Dirt And Vert

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, we're joining forces with the dynamic Mariah Fields , a remarkable ultra runner who now leads the pack as Race Director for Coyote Ugly Racing! Mariah takes us on her incredible journey, starting from battling exercise-induced asthma in middle school to finding her strength on the ultra trails after having children. She opens up about the tough lessons l...

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, we're sitting down with an emerging ultra phenom, Hans Troyer! His journey is a testament to raw talent, resilience, and the power of setting audacious goals. Hans takes us from his days dreaming of football and basketball to finding his true calling on the trails. He gets real about the lessons learned the hard way—like the early struggles with fueling...

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, your hosts David and Matt are pulling back the curtain on the tough lessons and big wins from their latest ultra adventures! We're diving straight into the deep end, starting with the Yeti 100 , where David faced down some serious health issues and learned, once again, that ultra running is less about the legs and more about the fight. Then, Matt brings...

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, we're honored to have a familiar voice and a cornerstone of our community: Mike Taylor , co-founder of East Coast Adventures! Mike takes us through his deeply personal and inspiring journey, from his early days in sports to the unexpected moment he dove headfirst into marathons. He opens up about how running became a therapeutic outlet during challenging...

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, we're lacing up with Richard Abernathy , an avid ultra runner and the visionary Race Director behind Dirty Wolf Racing! Richard takes us on his incredible journey, which started with a simple competition and evolved into a deep passion for the trails. We dive into the wild world of race directing, covering unique events like the challenging Beast of the...

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, we're honored to sit down with Lauren , a remarkable ultra runner whose story is a masterclass in resilience and grit. Lauren shares her incredible journey from battling a broken ankle to achieving the ultimate dream: qualifying for Team USA! We dive deep into her training philosophy, her harrowing experience in the final miles of a race, and the mental...

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, we're lacing up with the remarkable April Bailey , a former basketball player who found her true calling on the trails and went on to become the first-place female and overall winner of the 2025 Yeti 100! April shares her powerful and deeply personal journey, opening up about how running became a source of healing after personal loss. She takes us throug...

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, we're diving into a world of grit, genius, and a little bit of madness with Jared Beasley , a runner and writer who knows a thing or two about chasing demons on the trails. Jared takes us on his incredible journey from a troubled past to finding his purpose through running and writing. He pulls back the curtain on the enigma himself, Laz, the legendary race...

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, we're lacing up with the incredible Katti Jackson , an ultra runner whose journey is a masterclass in resilience and grit. She's coming off an epic run where she won and set the course record at The Cherokee 70K! Katti's story is proof that you don't need years on the trails to make a name for yourself. She takes us on her wild ride from a DN...

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, we're lacing up with the remarkable Sarah Baker , an ultra runner whose journey on the Appalachian Trail is a powerful testament to resilience, self-discovery, and the unwavering belief in oneself. Sarah shares her raw and honest story, revealing the physical and emotional challenges she faced during her attempts to set a Fastest Known Time (FKT). We tal...

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, we're honored to sit down with a true legend in the ultra running community, Jason Green from the Yeti Trail Runners! Jason takes us on a deep dive into the heart of the sport, from his own personal journey into ultra running to the wild evolution of the Yeti 100 race. He gets real about the challenges of race directing and the immense joy of creating a welc...

He's back! This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, we're honored to sit down once again with the one and only ultra runner, Andy Glaze . And let me tell you, he’s been busy! Andy takes us on a wild ride through his latest adventures, from the mind-bending Cocoa Monster to the epic Arizona Monster 300 . He gets real about the challenges of solo racing, the crucial art of recovery, and the l...

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, we're lacing up with the remarkable Audrey Carter , an accomplished ultra runner from the East Coast Adventures team whose story is all about finding her fire on the trails. She's coming off two incredible podium finishes at The Cherokee Ultra 70K and Fort Frenzy Ultra Festival 24 Hours! Audrey takes us on a journey from her early days as a soccer pl...

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, we're honored to sit down with the incredible Crystal Wheatley, "Queen of the South," and ultrarunner whose journey is a powerful story of resilience, redemption, and the transformative power of running. Crystal shares her path from being a competitive 5K runner in high school to facing personal challenges that led her to sobriety. She opens up about how run...

In this conversation, Addison Hendricks shares his journey as an ultra runner, detailing his early beginnings in running, the challenges he faces with nutrition and recovery, and the mental toughness required for endurance sports. He reflects on memorable race experiences, the lessons learned from his journey, and his aspirations for the future. Addison's story is one of perseverance, growth, and...

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, we're joined by an absolute force of nature, Anna Troup ! Her story is a testament to the fact that it's never too late to find your calling. Anna takes us on her incredible journey from a rowing background to becoming a dominant ultra runner who just won the Summer Spine 2025! We'll dive deep into her experiences in legendary races like the UTMB and the bru...

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, we're honored to sit down with Dylan Ledbetter, an incredible ultra runner whose journey from military service to finding freedom on the trails will truly inspire you. Dylan shares his powerful story of how running became a form of therapy, helping him navigate personal challenges and embrace a path to sobriety. We dive deep into pivotal moments like the...

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, your hosts David and Matt are pulling back the curtain on their latest adventures, serving up fresh insights and hard-won lessons from the trails! We're diving deep into the World's Fair Ultras in Knoxville, TN – imagine running around that iconic Sun Sphere! Plus, we're reliving the highs and lows of Western States , the grind of Mid-State Mile...

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, we're bringing you an incredible story that truly embodies the spirit of endurance, family, and grit! We're honored to sit down with Michael and Nicholas Leo , a dynamic father-son duo whose journey in ultra running is nothing short of inspiring. Michael shares his path from various sports to finding his calling in running, while Nicholas, inspired b...

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, get ready for a story that will move your heart and inspire your soles! We're honored to sit down with Tyson, Clay, and Johnny, three inspirational runners who embarked on an extraordinary journey: running across Tennessee for a cause that means the world to them – raising awareness and funds for Callie, a young girl with a rare medical condition. Clay share...

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, we're lacing up and hitting the trails with Ginny Smith , a prominent race director for Bad Beard Events and an ultra runner who’s all about building community, one stride at a time! Ginny takes us on her inspiring journey from pounding pavement to embracing the trails after moving to Chattanooga. She opens up about the wild ride of becoming a race direc...

Alright, get ready for an episode that's as wild as a zombie apocalypse (and as inspiring as crossing a state on foot)! This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, we're welcoming the awesome duo, Jon Cox and Becca Jones from BMFJ Events and the infamous Mid-State Mile! Becca and Jon takes us on a truly unique running journey – from initial motivation to survive a zombie apocalypse (seriously!...

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, it's a special episode with your hosts, David, Matt, and Mary, as we dive into our recent race experiences, the highs, the lows, and the grit it takes to keep showing up! Matt's sharing all the secrets behind his incredible course record at Johnston Woods – 60.9 miles of pure determination! We'll get into his fueling strategies and what it took t...

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, we're lacing up and diving into the incredible journey of Kyle Kraeft, an ultra runner who knows a thing or two about pushing through when everything screams "STOP!" Kyle takes us back to his very first steps into the ultra world, sharing the raw, real challenges he faced in those early races and the hard-earned lessons that shaped him. We'...

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, we're diving deep into the world of grit and grace with the phenomenal Shannon Wheeler! She's not just an ultra runner; she's a force of nature who's tackled some of the toughest races out there. Shannon takes us on her incredible journey, from finding solace in running in her mid-30s to crushing races like the Cruel Jewel 100 (which she comp...