About a month ago, Scott Stark and I ran the Mountain RATS 50k in Eagle, CO.  What started as a beautiful crisp fall morning transformed into a stormy downpour.  The second half of the race gut checked us and really tested our ability to withstand the discomfort of being cold, wet, fatigued, sore, and exhausted.

The craziest thing- it was Scott’s first ultra marathon (having only ran a half marathon previously) AND HE SIGNED UP 6 DAYS BEFORE THE RACE!

In this episode, Scott and I nerd about all things mountains, Colorado, and trail running before heading into our race report.   Scott was on a previous episode about “Climbing Your First 14er” in which he shared a lot of knowledge about mountain climbing, but we didn’t really get the chance to dig into his backstory.  So I’m pumped for you to get to know this awesome dude!

We cover a bunch of different topics in our chat: What skills do you need to take on the 50k distance?  How do you build grit, tenacity, and resilience to help you stubbornly push forward?  How does knowing how to ice skate help in six inches of muddy trails 20 miles into the race?

I’m pumped to share part two of this week’s “newbie 50k race reports.”  The goal is that YOU feel confident enough after these podcasts to take on your own big time challenges!

MORE FROM SCOTT:

Previous episode “Guide to Climb Your First 14er”: https://soundcloud.com/chris-ward-126531464/42-guide-to-climb-your-first-14er-scott-stark-sean-furlong

SIGNUP FOR YOUR FIRST ULTRA:

Ultra signup: https://ultrasignup.com

Gemini Adventures: http://www.geminiadventures.com

Desert RATS Stage Race: http://www.geminiadventures.com/running-events-2/desert-rats/

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Big celebration this week!!

Over the last few months we have been following Jason Sudduth and his quest from “refocusing on health” to taking on his first ultra marathon.

I’m happy to say that last Saturday he reached his goal by finishing the Pilot Mountain to Hanging Rock 50k in North Carolina!!

In this episode Jason shares his race report and really gives us the perspective of what a mountain trail run is like from a first timer.

Over the next few episodes we are really hoping that you realize that YOU can step up to take on a 50k while also giving you a realistic view of the hard work and effort that goes into these events.  YOU totally got this!!!

THE REST OF JASON’S STORY:

Getting healthy and hiking the Linville Gorge: https://soundcloud.com/chris-ward-126531464/39-jason-sudduth

Training Chat: https://soundcloud.com/chris-ward-126531464/52-bigfoot-sightings

Race Day Expectations: https://soundcloud.com/chris-ward-126531464/61-bigfoot-sightings-2

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I’m so ridiculously excited for this episode!

In a few short weeks, the “Antarctic Gurkha” Scott Sears flies down to the most desolate place in the world for an expedition where he will attempt to become the youngest person to reach the South Pole “alone, unsupported, and unassisted.”

To accomplish this Herculean feat, Scott must drag a 200lb sled 683 miles in some of the most extreme weather imaginable, across crevasses, through white outs, and over the brutal Sastrugi (waves of solid snow).  Powering through day after day after day completely alone, driven by nothing but his own internal badassness.

Journeying to the South Pole ignites a vision of supreme human endurance and provokes journeys of extreme adversity, tragedy and triumph.  It is the epitome of the much-overused term EPIC.  A true adventure.

In this episode, Scott shares his preparations, expectations, and mentality while planning for and training for his expedition.  How has his life’s journey prepared him to take on this challenge?  How will he handle the extreme conditions?  What will it feel like when he’s left all alone, the farthest away from civilization you can possibly be?

Scott is a lieutenant for the Royal Gurkha Rifles in the British Army.  The Gurkhas are an elite group of Nepalese soldiers and are some of the finest infantrymen in the world.  Through the expedition Scott is raising money to support the Gurkha Welfare Trust which supplies financial support, clean water, residential care and medical support for ex-servicemen and their families in Nepal.  You can support his cause here: http://antarcticgurkha.com/donate

He was also very open about the insane hard work it takes to get a project like this funded and how he went about finding sponsorship.

I really want to thank Scott and wish him the best of luck in Antarctica.  I will definitely be following along every day as I expect it to be fascinating, inspiring, and will help me put some of my own daily “adversity” into perspective.  I highly suggest you follow along too.

The best place to get updates is his Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/antarctic_gurkha/

MORE FROM THE ANTARCTIC GURKHA:

Website: http://antarcticgurkha.com

Blog: http://antarcticgurkha.com/news/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/antarctic_gurkha/

MORE LIKE A BIGFOOT:

Subscribe and Review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/like-a-bigfoot/id1160773293?mt=2

Soundcloud Archives: https://soundcloud.com/chris-ward-126531464

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/likeabigfoot/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/likeabigfoot/

This week we’re back with another “Bigfoot Sightings”, the episodes where we briefly catch up with some of our previous guests.  I’m excited to share these quick conversations and would highly recommend you check out our past episodes with all of these awesome people!

TRAVIS STEFFEN — HIS NEW FORMULA FOR GROWTH AND SUCCESS (4:23)

Chatting with Travis is always a fascinating experience.  Last time he had just finished powering through a 50 mile ultra marathon in the desert on zero training and this time he’s sharing some of his philosophies for knowledge growth and success.

Big takeaway: LEARN + IMPLEMENT > LEARN + LEARN + LEARN…….

Last episode with Travis: https://soundcloud.com/chris-ward-126531464/32-monument-valley-ultras-race-report-2

JASON SUDDUTH — TWO WEEKS OUT FROM HIS FIRST 50K (35:34)

We also are glad to catch up with our friend Jason Sudduth who has been really open about his journey to his first ultra marathon.  We are now two weeks out from the “Pilot Mountain to Hanging Rock 50k” and we chat all about what Jason should be ready for in order to have a successful race.  I’m really proud of him and excited for him to experience the sheer pain, agony, and ultimately joy of this race!

Jason was also on our last “Bigfoot Sightings”: https://soundcloud.com/chris-ward-126531464/52-bigfoot-sightings

Jason’s full episode: https://soundcloud.com/chris-ward-126531464/39-jason-sudduth 

BRADY MANRIQUEZ — COLORADO MOUNTAIN ADVENTURES (57:47)

About a month ago Brady came out to visit my wife and I in Colorado.  Over two days we took him on as many outdoor adventures as possible!  We recorded this right before he headed back to Chicago.  Hilarious and fun conversation about Brady’s first big time exposure to climbing mountains and trail running in the Rockies.

Brady was our first guest and he is utterly amazing!

Brady’s first episode: https://soundcloud.com/chris-ward-126531464/like-a-bigfoot-1-brady-manriquez

MORE LIKE A BIGFOOT:

Subscribe and Review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/like-a-bigfoot/id1160773293?mt=2

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Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/likeabigfoot/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/likeabigfoot/

This week’s episode is for everyone who feel stuck in life.  Maybe you’re adrift without hope.  Or maybe you’re a dreamer who thinks your big goal is utterly impossible.

Josh LaJaunie is here to tell you that anything’s possible and by changing to a mindset of self love you can get yourself unstuck from any situation.

It’s a great episode!

A few years ago I listened to Josh on the absolutely fantastic Rich Roll Podcast.  If you haven’t heard Josh’s story, buckle up, it’s a good one!  Living in small town Louisiana, Josh found himself incrementally gaining weight as life went on, eventually rocking the scales at over 400 pounds.  He realized that he needed to make a change.  Over a few years of being conscious of his diet and nutrition, he eventually settled onto a vegan diet.  At the same time he started moving his body “like a human is supposed to” and began challenging himself to long distance running.

Flash forward to today and Josh has dropped 200 pounds (….You read that correctly….TWO HUNDRED!) and has transformed into one of the most inspiring plant-based ultra-endurance athletes on the planet.

In this episode, Josh shares his life philosophies and chats with me about what he’s learned through his journey.

I really expect the way he presents himself as a real person accomplishing nothing more than any of us could accomplish with the right kind of mindset and nutrition.

He’s an awesome dude and I promise that you will find some amazing takeaways from listening to Josh!

Huge shout out to Dr. Kasey Johnson from the Unlock Wellness Podcast for connecting me to Josh.  Definitely go check out their episode together to dig deeper into his story!

MORE FROM JOSH LAJAUNIE:

Website: https://joshlajaunie.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshlajaunie/?hl=en

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXFsRc6p0Y8fa9L8UCb3zg/videos

Josh on the Unlock Wellness Podcast: http://drkasey.libsyn.com/uwp-episode-035-josh-lajaunie-400-lbs-to-a-plant-based-long-distance-runner

Josh on the Rich Roll Podcast: http://www.richroll.com/podcast/rrp-63-free-josh-lajaunie-lost-200-lbs-plantpower-diet/

http://www.richroll.com/podcast/josh-lajaunie-2/

MORE LIKE A BIGFOOT:

Subscribe and Review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/like-a-bigfoot/id1160773293?mt=2

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About a year ago, Thad Burkamper signed up for a Spartan Race.  Admittedly, he was out of shape and was starting from step one with this whole running thing.

Here’s the important part: he embraced the “It’s a long way to the top…if you wanna rock n roll” mindset (or the IALWTTTIYWRNR mindset…for “short”) and consistently improved little by little as the year went by.

As running became easier, he transformed his garage/back yard into a homemade Spartan Race obstacle.  Now there are soft balls hanging from ropes, giant tires, Atlas stones and humongous logs.  Basically, he went full Spartan Racer.

And it has paid off.

I’m excited to share this podcast today because Thad hits on quite a few topics: what inspired him to kickstart his physicality, how he overcame a major health related setback halfway through his training, how he used work and home-life as “added workouts” and, of course, his experience racing the Spartan Super in Michigan.

I’m proud to say that now he’s completely obsessed and is taking on the Spartan Trifecta next year (hopefully finishing out here with me in Colorado!!).

More importantly, Thad is spreading goodness by inspiring his wife to step up to the plate.  After watching Thad race, she is now spending her afternoons flipping big ole tires and rope climbing up trees.  What’s more “Like a Bigfoot” than that!!

Also for the first time ever, Thad recorded a song specifically for the show!  It’s hilarious and is extremely relatable by anyone who has been a beginner runner.  I put it right after the intro so be sure to check it out!

Thanks Thad! I’m excited for our race next summer!  Keeping in touch with you through your training has really inspired me to stay on track over the last year.  Keep spreading goodness!

MORE LIKE A BIGFOOT:

Subscribe and Review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/like-a-bigfoot/id1160773293?mt=2

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This week we welcome Jennifer Mabus to the show!  Jennifer is a backpacker out of Washington and is preparing to take on the epic challenge of hiking the 2,650 mile Pacific Crest Trail.  She also writes a fantastic blog at www.thewhimsicalwoman.com.

I was so excited to hear her story and preparation.  I’m a nerd about all things thru-hiking (although I’ve never thru-hiked myself).  The stories, adventures, and life-changing experiences people have after one of these huge quests always keep me on the edge of my seat.

In this episode we talk about Jennifer’s journey; how did she start backpacking, what is driving her to chase such a lofty goal, what obstacles is she expecting and how is she preparing herself physically, mentally, and emotionally for half a year in the woods?

I hope you guys enjoy the episode!  If you haven’t delved much into the world of long distance backpacking, I would highly suggest checking out some documentaries or books just to give you some perspective on what these adventures really consist of.  It will make you that much more excited for Jennifer and the adventures she’s about to embark on.

MORE FROM THE WHIMSICAL WOMAN:

The Whimsical Woman Blog: https://thewhimsicalwoman.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewhimsicalwoman/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewhimsicalwoman/?hl=en

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIUPDURNSrgUg96rxhlr5rA

MORE LIKE A BIGFOOT:

Subscribe and Review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/like-a-bigfoot/id1160773293?mt=2

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Get ready for one of my favorite episodes so far!  I left this conversation literally fist pumping in excitement and reinvigorated for life!

Bruce Kittle is one of the most motivational, positive people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.  He’s worn many different hats throughout his career- athlete, football coach, minister, lawyer- and, because he has experienced such variety, he is full of wisdom.

Bruce shares his “Open Windows” life philosophy and helps clarify how we all can recognize and seize the opportunities life throws at us.  We also discuss how he self reflects in order to live his life with integrity and in-line with his core values.

If you want to hear more, check out his awesome blog at www.brucekittle.com, it truly is excellent writing.

Through athletics, coaching, and his general mission of positivity, Bruce is a positive role model I’ve always admired.  I’m so glad we reconnected and will always be grateful in the lessons he has taught me.  Hope you enjoy and learn some as well!

P.S.- If you enjoy Iowa Hawkeye Athletics, get this, in his college career Bruce played football for hall of fame coach Hayden Fry AND wrestled for the greatest wrestler of all time Dan Gable!!! No wonder he has so much knowledge to share!

P.P.S.- Bruce is also the father of a previous guest George Kittle.  Quick George Update- he kicked butt in the NFL combine, was picked in the 5th round by the San Francisco 49ers, and scored his first professional TD against the Broncos a few weeks ago.  Super proud of George and if you listened to that episode you would see how much his dad means to him.

More From Bruce:

“Open Windows” Blog: https://www.brucekittle.com

George’s Episode: https://soundcloud.com/chris-ward-126531464/22-george-kittle-iowa-hawkeye-starting-tight-end-hard-work-creates-success

More Like a Bigfoot:

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