What's this episode about?

In this raw and honest conversation, Robbie and Justin open up about the mental and physical battles they've faced — from grinding through ultramarathon training to confronting the harder terrain of mental health. Whether you're chasing a finish line or just trying to get through the week, this one's for you.

• Mental health awareness for men — breaking the stigma and why asking for help is a strength, not a weakness
• Innovative training methods — how overspeed training and elevation work can unlock performance you didn't know you had
• Masculinity & confidence — what it really means to show up strong, in sport and in life
• Balancing the grind — keeping your mind right while pushing your body to its limits
• Personal stories — Robbie and Justin share their journeys through injury, mental health struggles, and what pulled them through

• Your mental fitness matters as much as your physical fitness — train both
• Overspeed and elevation training aren't just for elites; they can reshape how any runner moves and thinks
• Confidence isn't something you're born with — it's built through hard things
• Vulnerability among men isn't weakness. Talking is how we heal

You don't have to white-knuckle it alone. Real strength means reaching out.

🆘 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Call or text 988 (US)

• 🧠 Movember Foundation — men's health, mental health & suicide prevention

• 💪 Man Therapy — a bold, no-nonsense mental health resource built specifically for men

• 🤝 Mental Health America — screening tools, resources, and finding local support

• 😟 Anxiety and Depression Association of America — resources, therapist finder, and support for anxiety and depression

Episode Summary

What does military service have in common with sleep science and adventure racing? For Rob Sweetman, everything. In this episode, Rob takes us through a remarkable life arc from the discipline and brotherhood of military service to the lab, where he studied what happens to the human body and mind during sleep deprivation, and ultimately to the starting line, where he now directs adventure races that push participants to their limits in the best possible way.

Rob opens up about the invisible weight many veterans and first responders carry home with them, and why conventional approaches to mental health don't always reach the people who need them most. He shares how nature, physical challenge, and genuine community can do what a waiting room sometimes can't — meet people where they are and help them rediscover who they are.

Whether you're a first responder looking for your next challenge, someone navigating the terrain of mental health, or just a fan of humans doing hard things for good reasons, this conversation is one you won't want to miss.

What You'll Hear

• Rob's path from military service into sleep science — and why the two are more connected than you'd think
• How chronic sleep deprivation affects resilience, decision-making, and emotional regulation
• The moment Rob decided to channel his experience into creating adventure races
• Why veterans and first responders often thrive in outdoor, challenge-based environments
• The role of community in sustained mental health and healing
• How adventure racing strips away the noise and reconnects people to their own strength
• Practical takeaways for using nature and movement as mental health tools

About Rob Sweetman

Rob Sweetman is a military veteran, sleep scientist, and adventure race director whose life's work sits at the intersection of human performance and mental wellness. He is passionate about creating experiences that foster resilience, connection, and healing particularly for those who have served.

Connect & Resources

• Follow Golden Hour Adventures for upcoming race events and episode updates
• Interested in racing? Visit Ryan Larkin Invitational Adventure Race 2027
• Mental health resources for veterans and first responders: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988) · Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255, Press 1

If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who might need to hear it. And if you're a veteran or first responder sitting on the fence about getting outside this one's for you

Guest: Eve Massey, Founder of Rising Mountain Coaching

Eve Massey joins the show to talk all things ultra running — from the grit of race day to the art of building community through thoughtful race organization. As the founder of Rising Mountain Coaching, Eve brings a coach's eye and a runner's heart to every conversation.

In this episode, she breaks down what it really takes to execute on race day, how race directors shape the culture and community around their events, and what it means to keep moving when the mud is deep and the weather turns. Whether you're a seasoned ultra runner or just getting curious about the sport, Eve's perspective is equal parts practical and inspiring.

• Eve's background — How she founded Rising Mountain Coaching and what drives her passion for ultra running
• Race day strategy — The mental and physical frameworks that separate a good race from a great one
• Race organization & community — How the decisions race directors make ripple out into the culture of the sport
• Coaching philosophy — Eve's approach to meeting athletes where they are and helping them grow
• Tough conditions — Navigating mud, weather, and the unexpected on race day

• 🏔️ Rising Mountain Coaching — Rising Mountains Coaching - Running Coach, Coach, Online Coaching
• 📸 Instagram — Instagram

• Instagram: Instagram
• Subscribe & leave a review — it helps more adventurers find the show!

What's up, trail fam! This week on Tales from the Trail we're going deep on three things: Justin's sufferfest in the West Virginia hills, the internet's least self-aware brand activation of the year courtesy of Satisfy and Adidas, and the wildfire that is the Cam Hanes USADA situation. Buckle up.

Justin finally checked the Mountain State off the list, and it did not go easy on him. We break down the race — the terrain, the suffer, the moments where things got dark, and how he dragged himself across the finish line. If you've ever wanted to know what 31 miles of West Virginia trails feels like on your legs, Justin is going to paint you a very vivid picture.

Satisfy and Adidas didn't just drop a shoe — they flew runners out to the Sonoran Desert and threw what they're calling a hardcore festival to launch the collab. The vibes were... a lot. We talk about what actually happened, why the running internet couldn't stop talking about it, and the age-old question: at what point does a brand activation stop being cool and start being a little embarrassing?

This one is genuinely wild. Cam Hanes — 58-year-old bowhunter, podcaster, and 1.8 million Instagram followers — ran a 2:39:11 at the Eugene Marathon on April 26, winning his age group and the masters division at what is also the Oregon USATF Marathon Championship. A week later he started the Cocodona 250 in Arizona, took a fall, cut his forehead open, and DNF'd around mile 60.

Then Sage Canaday dropped the bomb: he's filed a tip with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and says he's been in direct contact with them. The substance at the center of it all is BPC-157, a non-approved peptide — and on its own, a first violation carries a default four-year ban. Hanes pushed back with the argument that he has no financial stake in his race results, so the rules shouldn't apply the same way. The counter to that? He has a footwear deal with Speedland, a clothing line under the Keep Hammering brand, and half of Aravaipa's Cocodona 250 launch content was built around him. A ban, if it comes, would also cost him his eligibility for Boston, Chicago, New York, and any USATF-affiliated race.

We get into where we land on it — is Sage right to go to USADA, or is this a case of the running community eating its own?

Subscribe, leave a review, and tag us when you're out there putting in your own golden hour miles.

Golden Hour Adventures Podcast

What does it take to dream up a 100-mile ultra marathon in the mountains — and then actually pull it off? In this episode, we sit down with Megan, the race director behind the Crazy Mountain 100, to pull back the curtain on one of the most demanding and beloved mountain ultras around.

From navigating complex landowner relationships to solving the logistical puzzle of moving hundreds of athletes through rugged, remote terrain, Megan shares the full story — the triumphs, the headaches, and the deep passion that keeps her coming back year after year.

• The origin story — How the Crazy Mountain 100 came to life and what inspired Megan to create it
• Course design & challenges — What makes this race uniquely brutal and rewarding for even the most seasoned ultrarunners
• Landowner relationships — The behind-the-scenes work of building trust and access across private and public land
• Race logistics — Aid stations, crew access, safety planning, and the countless details that make race day possible
• The runner experience — What Megan wants every participant to feel when they cross that finish line
• Advice for aspiring race directors — What she wishes she'd known before taking on a project of this scale

The Crazy Mountain 100 is a mountain ultra marathon designed to test the limits of even experienced trail runners. Set against stunning high-country terrain, the race challenges athletes with relentless elevation, remote stretches, and the kind of raw, untamed landscape that only the mountains can offer.

Join us as we explore the West Virginia Trail Fest with organizer Alexander Papadopoulos. Discover the race details, scenic trails, family activities, and what makes this event a must-visit for trail runners and outdoor enthusiasts. Trail Running, West Virginia, Trail Fest, Ultra Marathon, Mountain Trails, Family Activities, Race Planning, Scenic Trails, Ultra Races, Adventure Travel Race details and course layout Family-friendly activities and amenities Unique trail features and scenic highlights

West Virginia Trail Fest Official Site - https://wvtrailfest.com

Snowshoe Resort - https://www.snowshoemtn.com

Greenbrier Trail - https://www.greenbriertourism.com

Pocahontas County Tourism - https://pocahontaswv.com

Robbie's back from the trails with stories, sweat, and hard-won wisdom. In this episode, Robbie and Justin break down what it really takes to tackle a 200-mile race — including Robbie's strategy heading into The Pilgrimage, coming up the first week of May. From training blocks and pacing plans to mental resilience and the surprisingly joyful chaos of running with a stroller, this episode is packed with practical takeaways and plenty of heart. Whether you're chasing your first ultra or just love a good adventure story, this one's for you

What does it take to leave a stable corporate career, build something of your own, and push your body to its limits on mountain trails? Isabella Janovick is doing all three — and she makes it look almost effortless.

Isabella is a marketing strategist turned entrepreneur and competitive ultra runner. In this episode, she opens up about the leap of faith behind starting her own business, how trail running became more than just a sport, and what it really takes to toe the line at an ultra.

In this episode, we cover:

• Isabella's transition from corporate marketing to running her own business — what pushed her to make the leap and what she wishes she'd known sooner
• How ultra running found her, and why the trails became her greatest teacher in resilience and mindset
• Her approach to race preparation — from training blocks and nutrition to the mental frameworks that carry her through the hard miles
• The power of community in both entrepreneurship and endurance sports, and how she's helped build spaces where people genuinely show up for each other
• Advice for anyone standing at their own crossroads — whether that's a career pivot, their first trail race, or simply looking for more purpose in their everyday

Isabella's story is a reminder that the golden hour isn't just a time of day — it's what happens when you bet on yourself.

Connect with Isabella: Follow her adventures on Instagram — @ultraizzyb

Resources mentioned: • Cocodona 250 – Aravaipa Running — the iconic 250-mile Arizona race Isabella referenced in the episode