Buckle Up: An Ultrarunning Conversation

In this engaging conversation, Taylor Nichols shares his unique journey as an ultra biker, connecting generations through his biking adventures across America. He discusses his advocacy work for safe streets and the importance of creating a biking-friendly environment. The conversation also delves into the emerging trends of e-bikes and e-motos, exploring the need for regulation and safety. Throug...

Welcome back to Buckle Up, everyone! Today I am incredibly excited to share a conversation that gets right to the heart of why we challenge ourselves on the trails. My guest today is Jake Jackson, and we sat down to talk about everything from the deep philosophies of life to the daily grit of training. Jake’s journey into the endurance world is nothing short of incredible. Back in 2011, by his own...

Join me for an inspiring conversation with ultra runner Sierra DeGroff as she shares her journey from Midwest track athlete to seasoned ultra marathoner. Discover her insights on training, race experiences, community, and her unique approach to the sport.

In this episode, Neal Palles, an ultra-running coach and mental health professional, shares insights on integrating mental health, performance psychology, and athletic training. Topics include acceptance commitment therapy, handling DNF experiences, and building mental resilience for endurance sports.

From 450 pounds to running over 100 miles on foot in less than three years—today’s episode is nothing short of extraordinary. This week, Mandy Mullen and Coach Brian sit down with Josh Lee to unpack his incredible transformation. Josh didn't just change his physical health; he completely revolutionized who he is as a husband, father, and employee. Interestingly, he did it by choosing to be &qu...

In this episode, we sit down with Chris Marcinek fresh off his incredible finish at the Cocodona 250 , where he crossed the line in a staggering 85 hours . We dive deep into Chris’s transition from the Navy to the trails, uncovering the discipline and mental fortitude required to tackle one of the most iconic point-to-point ultramarathons in the country. From navigating hydration crises to the pro...

With the Cocodona 250 just days away, this episode features a deep dive with Stephanie Rosebaugh. Both Mandy and Steph are heading to the starting line this week, and we explore Steph's unique journey to this monumental race. From navigating the mental battlefield of "backyard" formats to the philosophy behind her memoir, The Power of Enoughness, Stephanie shares how she balances the...

Join Coach Brian as we explore the vibrant world of community-building in running, ultra events, and the power of authentic connections. Jason Bahamundi shares insights on grassroots races, supporting fellow athletes, and creating inclusive spaces for all levels.

In this episode of Buckle Up , Coach Brian Passenti is joined by ultra runner Ruairi Moynihan for a raw and honest deep dive into one of the most frustrating injuries for endurance athletes: Haglund’s Deformity . Whether you call it "pump bump" or just a literal pain in the heel, Haglund’s can derail years of training. Brian and Ruairi are at two very different stages of the process—Bria...

This week on Buckle Up , we have a very special "welcome home" episode. Former co-host Simon Guerard rejoins Coach Brian and Mandy Mullen to recount his epic finish at the Arizona Monster 300 . Three hundred miles is more than just a race; it’s a journey through every physical and mental state a human can experience. Simon pulls back the curtain on the raw reality of the Monster 300, fro...

What happens when you trade 20 years of trauma nursing stories for 250 miles of desert trail? This week, Coach Brian and Mandy Mullen sit down with Maia Detmer to explore her incredible evolution from a high-stress career in a Las Vegas ER to becoming a powerhouse in the ultra-running community. Maia opens up about her transition from unhealthy habits to finding her stride in endurance sports at a...

This week on Buckle Up , we sit down with a true legend of the trails: Ed Ettinghausen , better known to the community as "The Running Jester." With over 300 hundred-mile finishes and multiple world records to his name, Ed brings a wealth of experience, humor, and heart to the show. In this episode, we explore the man behind the iconic costumes and the drive required to maintain a stagge...

Lace ’em up and grab a handheld, because we are hitting the trails for a heavy-hitting (but light-hearted) Episode 104! This week on Buckle Up: An Ultrarunning Conversation , Coach Brian and Mandy Mullen are sitting down with the resilient Aaron Nelson . If you’ve ever had a "DNF" (Did Not Finish) burning a hole in your soul or a "Why" that’s bigger than the miles ahead, this c...

In this episode of Buckle Up , hosts Coach Brian and Mandy Mullen sit down with ultra-endurance athlete Wesley Smith to explore his incredible transition from the San Francisco running scene to the rugged, high-altitude trails of Mexico. Wesley shares the grit and grace required to tackle the "Tras las huellas del jaguar" 200-miler and offers a front-row seat to the explosive growth of M...

Strap in for a high-energy episode of Buckle Up: An Ultrarunning Conversation! This week, Mandy and Coach Brian are joined by the man, the myth, the legend: Greg Veregin —better known to the community as Greggi off the Seggi. We’re diving deep into the secret sauce of the ultra-endurance world: the Burrito League . Greg shares his journey from a spark of inspiration in a college classroom to becom...

In this engaging interview, Josh Sprague, founder of Orange Mud, shares his journey from frustration with gear to creating innovative products for endurance athletes. Discover how passion, design, and community-driven feedback have shaped a thriving business in the outdoor sports industry.

Welcome back to the show! In today’s episode, Coach Brian and Mandy Mullen sit down for a rapid-fire session with the incredible Dr. Stephanie Howe, PhD. As both a world-class ultra-runner and a registered dietitian with a background in exercise physiology, Stephanie brings a rare blend of elite athletic experience and rigorous scientific expertise to the table. Throughout this conversation, we ex...

In this episode of the Buckle Up Podcast, hosts Mandy Mullen and Coach Brian welcome ultra runner Ben Niebla, who shares his journey from hiking in New Hampshire to becoming an accomplished ultra runner. Benjamin discusses his early experiences with sports, his transition into trail running, and how he found a community that supports and inspires him. He recounts his first ultra race, the challeng...

Buckle up! This week, Coach Brian and Mandy Mullen sit down with Chris Avery, a man who went from "accidental runner" to planning one of the most ambitious physical feats we’ve ever heard on the show. Chris shares the story of how a spur-of-the-moment marathon with zero training ignited a fire that hasn’t gone out since. Now, he’s preparing for his biggest "why" yet: running the entire perimeter o...

In this episode of Buckle Up , Coach Brian and Mandy Mullen sit down with the renowned Dr. Jason Karp to discuss the intersection of sports science, culture, and technology. Dr. Karp takes us through his fascinating journey from a curious student of human anatomy to a leader in the running community. The conversation dives deep into his time coaching in Kenya, revealing how a culture rooted in com...

This week, we sit down with Ellie Martinez, the essential "right hand" to our co-host Mandy Mullen. We go behind the scenes to discuss Ellie’s pivotal role at Run. Windsor and what has surprised her most about working in the industry. Plus, Ellie opens up about her lifelong background in sports and draws a fascinating parallel between the patience of hunting and the endurance of ultra ru...

In this conversation, Andrea Moore shares her journey from a corporate banking career to becoming an ultra runner, highlighting the importance of community, personal growth, and the transformative power of outdoor experiences. She discusses her transition during COVID, the joy of exploring new places through running, and offers advice for newcomers to the ultra running scene, emphasizing the signi...

In this episode, we sit down with the man who literally wrote the book on ultra endurance training: Jason Koop . From his new home base in France, Koop discusses his most ambitious project yet— Koop AI . Described as "his brain in a box," Koop AI represents a massive shift in how technology interacts with athlete development. We dive deep into the philosophy behind the platform, the crit...

In this episode, Coach Brian interviews Josh Coleman, who shares his journey into ultra running, the impact of grief on his life, and how running has become a source of solace and healing after the tragic loss of his wife. Josh discusses his experiences in ultra races, the importance of community, and how writing a book about his journey has helped him process his grief. He also shares insights on...

This week, Mandy Mullen and Coach Brian Passenti sit down with Jes Parker , the founder of the innovative new enterprise, Take2Trail.com In a sport where gear can be prohibitively expensive and environmental waste is a growing concern, Jes is changing the narrative. We dive deep into her personal journey from accidental runner to Backyard Ultra competitor, and how that path led her to create a mis...