In this episode, I sit down with someone who defines resilience in the real sense. Twenty-two ultras, three of them done while pregnant, and a life story that hits harder than any race could. We talk about grief, trauma, motherhood, identity shifts, DNFs, comebacks, and how running becomes a space to process the things you never say out loud.

This is a raw and honest conversation about surviving life, finding yourself on long miles, and building strength that doesn’t end at the finish line.

Keywords: ultra running podcast, motherhood and running, running through trauma, mental resilience, pregnancy and ultras, ultra endurance stories, women in ultra running, mindset, DNFs, comeback stories.

The holidays get busy, family, food, travel, chaos, but running somehow keeps us grounded through it all. In this Cool Kids Edition, Val and Bobby join me to talk about what we’re thankful for, how we balance life and miles, and why sometimes just showing up is enough.

From Turkey trots to treadmill miles, from missed runs to mindset shifts, we dig into what it means to stay grateful, not just for the finish lines, but for every step that gets us there.

Keywords: running podcast, gratitude, Thanksgiving, endurance, mindset, cool kids edition, marathon, half marathon, ultrarunning, running motivation, holiday running, runners talk, pushing horizons podcast

Some dreams don’t fade, they follow you through childhood, into adulthood, through every race, injury, setback, and breakthrough. For today’s guest, Western States was that dream. The race she thought about as a kid running cross country, the one she carried through 50Ks, 100Ks, Miwok, Waldo, and The Big Alta.

In this episode, we talk about what it takes to chase a goal for years, the mental shift from marathon speed to ultra endurance, the highs, lows, doubts, breakthroughs, and what it feels like to finally stand on the Western States start line after imagining it your whole life.

This is a story about patience, persistence, and the long road to a legendary race.

Keywords:
Western States 100, Chasing Western States, Miwok 100K, Waldo 100K, Big Alta 50K, ultra running podcast, endurance athletes, trail running stories, long-distance running, ultra marathon journey, running dreams, mental strength, pushing horizons.