Obstacle Racing Media Podcast

Episode 72 Fred Smith joins Matt for a chat about their get together a few weekends ago. The Smithfest Events crew brought Matt up to Boston to experience Panic In The Dark and a sneak peak into their mayhem behind the scenes. Listen in to learn about how Panic went and how Matt and Fred bonded for life at 4:00am. The 2nd interview in today's episode is with Jon Watson of JWatsonTV . Jon is the on...

Episode 71-Yesterday, Run For Your Lives cancelled all future events including one this weekend. This morning Ruckus Events cancelled their Boston event which was also scheduled for this weekend. Just when we were all wondering when will the madness stop? When many were thinking "Will I ever be able to register for a race put on by anyone but the Big 3 and feel confident the race will happen?" Jef...

Episode 70-In this week’s episode Matt first talks to Tanner Bell of Ragnar Events. If you have thought about doing a Ragnar Relay, this will be a great listen. This is a cool dude who puts on great events for runners nationwide. Also, Jonathan Nolan from CornFed Spartans came back on the show to talk about just what happened on Day 4 of what was a 3 day Summer Death Race. He also talks about the...

Episode 69-In today's show, we revisit a couple of events from previous episodes. Sam Abbitt is the founder and CEO of Savage Race . We first met him back on Episode 7 in July of 2012. Since then, Savage has put on many successful races in several markets. We catch up with Sam to find out what they are doing right and what is next. Next we catch up with Hunter Brucks, the new "man with the plan" o...

Episode 68- In this episode, you will hear from several elite racers shortly after they crossed the finish line at the hardest obstacle race any of them have done up to this point. Listen in as these racers share their triumphs, lessons, and disappointments. There are interviews with the following: Men: Hobie Call -1st, Matt Murphy- 2nd James Appleton-7th, Alec Blenis-14th , Matt Novakovich-18th W...

Episode 67-In part one of our coverage of this year's Spartan World Championship, Matt B. talks to several racers the night before the Vermont Beast Championship Race. There was $15,000 in first place prize money on the line along with thousands more for podium and top ten finishes. It was great to talk to these guys the night before the race to see how they were feeling. First up is a nice chat w...

Episode 66-This week Matt talks with Cristina Devito of Mudderella and Paul Jones of the New England Sphatens . Cristina Devito used to be the Chief Strategy Officer at Tough Mudder. She tells us all about how she launched Mudderella and how they plan to take over the women’s mud run world. They have 20 races in the USA, 3 in the UK and 4 in Australia planned for 2014. Also, It turns out guys can...

Episode 65-Matt talks with Kelly Perez and finds out everything you always wanted to know about The X-Rated Run , but were afraid to ask. Then, Matt talks to Jeff Rondina and learns just how he pulled of running 5 different races in a 13-hour period. Last we hear a quick chat with Nic Zahasky, elite racer and founder of Barrel Aid . Barrel Aid directly helps children in Haiti by providing shoees a...

Episode 64. In this episode, Matt talks to several athletes from the 8.24.13 Spartan in Virginia. With 8000 feet of elevation change over 8 miles, everyone said it was harder terrain that last year's Vermont Beast. You will hear from the following: Matt Novakovich-the Alaskan that showed up to his first ever Spartan, did zero burpees, and beat Hobie by 5 minutes. Trish Blackwell-The woman who Matt...

Episode 63-Joe Desena was on CNBC this morning, you can watch the clip here. I was under the impression that it would be an intelligent conversation about OCR, the growth of the sport, and/or sponsorship dollars. It was not. This gave me a great excuse to call Joe and talk about anything that changed since we last spoke about the big Vermont race. I also wanted to see how he thought the CNBC piece...

Episode 62-Inspired by the demise of Hero Rush and the outcries on facebook that followed, I begin this episode talking about what a scam is or isn't. I then play an interview with Randy Yolo of Mud Endeavor . Randy puts on small, local, high quality, obstacle races with great success. We talk about how simple doesn't mean easy in OCR and how you can build a strong following by doing a few things...

Episode 61-The interviews in this episode kick off with a short call I had with Joe DeSena. He talks about the recent "Spartan Rash" that occured at the recent Spartan Race in Illinois. He also talks about a TV show in the works for NBC. I then, sort of, beg for a job. Next, I speak with 3 2013 Summer Death Race finishers. Amelia Boone, Olof Dallner, and Pete Coleman. These 3 all got skulls which...

(Episode 60) I met Jason Pittman earlier this year through a mutual friend, and we decided to go for an early morning run. I was surprised to discover that Jason had spent the last 15 years working in the Atlanta rock and hip-hop scene. He produced, managed and booked everyone imaginable. His list of heavy hitters includes: Lil John, Bone Crusher, Ying Yang Twins, Too $hort, and David Banner. Find...

In today's episode (Episode 59), we interview folks from 3 very different events. UQuest is part scavenger hunt, part scavenger hunt, part unknown. Matt spoke with Anthony Murph, founder, and Steph Dennis, event director in their Atlanta office. Alex ThunderDart Martin, in his first assignment as West Coast Ops, interviews some people behind Alpha Warrior . He sat down with David Nolan and Joe and...

Part Two picks up on Friday evening June 21. We begin with Andy Weinberg speaking to the familes and crew members shortly after the athletes were sent off to build the "Stairway to Heaven". As we continue on, we give you a sneak peek inside the mind of Joe Desena as we followed him around as much as possible. You'll hear how he deals with the racers as they decide to quit, keep going, or in one ca...

You probably have not heard of Mandy Baskin. At first glance, she is just an average 38 year old woman who happens to run a hot-air balloon company. Look closer and you will find an athletic champion. She was the 3rd place woman at least year's World's Toughest Mudder completing an impressive 6 laps. She was the only woman to do that other than Amelia Boone, and Deanna Blegg. Then in March of this...

In this long awaited episode we take you to Pittsfield Vermont for Part One of the 2013 Summer Death Race. We begin our journey on Thursday June 20th and talk to some racers as they enjoy their "last meal" before the big event. This leads us to Friday morning's registration, the first tasks, veteran shenanigans, and some other fun interviews all recorded live from Pittsfield. Like the World's Toug...

I met Ernest Miller through a mutual OCR friend. As I have gotten to know Ernest, I have been fascinated at how quiet, cool, and humble this dude is. Quite the opposite of his character "The Cat" that he portrayed as a professional wrestler for many years. Back in his WCW and WWE days, he was a heel (bad guy) that people loved to hate. We sat down and talked about wrestling, acting, OCR, and how b...

I was very skeptical about The O-Run Team Challenge . Del Boykin told me what almost every race director tells me. That his race is going to kick my butt and will exhaust me. I was pleasantly surprised when 3 friends and I took on the event recently here in Georgia. The obstacles were as heavy/difficult/challenging as any I have come across. (yes, including a Spartan). Listen in as I talk to Del a...

Elliot Megquier is known for one thing. Making the podium (usually first) at Sunday Spartan Races. Wait, two things. He is also known for getting lost a lot. Make that three things, he also talks a lot of smack before, during, and after his races. The Rising Tribe is the first OCR where you actually race with your family (as opposed to the children running the kids race later in the day). Listen i...

If you have not heard by now. Hobie Call lost for the first time in any obstacle race less than half marathon distance. He was beaten by Hunter "The Sheriff" McIntyre at the Superhero Scramble Intimidator in Clermont, Florida on Saturday. With less than a mile to go, he was actually in 5th place before turning it on to finish 2nd. In today's episode, you will hear interviews with Hobie, Hunter, an...

Having already endured 48 hours of torture known as The Death Race , you think being told that you were disqualified would stop two people from going forward. Anthony Matesi and Morgan Mckay did what very few could. They kept going even when there was "no hope" We will chat with them about what brought them individually to the Death Race and how they perservered together. *Originally brodcast on J...

On today’s episode I have two great interviews. One is with the first female OCR director that I have heard of, Nicole Farber. She is bringing her new race to the northeast and is off to some great beginnings. Find all about R3OPS and their special cause. Next up is Rob with The Great Bull Run . Lots has been said, pro and con, before TGBR has even had their first event. I ask the event director a...

In today's episode, we start by talking about the Triple Race Challenge that I did over the weekend. I successfully completed 3 races in one day and am challenging others to top this feat. Listen in to hear the official announcement on how you can win a free entry to a future OCR event of your choice by doing so. I will also talk about two of the three races that I did. Savage Race and The Electri...

Another podcast episode chock full of obstacle goodness. First, I talk a little about the need for some rule tightening over at Spartan. Then, we have two great interviews for you I have done in recent weeks. Brad Kloha is going to run 100 races (mostly obstacle) in 52 weeks starting June 15th. He is on a mission to stop Alzheimer's. Listen in to learn what inspired this cool adventure and how he...