✨ Support the Podcast ✨https://linktr.ee/theendurancestudio

At just 17 years old, McKenna “MJ” Marino became the youngest female finisher of the Colorado Trail Race under race rules, completing more than 500 miles of rugged Colorado singletrack in 12 days, 8 hours, and 11 minutes.

In this episode of The Endurance Studio, McKenna shares how she went from her first overnight bikepacking trip to taking on one of the most demanding bikepacking routes in the country.

We talk about growing up in an endurance-focused family, discovering bikepacking, racing Pinyons and Pines, and what eventually convinced her to attempt the Colorado Trail. McKenna also opens up about one of her biggest fears going into the ride: being alone in the wilderness at night—and how nearly two weeks on the trail changed her relationship with that fear.

Along the way, we get into the realities of the CTR: high-elevation passes, hike-a-bike, exhaustion, resupply strategy, Cathedral Cabins, gear choices, sleep, unexpected trail closures, and the moments when she wondered whether something might actually force her to stop.

But this conversation goes well beyond bikepacking. McKenna talks about why she intentionally stays away from social media, the value she finds in disconnecting and being present in nature, how experiences like the Colorado Trail have built her confidence, and why she describes the CTR not as “life-changing,” but as life-defining.

We also talk about what her friends think of her adventures, her interest in sustainability and restoration ecology, college plans, and the much bigger adventures she might pursue in the future.

At 17, McKenna is just getting started.

----------------

https://trackleaders.com/ctr26

----------------

(00:00:00) - Episode Introduction and Support Reminder

(00:00:48) - Introducing McKenna and the Colorado Trail Race

(00:01:32) - McKenna's Early Bikepacking Journey

(00:06:59) - Family Influence and Training Support

(00:09:28) - European Volunteer Work and Language Experience

(00:11:57) - Pre-Race Fears and Overcoming Fear

(00:16:39) - Cathedral Cabins and Family Support

(00:22:20) - Moments of Doubt and Managing Fatigue

(00:25:18) - High Passes, Wind, and Night Riding

(00:30:33) - Gear Setup, Packing, and Sleep

(00:35:10) - Future Races and Bikepacking at a Young Age

(00:39:36) - Community and Solo vs. Group Experiences

(00:44:23) - Maverick Stop and Sponsor Spotlight

(00:50:55) - Post-Race Reflections and Confidence

(00:57:34) - College Plans and Restoration Ecology

(01:04:02) - Closing Remarks and Appreciation

----------------

#endurance #bikepacking

✨ Support the Podcast ✨https://linktr.ee/theendurancestudio

Photographer, filmmaker, and ultra-endurance athlete Matt Shapiro joins The Endurance Studio for an honest conversation about what it really takes to build a creative career in endurance sports.

Matt has worked with some of the biggest brands and athletes in ultra-endurance sports, documenting iconic races and some of the world's best trail and ultra runners. But this episode goes far beyond photography. We dive into storytelling, creativity, addiction and recovery, social media, AI, endurance culture, and the realities of making a living as a creator.

----------------

https://www.instagram.com/shapirothehero/

https://matthew-shapiro.com/company

----------------

(00:00:00) Podcast Intro, New Branding & Meeting Matt Shapiro

(00:02:29) Filmmaking, Editing & Building an Endurance Media Career

(00:08:36) Photography Career & The Ultra-Running Industry

(00:17:23) Technical vs Creative: Learning Photography

(00:22:29) Composition, Storytelling & Building Relationships

(00:27:31) In-Person Podcasting, Brand Collaborations & Business

(00:34:15) Family Background, Climbing & Finding Endurance Sports

(00:45:28) The Evolution of Action Sports Media

(00:52:47) The Future of Short-Form Content, AI & Creativity

(01:04:16) Transitioning from Photography to Video

(01:11:09) Ultra-Endurance Experiences & Mountain Racing

(01:19:02) Race Organization, Lotteries & Community

(01:23:18) Alcohol Recovery & Personal Transformation

(01:30:03) Race Ethics, Support Crews & Rules

(01:33:55) Gatekeeping, Preparedness & Personal Philosophy

(01:37:58) Balancing Work, Passion & Content Creation

(01:42:02) Frog Hollow & Lessons from Podcasting

(01:50:48) Recovery, Sobriety & Moving Forward

(01:56:07) Early Drinking History & Rediscovering Identity

(02:00:12) Addiction, Balance & Personality

(02:05:45) Perfectionism, Productivity & Mental Health

(02:08:47) Risk, Mortality & Perspective

(02:15:32) Finding Moderation in High Performance

(02:19:04) Performance Pressure & Mental Health

(02:24:48) Losing an Entire Shoot: The Lost Footage Story

(02:29:38) Running Fashion, Brand Economics & Satisfy

(02:38:29) Closing Thoughts & Where to Find Matt

----------------

#endurance #bikepacking

✨ Support the Podcast ✨https://linktr.ee/theendurancestudio

In this episode, I sit down with Cruz Blue to recap his experience at Pinyons and Pines, discuss becoming the youngest solo finisher of the Arizona Trail Race, and look ahead to his upcoming Tour Divide debut. We talk about gear failures, race strategy, sleep systems, the mental challenge of loneliness during ultra-endurance events, trail friendships, wildlife encounters, and the lessons learned from long days in the saddle.

----------------

https://trackleaders.com/pinyonspines26

https://trackleaders.com/tourdivide26

----------------

(00:00:00) Support Reminder, Bikepacking Trip & Tour Divide Preparation

(00:04:36) Pinyons & Pines Recap, Gear Failures & Early Race Challenges

(00:13:36) Flats, Resupplies, Night Riding & Race Dynamics

(00:23:21) Sleep Strategy, Recovery & Learning Through Fatigue

(00:30:20) Crown King, Prescott Trails, Wildlife & Mountain Lion Stories

(00:44:57) Trail Friendships, Water Management & Bikepacking Ethics

(00:56:00) Future Race Ideas, Course Design & Adventure Planning

(00:59:32) Loneliness, Family Support & Mental Challenges in Endurance Racing

(01:10:30) AI, Social Media, Sponsorships & Communication

(01:18:56) Welding, Bike Building, 3D Printing & Career Exploration

(01:28:45) College Plans, Motivation & Personal Growth

(01:40:09) Tour Divide Fears, Inspiration & Future Dreams

(01:51:44) Community Support, Local Connections & Closing Remarks

----------------

#endurance #bikepacking