Like a Bigfoot

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#107: Desert RATS 5 -- More Stories from my Fellow Racers, Final Thoughts from this Event Aug 21, 2018

Show notes

This week’s Like a Bigfoot Podcast features our last Desert RATS episode. These folks are absolutely amazing athletes and incredible human beings with stories that are intense, motivating, and will hopefully inspire you to step up to your own challenges. In this episode we start by focusing on some veteran Desert RATS Sue Heineman and Jeff Knackal who were returning for more punishment after a brutally hot 2017 race. Sue, after winning the whole thing last year and Jeff who, along with his wonderful wife Theresa, was back for his 3rd time! Then we feature, Jay Lee, a newbie (but legend at crewing ultra endurance athletes) who managed the challenges like a pro in his first big time ultra event. And finally, we chat with John Graham, the most positive, awesome volunteer who spent his time providing the runners with aid, water, food, and lots of laughs. This will wrap up the Desert RATS experience for this year! Thank you guys for listening! I hope you enjoyed my attempt at telling the story of one incredible event from multiple perspectives, but in all honesty the only way to TRULY capture the magic of this event is to experience it yourself. Check out the links below if you wanna join me for the 2019 version of this truly unique and awesome stage race. I'm sure there will be plenty more adventures to share next year! See you guys next week!! MORE FROM DESERT RATS: Gemini Adventures: http://www.geminiadventures.com Desert RATS registration: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=51488 Previous race reports: https://ultrarunning.com/featured/desert-rats-kokopelli-150-stage-race-2016/ 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/

#106: Amy Donaldson-Brass -- Why You Should Push Yourself Beyond Your Self-Perception Aug 13, 2018

Show notes

This week I get the opportunity to talk with sports writer, runner, and even more awesome human being Amy Donaldson Brass! I met Amy during the Desert RATS stage race and although we intended to record a brief 20 minute recap for episode #101 (which was an episode you guys should totally check it out!), she was so open, honest, and raw about her mindset and self-discoveries through the event that we ended up chatting for an hour and a half!! This episode is for everyone out there who is pushing themselves to see what they truly could accomplish. What stories are we telling ourselves about our abilities? Could we set higher expectations for ourselves? What kind of adventures could we have by taking on something completely out of our league? If we don't hold ourselves to a higher standard how can we ever achieve to our highest abilities? These are the questions that one faces in the desert while running multiple ultra marathons day after day. Throughout her unforgettable adventure, Amy and her sister Mikey faced ups and downs with the tenacity and love that only family members could possibly share. This was one of my favorite episodes of the podcast! The story of their race is unforgettable and the lessons I learned from listening to Amy are ones I will never forget. Hope you guys enjoy the episode! The next one will be the final reports and wrap up from the Desert RATS Stage Race featuring other wonderful athletes and staff members. See you then! MORE FROM AMY: Twitter: https://twitter.com/adonsports All her sports articles: https://www.deseretnews.com/author/5017/Amy-Donaldson.html "Sometimes Victory is in Deciding to Show up for the Fight": https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900023473/amy-donaldson-some-challenges-come-from-life-others-from-ourselves-and-the-victory-is-in-deciding-to-show-up-for-the-fight.html "Desert RATS Forces us to Embrace Suffering, Each Other": https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900022836/amy-donaldson-desert-rats-150-mile-stage-race-forces-us-to-embrace-suffering-each-other.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/

#105: "Kompas Design" Ana Popovic, John Pelkey, Ali Watson -- How to Form Healthy Habits Aug 07, 2018

Show notes

This week we are chatting with Kompas Design's Ana Popovic, John Pelkey and Ali Watson! All three of them recently took on a 30 day challenge that was meant to better their health, their art, and their knowledge. Along the way they became closer, more successful communicators and discovered the key to creating new healthy habits- CONSISTENCY. In this episode we have a great conversation about how to stay consistent on a new goal and why forming a short daily practice (in anything) can be so powerful. We talk about all things yoga, teaching, design, and collaboration. They also explain why Vermont is such a wonderful state when it comes to exploring the outdoors. I really enjoyed chatting with all of three of them and hope they keep striving to better themselves day by day! MORE FROM KOMPAS DESIGN: Website: https://www.kompascreative.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kompascreative/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kompasdesign/ 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/

#104: Justin Simoni -- Tour De Highest Hundred, Bikepacking & Climbing the CO Centennials Aug 02, 2018

Show notes

I am incredibly excited to bring you this week's episode with Colorado mountain athlete Justin Simoni. Last summer, Justin created a challenge he dubbed the "Tour De Highest Hundred" which was a self powered journey to and up the 100 tallest mountains in Colorado. Over 60 days he did something no one else has even attempted as he biked to trailheads, summited the mountains, ate an astonishing amount of food, and slept in the wilderness. It truly was an extraordinary feat of human endurance! In this episode we hear the tale of the Tour de Highest Hundred. What is it like to take on an adventure of this magnitude? What sort of misadventures did he have along the way? How does one train for something this intense? Justin also shares the story of his first known traverse of the Mosquito to Ten Mile Range from Trout Creek to Mt Royal. That's a total of 91 hours, 87 miles, and 30,000’+ of elevation (which are numbers that my brain can barely comprehend!!) I really hope you enjoy the episode as much as I did! I'm an absolute Colorado mountain geek and am so grateful I got to nerd out with such an accomplished mountain athlete! MORE FROM JUSTIN SIMONI: Read more about his adventures on his Blog: http://longranger.justinsimoni.com "Climbing" Article: https://www.climbing.com/news/justin-simoni-summits-colorados-100-highest-peaks-in-60-days-self-powered/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/longrangerjustin/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/longrangerjustin/?hl=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/justinsimoni 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/

#103: Catra Corbett -- The John Muir Ramble FKT, Writing "Reborn on the Run" Jul 26, 2018

Show notes

This week I'm super pumped to chat with Catra Corbett, one of the most accomplished ultrarunners I've had the pleasure of sharing a few miles with. Catra is a wonderful human being and an amazing athlete. When you meet her you instantly know that she absolutely loves running and expresses her joy for the sport by taking on gigantic challenges. Just to give you an idea here's some of her summer schedule- Beyond the Limits 72 hour run, Desert RATS stage race, FKT on the 310 mile John Muir Ramble Route, and then the Triple Crown of 200s (where you run all three of Candice's 200 mile races)!! And that doesn't include crewing for Badwater, the a handful of other races she's signed up for, and her current running streak! In this episode Catra shares stories from her early running career before we get into her recent FKT (Fastest Known Time) on the John Muir Ramble Route- 310 miles from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park. It sounds like it was a really challenging adventure that led her and her crew through all the peaks and valleys that come from ultrarunning challenges. We also talk about the impact she has on others by sharing her story and expressing her love of running. Catra recently wrote a book called "Reborn on the Run: My Journey from Addict to Ultramarathons" which is an excellent read that will show you that anything is possible when you discover your passions. I really respect her for using her powerful story to EMPOWER OTHERS. I shared the link below so you can check it out! Hope you enjoy the episode! We'll be back at you next week!! MORE FROM CATRA CORBETT: Email directly for an autographed copy of "Reborn on the Run": dirtdiva33@gmail.com Order "Reborn on the Run": https://www.amazon.com/Reborn-Run-Journey-Addiction-Ultramarathons/dp/151072902X Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dirtdiva333/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dirtdiva333/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/dirtdiva33?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor 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/

#102: Pete Kostelnick -- Men's Record Running Across U.S, Self-Supported Alaska to Florida Jul 19, 2018

Show notes

This week we are chatting with the incredible Hoka One One athlete Pete Kostelnick. In 2016 Pete ran from San Francisco to New York City in 42 days, 6 hours and 30 minutes, shattering the previous record set in 1980. That's an average of 72 miles each day! He also holds the fastest time for Badwater 135 which is commonly known as one of the hardest endurance races in the world as it traverses Death Valley in July. In this episode Pete talks a bit about those accomplishments but mostly we dig into his next challenge. Starting in August, he will run self supported from the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska all the way to Key West, Florida, while pushing a stroller full of his supplies the entire 5,000 miles. What exactly is his strategy going into this thing? How does a supported 2,000 mile journey compare to a self supported 5,000 one ? What concerns does he have running through Alaska and Northern Canada? This is the kind of adventure that is a must follow over the next few months! Watching Pete as he makes his way across the continent will act as daily inspiration to get out and achieve your goals. Thanks so much for Pete for coming on the show! I wish you the best of luck on this AMAZING feat! FOLLOW PETE'S JOURNEY HERE: Facebook "Pete's Feet Across America": https://www.facebook.com/petesfeetaa/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/petekostelnick/?hl=en Outside Magazine Article: https://www.outsideonline.com/2131106/pete-kostelnick-13000-calories-run-across-america New York Times Article: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/26/well/move/how-to-run-across-the-country-faster-than-anyone.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/

#101: Desert RATS 4 -- Stories from My Fellow Racers Jul 12, 2018

Show notes

This week's Like a Bigfoot Podcast features stories from some of my fellow racers from the Desert RATS stage race. These folks are absolutely amazing athletes and incredible human beings with stories that are intense, motivating, and will hopefully inspire you to step up to your own challenges. It was great to reconnect because, after our experience traversing the desert, we bonded into a tight knit, super positive community. This was the most surprising aspect of the race- Random strangers relying on each other and rooting for each other's success. After recapping, the power of this was something all of us felt. It is something every single person needs to experience. Desert RATS taught me why we should ALWAYS give other people the absolute best of ourselves, because WHY NOT?? In this episode we reconnect with the awesome Phil Pinti as he shares his thoughts on the race and his experiences pushing through one of the hardest race days he's ever faced. We also chat with Micky Sederburg about Hypernatremia and what happens when the wheels fall off in the middle of the most remote part of the desert. Micky's story is intense and his resolve for next year's comeback will inspire me forever. Next is Rachel Ridgway who traveled out from Maryland and talks about how she overcame a rough start to the week to finish strong. She has inspired me to always push forward no matter the obstacles. Thomas Mullins had an amazing week and taught me so much about ultrarunning, pacing, nutrition, how to properly put on sunscreen and why to buy a $20 cowboy hat. I was so grateful to finish this race with him as I could not think of a better way to run down into Moab then chasing a cowboy through the desert. Last on the podcast is Paul Scheuring. Paul summarizes the experience of Desert RATS beautifully- a group of people who, at times, are willing to bear the burden for others to succeed. It's a wonderful lesson and Paul shares a remarkable story of a fellow racer, Scott (who rocks), supporting him in the brutal most desolate moment of his race. I hope you guys enjoy! After this episode we are going to take a break from Desert RATS for a little bit. But there will be another podcast like this in a month or so with some of the other racers and crew members, because I want to give each and every person involved a chance to share their experience. See you guys next week!! MORE FROM DESERT RATS: Gemini Adventures: http://www.geminiadventures.com Desert RATS registration: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=51488 Previous race reports: https://ultrarunning.com/featured/desert-rats-kokopelli-150-stage-race-2016/ 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/

#100: My Desert RATS Kokopelli 150 Race Report Jul 05, 2018

Show notes

This week’s episode is my race report from Gemini Adventures Desert RATS stage race. Desert RATS is a 6 day stage race on the Kokopelli Trail from Fruita, Colorado to Moab, Utah. This was one of my absolute favorite adventures I have ever experienced and I am extremely excited to share this race report for the special episode 100 of the podcast!! Throughout this episode, I recap the event to my buddy Brady Manriquez and share a few audio clips I took during various stages of the race. We talk about the incredible group of people involved, the power of supporting each other through hard times, the bizarre thoughts you get while running a long way, how the little things add up, and the power of having a WHY and running with intention. I hope you guys enjoy and take something away from this show. This one was not easy to record as it gets pretty personal, but I feel strongly that if it helps or encourages just one person get through a hard time it was absolutely worth it. Next week, I’m putting together a retrospective from fellow racers and crew. It’s gonna be awesome! MORE FROM DESERT RATS: Gemini Adventures: http://www.geminiadventures.com Desert RATS registration: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=51488 Previous race reports: https://ultrarunning.com/featured/desert-rats-kokopelli-150-stage-race-2016/ 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/ Photo Courtesy: Glen Delman Photography

#99: TJ Anderson 2 -- The Art of Health Hacking, Empowering People to Better Their Health Jun 21, 2018

Show notes

This week we welcome TJ Anderson back to the show! TJ is the author of "The Art of Health Hacking" and this week we chat about a wide variety of topics including how to empower people to better health, the best way to communicate, TJ's methods on recovering from an injury, and why we should all seek to ask more questions of ourselves. I hope you guys enjoy the show and be sure to check out TJ's book! It is fantastic! MORE FROM TJ: Art of Health Hacking: http://www.healthhackerbook.com Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Art-Health-Hacking-Personal-Performance/dp/1683507738 TJ's website: http://www.thisistj.com 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/

#98: Desert RATS 3 -- One Week Out With Phil Pinti Jun 14, 2018

Show notes

We are one week out from the Desert RATS Kokopelli Stage Race- a 6 day run through the desert- and this week I'm chatting with fellow racer and all around AWESOME guy Phil Pinti. When it comes to stage races, neither Phil or I have any experience which means one week out we cannot be any more excited and nervous! When you break the race down into the most simplistic terms, it seems fairly straight forward- keep putting one foot in front of the other. But, as you will find out in this episode, there is an insane amount involved when planning and training for a multi-day event: food, hydration, self-care, sleeping arrangements, mandatory equipment, and safety procedures, and many more concerns. In this episode Phil and I discuss our training and preparation, our expectations for the race, what we are looking forward to, and, most importantly, our why- the reason to sign up for something that is going to push you physically and mentally. I really hope you enjoy listening to the show! I really loved chatting with Phil and am excited to meet him in a few days. I truly hope you are out there stepping up to your big challenges and goals. These events are exhilarating and bring enthusiasm and beauty to our lives. Go get 'em!! MORE FROM PHIL PINTI: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/macho_man_runneth/ Rip It Events: https://www.facebook.com/ripitevents/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MachoManRunneth MORE FROM DESERT RATS: Gemini Adventures: http://www.geminiadventures.com Desert RATS registration: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=51488 Previous race reports: https://ultrarunning.com/featured/desert-rats-kokopelli-150-stage-race-2016/ 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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