I AM A SPARTAN! OCR PODCAST

On this Episode, Akash Garg tells us about finding OCR, and how he discovered he was better at the ultra distances. Akash recently ran 3 Spartan Ultras  3 weekends in a row; then next weekend he ran Toughest Philly,  as a 4 man team, and they won! A lot of great Ultra talk on this episode. You don’t want to miss!

On this Episode, Matt Kordie tells us about how he started running to get into shape, and then found obstacle racing ! During the pandemic , he found out he had a condition called Achalasia, which is a rare disorder that makes it difficult for food and liquids to pass into the stomach. Matt didn't let this condition stop him from doing his first 100 miler, or competing in the 2021 Ultra World &nbs...

On this episode, Scott and I discuss how my race in New Jersey went. He rambled more than me; plus, he’s forgetful because of his “bad memory”, but we talk about how I hung around the venue all day on  Saturday - cheering him on in his Ultra; how I wound up really enjoying myself and the race on  Sunday . Spartan New Jersey in 2018 was one of my first races back after breaking my ankle i...

On this Episode, Les Cowan tells us all about his first Spartan Ultra Race that he completed this past weekend at Spartan Tri-State New Jersey race. We discussed how he trained, prepped, and his strategy going into the race. We go over what worked , what didn’t work, and what he would do differently next time. If you’re thinking about doing a Spartan Ultra, or enjoy Spartan Ultras, you definitely...

On this Episode, Brian Beal tells us about his latest ultra race “The Shadows of the South 100”. He made it 81 miles, and about 20,000 feet of elevation before stopping. We go over the whole race, and how he would approach a 100 miler when he tries again. We also talk about running, and preparing for Spartan Ultras too. With Tristate and Fayetteville Ultras coming up , this will be a good episode...

On this Episode, Bonefrog Owner and Navy Seal, Brian Carney tells us all about his race. The race includes rig obstacles, heavy carries , balance obstacles, and even workout stations. There are 3 different  distance races , including the Sprint , Challenge, and Golden Trident-these distances all have Elite and Open wave formats. They also offer a 6 mile trail race. Bonefrog is the only Obstac...

On this Episode, Scott Bennett tells us about how he found OCR back in 2011 ,and is presently competing in the 60+ Age group. We talk about the races in Atlanta for the Spartan Super and Sprint this past weekend, where he took 3rd place in the Sprint. We also talk about his first Spartan Ultra he completed at  Spartan Carolinas race in 2021. Scott tells us a little about his WTM races also. S...

On this Episode Kenny West tells us about the National Series race at Jacksonville , Florida where he  placed 3rd in the 45-49 AG. He also tells us about racing go-carts, and stock cars, early on  before finding obstacle course racing. We talk about some of his other races including 2019 World's Toughest Mudder. Kenny has been a long time friend of the podcast ,and it was great to get an...

On this Episode , Robby Gingerich tells us about finding OCR in 2019. After doing well in Age Group he decided to run Elite in 2020. Since then he has had a couple of podium finishes. We talk about those races, and some other races as well. He also tells us about his Asheville race, where he dove across finish line to pass someone at the last second. I also had to ask him about the 5lb burrito tha...

On this Episode, 5X Ironman Champion  Heather Gollnick tells us about her life in endurance sports. She has ran many triathlons, and many obstacle course races as well. She coaches for both sports, and has her own team ( Ironedge). She will also be hosting a clinic that she tells us about as well. We discuss training, past races, and the new Spartan series. You don't want to miss this one.&nb...

On this Episode, I bring Dustin Livengood on to talk about the 2022 Spartan Elite and National Series. We also talk about the Elite and Age Group divisions as a whole. We have some opinions about this topic that some may not share. I wanted to hear how Dustin felt about this topic since he and I raced Elite before there was Age Group division. We both raced Age Group when it started, and now he le...

On this Episode, Miranda Kielpinski talks about growing up a Surfer, and finding OCR. Not having a huge background as a runner she has been collecting elite podiums this year. We talk about some of the races and how she did. We also talk about her Husband, Michael Suazo, and how his season has been going too. Miranda and her husband both, are Yancy Camp Athletes. This episode was a lot o...

On this Episode, Terra Jackson tells us about being in Abu Dhabi for the Spartan Race World Championships, and also about being on the Spartan Games 2.0 production. We talked about a lot of races from the past and so much more! Terra was a great Guest, and I felt like we could have talked another couple hours, because we have done a lot of the same races in the past. Make sure you listen to this E...

On this Episode , Richard Shinn tells us about cutting trees for a living , and how he found OCR. Richard has done a lot of races this year including World's Toughest Mudder, and Spartan Ultra World Championships. We talk in detail about a lot of his races that spread all over the country. Richard even hiked from the airport and camped close to the venue, for some of the races too. Great Episode w...

On this Episode, I talk with Noel Medina on his first Spartan Elite podium ever! He placed 3rd at the Atlanta Super,  and then 7 days later he placed 3rd again at the Dallas Beast! Noel gives us a recap on how those races went. We also talked about training and other races from the past as well!

On this Episode, I brought Rachel Watters back on to tell us about her experience at Spartan Telluride Ultra World Championship. We go over every detail about the event , and Rachel will have you wanting to sign up by the end of the Episode!

On this Episode, Sofia Harnedy tells us about how she got into OCR. We talk about a lot of past races, including her first Spartan Ultra she did in Fayetteville this past June.  We talk about this past weekends race at Nashville and a lot more. We had a lot of fun with this episode, so check it out!

On this Episode, Marc Montano tells us about his endurance background, and how he found OCR. We talk about how he started working for Spartan, and some of the cool venues he has experienced with them. We also talk about the Lake Tahoe race coming up this weekend, and a lot more!

On this Episode I sit back and let my girlfriend LeeAnn Blizzard do all the work. She asks the questions and I run my mouth. We talk about this past weekends race at the Spartan Killington, Vermont Beast, and Ultra. If you ran the race, or you're thinking about it, you need to give this Episode a listen.

On this Episode, Joseph Izzi tells us about finding OCR . He recently placed 2nd in his first Elite race at Spartan Fayetteville , N.C. Ultra, and we discuss how that race went. Joseph’s very first Ultra was at the 2019 Killington, V.T.  race, and we talk about preparing for Killington this year as well! If you’re planning an Ultra you should check this one out!

On this Episode , Emma Cook Clarke tells us about coming from an accomplished cross country background ,and transitioning to OCR. Emma is part of Nicole Mericle's  OCR Dream Team - a community of female Athletes who are looking to elevate their participation in the sport. Emma's first race ever was this past weekend's USNS race in Asheville , NC. at the Tryon Equestrian Center. She tells us s...

On this Episode, Dustin Needham and I talk about all things OCR.  We talk about the Utah Beast race last weekend, and some other races as well. He started running Open; then Age group, and is now competing in the Elite wave. We talk about how he is using Kirk DeWindt for a Coach, and how he has gotten better by with using him. Great interview with someone who loves the sport! 

On this Episode , Dixie Bonner, who is a Yancy Camp Athlete, tells us about working her way through races to get to her first few Elite podiums. This past weekend Dixie placed 1st place in the Palmerton, PA. Super, and placed 3rd in the Sprint. She also tells us about her 1st place finish at Charlotte Sprint earlier in the year. She is definitely someone to watch out for in the future!

 On this Episode, Erin Sondej tells us about finding OCR, becoming a  member of the Spartan Proteam, and how she crushed this Fayetteville Trifecta weekend- taking the podium in all 3 races! Erin started out doing awesome in AG races, then made the jump to Elite, and has been doing really well ever since! Someone you definitely want to watch out for in 2021!

On this Episode, Michael Strobel talks with me about getting into OCR, and how he is crushing the AG races at Spartan. He just recently placed 1st in his AG in all three races at the Ohio Trifecta weekend , and placed 2nd at the 2019 West Virginia National Championship Race as well. Michael tells us about how hard he is training, and how he is looking forward to doing some Elite heats this year to...