like 50 miles and 100-mile races, and preparing for the Boston Marathon.

If you’ve ever struggled with staying consistent, finding time to train, or pushing past your limits, this episode will challenge you to rethink what’s possible.

Because at the end of the day, endurance isn’t just about how far you can go—it’s about how often you’re willing to show up.

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In this special episode of Endurance State of Mind, we celebrate one full year and 52 consecutive weeks of podcasting. From humble beginnings to becoming part of a growing endurance community, this episode is all about reflection, gratitude, and what’s ahead.

We dive into the biggest moments from the past year, including our most impactful guest interviews, behind-the-scenes stories, and how the podcast has shaped us as athletes, hosts, and people. From inspiring conversations with runners across Mississippi and beyond, to lessons in resilience, consistency, and mental toughness, this episode highlights what makes endurance sports so powerful.

We also break down:

• Our most listened-to episodes and standout guests
• Key lessons learned from elite runners, everyday athletes, and industry experts
• How endurance training has changed our mindset, performance, and daily lives
• The evolution of the podcast and what’s coming next

Whether you’ve been with us since Episode 1 or just found the show, this is a behind-the-curtain look at what it takes to stay consistent, build something meaningful, and keep showing up week after week.

If you’re passionate about running, ultramarathons, triathlon, or endurance sports in the Southeast, this episode is for you.

Thank you for being part of the journey. Here’s to the next 52.

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In this episode of Endurance State of Mind, we sit down with ultra runner Bethany Madson following her overall win and course record at the Mississippi 100, where she completed the 100 mile trail race in 16 hours and 33 minutes.

This episode is a deep dive into ultra running strategy, 100 mile race preparation, trail running mindset, and endurance performance. Bethany shares how she went from her first ultra to becoming a dominant force in the sport, including her experience racing events like the Mississippi 100, ultra marathons, and major marathons like Boston, Chicago, and New York.

We break down:

• How to train for a 100 mile ultramarathon
• Race day strategy for trail running and endurance racing
• Nutrition mistakes and how to fix them during long races
• Mental toughness and how to push through low points in ultra running
• Balancing running, work, and family life as a high-level athlete
• What it takes to win an ultra marathon overall
• Lessons learned from failed races and breakthrough performances

Bethany also shares insights into recovery, pacing, hydration, and fueling for ultramarathons, along with advice for beginner runners looking to complete their first ultra.

Whether you’re training for your first 50K, 50 mile, or 100 mile race, or you’re looking to improve your endurance performance, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiration.

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In Episode 50 of Endurance State of Mind, Zach Vogt and Anthony Herrington are joined by returning guest David Slowik to recap the 2026 Mississippi 50 trail run. With Episode 50 lining up just days after Mississippi 50, the crew dives into one of the most fitting race recaps the podcast has had yet.

The first half of the episode focuses on Anthony’s experience finishing his first 50-mile trail race. They talk through the atmosphere of Mississippi 50, race-day strategy, pacing, hydration, fueling, creek crossings, heat, pollen, recovery, and the mental side of running 50 miles on trail. Zach and David also reflect on their own race performances, the ultra community, what makes Mississippi 50 such a unique event, and why trail running continues to pull people back year after year.

The conversation also highlights what makes ultramarathons special beyond finishing times, from aid station energy and race-day camaraderie to the challenge of pushing physical and mental limits. Whether you are training for your first ultra, preparing for a 50K, 50-miler, or 100-mile race, or you simply love hearing real race recaps from runners in the trenches, this episode has something for you.

In the second half, the conversation shifts from racing to real life as David shares what it has been like becoming a father. He talks about welcoming his daughter, navigating the emotions of new parenthood, balancing family, work, and training, and how becoming a dad has changed his perspective on competition, community, and endurance sports. The crew also talks about what races are ahead this year, including Fondren Urban Ultra, Big Butts, and No Business 100.

The episode wraps with the announcement of the raffle winner connected to Adam’s GoFundMe and a thank you to the Endurance State of Mind community for showing up in a big way.

If you enjoy trail running, ultrarunning, marathon training, race recaps, Mississippi running culture, and conversations around endurance sports, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

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We’re back with a short pre-episode recap because tonight’s guest is someone special.

We sat down with Zach McRaney, president of the South Mississippi Trail Alliance, and what stood out most wasn’t just what he’s accomplished — it’s how selfless he is.

SMTA is out there maintaining trails that so many of us use every single week… and most of us probably don’t even realize it. From clearing fallen trees to building and preserving entire trail systems, if they don’t do it, sometimes nobody does. As Zach said, without regular maintenance, the trail turns right back into the forest.

That conversation really made us reflect. It’s easy to show up to a race or a group run and think everything just “comes together.” But behind every event, every well-kept trail, every smooth race day — there are volunteers putting in hours most people never see.

And Zach? Somehow he finds the time. Between leading SMTA, volunteering in multiple areas, organizing efforts, and still being active in the endurance community, it’s inspiring. It’s a reminder that if something matters to you, you’ll find the time.

We also highlight one of SMTA’s newer trails, The Accelerator — a 7+ mile loop near Classic Drive in the Hattiesburg / Pine Belt area. If you haven’t checked it out, you should. It’s another example of what happens when people take ownership of their backyard.

It’s race week for Mississippi 50 and we’re pumped.

We’ll have an Endurance State of Mind tent set up, and we’re doing something a little different with our hats.

Instead of selling them, we’re asking for a $40 donation to Adam Weaver’s GoFundMe to support his heart transplant journey.

• 100% of that $40 goes directly to Adam.
• We’re covering the cost of the hats ourselves.
• If we run out, we’ll order more and make sure you get one.

We’ll have a QR code at the tent to make it simple — donate, show us, grab a hat.

To everyone who has already donated — thank you. Watching the support come in has been incredible.

Today we’re joined by Zach McRaney, president of the South Mississippi Trail Alliance (SMTA) — a volunteer-led group building, maintaining, and advocating for hand-built singletrack in our region. Zach takes us through his personal journey from quitting smoking and discovering endurance sports, to finding a community through bikes, trails, and service.

We talk about the unseen work behind the trails we all enjoy — how quickly a trail can disappear without maintenance, what it costs to keep systems safe and usable, and why this isn’t “just a cycling thing.” These trails belong to runners, hikers, walkers, families, and anyone who wants to get outside.

Zach also breaks down SMTA’s trail networks, community rides, the growing youth scene through NICA, and events on the calendar — including the Rattlesnake Rumble and more.

If you’ve ever hit a trail and thought, “Man, this is perfect,” this episode will make you appreciate the people who make that possible — and might just inspire you to give back.

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