What does it really take to survive 200 miles on foot?In this episode of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, we go beyond training plans and race stats and into the mental space where ultrarunning truly lives. This is a conversation about doubt, patience, pain, and the quiet decisions made when quitting feels reasonable and continuing doesn’t.We talk about endurance when the body is done, staying present in extreme fatigue, coming back from injury, and why mental resilience matters more than talent at the longest distances. This episode isn’t about chasing podiums. It’s about understanding what keeps someone moving when the finish line feels unreal.If you’re curious about the mindset behind 200-mile races, this episode will change how you think about endurance.🎙 The Mind That Survives 200 MilesKeywords:ultrarunning podcast, 200 mile race, mental toughness, endurance mindset, trail running, ultra endurance, resilience, long distance running, Pushing Horizons podcast, running psychology
Ultrarunning isn’t held together by grit alone. Behind every finish line is calculation, planning, and someone making impossible decisions with zero sleep.In this episode of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, I sit down with one of the sharpest minds behind the scenes of ultra-distance racing. We talk about what really happens beyond mile 100. Crewing strategy. Reading runners before they break. Managing sleep deprivation, nutrition disasters, weather chaos, and the mental collapse that no race plan ever accounts for.This is a raw look at the unseen side of ultras. The part where math meets instinct. Where preparation collides with chaos. And where races are either saved or lost.If you’ve ever run an ultra, crewed one, or wondered how anyone survives 200+ miles, this episode is required listening.Keywords:ultrarunning, ultra marathon, ultra crewing, endurance running, 100 miler, 200 miler, trail running, pacing, race strategy, ultra mindset, crew chief, endurance podcast, ultrarunning podcast, Pushing Horizons Step by Step
In this episode of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, Matt Ramiller breaks down what it really takes to survive and succeed in ultrarunning. From his skateboarding roots to brutal Midwest winters, from 200-mile grinds to races that test your identity mile after mile, Matt shows what resilience looks like in real life.We talk early failures, proud finishes, near breakdowns, parenting through training, the psychology of suffering, stair workouts, pulling sleds through snow, heat-induced hallucinations, and the mindset required to keep moving when every signal in your body says stop.If you’re someone chasing big goals, fighting through setbacks, or trying to understand why people run 100+ miles, this conversation hits hard.Keywords: ultrarunning podcast, Matt Ramiller, endurance mindset, Midwest states 100, Arrowhead 135, Beast of the East 100, mental toughness, long-distance running, trail running stories, ultra motivation, pushing limits, running community
Driven by Curiosity and Grit, featuring elite trail runner and theoretical physicist Juliette Soule.From analyzing data in the lab to climbing mountains at UTMB races, Juliette has built her life around curiosity, discipline, and the drive to push her limits. In this episode, we talk about how she fell in love with trail running, the lessons she’s learned from injuries, what keeps her motivated, and how science and endurance overlap in surprising ways.🎙 Topics covered:The connection between science, mindset, and enduranceLessons from training for CCC and TaraweraDealing with injuries and rebuilding confidenceFueling, recovery, and staying balancedThe mental game of elite ultra runningKeywords: Juliette Soule podcast, UTMB CCC, Tarawera Ultra Trail, female trail runner, elite ultrarunner, trail running podcast, science and endurance, Pushing Horizons podcast.
In this episode of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, we dive into a story shaped by extremes. From sub-zero Alaskan winters to the heavy heat and humidity of Ohio, today’s guest built her running identity through contrast. She ran her first marathon distance at two degrees Fahrenheit, trained nineteen weeks for a 50K that fell apart in brutal conditions, then went back and completed the entire distance on her own.We talk about rebuilding after a move, finding community, managing running with family and work, adjusting to harsh climates, and learning to push through when motivation disappears. This isn’t a conversation about medals or PRs. It's about resilience, self-belief, and the stubborn will to keep running when everything around you says stop.Keywords:ultrarunning, winter running, Alaska running, heat training, Ohio trails, 50K training, self-supported ultra, mental toughness in running, women who run, running motivation, trail running stories, running community, resilience, long-distance running
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.
What happens when a simple magazine assignment turns into a lifelong obsession?This week, we dive into the raw, unexpected journey of one of Britain’s most respected ultrarunners, a man who didn’t start racing until his mid-30s and still climbed his way into the world’s biggest stages.From discovering running by chance, to taking on 200-mile races, breaking iconic FKTs, and finishing top-10 at UTMB, this is the story of someone who proved that age, timing, and background don’t define your ceiling. Consistency does. Curiosity does. The willingness to keep showing up does.In this episode, we cover:✓ How he found ultrarunning at 36✓ The obsession that pushed him through 268-mile races✓ Breaking FKTs across the UK✓ What it takes to race UTMB against the best on Earth✓ Mental toughness, purpose, and the mindset shifts that changed everythingA grounded, honest look at how far you can go when you stop limiting yourself.Keywords:ultrarunning, UTMB, Damian Hall, FKT, trail running, ultra marathon podcast, running mindset, mountain running, endurance athlete, UK ultrarunner, The Spine Race, 200 mile races, adventure running, consistency, motivation, Pushing Horizons podcast
From running a sub-3 marathon to covering 115+ miles in a Backyard Ultra, today’s guest embodies endurance in every form. She brings a raw, honest look at what it takes to perform at both ends of the spectrum, from the fast, structured world of marathons to the mentally brutal loops of the ultra scene.We talk about pacing, fuelling, and mindset across distances, what keeps her grounded when the miles pile up, and how the marathon precision shaped her ultra resilience. Whether you’re chasing a new PR or trying to push past your limits, this episode will remind you why endurance isn’t just physical, it’s deeply human.Keywords: marathon training, backyard ultra, ultra running, endurance mindset, marathon runner, sub 3 marathon, women in ultrarunning, mental toughness, long distance running, pushing limits, ultramarathon stories, running podcast, Pushing Horizons
When 61-year-old mother of five, Ann Ongena, crossed the Hardrock 100 finish line after 47 hours and 53 minutes, she wasn’t just finishing a race, she was redefining what endurance means.In this conversation, we dive deep into her decade-long pursuit of Hardrock, the mental battles that come with pushing through exhaustion, and what keeps her chasing difficult things when most people would stop.This isn’t about being the fastest, it’s about refusing to quit.A story of grit, patience, and relentless willpower from a woman who proves that real endurance goes far beyond the finish line.🎙️ Pushing Horizons: Step by Step: stories from runners, dreamers, and relentless minds redefining the limits of human endurance.Keywords:endurance, ultrarunning, hardrock 100, ann ongena, mental toughness, trail running, ultramarathon, running inspiration, older athletes, strong women, mindset, resilience, long-distance running, ultra endurance, motivation, never too late, final finisher, pushing horizons podcast, running stories, grit, determination, runners over 50
How do you win a 250-mile ultra, not once, but four times?This episode dives into the brutal world of multi-day ultras like the Thames Ring 250 and the Tunnel 200. We break down what it really takes to run for days: the strategy, the fueling, the hallucinations, and the mindset that turns exhaustion into precision.We talk about discipline over drama, control over chaoas, and what happens when the human body keeps going long after logic says stop.Keywords: ultra running podcast, Thames Ring 250, 250 mile race, ultra endurance, running mindset, sleep deprivation, Tunnel 200, multi-day ultra, mental toughness, pushing limits, Pushing Horizons podcast
In this episode, we dive into the brutal honesty of ultrarunning, where pain isn’t the enemy, it’s the teacher. Milton, a full-time UPS driver and single dad, talks about balancing 60-mile training weeks, running through exhaustion, and finding strength when the body gives up. From his first 100-miler to lessons on patience, resilience, and self-discovery, this conversation isn’t about finish lines, it’s about mindset.If you’ve ever wondered what keeps a runner moving when everything hurts, this one’s for you.Keywords: ultrarunning, endurance, mindset, motivation, ultra marathon, 100 miles, mental toughness, running podcast, Pushing Horizons, long-distance running, running motivation, ultra runner, trail running, growth mindset, single parent, running community, training, recovery, ultra life
What does it take to run for days, literally?Seven-time world champion and multiple world record holder, she’s conquered the toughest multi-day formats in the sport: 24-hour, 48-hour, 72-hour, and even six-day races. From Badwater 135 to GOMU World Championships, her story is a masterclass in endurance, discipline, and pure willpower.In this episode, we dive deep into:✅ The mindset behind breaking world records✅ The difference between physical pain and mental fatigue✅ Ketones, sleep deprivation, and performance science✅ The truth about Badwater and multi-day racing✅ Finding purpose and potential after age 45A conversation about grit, obsession, and pushing the boundaries of what the human body, and mind can endure.Keywords: ultra running podcast, multi-day ultra marathon, Badwater 135, endurance mindset, world record ultra runner, GOMU world champion, ultra running motivation, long distance running, women in endurance sports, ultra marathon training#pushinghorizons #pushinghorizonsstepbystep #pushinghorizonspodcast #runningpodcast
Every runner has a reason. Some chase goals. Some chase peace. Some just chase that quiet feeling of being alive.In this episode, I sit down with two of my closest running friends, one a 700-day streak runner and marathoner, the other an ultra runner, mom, and all-around endurance powerhouse. We talk about what keeps us lacing up when life gets busy, messy, or uncertain.It’s honest, unfiltered, and full of laughter, a reminder that running isn’t just about miles or medals, it’s about connection, purpose, and showing up for yourself again and again.🎧 A new monthly series where three friends talk about running, life, and the weird stuff in between.#PushingHorizons #RunningPodcast #PushingHorizonsStepByStep #PodcastForRunners
Badwater 135 Champion. Spartathlon podium finisher. 243 km in 24 hours. Sub-14 hour 100-miler.This is the story of an athlete who proves that discipline beats talent, and mindset outlasts age.In this episode, we dive into what it really takes to compete at the world’s toughest road ultras, from training in the cold mornings of Norway to surviving the heat of Death Valley.It’s about grit, mental strength, and staying hungry when most would give up.🎙️ Topics:✅ Mindset over motivation✅ Competing at 50+ against elites✅ Training, recovery, and fueling✅ Lessons from Badwater & SpartathlonIf you ever doubted your own limits, listen to this.#ultrarunning #pushinghorizons #endurance #badwater135 #spartathlon #pushinghorizonsstepbystep #pushinghorizonspodcast #runningpodcast #roadultras
A straight-talk conversation about the real ultra mindset: Lakeland 50 lessons, PB’ing a 50-miler on a DNF day, rebuilding from a knee injury back to a 5K, and planning the long road to ultras again. We cover tired-leg strides, breaking races into micro-goals, practical fueling (90g/hr done right), strength work that prevents breakdowns, and calling BS on influencer noise (ice baths/salt pills for every 5K? nah).If you’re couch-to-5K, couch-to-50K, or stuck in rehab limbo, this one’s for you: forward is progress, community over ego, and a checklist that keeps you moving when the wheels come off “Am I dead? No.”Keywords: ultra running, lakeland 50, glasgow to edinburgh ultra, dnf mindset, injury rehab, couch to 50k, 5k rebuild, fueling strategy, strides on tired legs, strength training for runners, trail running, marathon vs ultra mindset
In this episode of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, we dive deep into the mindset behind elite trail running, the grit, the setbacks, and the relentless pursuit of growth. From climbing through pain to finding purpose in the low moments, this conversation explores what it truly takes to endure and excel in the mountains.Hannah Osowski (Allgood) shares her journey from local races to international trails, her lessons from big wins and tough DNFs, and how she keeps showing up stronger each time.If you’re chasing long miles, chasing meaning, or just want to understand what makes ultrarunners tick — this one’s for you.Keywords: ultra running, trail running, endurance mindset, elite runners, mountain running, Pushing Horizons podcast, ultramarathon, mental strength, racing resilience, grit and growth, Hannah Allgood
What happens when your body forces you to stop?After being diagnosed with viral myocarditis, Neena, an exercise physiologist, marathon runner, and coach, faced the toughest challenge of her life — learning to trust her heart again.In this episode of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, Ash dives into Neena’s journey of recovery, resilience, and rediscovering the joy of running. From hospital visits to her comeback miles, she opens up about the physical and emotional toll of heart inflammation, rebuilding confidence, and finding purpose beyond performance.You’ll hear real talk about:✅ Returning to running after myocarditis✅ Marathon training and pacing post-illness✅ Exercise physiology insights for injury recovery✅ Mental resilience, body awareness, and self-compassion✅ Running for joy, not just for PRsThis isn’t about medals, it’s about courage, patience, and what it means to truly start over.🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.#pushinghorizons #pushinghorizonsstepbystep #pushinghorizonspodcast #runningpodcast #podcastforrunners #runningmotivation #comebackstory #marathontraining #viralmyocarditis #mentalstrength #runnersofinstagram #runforjoy #resilience #exercisephysiology #recoveryjourney
Katie Asmuth is more than an elite ultrarunner. She’s a mom of two, a nurse practitioner, and one of the toughest competitors in the sport. From multiple top-10 finishes at Western States to her gritty run at Leadville, Katie knows what it takes to balance family, medicine, and professional racing.In this episode, we talk about:✅ Lessons from Western States and Leadville 100✅ The mental shift from chasing splits to chasing joy✅ Balancing motherhood, medicine, and mountain miles✅ Fueling, problem-solving, and reframing when the race gets hard✅ Why grit and joy aren’t opposites—they’re the long gameIf you’re chasing your first ultra, struggling with burnout, or just want to hear real talk from one of trail running’s most authentic voices, this one’s for you.Keywords: Katie Asmuth, Western States 100, Leadville 100, ultrarunning, trail running podcast, elite ultrarunner, HOKA athlete, ultramarathon mindset, running joy, endurance sports