The Trail Network Podcast

There isn’t one way into trail running, and Shea Aquilano is a perfect example of that. In this episode, Hilary sits down with Shea to talk through her path from Midwest soccer player to professional trail runner based in Boulder. Without the traditional track or cross country background, she built her way into the sport through curiosity, patience, and a willingness to figure things out in real time.A lot of the conversation centers around Black Canyon, a race she’s returned to year after year. Her progression on that course reflects what it actually looks like to improve in trail running. Learning how to manage effort, adjust when things go sideways, and keep showing up even when the outcome is uncertain.They also get into the mental side of the sport. What it means to sit with discomfort, how to respond when a race doesn’t go to plan, and why failure is part of the process rather than something to avoid.It’s a conversation about patience, perspective, and building something over time rather than chasing quick results.This episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network.A big shout out to our sponsor ⁠⁠Precision Fuel & Hydration⁠⁠. Go to ⁠⁠pfandh.com⁠⁠ to crush your next race with a personalized fuel & hydration plan. Use code "TTNP15" at checkout.

Plans shift quickly this time of year, and this episode reflects that in real time.
Katie and Leah catch up on how their race schedules have evolved over the past few weeks, including a pivot away from Madeira and a move toward more local racing. What started as a clear plan has turned into something more flexible, shaped by travel, timing, and everything else happening alongside training.
With that, UTMB preparation is starting to feel more real. The conversation touches on what that shift looks like, both physically and mentally, as training becomes more intentional and the season begins to take shape.
They also get into the realities outside of training. Leah shares what it means to support her husband’s growing photography career and how that has influenced recent decisions. The conversation highlights how much of the sport exists beyond race day, especially when careers, relationships, and travel all intersect.
The episode closes with a broader discussion around sponsorships and the structure of professional running. Using the lens of pregnancy and athlete contracts, they talk through the complexity of being an independent contractor in a sport where expectations often don’t fully align with protections.
It’s a look at where things stand right now. Not perfectly planned, but moving forward.This episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network.A big shout out to our new sponsor ⁠⁠Precision Fuel & Hydration⁠⁠. Go to ⁠⁠pfandh.com⁠⁠ to crush your next race with a personalized fuel & hydration plan. Use code "TTNP15" at checkout.A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Visit Osprey.com to explore their incredible products!

Episode 100. Two years of conversations, 50+ guests, and a whole lot of growth.In this milestone episode, Katie Asmuth, Leah Yingling, and Hilary Yang take a step back to reflect on the journey of the podcast, the evolution of the sport, and where things are heading next.They dive into the biggest moments in trail running right now, including the electric women’s race at Chianti, the continued dominance of Courtney Dauwalter, and what it means to see different training styles all succeed at the highest level. The conversation also turns personal. Leah shares about her return to racing postpartum and what it taught her about patience, identity, and execution. Katie talks through the reality of balancing high-level training with family life and the importance of knowing when to pull back. Hilary reflects on stepping away from structure, rediscovering joy in movement, and finding creativity outside of racing. This episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network.A big shout out to our new sponsor ⁠⁠Precision Fuel & Hydration⁠⁠. Go to ⁠⁠pfandh.com⁠⁠ to crush your next race with a personalized fuel & hydration plan. Use code "TTNP15" at checkout.A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Visit Osprey.com to explore their incredible products!

Jon Albon and Henriette Albon join the Trail Network Podcast after their double victory at Transgrancanaria to talk about life and racing as one of trail running’s most accomplished couples. Jon is a former obstacle course racing world champion turned top trail ultrarunner, and Henriette is one of the sport’s toughest and most thoughtful competitors, known for her smart pacing and resilience in long, technical races. Together, they reflect on how their relationship has evolved through different sports, how they handle the highs and lows of racing at the highest level, and what it looks like to support each other through success, setbacks, and big ambitions.This conversation goes beyond a race recap and into the mindset behind elite performance. Jon and Henriette share how they approach race tactics, problem solving, pressure, and decision making over long ultras, plus how those lessons shape the way they train and live. They also talk about building their trail running app, Ascent, and what they’ve learned from creating a training platform based on their own philosophy. It is a thoughtful look at competition, partnership, and the discipline it takes to keep showing up year after year.This episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network.A big shout out to our new sponsor ⁠⁠Precision Fuel & Hydration⁠⁠. Go to ⁠⁠pfandh.com⁠⁠ to crush your next race with a personalized fuel & hydration plan. Use code "TTNP15" at checkout.A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Visit Osprey.com to explore their incredible products!

Leah Yingling sits down with Western States champion Caleb Olson for a conversation centered around nutrition, fueling, and the realities of balancing elite trail running with everyday life. Caleb, a Salt Lake City–based ultrarunner and Precision Fuel & Hydration athlete, shares how he approaches fueling both in training and on race day, including the strategies that helped support his Western States victory.They also talk about how nutrition fits into the bigger picture of Caleb’s life as an athlete with a full-time job and a young family. From practical fueling tips on the trails to the role food plays in recovery, performance, and daily routine, Caleb offers a thoughtful look at how intentional nutrition supports longevity and consistency in the sport.This episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network.A big shout out to our new sponsor ⁠⁠Precision Fuel & Hydration⁠⁠. Go to ⁠⁠pfandh.com⁠⁠ to crush your next race with a personalized fuel & hydration plan. Use code "TTNP15" at checkout.

Katie Asmuth hosts a head to head Black Canyon 100K recap with Jenn Lichter and Anne Flower. Jenn is a Missoula, Montana-based trail runner stepping into her 100K debut after establishing herself as a fearless, high-intensity racer at shorter distances, now racing with Nike ACG. Anne is a Colorado Springs-based ultrarunner known for her strength and composure in longer events, newly racing with HOKA.Together, they break down how the front pack formed, when the race shifted from controlled pacing to all-out competition, and what it took to keep pressing through the final miles with less than a minute separating first and second. They also share the real details behind fueling, hydration, and decision-making under pressure, then look ahead to Western States prep and how each of them plans to train, preview the course, and carry momentum into the next start line.This episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network.A big shout out to our new sponsor ⁠⁠Precision Fuel & Hydration⁠⁠. Go to ⁠⁠pfandh.com⁠⁠ to crush your next race with a personalized fuel & hydration plan. Use code "TTNP15" at checkout.

Hilary Yang sits down with Katie Asmuth for a Tarawera recap from New Zealand, where Katie lined up chasing a Western States Golden Ticket on her 40th birthday. They talk travel logistics, a race day that turned into a wet, muddy survival mission, and how the technical terrain changed pacing, fueling, and decision-making. Katie also shares what she learned, how she’s processing the outcome, and what she’s excited about next as she shifts focus toward UTMB!This episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network.A big shout out to our new sponsor ⁠⁠Precision Fuel & Hydration⁠⁠. Go to ⁠⁠pfandh.com⁠⁠ to crush your next race with a personalized fuel & hydration plan. Use code "TTNP15" at checkout.A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Visit Osprey.com to explore their incredible products!

Leah Yingling and Hilary Yang are fresh off a whirlwind weekend at Black Canyon, where they were on the mic for the Mountain Outpost livestream and got a front row seat to the start of the North American Golden Ticket chase. They zoom out on what made this weekend feel like a turning point, from the depth of the women’s field and how close the front end is getting across genders, to how much racing, fueling, and confidence have evolved in the sport. They also touch on the ultra world colliding all at once with Tarawera and Barkley running in the same weekend, plus a few unfiltered behind the scenes moments from the broadcast booth. The episode wraps with road runners entering the trail scene, what they noticed from Molly Seidel and Des Linden’s very different days, and a quick check in on training, life balance, and why Hilary is happily off Strava right now.This episode is edited and produced by the Sandy Boy Productions.A big shout out to our sponsor Precision Fuel and Hydration. Go to pfandh.com to crush your next race with a personalized fuel & hydration plan. Use code "TTNP15" at checkout.

This week, Cristina Regalado joins the Trail Network Podcast. Cristina is a recent recipient of a Gu-supported entry into WSER and a fixture in the Salt Lake City trail scene, tirelessly working for increased inclusion on the trails with Women of the Wasatch and Wasatch Trails Collective.On this episode, Cristina shares what lining up at the Western States Endurance Run this summer means to her, not just as an athlete, but as someone deeply committed to expanding access to trails and ultrarunning for underrepresented communities.She reflects on the power of community, the importance of representation in trail running, and how showing up as her full self has shaped both her running and her advocacy.Cristina also shares a few organizations she loves that are doing meaningful work to make trail running more inclusive. One standout is The Active Joe, a Texas-based group taking intentional steps toward access and equity, including offering race manuals in Spanish, partnering with the Trail Mix Fund to help athletes from marginalized backgrounds access races, and actively celebrating women while working toward equal start lines.This episode is edited and produced by the Sandy Boy Productions.A big shout out to our sponsor Precision Fuel and Hydration. Go to pfandh.com to crush your next race with a personalized fuel & hydration plan. Use code "TTNP15" at checkout.

Katie and Hilary catch up at the start of February as the year suddenly feels like it’s moving fast. The conversation touches on creative momentum, making space for meaningful work, and the mix of excitement and nerves that comes with big plans falling into place. They reflect on racing as both a personal challenge and a mirror for life, especially in seasons where energy, priorities, and perspective are shifting.The episode centers on Katie heading to Tarawera 100K on her 40th birthday, sharing an honest look at preparation, mindset, and what it means to show up fully without knowing how the day will unfold. From trusting training to staying flexible and present, it’s a reminder that sometimes the goal is simply to be in it and let the experience shape what comes next.A big shout out to our sponsor ⁠⁠Precision Fuel & Hydration⁠⁠. Go to ⁠⁠pfandh.com⁠⁠ to crush your next race with a personalized fuel & hydration plan. Use code "TTNP15" at checkout.

Tabor Hemming is a professional trail runner for adidas TERREX and Precision Fuel & Hydration who lives and trains in a remote mountain town in Colorado on her family’s multi-generation cattle ranch. Raised on the ranch and rooted in endurance sport from a young age, Tabor brings a rare mix of grit, curiosity, and independence to her career. She and her husband, fellow professional runner Eli Hemming, train, race, coach athletes, and create content together through their podcast Hemming and Hawing and their YouTube work, offering an honest look at life as elite athletes outside the traditional running hubs.In this episode, Tabor joins Katie to talk about her path from collegiate running to professional trail racing, why patience and maturity matter when choosing race distances, and how living far from the spotlight has shaped her approach to training and competition. They dive into her build toward Black Canyon, lessons from injury and misdiagnosis, the mental energy required in ultrarunning, racing as a social and developmental tool, and why saying no to the next “big thing” can be just as powerful as saying yes. The conversation also touches on FKTs, long-term athlete development, partnership in marriage and sport, and what it really means to build a sustainable life in trail running.This episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network.A big shout out to our new sponsor ⁠⁠Precision Fuel & Hydration⁠⁠. Go to ⁠⁠pfandh.com⁠⁠ to crush your next race with a personalized fuel & hydration plan. Use code "TTNP15" at checkout.A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Visit Osprey.com to explore their incredible products!

This week is a trio catch-up with Hilary Yang, Leah Yingling, and Rachel Drake on what life looks like right now in a season that feels maxed out. Rachel shares the reality of balancing anesthesia training, motherhood, and breastfeeding on the job, plus how being a mom has shaped the way she shows up for patients and families.They also dig into training when time and energy are limited, including run commuting, postpartum patience, and why consistency matters more than big mileage. Hilary reflects on burnout after a packed year and the decision to step back from RDing The Mammoth so she can focus on the creative work that truly lights her up. The episode closes with a bigger conversation about defining success in trail running beyond visibility, choosing races and brands that align with your values, and keeping the sport rooted in joy and community.This episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network.A big shout out to our new sponsor ⁠⁠Precision Fuel & Hydration⁠⁠. Go to ⁠⁠pfandh.com⁠⁠ to crush your next race with a personalized fuel & hydration plan. Use code "TTNP15" at checkout.A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Visit Osprey.com to explore their incredible products!

Emily Cameron joins the show to talk about building a career as a photographer and filmmaker in trail and endurance sports, from her roots in Lancaster, Pennsylvania to life in Athens, Georgia. Emily shares her background as a 2016 Olympic Trials qualifier in swimming and how that shaped her relationship with time, training, and burnout, plus the pivot into triathlon and eventually storytelling. The conversation dives into how she broke into the creative world through COVID-era portrait projects, the reality of cold emailing for work, what she has learned about trust and access when documenting athletes, and how Trailfolk came to life with Tara Dower and a crew that became part of the story. Emily also talks about creative problem solving at events and setting boundaries with social media to protect her own creative vision.This episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network.A big shout out to our new sponsor ⁠⁠Precision Fuel & Hydration⁠⁠. Go to ⁠⁠pfandh.com⁠⁠ to crush your next race with a personalized fuel & hydration plan. Use code "TTNP15" at checkout.A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Visit Osprey.com to explore their incredible products!

Ryan Montgomery joins Katie Asmuth for an in person conversation from Mammoth Lakes during a training week as he returns from ankle surgery. Ryan shares his long arc in the sport from early hundred milers and adventure driven running to a breakout competitive chapter that included a Golden Ticket and a top 10 at Western States. They talk about what it looks like to address a long term injury, how he is approaching 2026 with a renewed pull toward big adventure and FKTs, and why curiosity and relationships have shaped his path. Ryan also opens up about identity, community, and the mission behind OutTrails, plus how business school and a growing interest in representing athletes fits into the bigger picture of building a sustainable life in and beyond sport.This episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network.A big shout out to our new sponsor ⁠⁠Precision Fuel & Hydration⁠⁠. Go to ⁠⁠pfandh.com⁠⁠ to crush your next race with a personalized fuel & hydration plan. Use code "TTNP15" at checkout.

Hilary Yang and Katie Asmuth ring in 2026 with a candid reflection on a year of big swings, scary projects, and imperfect comebacks. Hilary shares what it was really like to train for and finish Hardrock while directing the Mammoth 200 and creating her first major film, and Katie talks about racing her way back from injury, ending the year with a win at Javelina, and heading into Tarawera with a quieter but deeper confidence. Together they unpack failure, burnout, aging in sport, and why connection, collaboration, and doing the scary thing anyway will be their guiding themes for the new year.This episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network.A big shout out to our new sponsor ⁠⁠Precision Fuel & Hydration⁠⁠. Go to ⁠⁠pfandh.com⁠⁠ to crush your next race with a personalized fuel & hydration plan. Use code "TTNP15" at checkout.A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Visit Osprey.com to explore their incredible products!

In this episode, Katie Asmuth and Leah Yingling reflect on a full year of The Trail Network Podcast and a year that reshaped the trail running landscape. They look back on standout moments from the sport and the show, from pregnancies and comebacks to breakthrough performances, surprise podiums, and the rise of longer distances like 200-mile races. The conversation touches on storytelling in trail running, why live coverage and long-form narratives are changing how fans connect to athletes, and how rankings, sponsorships, and community support influence the modern professional runner. They also explore accessibility in trail running, from sub-ultra distances to grassroots races, and share thoughts on training races, recovery, fueling, and setting the tone for the year ahead. It’s a reflective, wide-angle look at where the sport has been and where it’s headed.This episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network.A big shout out to our new sponsor ⁠⁠Precision Fuel & Hydration⁠⁠. Go to ⁠⁠pfandh.com⁠⁠ to crush your next race with a personalized fuel & hydration plan. Use code "TTNP15" at checkout.A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Visit Osprey.com to explore their incredible products!

In this episode, Katie and Leah sit down for a two-host chat that blends life updates with what is happening across the trail and ultra world. They touch on postpartum running, baseline fitness, and how to fit training into real life, including vacations and busy family seasons. The conversation moves through Trail Runner of the Year and Ultra Runner of the Year, why rankings and UTMB index actually matter for pros, and how road races like CIM are shaping trail performances and golden ticket prep. This is a fun one, enjoy!This episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network.A big shout out to our new sponsor ⁠⁠Precision Fuel & Hydration⁠⁠. Go to ⁠⁠pfandh.com⁠⁠ to crush your next race with a personalized fuel & hydration plan. Use code "TTNP15" at checkout.A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Visit Osprey.com to explore their incredible products!

All four hosts land in one virtual room for the first time in a while, and the episode feels like exactly what the trail community loves about this show: honest life updates, the chaos and joy of parenting and training, and the juggling act of big dreams alongside real-world constraints. The conversation moves through work, family, film projects, postpartum shifts, inspiration, and the long game of returning to form. There's laughter, some exhaustion, a lot of heart, and a shared sense that running evolves with every season of life. The episode captures the feeling of being in transition — rebuilding, rethinking goals, planning races, and remembering why this sport continues to anchor each of them. It’s a warm, open catch-up that invites listeners to take a deep breath, embrace their own season, and keep moving forward in whatever way is possible right now.This episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network.A big shout out to our new sponsor ⁠Precision Fuel & Hydration⁠. Go to ⁠pfandh.com⁠ to crush your next race with a personalized fuel & hydration plan. Use code "TTNP15" at checkout.A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Visit Osprey.com to explore their incredible products!

This catch up episode leans into the messy, real side of being runners, creatives, and parents while the race season quiets down. Hilary, Katie, and Leah talk openly about what it looks like when running has to take a back seat to big projects, work, and family, how social media and Strava can shape or strain our relationship with the sport, and why it sometimes feels better to keep parts of life offline. They get into gut and health struggles, postpartum recovery, travel with a baby, planning around lotteries and pregnancy deferrals, and why timing big goals to the right season of life matters. It is an honest look at building a life that makes room for both big dreams and real constraints, and finding ways to stay connected to running even when the mileage is low.This episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network.A big shout out to our new sponsor ⁠Precision Fuel & Hydration⁠. Go to ⁠pfandh.com⁠ to crush your next race with a personalized fuel & hydration plan. Use code "TTNP15" at checkout.A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Visit Osprey.com to explore their incredible products!

Olympic bronze medalist Molly Seidel joins Hilary Yang and Katie Asmuth for a candid, thoughtful conversation about rebuilding her relationship with running and stepping into the trail world with intention. She opens up about the long recovery from a broken patella, the emotional work that reshaped her approach to training, and how her anthropology background influences the way she sees sport and culture. Molly shares why trail running feels like the right place for her joy, creativity, and durability right now, how Austin and Flagstaff each support a different side of her life, and what it has meant to find a healthier balance outside of racing. She also reflects on dropping out of the New York City Marathon to protect her progress, learning the logistics of ultras, and future trail goals with equal parts humility and ambition. It’s a grounded, refreshingly human look at an athlete redefining success and finding the confidence to build a career on her own terms.This episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network.A big shout out to our new sponsor Precision Fuel & Hydration. Go to pfandh.com to crush your next race with a personalized fuel & hydration plan. Use code "TTNP15" at checkout.A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Visit Osprey.com to explore their incredible products!