The Steep Stuff Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Dive into the remarkable dual journey of Nicholas Turco, who seamlessly navigates the demanding worlds of elite trail running and international diplomacy. As one of only three American men invited to the prestigious Golden Trail World Series Final in Italy, Nicholas has established himself among the country's top mountain runners while simultaneously serving as a consultant f...

Send us Fan Mail Bronze medal Nordic skier Michael Earnhart opens up about the fascinating overlap between skiing and trail running, revealing why skiers consistently dominate mountain races despite minimal running-specific training. His journey from a young Alaskan runner to Olympic-level Nordic skier provides a unique window into the physiological and methodological advantages that transfer betw...

Send us Fan Mail Matt Daniels opens up about his journey through the highs and lows of professional trail running in this wide-ranging, candid conversation. After battling significant health issues from mold exposure while simultaneously going through a divorce, Daniels shares how he's rebuilding his season around the prestigious Run Rabbit Run ultramarathon. The conversation takes us behind...

Send us Fan Mail Get ready for an exhilarating UTMB OCC race preview that blends expert analysis with laugh-out-loud banter! James Lariello teams up with Teddy Tonelli from the Chasing Trail podcast to break down this iconic 55K mountain race that features over 11,000 feet of climbing through some of the most spectacular terrain in the Alps. The duo dives deep into what makes OCC special - from it...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder what happens when one of America's most talented track athletes fully commits to the trails? Liam Meirow joins us fresh off his win at the Y East Trail Fest 28K to share exactly that journey. Growing up in Summit County, Colorado, Liam's path wasn't initially pointed toward running - he dreamed of becoming a professional skateboarder or snowboarder. Afte...

Send us Fan Mail Special Announcement - Live Podcast at the La Sportiva Summer Run Series with Special Guest - Anton Krupicka RSVP will be going live soon, so mark your calendars !  When : Thursday, September 11th  Where: La Sportiva Store, Boulder Colorado  Time: 5:00pm event start            5:30pm run start            6:45pm Live Podcast  DM me on Instagram with any questions !  _______________...

Send us Fan Mail Jane Maus' trail running journey embodies perseverance against formidable odds. After multiple extended injury layoffs that nearly ended her running career, she's emerged as one of America's premier mountain athletes. Her remarkable comeback culminated in earning a coveted spot on Team USA for the World Trail Running Championships in Canfranc, Spain this September....

Send us Fan Mail Two of trail running's most beloved podcasts collide in this dynamic exploration of the sport's evolution, challenges, and future. The hosts of SubHub and Steep Stuff dive deep into trail running's identity crisis, debating whether "short trail" or "sub-ultra" better describes races under marathon distance – a conversation that reveals much about...

Send us Fan Mail Announcing a Collaboration Episode Between the Sub Hub Podcast & The Steep Stuff ! Dropping tonight at 11pm MST - we will be releasing a "State of Sub Ultra" episode ! Part 1 will be available on the Sub Hub Podcast and Part 2 will be available on the Steep Stuff Podcast ! We hope you can tune in !   Use code SteepStuff for 20% your cart on Sidas.us Follow James on I...

Send us Fan Mail Sarah Kushner captivates listeners with her remarkable journey from childhood jogs through Garden of the Gods to becoming the 2024 Pikes Peak Marathon Champion. With disarming honesty and warmth, she reveals how walking on to Baylor University's track team as a steeplechaser laid the foundation for her trail running success, despite never being the fastest collegiate runner....

Send us Fan Mail Nestled in the Swiss Alps, Sierre-Zinal stands as perhaps the most competitive short trail race on the planet. It's the place where mountain running meets marathon speed in a showcase of pure athletic brilliance. To help break down this iconic event, host James Lauriello welcomes the perfect co-host – Bailey Kowalczyk, who scored a remarkable 5th place finish at the race in 2...

Send us Fan Mail Grant Colligan sits down with the Steep Stuff podcast to share his fascinating journey from Michigan flatlands to Colorado mountain peaks. Despite growing up in the Midwest without access to mountains, Grant developed into an elite trail runner while maintaining his career as a metallurgist. The conversation explores how Grant's decorated collegiate running career at Colorado...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when an elite athlete rejects pressure and runs purely for joy? Courtney Coppinger's remarkable transformation from burned-out track star to trail running standout offers a blueprint for finding success through authenticity and boundary-setting. A Kansas native and All-American steeplechaser at the University of Kansas, Courtney's path took unexpected turns...

Send us Fan Mail From collegiate rejection to trail running triumph, Sarah Carter's story is one of extraordinary resilience and self-discovery. After being cut from her university team and told she lacked potential, Sarah transferred to Colorado State University where she rebuilt her confidence and reignited her passion for running. Our conversation dives deep into Sarah's remarkable ca...

Send us Fan Mail Ryan Becker and Lindsay Allison join the Steep Stuff Podcast fresh off their selection to the US Trail Running World Championship team, bringing listeners a candid glimpse into the realities of high-level mountain running while balancing demanding careers. The conversation begins with Ryan's breakthrough performance at Broken Arrow 46K—a victory made more remarkable by the ci...

Send us Fan Mail From defending 28K champion to 50K challenger, Robin Lesch brings her trademark consistency and strategic approach to this year's Speedgoat 50K. The mountain ultrarunner from Durango shares a refreshingly honest assessment of her racing philosophy: "I'll either blow up, and that'll be a learning, or I won't, and that'll be a learning." Robin&apos...

Send us Fan Mail Meet Scott Klingonsmith, a rising star in the mountain running scene who's ready to take on one of America's most challenging ultramarathons. At just 20 years old, this Utah-based athlete brings fresh energy and strategic thinking to the grueling Speed Goat 50K. Scott shares his fascinating journey from dabbling in ultras to deliberately focusing on shorter trail races t...

Send us Fan Mail The legendary Speedgoat 50k isn't just another mountain race—it's a brutal test of endurance that has humbled even the sport's greatest athletes. With 11,400 feet of climbing packed into 31 miles at altitudes reaching 11,000 feet, this Karl Meltzer creation has rightfully earned its reputation as America's toughest 50k. James and Nick dive deep into what makes...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to a captivating conversation with Alexa Aragon, the rising trail running star who's taken the mountain running scene by storm. With remarkable top-10 finishes at the Broken Arrow Sky Race, Sunapee Scramble, and most recently, a second-place finish at Cirque Series Snowbird, Alexa has quickly established herself as someone the trail running world needs to watch. What...

Send us Fan Mail The steep stuff podcast delivers a fascinating glimpse into the minds of elite mountain runners in this special episode featuring the Bar Trail Mountain Race Elite Night panel. Host James Loriello brings listeners directly into the pre-race conversation with six accomplished athletes preparing to tackle one of Colorado Springs' most iconic trail races. The episode opens with...

Send us Fan Mail Steve White brings a refreshing perspective to mountain sports as both the West Coast Race Director for the Cirque Series and an accomplished athlete in his own right. Through our conversation, Steve offers a glimpse behind the curtain of what it takes to create memorable race experiences while maintaining his personal connection to mountains and movement. What sets Steve apart is...

Send us Fan Mail When Noah Williams crossed the finish line at Broken Arrow 46K in fourth place, beating dozens of elite international competitors, he knew something special had happened. "I felt almost out of body," he shares, describing that rare state where everything clicks perfectly into place. Just one week later, he stood on the podium at Italy's prestigious Lavaredo 80K. Thi...

Send us Fan Mail The trail running world has a new star to watch, and she comes from an unexpected background. Rena Schwartz, fresh off her victory at the Mount Washington Road Race, joins the Steep Stuff Podcast to share the fascinating journey that took her from Nordic skiing champion at Dartmouth College to dominating some of America's most challenging mountain races. What makes Reena&apos...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to a special preview of what might be the most competitive mountain race ever assembled on American soil. As the Broken Arrow Skyrace approaches, we're diving deep into the Ascent competition (formerly known as the VK) where the stakes couldn't be higher – the top four American men and women will earn spots on Team USA for the World Mountain Running Championships...

Send us Fan Mail The trail running universe's spotlight turns to Squaw Valley as the Broken Arrow Sky Race earns its rightful place on the prestigious Golden Trail World Series. James Lauriello and Nick Tusa dive deep into this watershed moment for American mountain running, breaking down why this recognition has been long overdue and what makes this race so special. The hosts explore the fas...