Tessa Chesser on the Javelina 100; “Diesel Mode”; & Dealing with Adversity (Ep.100)
Tessa Chesser (who just podium’d at the Javalina 100 miler, earning a gold ticket to Western States) came on droppin’ mics, spittin’ inspiration, telling her story and mincing no words, and talking about how she has dealt with negativity and adversity.
Catching Up with Grayson Murphy (Ep.99)
Grayson Murphy is back on Off The Couch to talk about her 2021 race season; trail racing in Europe vs. the US; the Olympic trials; avoiding injuries; the biggest changes to her own training; the most ‘off the couch’ thing she’s ever done; and more.
Running Through the News (Sep / Oct 2021) (Ep.98)
Sanjay Rawal joins us to discuss the Boston Marathon being held on Indigenous People’s Day; why the sport of long-distance running is particularly well-positioned to create a more equitable situation for indigenous people; the ramifications of having so many high-profile marathons held so close to one another; and the mission of Shalane Flanagan.
Olivia Amber: from XC Skiing to the Tech World to Mountain Running (Ep.97)
Olivia Amber grew up in rural Wisconsin; headed off to Maine (where she became an all-American XC skier); found her way into the tech world of San Francisco; then started getting into ultra running. Now, Olivia is a Salomon athlete who is also juggling a career in tech. We talk about all of the above, plus coffee; sleeping / not sleeping; her current & future interests in running; and more.
Anton Krupicka on His Return to Racing; DFW vs. Murakami; & More (Ep.96)
We talk to Anton Krupicka about his recent return to racing; his ongoing exploration of different ways to move through the mountains; we get his unfiltered take on Murakami’s What I Talk about When I Talk about Running; and more.
Olympian Natasha Wodak on Mental Preparation; Her Mantras; Running Playlists; & More (Ep.95)
We talk to Tasha Wodak about her performance in last month’s Olympic games; the twists and turns of her running career; mental preparation and the mantras that inspire her; a critical insight to remember during life’s hardest moments; running playlists; and more.
Dean Karnazes on Longevity, Reading, & Writing (Ep.94)
Dean Karnazes is an ultra running legend. But beyond his impressive endurance exploits, Dean is an incredibly thoughtful and generous person who just so happens to love running. It was a real honor and a true pleasure to talk to Dean about running, his life-long interest in reading, his approach to writing, and what he is currently passionate about outside of the world of running.
Running through the News (Aug 2021) (Ep.93)
Today we’re kicking off a new series on Off The Couch, and Sanjay Rawal joins us to talk primarily about track and field at the Olympics, but we also talk about the Leadville 100, and the longest foot race in the world, the 3,100-mile Self Transcendence race in New York.
2021 Leadville 100 Winner, Annie Hughes (Ep.92)
Annie Hughes is 23 years old and is quickly becoming a force in the world of ultra running. So we talked with Annie about her preparation for Leadville and the race itself; waiting tables; our idea to run for president (which is related to waiting tables); her plans to run the Moab 240 this October, and what she’s most excited about beyond this October.
Dakota Jones on the Footprints Running Camp (Ep.91)
We talk with Dakota Jones about how motivation evolves, different chapters of life, and what led to the launch of the Footprints Running Camp.
Ian Sharman & Dana Kracaw on the Leadville 100; the Art of Pacing; & How to Get Away with Murder (Ep.90)
We talk to Ian Sharman and Dana Kracaw about how they met; the art of pacing; the art of DNF-ing; Tanya Harding; deer costumes; trolling; all-mountain roller skates; and yes, murder.
Catching Up with Sanjay Rawal + the Importance of “Running Easy” (Ep.89)
Sanjay Rawal is back on the podcast to discuss his latest film project about the American runner, Patti Catalano Dillon; how being coached by Patti has caused him to completely overhaul how he trains; and why we all might benefit by remembering to “run easy.”
Michele Graglia on Going ‘Ultra’ — Part 2 (Ep.88)
In part 2 of our conversation with one of the top ultrarunners in the world, we discuss Michele’s book, Ultra, that comes out today; his motivation heading into the Moab 240 last year; the “art of the pull”; death; purpose; and Michele makes an announcement about a big upcoming project.
Michele Graglia on Going ‘Ultra’ (Ep.87)
In one of our all-time favorite podcast conversations, we find out how a kid from a little town in Italy goes from working in his family’s floral business to being a top fashion model in Miami to being one of the best ultrarunners in the world. And now, Michele Gralia isn’t just about winning long-distance races and setting records. He is passionate about human potential, helping us redefine what is possible, and motivating each and every one of us to do the same.
Unlikely Hikers & the Evolution of the Outdoor Industry (Ep.86)
If you want to understand one of the most important developments currently taking place in the outdoor industry, then listen up. Jenny Bruso is the founder of Unlikely Hikers, and what she has started is a movement that is growing fast, and for good reason. See why.
Jean-Luc Diard on the Deckers X Lab Design Philosophy & Products (Ep.85)
We’re talking again with one of the most influential product designers in the outdoor industry, Jean-Luc Diard, about the design philosophy of Deckers X Lab, a number of the models in the Deckers Lab lineup, and why they are trying to rethink everything from the standard flip flop to the casual sneaker to the suspension systems of high-end, performance shoes.
Neli Vazquez Rowland on the Run to End Homelessness & A Safe Haven (Ep.84)
Neli Vasquez Rowland is the co-founder and president of A Safe Haven, which is a Chicago-based nonprofit whose goal is to end homelessness. So we talk to Neli about A Safe Haven’s comprehensive approach; how and why their model could be adopted by other cities around the world; their Run to End Homelessness; and more.
Daryl Murphy on Miles for Justice (Ep.83)
Brendan Leonard and Jonathan Ellsworth talk to Daryl Murphy about his Miles For Justice project; why he’s been running 5k or more every single day for over 300 days; his running background; his ideas about the future of Miles For Justice; and more.
GingerRunner, Ethan Newberry, on Acting, Anxiety, the Barkley Banana, & Shoe Reviews (Ep.82)
Brendan Leonard and Jonathan Ellsworth talk to TheGingerRunner, Ethan Newberry, about life before GingerRunner; what led Ethan to start GR and how it has evolved; anxiety and mental health; his partnership with Kim Teshima Newberry; and of course, shoe reviews.
Moab Red Hot & Black Canyon Ultras Recap + New-Tech Trail Shoes (Ep.81)
We’ve got some race recaps for you; our initial impressions of Saucony’s Switchback2 (which features the BOA system); and we discuss the arrival of the first carbon-plated trail shoe, The North Face’s Flight Vectiv.
Brendan’s New Book: I Hate Running and You Can Too (Ep.80)
Our Off The Couch co-host, Brendan Leonard, has a new book coming out, so Jonathan talked to him about zen koans, piñatas, other running books, kids, and why Jonathan thinks you should read this book whether you hate running, or love it.
Mike Foote on His Grand Canyon R2R2R ALT FKT; Race Directing; & Reading (Ep.79)
Brendan Leonard & Jonathan Ellsworth talk to Mike Foote, who on 12.31.20, headed out with fellow The North Face athlete, Rob Krar, to attempt an FKT of the Rim to Rim to Rim “alt” route of the Grand Canyon. So we get Mike’s version of the event, and then go on to discuss a whole lot more.
Ed Roberson on The Procrastinator’s Punishment 50k (Ep.78)
Ed Roberson is the creator of The Procrastinator’s Punishment 50k; the host of the excellent Mountain & Prairie podcast; and the author of a fantastic Books Recommendation series. So Brendan Leonard & Jonathan Ellsworth talked to Ed about all of the above, and more.
Zoë Rom on Fruit, Oreos, Fireball, FKTs, & Running Culture (Ep.77)
Zoë Rom is a runner / scrambler / climber; reader; writer; and host of the DNF Podcast. We talk with her about all of this plus her interest in continuing to deepen and enrich running culture; the very specific way to win her heart; getting cut from the cross country team in high school; winning her first ultra with the help of Oreos & Fireball; her FKT on Capitol Peak; what she’s reading, watching, and listening to; and more.
Peter Bromka on Running & Writing (Ep.76)
Brendan Leonard and Jonathan Ellsworth talk with Peter Bromka, a runner that grew up in Portland, ran at Tufts University, and now is back in Portland where he runs for the Bowerman Track Club Elite Program. But in addition to training hard and running fast, Peter is focused on writing about running itself. And in this conversation, you’ll hear more about how he is currently pursuing both.
Improving Performance by Rethinking Fit? BOA Fit System (Ep.75)
Most of you are familiar with the BOA fit system, but do you know what BOA is up to today? Or maybe you’ve thought, What’s wrong with regular shoe laces? We went to the BOA Performance Fit Lab to learn more; hear why they see a big opportunity in trail running shoes; and see how they are working with companies to optimize products.
Matt Hart on Nike, The Oregon Project, & PEDs in Sports (Ep.74)
We talk to Matt Hart about his book, Win at All Costs: Inside Nike Running and its Culture of Deception, which is is an important book that everyone interested in competitive athletics should read. We discuss how Matt got interested in and involved with this story; whether we should just make all performance-enhancing drugs legal in all sports; who is most to blame for PED use in sports; what Nike’s response to the book has been; and Alberto Salazar’s upcoming trial.
Hoka Founder & Deckers Group VP of Innovation, Jean-Luc Diard (Ep.73)
If you are interested in product design and the process of innovation, then you need to listen to this conversation. Jean-Luc Diard started as an intern at Salomon, developed the first shaped ski, became the CEO at Salomon, played a major role in the development of Salomon’s running shoes, moved on to found Hoka One One, and is currently the VP of Innovation for the Deckers Group, where he currently heads up the Deckers X Lab.
Billy Yang on Running, Filmmaking, Media, Moving (??), & More (Ep.72)
Billy Yang is (among other things) a runner, filmmaker (Billy Yang Films), podcast host (Billy Yang Podcast), and someone who has been chronicling the sport of running in a fashion that is often beautiful, and always inspiring. So Brendan Leonard and Jonathan Ellsworth talked to Billy about everything from cigarette brands to the need for more compassionate critical thinking in our world.
Brendan Leonard on his new FKT, the Deadline Dungeon, & More (Ep.71)
Today we’re putting our Off The Couch co-host, Brendan Leonard (semi-rad.com) in the interviewee seat to hear about his recent FKT; his review of his FKT route and whether you should do it; movies; his current running program; gas station donuts; how well he deals with deadlines; some of his current and upcoming projects, and more.