Like a Bigfoot

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#117: Rob Pope -- The Real Life Forrest Gump, Running 15,000+ Miles Across America 5 Times Oct 26, 2018

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"That day, for no particular reason, I decided to go for a little run." - Forrest Gump I'm extremely excited to welcome Rob Pope, the real life Forrest Gump, to this week's show! Over the last few years, Rob has taken on the EPIC challenge of recreating Forrest Gump's famous run. Over 15,000 miles across the United States 5 times, he tested the limits of his own endurance and experienced the U.S. to the absolute fullest. Over his year and a half adventure he experienced highs and lows, received major support from strangers along the way, and ran through some of the most iconic places in the country. The human connections he made, along with the places he explored were life changing. Completing the challenge was absolutely unprecedented. Today's episode is all about this INCREDIBLE ADVENTURE. Rob shares how one of his last conversations with his mother about "Doing one thing that makes a difference in this world" inspired this challenge. He also chats about the adventures he had along the way, along with the obstacles he had to overcome (including a torn quadricep..yikes!). We also talk a lot about one of my favorite subjects....Tom Hanks! Please check out Rob's website. He would love your help supporting two excellent charities- Peace Direct and World Wildlife Fund. Enjoy!! MORE FROM ROB POPE: Website: http://www.goingthedistancerun.com/ Support WWF and Peace Direct: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=goingthedistancerun&pageUrl=2 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/run.robla.run/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/runroblarun/ BBC Article: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-merseyside-43517715 MORE LIKE A BIGFOOT: Subscribe and Review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/like-a-bigfoot/id1160773293?mt=2 Soundcloud Archives: https://soundcloud.com/chris-ward-126531464 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/likeabigfoot/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/likeabigfoot/

#116: Josh Sprague -- Founder of Orange Mud, Taking on "Leadman" Oct 19, 2018

Show notes

This week I'm honored to share a conversation with Josh Sprague, adventure racer, ultra endurance athlete, and founder of adventure gear company Orange Mud. We chat all about his recent attempt at Leadman, the series where competitors take on every single Leadville, CO endurance event over the summer. Josh also shares stories from his time as an adventure racer and discusses what led him down the path of creating adventure gear. I really enjoyed talking with Josh and I hope you guys take as much away from this episode as I did! MORE FROM JOSH SPRAGUE AND ORANGE MUD: Orange Mud website: https://www.orangemud.com Orange Mud Adventure Channel Podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/orange-mud-adventure-channel/id1206428899?mt=2 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orangemud/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/orangemud/ MORE LIKE A BIGFOOT: Subscribe and Review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/like-a-bigfoot/id1160773293?mt=2 Soundcloud Archives: https://soundcloud.com/chris-ward-126531464 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/likeabigfoot/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/likeabigfoot/

#115: Jay Lund -- Yeti 100, The Exciting and Dangerous World of Cave Diving Oct 12, 2018

Show notes

This week we are talking with Jay Lund, an athlete who has taken on many impressive adventures and has stepped up to some intense challenges in his life. In this episode we talk about a bunch of different topics; everything from his recent race at the Yeti 100 in Virginia to the joys of east coast trail running to dodging alligators in Florida trail races. We also spend a bit of time talking about underwater cave diving which is an incredibly dangerous sport that Jay explored for quite a few years. The general idea is that you scuba dive into various cave systems. It sounds like the definition of extreme and requires some intense focus and preparation. Jay is really knowledgeable and his stories about cave diving will have you on the edge of your seat! Thanks for coming on the show Jay, I really appreciated hanging and am grateful that you shared your stories with the podcast. Hope you guys enjoy! We'll catch you next week. MORE FROM JAY LUND: Twitter: https://twitter.com/voodoo36?lang=en Desert RATS bio: https://geminiadventures.com/desert-rats-bio-2018-lay-lund/ How Cave Diving Works: https://adventure.howstuffworks.com/outdoor-activities/water-sports/cave-diving.htm Yeti 100: https://www.yetitrailrunners.com/races/2017/9/29/l15tjltymtozh89rqy4ntmapfc6nlb MORE LIKE A BIGFOOT: Subscribe and Review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/like-a-bigfoot/id1160773293?mt=2 Soundcloud Archives: https://soundcloud.com/chris-ward-126531464 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/likeabigfoot/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/likeabigfoot/

#114: Alfredo Garcia Huerta -- How to Train For and Complete Your First Ironman Oct 06, 2018

Show notes

This week we are talking with Alfredo Garcia Huerta, an incredible athlete from Virginia, about the ups and downs he experienced taking on his very first Ironman triathlon. An Ironman is something most endurance athletes have on their bucket list with a training that seems incredibly time consuming and intense. It's something I've always wanted to dig deeper into for this podcast! In this episode Alfredo shares how he juggled real life with long training sessions, how being 100% committed to the plan leads to no excuses or regrets on race day, the ways in which an Ironman is different than a regular marathon or ultra, and his experience swimming, biking and running his way on the big day. Enjoy the episode! MORE FROM ALFREDO: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/run_alfredo_run/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alfredo.h.garcia MORE LIKE A BIGFOOT: Subscribe and Review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/like-a-bigfoot/id1160773293?mt=2 Soundcloud Archives: https://soundcloud.com/chris-ward-126531464 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/likeabigfoot/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/likeabigfoot/

#113: Thad Burkamper 2 --Spartan Race Trifecta, FOCUS - What Stops Us From Our Goals? Sep 28, 2018

Show notes

This week we are reconnecting with Thad Burkamper to talk about his recent Spartan Race Trifecta, what it was like training and running a race with his wife Rachel, his concept of FOCUS- the things that stop us from reaching our goals, and the lessons he learned from his longest run to date! Hope you guys enjoy this one!! I absolutely loved chatting with Thad and hearing about his adventures! MORE FROM THAD: TB Mentalism: https://www.facebook.com/tbmentalism/ Previous LABF episode: https://soundcloud.com/chris-ward-126531464/59-thad-burkamper MORE LIKE A BIGFOOT: Subscribe and Review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/like-a-bigfoot/id1160773293?mt=2 Soundcloud Archives: https://soundcloud.com/chris-ward-126531464 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/likeabigfoot/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/likeabigfoot/

#112: Ryan Esdohr 3 --Why Take on Extreme Ultra Endurance Events, 48 Hour Go Ruck Sep 21, 2018

Show notes

This week we welcome back Ryan Esdohr to the show to talk about his recent 48 hour GoRuck Challenge....we end up mostly talking about why we take on these extreme ultra endurance events- all the positives and all the negatives. What follows is one of my absolute favorite conversations I've had in my two years of doing this podcast. Check it out! MORE FROM RYAN: Superhuman Lab: https://www.mysuperhumanlab.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/superhumanlab/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanesdohr/ MORE LIKE A BIGFOOT: Subscribe and Review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/like-a-bigfoot/id1160773293?mt=2 Soundcloud Archives: https://soundcloud.com/chris-ward-126531464 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/likeabigfoot/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/likeabigfoot/

#111: Jay Lee -- How to Crew a Record Setting Run Across America Sep 14, 2018

Show notes

This week I'm very excited to welcome Jay Lee back to the show! Jay is an ultra runner and one of the best crew leaders around. Over 54 and a half days in 2017, he crewed Sandra Villines through her world record setting transcontinental run in which she ran from San Francisco to New York City. Through all of her 3,127 miles Jay spent his days driving a little ways up the road, running back to her with her nutrition and supplies, getting back in the car, and doing it over and over again up to 100 times a day. He was extremely organized, detailed, patient, and hard working through the whole endeavor. On this episode Jay shares his experience. What does it take to be a good crew member? How do you support a self-sponsored event like this? What's it like to crew all the way across America in a tiny Toyota rental car? How do you chase a bear away on the down low so your runner isn't freaked out? It takes someone truly special like Jay to be the wingman in an event like this and I'm super pumped to share such a wild adventure with you!! Hope you enjoy the episode! MORE FROM JAY LEE: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayleesadventures/?hl=en Ultrarunning Magazine Article About Sandra V: https://ultrarunning.com/ultrarunning-news/sandra-villines-north-american-transcontinental-world-record/ MORE LIKE A BIGFOOT: Subscribe and Review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/like-a-bigfoot/id1160773293?mt=2 Soundcloud Archives: https://soundcloud.com/chris-ward-126531464 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/likeabigfoot/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/likeabigfoot/

#110: Zandy Mangold -- Chasing Your Passions, How Photography Led to Adventures in Ultrarunning Sep 07, 2018

Show notes

This week's show features an amazing photographer and awesome ultra runner Zandy Mangold! Zandy started ultrarunning after being hired as the photographer for the Racing the Planet series. Since then he has been all around the world and has participated in a wide variety of races- everything from week long stage races in Chile to the Badwater 135 to the Georgia Death Race and so much more!! In this episode Zandy explains the journey of turning his passion for photography into his career. He also gives us a rundown of the 4 desert races, talks about the conundrum of watching people suffer through an ultra marathon only to think to yourself "I think I should do this!" and describes the extreme heat he faced at Badwater this year. Hope you guys enjoy the show! I really loved chatting with Zandy. I always think it's super inspiring when someone is living their life guided by their passions! Be sure to check out all of his photos by following run_n_shoot on instagram https://www.instagram.com/run_n_shoot/?hl=ens. His work is incredible! MORE FROM ZANDY MANGOLD: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/run_n_shoot/?hl=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/zandymangold?lang=en Website: https://zandymangoldnyc.com National Geographic Article: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/features/ultramarathon-runner-science-obsession-pain-culture/ MORE LIKE A BIGFOOT: Subscribe and Review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/like-a-bigfoot/id1160773293?mt=2 Soundcloud Archives: https://soundcloud.com/chris-ward-126531464 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/likeabigfoot/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/likeabigfoot/

#109: Pat Angerer -- Lessons from His Journey to the NFL Aug 31, 2018

Show notes

On this week's Like a Bigfoot Podcast, former Indianapolis Colts Linebacker Pat Angerer shares lessons he learned from his journey to the NFL. Pat talks about the unexpected path his football career took him down, the moment he went "all in" to become the middle linebacker for the Iowa Hawkeyes, his experiences as a rookie in the big league, and how his mindset evolved through each phase of his career. This is a really enjoyable episode and I hope you guys take as much away from the lessons Pat shares as I did! Thanks Pat for coming on the show! I wish you the absolute best on everything you take on in the future! Also....football season is about to start!!! I'M SO EXCITED!!!!! MORE FROM PAT ANGERER: Twitter: https://twitter.com/PAngererUSA QC Times Article: https://qctimes.com/sports/college/big-10/iowa/former-hawkeyes-angerer-and-greenwood-still-fighting-together-as-a/article_226b71f0-d2de-5c9b-80d6-9e5338b3e9a2.html MORE LIKE A BIGFOOT: Subscribe and Review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/like-a-bigfoot/id1160773293?mt=2 Soundcloud Archives: https://soundcloud.com/chris-ward-126531464 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/likeabigfoot/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/likeabigfoot/

#108: Randy Ward -- Father/Son Adventures, Exploring Vanuatu Aug 28, 2018

Show notes

On this week's episode of the show, I sat down and had a wonderful talking to one of the most influential people in my life, my dad Randy Ward. We chat about a wide variety of topics but mostly focus on how his experiences growing up in a small southern Iowan town influenced his love for nature and the outdoors. We also share stories from our father/son trip to Vanuatu, a small chain of islands in the South Pacific where my grandpa served during World War II. This includes our leaky kayak ocean adventures and when we canyoneered, climbed, and swam our way back into a cave deep in the jungle. (Spoiler ALERT: It was the time I most felt like Indiana Jones!) Lastly, he tells stories from rafting the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area- one of the wildest places in the U.S. Hope you guys enjoy this episode! It was really important for me to understand how and why I developed a love for adventure and exploring the outdoors. I've realized it's all about the opportunities my parents gave me when I was younger. I had plenty of moments when they would send me out of the house for time spent aimlessly wondering the woods. I didn't always love it in the moment, but that opportunity is what engrained my core values. So go out and help give other people opportunities for experiences they might absolutely fall in love with! MORE LIKE A BIGFOOT: Subscribe and Review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/like-a-bigfoot/id1160773293?mt=2 Soundcloud Archives: https://soundcloud.com/chris-ward-126531464 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/likeabigfoot/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/likeabigfoot/

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