Free Outside

This week, I scrapped the pre-recorded episode I had ready to go and decided to hit record and talk live—from the post-Cocodona haze. After five finishes at Cocodona 250, I figured it was time to finally answer the question: Should you sign up for Cocodona? I break down what it really takes to toe that start line, what happens in the mid-pack where most of us live for days on end, and why finishin...

The crazy story of my fifth finish at Cocodona 250. This year was full of surprises — I ran with a sickness, hallucinated witches and aliens, battled rain, hail, and mud, and somehow kept going with the help of an incredible crew. I break down the highs and lows, from brain fog and rolled ankles to a bobcat sighting, and even the odd gear fix that saved the day (hint: Vagisil). If you’re into ultr...

In this solo episode of the Free Outside Podcast, I break down my full race plan for the 2025 Cocodona 250, the massive 250-mile ultra across Arizona. I walk you through how I’m approaching the unusually cold weather, the new technical course changes, and the long stretches without pacers. I explain why I’m planning to go out more aggressively this year, how I’m dialing in my carbs, salt, and hydr...

On today’s episode of the Free Outside Show, I’m joined by runner, ultimate frisbee enthusiast, and Cocodona crewing expert Allison Mercer. We relive wild stories from the inaugural Cocodona 250 — from cactus naps and glass-covered descents to heckling runners mid-race. We talk predictions for this year’s showdown, the “Courtney effect,” and whether European pros will shift the ultra scene. We deb...

On this wild episode of the Free Outside Podcast, we talk with filmmaker Derrick Lytle and into everything Cocodona 250 — from race predictions and course changes to the strength-versus-speed debate heating up in the ultra scene. But first? We take on the internet’s most absurd hypothetical: could 100 men beat a silverback gorilla? (Spoiler: probably not.) We trade predictions on Courtney Dauwalte...

On today's episode of the Free Outside Podcast, I’m joined by outdoor filmmaker Drew Darby, and we cover everything from his unexpected start filming inside prisons to becoming one of the most exciting filmmakers in ultrarunning. We dive into how working in sensitive environments shaped his storytelling, the chaos (and comedy) of filming 100-mile races, and why long-form content is making a co...

I sit down with Doc, the voice behind Hiker Trash Radio—a podcast that’s interviewed over 450 adventurers from thru-hikers to Barkley Marathons legends. We dive deep into Doc’s wild behind-the-scenes experience covering the 2024 Barkley Marathons as a first-time invited media member. From nearly camping in the wrong forest to building trust at the Yellow Gate, he shares how he captured the stories...

I sit down with Tim and Renee—better known as Simply the ⁨@reneeandtim⁩ . These two have thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and Continental Divide Trail (CDT), set a Fastest Known Time (FKT), and built a massive online audience with their content on backpacking, ultrarunning, and dehydrated trail meals. Follow the Thru Hikers on the internet Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thruhikers/ T...

I sit down with Peter Mortimer, the champion of the inaugural Arizona Monster 300-miler. Just hours after finishing, Pete was back at work—because ultrarunning is expensive and PTO is a myth. We talk about his strategy for managing sleep, how he trains for 200+ mile races, and what it’s like to hallucinate a jaguar that turns out to be an actual cow. Follow Pete Mortimer on Instagram: https://www....

I’m recording live (well, semi-live) while running through mossy, Jurassic Park-like trails outside Portland. Just minutes in, I round a corner and meet a man with a blood-covered hand telling me someone stabbed his dog with a switchblade. So naturally... I kept running. Support our sponsors , janji.com, garagegrowngear.com, and Csinstant.coffee In this chaotic on-foot monologue, I dive into the G...

Today on the Free Outside Podcast, I talk with Connor “Jackrabbit” Chapdelaine, who’s attempting the Calendar Year Triple Crown—thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Continental Divide Trail all in a single year. We break down how the idea got planted during a hike on the AT, what it takes to train for 8,000 miles, and why he’s bringing a pillow, a stove, and maybe even a the...

I sit down with pro ultrarunner Alyssa Clark to talk about racing at the highest level, dealing with self-worth and performance, and why hallucinating pandas might be a sign you're doing something right. Follow Alyssa online: Substack: https://substack.com/@alyssaclark3 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theory_in_motion/ Alyssa just won the legendary Hurt 100 and holds the Supported FKT on...

In this episode, I dive into the recent controversy surrounding the Arizona Monster trail race, where a failed live stream led to a very public clash between the race director and the live stream operator. I break down what happened, explore how social media amplified the drama, and share some thoughts on how these kinds of disputes can be handled more constructively. Along the way, I also talk ab...

Today on the Free Outside Podcast, I sit down with the voice of Cocodona and one of the most passionate people in trail running media—Chris Worden. With over 150 races on UltraSignup and years of experience in both radio and accounting, Chris shares the wild journey from small-town sports broadcasting to being the emotional anchor of ultrarunning’s most epic live streams. Follow Chris on Instagram...

This one’s a little different—no guests, no live race calls—just me sharing the full story of how I went from a bullied high school runner to a thru-hiker to an ultra runner trying to get comfortable being uncomfortable. I talk about quitting school to hike the Pacific Crest Trail, building a monster endurance base through FKTs and 8,000-mile slogs, and how I’ve had to completely rewire my brain a...

On this episode of the Free Outside Podcast, I sit down with the multi-talented and wildly entertaining Chad Lubinski. Chad is one of the most well-rounded people I’ve ever met—he’s a thru-hiker, ultra runner, backcountry skier, climber, jujitsu practitioner, and full-time content creator. If you’ve been listening for a while, you may recognize him as the guy who once interviewed me—and now he’s b...

The Barkley Marathons is an ultra-endurance race that challenges participants both physically and mentally. Originating from a prison break, the race is notorious for its difficulty, secretive entry process, and unique navigation requirements. Only a handful of runners have completed the race, which is designed to push competitors to their limits. The conversation explores the race's history,...

I just ran in circles for 12 hours—and somehow, I had a blast. In this episode, I break down my experience at a fixed-time ultra, a 12-hour race on a looped course in Boise. Why did I do it? To test my fueling, sodium, and hydration strategies ahead of Cocodona 250. I dive into the numbers, what worked, what didn’t, and the mental lessons I took away—including how I let the course record change my...

On this episode of The Free Outside Podcast, I sit down with long-time friend and outdoor entrepreneur Luke Pearsall, the founder of Trail Goods Co, a new freeze-dried camping meal brand. Luke shares his winding path from working on major Hollywood productions like Lost and Entourage, to becoming an adventure guide in South America, and ultimately, to launching his own freeze dried food company. C...

In this episode of the Free Outside Show, I share a series of thrilling and humorous animal encounters from his extensive outdoor adventures. From close calls with moose and grizzly bears to unexpected interactions with goats and mice, I recount my experiences with wildlife while hiking and trail running. I also touches on human interactions in the wild and share rapid-fire stories of various anim...

In this episode, I break down my complete training approach for the Cocodona 250, one of the toughest ultramarathons out there. I dive into my background in trail running, FKTs, and endurance racing, sharing how I structure my training using a polarized model to maximize performance and longevity. I outline my weekly training schedule, how I manage injuries and recovery, and the nutrition and fuel...

This episode is pure storytelling chaos. I sat down with Joe "Stringbean" McConaughy, and we covered everything from FKTs gone wrong to ultra running hallucinations and how his dog literally ate his golden ticket. We relive our worst gear failures, talk about what it really takes to push through a 200-miler, and debate whether burping is the key to ultra success (yes, seriously). Joe shares his jo...

I’ve spent years hiking, running, and living on public lands. I’ve slept on BLM land when I didn’t have a home, hiked trails maintained by crews that just got laid off, and even worked for the federal government myself. So when I see massive funding cuts to the National Park Service, the BLM, and the U.S. Forest Service, I'm worried what’s at stake—and it’s not just a few overgrown trails. These c...

I talk with Helen Mino Faulkner, a professional trail runner who recently placed fourth at the Tarwera 100k. We discuss her decision to turn down a golden ticket to Western States 100, her experiences racing in New Zealand, and the challenges of training through winter in Truckee. Helen shares her journey back to running after a hiatus, the importance of excitement in racing, and how living in a s...

In this episode of The Free Outside Podcast, I chat with thru-hiker and content creator Stella Hikes, who is preparing for one of the biggest challenges in long-distance hiking—the Calendar Year Triple Crown. Stella shares her hiking background, the inspiration behind attempting this ambitious feat, and the intense planning process required to hike the Appalachian Trail (AT), Pacific Crest Trail (...