Warren Kimball—two-time Boston finisher, 100-mile ultra winner, and LSU musicologist—joins us to blend art and endurance. We dig into his 15:35 at Tunnel Hill (closed strong with a negative split), plant-powered fueling, staying calm early, and turning repetition into mastery—on the piano and on the run. Plus: training after setbacks, pacing by feel, and why gratitude beats “suffer mode” for the long haul. takeaways Warren's journey into running began after significant life changes.He los...
No guest—just Anthony and Zach catching up after work travel and stacked weeks. We trade notes on chasing Strava crowns coast-to-coast, a rope-assist climb at Mount Storm King, and turning a seven-day, 36-holes-a-day golf trip into a stealth ultra. We shout out recent guests (Travis, Jed, Hezekiah, Chris), celebrate comebacks and dubs, and sketch a new negative-split strategy for Tunnel Hill. Plus: what the Norwegians, Pogacar, and Sifan Hassan teach us about pacing and fueling, first impress...
In this episode of Endurance State of Mind, we sit down with Travis Stewart—a husband, dad, and real estate professional whose endurance journey began during COVID with the Couch to 5K program. What started as a way to cope during a tough season quickly grew into something bigger: running led to cycling, cycling led to triathlon, and soon Travis was toeing the line at three 70.3s, a full Ironman, Unbound 200, and the grueling Rule of Three. But this story is about more than just miles and med...
From the heart of Hattiesburg’s Longleaf Trace, Jed Darby has built more than a bike shop—he’s built a movement. The Cajun-born runner-turned-cyclist/coach shares how early boxing shaped his endurance mindset, why he qualified for Boston (and Kona) then chose the work over the spotlight, and what he learned from coaching greats like Rick Crawford. We dig into the science—zone 2, stress-adapt-recover, fit and position—and the culture: Tuesday Night Worlds, true no-drop group rides, Hub City Ve...
At just 23, Hezekiah “Hezzy” Miller is a walking shot of energy gel—equal parts hype man and humble grinder. Raised in the Mississippi Delta, Hezzy went from black-sheep kid to endurance engine, once jumping from two miles to a DIY 50-miler in two weeks (yes, really). But this conversation goes far deeper than mileage. He opens up about depression, the sticky-note practice that kept him here “one more day,” and how surrendering to faith reshaped his purpose into serving others—on and off the ...
In this special episode of Endurance State of Mind, it’s just Zach and Anthony behind the mics. The guys swap endurance shoes for golf spikes as they recount their first scramble together in Hattiesburg, where the “student became the teacher” and golf proved to be a surprising mirror for running lessons. From patience and humility on the fairway to battling the “lies” in endurance training, they reflect on recent guest takeaways, Zach’s powerful return to Banff for his 6-year sobriety milesto...
In this episode of Endurance State of Mind, we sit down with Chris Mixon—an ultra runner with podium finishes at the Pinhoti 100 and Lake Martin 100, and a course record at Fondren Urban Ultra. But what makes this conversation powerful isn’t just his racing resume—it’s the fact that Chris is sharing his story mid-comeback. After surgery, setbacks, and months of painful recovery, he’s opening up about the mental battle of rebuilding, the lies injuries whisper, and the resilience it takes to be...
For more than two decades, Ed Daly has been the gold standard of Mississippi endurance. With over 20 consecutive years of logging 2,000+ miles annually, Ed’s journey is about more than races — it’s about attitude, perseverance, and lifting others up along the way. In this episode, Ed shares how running became a lifelong habit, why community matters, the greatest week of running in his life, and how his medical background shapes his approach to health and longevity. From Crescent City to rim-t...
What does it take to push your body to the brink—and then keep going? In this episode of Endurance State of Mind, we sit down with ultra running enigma Arrmon Abedikichi, a four-time 100-mile finisher, five-time Fondren Urban Ultra champion, and co-course record holder. Arrmon shares how a single moment of curiosity ignited a journey into self-improvement, resilience, and the art of embracing discomfort. From losing everything in a house fire to winning races against stacked fields, his story...
In this episode of Endurance State of Mind, we sit down with Susan Dobson a triathlete, marathoner, and mom whose story is a testament to resilience, grit, and growth. From learning to swim in her 30s after a traumatic childhood experience to conquering three full Ironmans, qualifying for Boston, and juggling the chaos of family, career, and training, Susan shares how endurance sports transformed her life. We dive deep into the mental battles of group workouts, the discipline it takes to chas...
Anthony and Zach go full host-mode for a no-guest episode of Endurance State of Mind—and it’s one of the rawest yet. From scorching heat and quad cramps to dry heaves and digging deep, the guys break down every brutal, hilarious, and inspiring moment of the Big Butts Ultra. They recap race strategy, near-meltdowns (literally), and what it takes to push through when your body wants to quit. Plus, Tour de France hot takes, a shoutout to Endurance State of Mind listeners who showed up big, and a...
What do you get when you combine sub-2:30 marathons, high school cross country chaos, and a son named Miles? You get Jacob Plocher—state record holder, school counselor, coach, and Mississippi’s own marathon man. In this episode of Endurance State of Mind, Jacob takes us through his journey from overweight middle schooler to breaking state records and chasing finish lines at world majors. We talk about Boston breakthroughs, dad strength, fueling mistakes that ended with firefighters, and what...
This week on Endurance State of Mind, we sit down with Louis Gagne—a cyclist, KOM chaser, and all-around ambassador for two wheels and transformation. Louis opens up about rediscovering cycling during COVID, trading in beers for big climbs, and how the bike became his therapy and his mission. From mountain biking in Mississippi to riding team-issued EF Education bikes through the streets of California, Louis’ journey is packed with grit, gear, and giving back. We cover everything from bike ne...
Sometimes, the quietest room is the loudest place we’ll ever be. In this gripping episode, co-host Anthony Herrington opens up about the emotional spiral that followed the loss of his mother, the end of a long-term relationship, and the isolation that nearly consumed him. It was in the silence of an empty house—alone with his thoughts—that Anthony realized something had to change. What followed was a powerful transformation: from walking to clear his mind to strapping on a 30-pound weighted v...
From drumline director to gravel grinder, Andy Gilstrap didn’t just dip his toe into cycling—he cannonballed in. In this episode of Endurance State of Mind, we sit down with Andy to hear how he went from casual Trace rides with his family in 2023 to finishing the brutal 200-mile Unbound Gravel race just a year later. We talk Saturday group rides, training with coach Jed, surviving (and thriving) in the Kansas Flint Hills, nutrition strategies, clipless pedal fails, and why he’s already planni...
In a powerful turn of the mic, co-host Zach Vogt steps into the spotlight to share his deeply personal journey—from a childhood rooted in love and discipline to a decade-long battle with addiction. Zach opens up about his rock bottom moment on a business trip to Canada and how it sparked a complete transformation. With raw honesty, he details how running, faith, and grace helped him rebuild his life and ultimately become a force in the endurance community. This is a story of resilience, redem...
In this milestone 10th episode of Endurance State of Mind, Zach and Anthony sit down—just the two of them—for an honest conversation reflecting on their podcast journey so far. From their surprise nomination to the “Best of the Pine Belt” awards to building an organic listener base through Strava and real-world connections, the duo opens up about what they’ve learned, what they’d do differently, and where they want to go next. They also dive into: Why they’ve avoided “pushing” their nominatio...
In this powerful episode, we sit down with David Slowik—a high-energy force in Mississippi's ultrarunning scene and a beacon of resilience. From battling addiction to toeing the line at 100-mile ultras, David opens up about the micro habits that saved his life and the running community that helped him rebuild it. He shares the emotional story behind his transformation, the spreadsheet that kept him accountable, and how his journey culminated in a euphoric finish at the Pinhoti 100. This episo...
In this episode of Endurance State of Mind, we sit down with Michael Yarbrough—veteran of over 100 races, trail running advocate, and associate dean at Pearl River Community College. From his first steps in a post-Katrina Crescent City Classic to multiple finishes at the Mississippi 50 and beyond, Michael shares a two-decade journey of growth, grit, and giving back. We dive into how trail running shaped his life, the evolution of Mississippi's endurance scene, and why “dirt therapy” just migh...
On this inspiring episode, we sit down with Brian Murphy—classical pianist, professor of music at William Carey University, and newly-minted ultramarathoner. Brian shares how his endurance journey began not on a racecourse, but during a deeply personal season of struggle as a father navigating his son’s diagnosis with PANDAS, a rare autoimmune disorder. What started as a desperate run for clarity transformed into a passion for running marathons, embracing suffering, and building resilience. F...