The Run, Shattered Podcast

Sierra talks with Sam Cash about the mental skills used to prepare for and run the Escarpment Trail Run 30K in 2025. Sam discusses how she was inspired by her community to take on an iconic and challenging race and the mental skills that helped her stay in the present moment, focus on one step at a time, and push to the very end. Sam is an outdoor enthusiast who grew up with New York’s Catskill Pa...

Sierra talks with Martin Harris about the mental skills he trained and used to find his flow state at London Marathon 2026. Martin shares how he managed his energy through one of the largest races worldwide, connected with the crowd, and ran with a bigger purpose. All of which helped him find flow state, finish with a PR, and reflect on the entire experience for more than just running a marathon....

Sierra discusses resilience, running reflections, and adjusting goals with Katie Kiliszewski. All of which helped have her dream race at The New York City Marathon in 2025. Katie shares the mental skills she learned throughout her life, running and overcoming anorexia and addiction, to set herself up for the best race day experience and to be the best runner she can be. Katie Kiliszewski is a wife...

Sierra connects with Kate Beninati about the mental skills she used at Last Man Standing Lake Placid in July 2025. Kate shares how she mentally approached the Last Man Standing format, leaned on her support, and how saying yes to a completely new experience changed her mindset forever. Kate is a veterinarian by trade, and causal trail runner and hiker by choice. Her days are shared with her husban...

Sierra chats with Sam Cvetkovski about the mental skills she practiced and used in her first 100-miler San Diego 100 in June 2025. You'll hear about how Sam learned to leave the past in the past, run with gratitude, and other mindset shifts that she uses to stay accountable and competitive. Sam is a former data professional who traded desk life for endurance training and mountain challenges. T...

In this episode, Sierra talks to John Calabrese about his mental skills training and other strategies that helps him stay motivated and ultra ready. You'll hear about the different sources of motivation John uses and how he learns from past races while staying anchored to the present moment John is a busy dance dad and experienced ultrarunner who competes in races almost every weekend, works full...

In this special solo episode, Sierra shares what it took to mentally and physically train for her very first ultramarathon and the mental skills she used to finish 1st female, 2nd overall, and set the 4th fastest course time for women. You'll hear Sierra talk about building confidence to face the unknown, how to use self-talk statements to stay focused and present, and more mental skills that...

Sierra connects with Dr. Jonathan Jenkins about the difference in his training and racing the Boston Marathon seven years apart. JJ shares how he managed life changes between his races, ways to reflect and build resilience, and more mental skills that helped him PR Boston years later. Dr. Jonathan Haywood Jenkins, Psy. D., CMPC, is the founder of Mental Fitness & Psychotherapy, LLC., a member...

In this episode, Sierra talks with Ashlie Ithurburn about the mental skills training and other strategies that helped her finish 1st female at Southern States 200 in 2024. You'll hear more about the importance of imagery, contingency planning, and strategy and how Ashlie used each to shatter her race. Ashlie is an experienced ultrarunner who has finished in the top 10 at almost every 200-miler...

In this episode, Sierra connects with Dr. Marisa Romeo about her experience using mental skills at Ultra Trail Du Mont Blanc (UTMB) and how she helps others train their mental skills. Marisa dives into her optimal racing zone using focus tactics, imagery, and enjoying all aspects of the training process. Marisa is a coach, athlete, educator, partner, daughter, and foodie. As a Certified Mental Per...

In this episode, Stephanie Engblom shares her running journey and all the mental skills she used to shatter her very first marathon - Twin Cities Marathon in 2025. Steph and Sierra talk about finding inspiration within the community, learning that pain can be productive, and the importance of reflecting on training and race day. Steph is a mom of two and a two-time marathoner. She found running du...

In today's episode, Jamal Olatunde shares his go-to training and racing mental skills he used at for the Marine Corps Marathon in 2025. Jamal talks about learning from failures, the importance of having a flexible mindset throughout training, and embracing race day energy. All of which he used to shatter his race. Jamal grew up playing football, baseball and running shorter distances in track, and...

In this episode, Sarah Bursten shares her experience training and racing at the Zion 100-Mile Challenge in 2025. Sarah talks about "stacking bricks" through training, her favorite mantras, and the unexpected challenge and the friends she made during race weekend that helped her shatter her goal. Sarah is an endurance runner, a business owner, and a mom of two littles. Her running journey became pr...

In this episode, you'll hear Vicky Hurd talk about her journey into running and the mental skills she used to shatter her first marathon experience at Every Woman's Marathon! Vicky highlights the importance of practicing a positive mindset throughout training, the self-talk that worked for her, and how she leaned on her family, run club, and the Fuel Goods team along the way. Vicky was so...

In this episode, Kristi Confortin shares her training and racing experience at the Lake Martin 100 Miler in 2023 and the mental skills she used to shatter her first 100 miler! Kristi highlights how she reframed unproductive thoughts, ran with curiosity, and the major impact of her Trail Sisters community that pushed her to go for big goals and adventures with confidence. Kristi is an avid trail ru...

In this episode, Lynn Morris (my mom!) discusses her journey to becoming a runner AND marathoner in just one year, crossing the finish line at Every Woman's Marathon just a couple weeks ago. Lynn trusted her training, found confidence in herself, leaned on her support, and proved that she can do anything! Lynn is a wife and mother of 3, plus 2 dogs and a cat, adventurer, explorer, artist, chil...

In this episode, Helen-Hanson (HH) Smith shares her training and racing experience at the 2024 Chicago Marathon and the mental skills she used to shatter her very first 26.2! You'll hear HH talk about running for herself through sobriety and recovery and the ways she learned to trust her training that led her to an incredible race day experience. HH is a runner from Lower Alabama who has been...

In this episode, Mik Van De Veer shares her experience training for and running the REVEL White Mountains Marathon earlier this year and the mental skills she used to confront unproductive thoughts to shatter her race. You'll hear Mik talk about her experience with burnout leading up to this race and how she used mindfulness and acceptance techniques to work with her mind rather than fight against...

In this episode, Cody Taylor shares his wild running adventures and the mental skills he used to complete not one but two (so far) Fastest Known Time (FKT) efforts on the Bruce Trail and the International Appalachian Trail. You'll hear how Cody prepared for these weeks-long efforts and how he maintained his confidence and composure to set both Fastest Known Times unsupported, especially when t...

In this episode, Kevin Chiang talks through his experience training for and racing the JFK 50 Mile in 2023 and the mental skills he used to finish with less than 5 minutes to spare before the cut-off. You'll hear about how Kevin managed his expectations, the self-talk that helped him when things didn't go to plan during training and his race, and how he consistently embraces the running co...

In this episode, Hannah Lindsey shares her experience training for and running the Austin Marathon in 2024 and the mindset shifts she made along the way to reach her goal. You'll hear Hannah talk through how she kept her confidence strong by turning a not-so-great race into lessons learned and what helps her run on the treadmill for hours! Hannah is a former D1 swimmer turned runner, a 3-time...

The Run, Shattered Podcast is all about highlighting the mental skills and techniques marathon and ultramarathoners use to shatter their race, goals, and limits. Your host, ShatteredRunner Sierra Morris, interviews runners of all levels about their experience using mental skills, so you can be more intentional during training, when you toe that start line, when you cross that finish line, and ever...