Dirt And Vert

Rosie Gagnon, an ultra runner, transforms grief into a powerful journey of healing and strength. Inspired by her son Dexter's courageous battle with mental health, she has conquered 73 grueling 100-mile races, each stride a tribute to his memory. Through her inspiring story, Rosie demonstrates the transformative power of sport, finding solace and resilience in the ultra running community. Her...

What happens when a guy facing tough times decides to hit the trails? For Ryan, it was the start of an epic adventure he never could have imagined. Join us as he shares his transformation from facing a challenging time in his life in 2020 to running 100 and 200 miler races in less than 2 years. Join him as he recounts iconic races like Warhammer 100, Cruel Jewel 100, Hellbender, and even the South...

Join us with ultra runner Brandon Johnson as he shares his inspiring journey to running to his mailbox to lose weight to finishing his first marathon and most recently setting the 12-hour state record. Brandon's passion for running shines through as he recounts the trials and tribulations of training, racing, and everything in between. Whether he's discussing his love for backyard ultras,...

In this episode, we meet Kassandra Klemenz, a double lung transplant recipient who has defied the odds and become an inspiring athlete. Kassandra will share her journey of overcoming cystic fibrosis, the challenges she faced before and after the transplant, and her newfound passion for endurance sports. You'll hear about her participation in mountain bike races, duathlons, and completing the K...

Meet Rob Apple, the ultramarathon legend and a pioneer in the sport who holds the world record for the most ultras ever run. In this episode, Rob shares his incredible journey from his early days as a runner in the '70s to his relentless pursuit of ultra distances. Discover the transformation of the sport from its humble beginnings with homemade energy drinks and minimal support, to the thrivi...

In this podcast episode, we delve into the remarkable journey of Daniel Grant, an avid runner who has conquered various races. Daniel’s running odyssey began with a modest 5K, but he gradually pushed his limits, eventually participating in grueling 100-mile races. Along the way, he discovered the power of perseverance and the mental and physical resilience required to overcome challenges. Nutritio...

Brian Zickefoose, an ultra runner, shares his journey from making bad choices and tanking his career to finding redemption through running. He started running in seventh grade after being cut from the baseball team and discovered his talent for long-distance running. Despite facing setbacks and addiction, he found his way back to running and achieved impressive results, including podium finishes a...

David and Matt dive into their marathon experiences, sharing the challenges and triumphs of training. They discuss how life events, like moving and illness, impacted their preparation but didn't stop them from reaching the finish line. The importance of strength training, flexibility work, and pushing through those 'ugly runs' is a key theme. The conversation then shifts to upcoming ra...

Micah Morgan & Chris Stayman share their experiences with their most recent 100 miles races. Micah completed his first 100 mile race and discovered that his why is not what he thought it was. Chris tells us about breaking the TN state record for the 100 mile distance with his army of sour patch kids. We dive deeper into discussing the running community and the impact it can have finding your c...

Ultrarunner and Coach Mary Cates knows a thing or two about pushing past breaking points. In this episode, she shares her raw and honest journey through injury, self-doubt, cancer treatment, and her "why" for running. Discover how the miles that try to break you can be the very ones that mold you into a stronger, more resilient athlete – and person.

Ashley Paulson's love for running began at a young age, following in her father's footsteps. It wasn't about winning or achieving the fastest times; it was about the pure enjoyment of the sport. Even when faced with injuries that sidelined her from running, Ashley found ways to stay active and discovered a passion for triathlon training. Through triathlon, she embraced new challenges l...

Sarah Baker never imagined that a simple walk in the woods would set her on a path of profound personal change. Yet, that's exactly what happened on the Appalachian Trail. "The White Blazes that Changed Everything" is her story of resilience, grit, and finding her true strength amidst the miles and mountains. Now, inspired by her transformative journey, Sarah sets her sights on a new...

Micah Morgan's story is one of transformation and self-discovery. After finding himself overweight and unhealthy, Micah decided to make a change. He began his journey by losing weight, but soon plateaued and lacked motivation. It was then that he decided to try running, starting with a 5k. He quickly fell in love with running and the trail running community. Micah has since completed numerous race...

Billy Richards is an ultramarathoner who has completed an impressive 35 100-mile races in a single year, carrying an American flag with him. This podcast tells the inspiring story of his journey, from his early days hitting the gym and Marine to his discovery of ultramarathons and his decision to run with the flag. The podcast will explore Billy's motivations for running such long distances, t...

From Hurricane Katrina to ultramarathons, Mike Uhlig's story is one of resilience and determination. After his hometown was devastated by the storm, Mike moved to Kentucky and joined the cross country team. Despite not making varsity, he continued to run in the military and during his time in Afghanistan. When he got out of the military, he was inspired by books about ultrarunning and began tr...

This episode delves into Bob Adam's incredible journey, from being an elementary kid on the middle school cross country team to hitting the treadmill in Kuwait to battling it out on courses like Boston, Black Toe, Pinhoti and many others. Along the way, you'll hear about his numerous accomplishments, funny stories about races and runners and his accomplishments and multiple course records in ultra...

Andy Glaze's journey into the world of ultramarathon running began in an unexpected place: his twenties, battling anxiety and depression. Seeking solace, he turned to running, and what started as a casual jog soon blossomed into a life-changing passion. Fueled by the endorphin rush and the sense of accomplishment, Andy persevered, even when faced with self-doubt and challenging races like his...

Join us as we dive into breaking course records, FKT's, and the newest Last Man Standing event The Conquer with Luke Bollschweiller! Luke is a seasoned ultra-runner with a passion for the sport. He shares his insights on the transition from marathon running to ultras, the challenges and rewards of long-distance running, and his tips for fueling and training for ultra-marathons. Luke also talks...

Meet Steven Kornhaus, aka Ultra Trail Steven, a former Army tanker who transformed into a 100-mile ultramarathon runner. Join us as we delve into the awe-inspiring journey of Steven, a man who swapped his army boots and camo for running shoes and an action camera, he then obtained multiple podium finishes and becomes the last man standing at the Elsie Enduro.

In this episode, we chat with Matt Blankenship, former University of Tennessee Volunteer and national champion, as he shares his surprising journey from the gridiron to Olympic weightlifter who holds multiple world records to an ultramarathon runner who pushes his limits on the dirt. Buckle up for blisters, bicep tears (ouch!), and the powerful lessons discovered through sweat, community, and leav...

What does it take to be an ultra runner and a photographer? How do you balance your passions and goals in life? How do you overcome the obstacles and challenges that come your way? In this episode, we talk to Misty Heron, an accomplished ultra runner and photographer who has done amazing things in both fields. Misty shares her journey in trail running and photography, from how she got started to h...

Casey George is a runner who used to be a smoker who wanted to do something better for himself, and he decided to make a change and started running which quickly led to his first ultra marathon. His first race was a 10K that crushed him but he was hooked. He quickly progressed to longer distances, and he has now run multiple distances including 100-milers, a 200-miler, and backyard ultras. Listen...

David, Matt, and Mike discuss their worst and best race experiences of the year, highlighting the challenges they faced and the lessons they learned. They share stories of races like the Chattanooga Marathon, Georgia Jewel, Black Toe, and Mad Backyard. The conversation emphasizes the importance of hydration, training, and mental resilience in achieving race goals. Overall, the hosts reflect on the...

Kyle Kalbus is a decorated ultrarunner who has achieved a lot in the sport in a short amount of time. He is a true inspiration to anyone who is looking to push their limits and achieve their goals. Kyle's story is one of perseverance, dedication, and hard work. He started running as a way to lose weight and quickly fell in love with the sport. He has since gone on to win numerous races and set cou...

Walter Handloser shares his journey into running and his experiences in various races. He discusses his transition from marathons to running to a record of 50-100 miler races in 1 year. Walt also talks about his pursuit of the Western States 100 and his participation in challenging races like The Spine Race. He shares his approach to planning and logistics to race back-to-back events. Overall, Wal...