the UltraNurse podcast

Ultra running has changed a lot over the past few decades. Carbon-plated trail shoes, AI training plans, super shoes, powerful headlamps, advanced nutrition, recovery technology, and more data than ever before have helped make runners faster, safer, and better prepared. But somewhere during a run, I found myself wondering... Have we lost a little bit of the dirtbag spirit that made this sport so u...

If I could go back and train for my first hundred miler all over again, knowing what I know now, what would I do differently? In this episode, I break down the biggest lessons I've learned from training for and racing 100-mile ultras. We talk about why mileage isn't everything, the importance of time on feet, learning to hike efficiently, fueling and hydration, strength training, recovery,...

Big goals can change your life. They can make you stronger, more disciplined, more resilient, and give you a sense of purpose and direction. But every meaningful goal comes with a price tag attached to it. In this episode, I dive into the real cost of chasing big goals. We talk about the physical, mental, financial, and emotional trade-offs that often come with pursuing ambitious goals, whether th...

In endurance sports, we spend a lot of time talking about grit, toughness, and pushing through hard things. But what happens when the smartest decision is not starting the race at all? In this episode, I talk about when ultra runners should seriously consider pulling the plug before race day. We discuss injuries, training setbacks, burnout, life stress, the sunk-cost trap, and why a smart DNS is s...

Episode 16 of The UltraNurse Podcast is with special guest Luke Guyton. Luke is a former paramedic, firefighter, and police officer with over 10 years in emergency services who has since become a gym owner, trainer, professional gravel bike racer, and founder of the Do Hard Things Project — a nonprofit focused on men’s mental health. We talked about endurance sports, suffering, resilience, emergen...

Episode 15 of The UltraNurse Podcast is with special guest Nico Steinbrunner. Nico is an incredible ultra runner, cardiac tech, and just finished his third Cocodona 250 finish after taking another hour off his PR. We also talk about him recently ripping the Boston Marathon, running 200 milers, learning through the sport, and a whole lot more. Really fun conversation with a super genuine dude who’s...

AI is everywhere in running right now. Training plans, nutrition tracking, race research, gear comparisons, recovery advice… you can basically build an entire ultra running framework from your phone now. In this episode, I talk about where I think AI is actually useful for runners, where it completely falls apart, and how I personally use it for things like nutrition, gear research, race prep, and...

What should runners focus on when they can’t run the way they want to? A lot of athletes get injured, cut their mileage, and then let nutrition slide too. That can be a mistake. In this episode, I talk about why recovery takes energy, why calories still matter, the importance of protein and quality food, and how I’m approaching nutrition during my own injury right now. I also share how I’m trackin...

When you know something feels off… but you keep running anyway. A lot of runners know that cycle. You convince yourself it’ll warm up, settle down, or go away after a few easy days. Sometimes it does. Sometimes it doesn’t. In this episode, I talk about the last few months dealing with a foot injury, chasing answers, trying to train through it, and finally getting forced to slow down. We also get i...

Why do so many runners end up burned out? Not because they’re weak. Not because they don’t love running. Usually it’s from trying to force training on top of an already stressful life. In this episode, I talk about how burnout builds slowly in running, and why it can hit even harder for people working in healthcare, EMS, nursing, and shift work. We get into fatigue, guilt, chasing perfect training...

Talking about the Mines of Spain 100. The race, the course, the people behind it, and why it keeps pulling runners back every year. I’ve been around this one since the beginning. Ran the 100K, ran the 100 miler, spent time out there volunteering. It’s a course I’ve come back to over and over, and it’s shown me a lot of different versions of myself. This episode is just that. What it’s like to grow...

I’ve made a lot of mistakes as a runner. Some of them cost me races. Some of them cost me months. And most of them… I knew better. In this episode of the UltraNurse Podcast, I break down some of the dumbest mistakes I’ve made as a mid-pack ultra runner — from running through injuries, to bad fueling, to going out too fast, and even the mental side of things like negative self-talk and surrounding...

Most runners either don’t think about first aid at all… or they way overthink it. And both of those are a problem. In this episode of the UltraNurse Podcast, I talk about what first aid actually looks like during an ultra — from the perspective of a flight nurse and paramedic. We break down what actually happens out there, what really matters when something goes wrong, and why you don’t need a gia...

Most ultra runners aren’t elite. They’re working jobs, raising families, and still finding a way to train for long races. In this episode of the UltraNurse Podcast, I sit down with Steve Huffine from Ultrafine Running for the first interview on the show. We talk about his experience running the Leadville 100, how he trains while balancing work and family life, and what it really looks like to purs...

At some point, every runner gets injured. And when it happens… it’s not just your training that stops. It’s your routine, your mindset, and sometimes even your identity. In this episode of the UltraNurse Podcast, I talk about dealing with injury as both an endurance runner and a clinician. I share the story of fracturing my foot just 10 days before my first 100-mile race after a full year of train...

At some point in almost every ultra, things start to go wrong. Your legs hurt, your stomach stops cooperating, and the voice in your head starts telling you this was a bad idea. Strangely enough, those moments feel a lot like a bad shift. In this episode of the UltraNurse Podcast, I talk about what working in emergency medicine has taught me about endurance. We talk about staying calm when things...

Most ultra runners aren’t winning races. Most of us live somewhere in the middle of the pack. We train hard, show up to races, push ourselves, and see what we’re capable of over long distances. But we also know we’re probably not standing on the podium, and we’re definitely not getting shoe deals or free race entries. In this episode of the UltraNurse Podcast, we talk about the mindset of the mid-...

At some point in ultra running, you're going to end up running in the dark. Maybe it's an early morning run before work. Maybe it's late miles after a long shift. Or maybe it's the middle of the night during a race when your entire world shrinks down to a small beam of light bouncing in front of your feet. In this episode of the UltraNurse Podcast, we talk about running in the dark...

At some point in every ultra marathon, you’re going to end up somewhere runners call  the pain cave . It’s that moment when everything feels overwhelming. Your legs hurt, your stomach won’t cooperate, and your brain starts telling you it’s time to quit. In this episode of  The UltraNurse Podcast , we’re talking about what the pain cave really is and how ultra runners get through it. I share a coup...

Rain happens. And if you run long enough, you’re going to run in it. In this episode of  The UltraNurse Podcast , we’re talking about rain gear for runners and what actually matters when the weather turns bad. I break down the difference between waterproof and water-resistant gear, why ventilation is more important than most runners think, and some of the mistakes I’ve made over the years running...

The podcast has been rebranded. Holy Fit is now  The Ultra Nurse . Same mission. Sharper focus. In this episode, I explain exactly why I made the change. I’m not a preacher. I’m not a motivational guru. I’m not trying to be something I’m not. I’m a flight nurse. A paramedic. A dad of three. An ultra runner. A recovering addict. A business owner. A follower of Christ. Just a normal guy chasing big...

You can work hard and still be guessing. I used to think hiring a running coach was unnecessary. Just run more. Push harder. Lift when you can. Figure it out. But after committing to something bigger than my experience, I had to admit something uncomfortable — I didn’t actually know how to prepare for it. I was consistent. I was disciplined. But I lacked structure, perspective, and accountability....

Finding the right shoe shouldn’t feel this complicated. But when you’re trying to prepare for two days and two nights in the Colorado mountains — and you don’t live anywhere near mountains — it gets complicated fast. In this episode, I talk through something every runner eventually has to face: if your feet fail, you’re done. From 5Ks to 100-milers, footwear and foot care are foundational. We brea...

There are runs I would not have done if someone wasn’t expecting me. Not because I don’t care. Not because I lack discipline. But because it’s easier to negotiate with yourself when no one else is involved. In this episode, I talk about the power of accountability — especially between runners. Why saying your plans out loud changes your follow-through. Why isolation quietly weakens endurance. And...

Feeling behind is exhausting. Behind in training. Behind in life. Behind financially, spiritually, professionally — like everyone else got a head start you somehow missed. In this episode, I talk honestly about that feeling and how it’s showing up for me right now, especially as I train for a massive mountain race from flatland Iowa. We unpack what it means to feel unprepared, underqualified, and...