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What actually happens behind the scenes of a 200-mile mountain ultra? Spoiler: It involves a lot of mud, a 5-year whirlwind, and driving to Walmart to cram 135 heavy watermelons into the back of a truck. On this episode of The Evolving Adventure, we chat Kirsti from Sinister Sports in Crowsnest Pass, Alberta. Kirsti went from being a high-speed 5K cross-country runner to jumping straight into a 320 km (200-mile) mountain adventure in Wales. She also did the most preparation anyone ever did to get hired by Sinister Sports. In this conversation, we strip away the polished social media filters of endurance sports. Kirsti opens up about the chaos of race directing, her hilarious ongoing battle with race nutrition (yes, even veterans throw up in the bushes), and what it felt like to "DNF" her first attempt at a master's degree before getting back on the start line. We also dive deep into her work with the Piikani Nation Buffalo Runners, exploring why it's time to retire the ego-driven mindset of "conquering" mountains and start running with gratitude, community, and respect for the land underfoot. Grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and enjoy the ride. [00:00] The Day One Baptism by Fire: Hiding from Labor Day downpours in Crowsnest Pass and the wild research project that landed Kirsti her job at Sinister Sports[1].[05:15] From 5K Speed to Mountain Distance: Why leaving short-track speed behind revealed the true power of trail community and shared movement[2][3].[08:40] The Watermelon Logistics: What it really takes to host a mountain ultra (and why 135 watermelons almost broke the suspension)[5][6].[26:00] The 200-Mile Leap & The Fueling Mystery: Jumping from 130 km to 320 km at the Wild Horse 200, and why she still throws up on every 30K+ run[10].[28:00] Wiping Away the Ego: How to strip away expectations, ignore the internet noise, and rely on pure, unadulterated stubbornness to get from Point A to Point B[12].[30:45] Sports Psychology & The Mental Toolbelt: Using her degree from Laurentian, learning from academic rejections, and applying the "mountain method" to everyday life[17].[37:00] Running as Reciprocity: Lessons from the Piikani Nation Buffalo Runners, offering tobacco, and why we need to stop talking about "crushing" nature[20].[42:00] The Most Purple Flower: Why stopping mid-trail to appreciate the small details is the ultimate ultra-running superpower

Deanna Doane set a Florida Trail FKT, about 1,100 miles in under 20 days. Then she had no idea who she was. What if you finally accomplished the thing you thought would change your life… and then had absolutely no idea who you were afterward? Swamps. Heat. Loneliness. Sleep deprivation. All the fun stuff. But here's the part that hooked me. While she was doing it, Deanna was also living through an abusive relationship. She opens up about what that did to her mentally, how much of it she carried onto the Florida Trail, and how running became a place for peace and clarity, but not a replacement for actual therapy. And then she finished. Except… life didn't magically become perfect. She came home to what she describes as post-trail depression, an identity crisis, changing friendships, financial uncertainty, and the uncomfortable question: Who is Deanna outside of the Florida Trail? So she started over. She left her old life behind, started living and traveling out of her vehicle, built Wandering Runner, started coaching, created trail running camps and retreats, organized community runs, and gave back through volunteering and trail work. And somewhere in all that chaos, she found something she hadn't expected: herself. Not the FKT version.Not the ultrarunner version.Not the version somebody else expected her to be. Just… Deanna. Some of the best parts of this conversation have almost nothing to do with running. They're about leaving, healing, losing people who aren't in your corner, and realizing that starting over isn't failing. That takes guts. Whether your adventure is a 1,100-mile FKT, a cross-country move, leaving a relationship, or simply getting your damn life back… it doesn't have to look like anyone else's. You don't have to wait until you're fearless. You just have to stop letting fear make every decision for you. Check out the latest episode from the messy middle on The Evolving Adventure Podcast (@theevolvingadventure). Follow Deanna: @wanderingrunnerco and find her Wandering Runner. Whether you're into trail or ultrarunning... or not; starting over, or figuring out who the hell you're becoming next… this one's for you. Please note: if this episode stirred something in you, support is available 24/7: 1-800-799-7233 (relationship abuse) or 988 (crisis and emotional support). #FloridaTrail #FKT #Ultrarunning #TrailRunning #WomenWhoRun

Nick never said he would become a runner. Now he's training for Cocodona 250, a 250-mile ultramarathon through Arizona. He played football. He fought MMA. Running was basically punishment. And then his wife kept casually being an absolute lunatic and running 200-milers for fun. So Nick figured… sure. Why not? Fast-forward and this 40-year-old dad got into the Cocodona lottery without fully understanding how lotteries work. He figured if his name got called, he'd just hand the spot to his wife. And somehow… he got picked. (So did she.) But this isn't really a story about running. It's about what happens when you realize you've spent years being a dad, husband, provider, athlete, employee, whatever everyone else needs you to be, and suddenly ask: "Wait… who the hell am I?" For Nick, the answer is starting to show up on the trails: He's learning patience. He's learning that he doesn't have to run like his wife. He's learning what his own version of success looks like. He's learning how to fail without quitting. Case in point: the legendary scorpion faceplant. One bad ankle, one rock, one very fast trip down a desert trail hill. He got back up and kept moving. His son's review? Hilarious. Nick is discovering that sometimes getting lost in the woods is EXACTLY how you start finding yourself again. Also… somewhere along the way, a guy looked at him and said he looked like a Silverback on the trails. And honestly? The man now goes by @Silverback_Trail_Runner This conversation goes way deeper than ultrarunning. If you're a dad who's been putting everyone else first… if you've ever wondered where you went… or if you've ever looked at a completely ridiculous challenge and thought, "...well, I guess we're doing this." You probably want to hear this one. New episode of The Evolving Adventure Podcast is live. Link in bio. And let us all know: what's something you swore you'd never do that you now kind of love? #Cocodona250 #Ultrarunning #TrailRunning #RunningPodcast #DadLife We also discuss the SAVAVALI.E. Run Club, Cocodona 250,

What happens when a 5th-generation Tucson local pitches his ultrarunning coach a self-supported, no-rules, 219-mile FKT across five Arizona mountain ranges and 33,600 feet of elevation. Her answer: "Say less. I'm in." On this episode of The Evolving Adventure, we sit down with Christian (@cprunsfar) and his coach Lauren (@lauren_runswild) ahead of their self-designed FKT attempt around Tucson — five mountain summits, desert-to-alpine terrain, cactus bushwhacking (maybe with Lauren's machete), and a route that passes within 300 yards of Christian's front door... quite handy for a mile-175 pit stop for A/C and ice.  Maybe even a quick nap? No race directors. No mandatory gear. No start line with 298 other runners—just two people, a largely unmapped route, and roughly 100 hours of self-supported effort... on Lauren's first trip to Arizona! We talk about planning an unsupported ultra from scratch, trusting a coach you've never met in person, and what it takes to attempt something nobody's mapped out for you. Christian and Lauren begin the attempt November 17 in Tucson and will be documenting it live. Follow along on their Instagram accounts: @cprunsfar and @lauren_runswild They would like to thank NeverSecond for their support of this adventure. We also reference The Mammoth, a 200 mile adventure in California that Christian completed in 2025.

Injuries. Injuries. Injuries.No one likes them. They're a forced reset, a time when you may be unable to pursue those hobbies you love... and may find yourself pondering "Who am I?"In today's episode of The Evolving Adventure podcast we catch up with Taryn from episode 173, who had an unfortunate ankle injury that derailed her summer plans. We chat about what it's like to be injured, where to have fun with a knee scooter, maintaining mental sanity when your identity comes into question, and strategies for getting back to what you love.While this episode focuses on trail running, the lessons apply to any injury or change that disrupts your ability to do what you love. Listen to the first episode with Taryn here:

Thanks for listening friends, and boy... do we have a fun storytime for y'all today. My new friend Randi had been trying to get into Cocodona for years. Then, one January morning, a friend sent her a screenshot of something called Burrito League. Fifteen minutes later she had her shoes on. Several months, a pile of new friendships (like me!) and a ridiculously questionable number of repeated Strava segments later…Randi found herself standing at the start of the Bigfoot 200 wondering what, exactly, she had gotten herself into. Spoiler: she finished. 😂 Like shortly before we recorded this episode. She'd just driven back to Arizona from the Bigfoot finish line! Today's episode is a wonderfully unpolished tour through 200-mile running, community, finding your own limits, Burrito League absurdity, Ménière’s disease, free grassroots races like the PhoeftyK, accidental entrepreneurship, tie-dye chemistry, Ritz crackers for fuel, and the surprisingly motivational properties of an aid-station beer. PBR, naturally. Randi shares with us why she finally stopped waiting to get into Cocodona and chose a different 200-miler, what kept her moving when her brain repeatedly suggested that she could simply stop, and how adapting to the body she actually has changed what she believes is possible. We also talk about the community that grew out of Burrito League, her first experiences with Destination Trail races (Arizona Monster 300, Bigfoot 200), the free Phoenix “Fifty K,” and the tie-dye side hustle that recetly started showing up all over the trail-running world. Oh—and roughly a mile and half before completing her first 200-miler? Randi stopped at a bar for a beer and a tequila shot. Bought for her by someone who recognized her from Day 1 of the adventure race. Then Randi sprinted to the finish. As one does. Because after 198.x miles... there's still a LITTLE gas left in the tank. Underneath all the ridiculousness of this episode is one pretty wonderful idea: There’s something special about getting really serious about really dumb things with good people. Find her tie-dye creations on Instagram at @r.an.di.art

Thanks for listening today, friends! So... what do Burrito League, ultrarunning, Indigenous land knowledge, app development and wildfire response have in common? Apparently quite a lot! Today we are joined by Danny Brigman from the Spokane Reservation for a conversation about what happens when you stop waiting for somebody else to build the thing you think should exist — and just start doing it yourself. Danny shares how starting a Burrito League chapter on his reservation sparked a broader community movement, why seeing other Native ultrarunners changed what he believed was possible for himself, and how his connection to the land has shaped everything from racing to directing the Spokane Homelands 27K. We also dig into Homelands, the app Danny has spent years building to help people understand whose lands they're traveling across and move beyond land acknowledgements toward actual knowledge, relationship and respect. And, this has been a crazy zummer... after devastating wildfires affected communities across the region (Danny and I have both been evacuated from different locations for fire activity) our conversation turns toward something more profound: what community looks like when people genuinely need one another. This episode is about land, belonging, imperfect action, authenticity and the powerful act of just showing up. Follow @homelands.app on Instagram or Facebook, and visit homelandsapp.com to follow Danny's project.

Thanks for listening today, friends! Today we've got an inspirational episode with Jessica McBride on Motherhood, Belief & Becoming a Team Canada Ultrarunner. The core question we explore-what happens when you stop letting other people decide who you’re allowed to become? Jessica was once the kid whose gym teacher made fun of the way she ran. Years later, after three kids, a huge identity shift, and one very important question later, she started running anyway. That question? Which things I believe about myself are actually someone else’s property?  We all know that moderation is overrated, so naturally, her first race was a marathon. Then came a 50-miler. Which landed her on the podium. Then a DNF that actually helped her understand what kind of runner she was. Then baby #4, the very real fear that her best athletic years might already be behind her… …and eventually, Team Canada. 🇨🇦 And in 2026, a Canadian record. Jessica’s story is about running, but it’s really about identity, motherhood, ambition, self-belief, and the stories we inherit about what we’re supposedly capable of. We talk about the price of chasing big goals, why success doesn’t magically erase self-doubt, the strange grief that can come after achieving the dream, and one question she asked that stopped me: “What gym teacher am I becoming in my kids’ heads?” For the woman who thinks she’s too old, too late, too busy, too much of a mom, or simply not built for the thing she wants? Jessica has something to say to you. ❤️ 🎧 Jessica McBride is episode 193 on The Evolving Adventure Podcast. Find us anywhere you find podcasts, and on YouTube. Find Jessica at @thingsthatgoruninthenight and follow @dm.running.team. And for real… if your first ever race is a marathon, I feel like we’re allowed to question your decision-making from the beginning... says the guy whose first trail race was DNFing a 100 miler. #WomenWhoRun #WomensRunning #UltraRunning #RunningCommunity #WomenInSport

Thanks for listening today, friends! So... I sat down to record a 20–30 minute episode about creating a dream life. Fifty-two minutes later… apparently I had thoughts. 😂 This isn't a polished “five steps to manifest everything you want” episode. I am recording this while the housing feature is still being developed, income is being intermittent, and the American Southwest has yet to send me a move-in date. But the dream is getting clearer. In today's solo episode, I talk about: ✨ Why money and opportunities started showing up when I stopped trying to impress people and started being honest🌵 The bright, spacious Southwest home—and very specific dream Tuesday—I am building toward🏃 Why finishing 100 miles taught me to run my race instead of chasing someone else’s pace🚙 What truck living taught me about the difference between freedom and constant mental load🧠 The rituals, visualization, energy work, networking, and asking for help that keep me moving😬 And the fears underneath it all: running out of money, getting stuck, losing the podcast, and never quite arriving There are also dream-home amenities, impromptu tangents, and considerably more vulnerability than originally scheduled. You're welcome. My dream life is not finished. But it is becoming more specific—and I am learning that we do not have to arrive before we begin building it. What does an ordinary Tuesday look like in your dream life?

So it's been an adventure lately, friends, and one that's ever evolving. Phew, has it been a ride. I asked the universe for a sign. It gave me a cancelled course, an eight-hour drive, sideways sleet, and a five-day logistics contract at the Divide 200. 😂 So… not exactly the glittering manifestation portal I had pictured. In today’s solo episode, I’m sharing what really happened: lots of driving, long gaps between runners, filming in the rain, helping at aid stations, protecting snacks from bears, making one very weird 360 video, making a better one, and losing a lens cover somewhere in the mountains. I had hoped the race might lead to exciting collaborations or an obvious next opportunity. It hasn't... yet. But it did give me experience, information, a few good lessons, and proof that the first attempt can be weird without being the final attempt. This one is about the Magic Dark—that uncomfortable middle where you believe things are moving, even though nothing has arrived with a tracking number yet. The race didn’t solve my life. It wasn’t pointless either. Sometimes the experience is the next step.

Apparently, my identity change has a dress code: tie-dyed Crocs. I wore them for the final nine miles of a 100-mile race after my shoes, legs, and better judgment had all filed separate complaints. Funny story? Absolutely. A motivational “never quit” lesson? Nope. I’m proud I finished Jackpot Ultras, but I neglected the strength, mobility, and yoga that help keep me healthy. My body gave me information I did not want, and I kept walking anyway. Sometimes stubbornness looks like resilience... and sometimes it is simply stubbornness with a buckle waiting at the end. What happened afterward was interesting: Recovery meant months of biking instead of running. Running is where I process life, so I did not just lose training... I lost one of the places where I feel calm, confident, and most like myself. Then I quit my job. Career change. Identity change. No fixed location. No neat long-term plan. Just me, recording from my truck while my brain operates like a browser with 37 open tabs and mystery music playing somewhere. In this solo episode of The Evolving Adventurer Podcast, I share four questions helping me through this life transition: What role changed? What story am I attaching to it? What small piece of evidence can I create this week? Who can support me without taking over? That last one is still a work in progress. Guess what? I am, too. Unfinished is not the same thing as imaginary. Discomfort is not automatic proof that you should push harder. It may mean practice, prepare, pause, ask for help, or change direction. The episode is live right now. This is what is happening right now in my life. Follow for the unfinished chapters—not just the polished stories told five years later after . What role has changed for you, and what are you practicing now? #TheEvolvingAdventurer #LifeTransition #IdentityChange #InjuryRecovery #Ultrarunning

This week on The Evolving Adventure, I’m joined by Amber Walker — adventurer, surfer, author, holistic wellness practitioner, and my first international guest! Amber joins from Punta de Mita, Mexico, where she can literally see two surf breaks from her recording spot. We talk about growing up in Anchorage, Alaska, competitive swimming, qualifying for Boston, inventing her own “30-tirement,” selling her stuff, buying a one-way ticket to Australia, running around New Zealand, surviving a crazy incident in Indonesia, and eventually finding her way into a completely different rhythm of life in Mexico. This episode is full of the kind of stories that make you want to pack a bag, trust your gut, and maybe rethink the whole “I’ll live later” plan. Amber shares how solo travel helped her grow, why learning even a few words of the local language matters, what it means to enter a culture with respect, and how surfing became a form of floating meditation after years of pushing, training, and living in a state of hypervigilance. We also get into dance, play, intuition, chronic illness, faith, Peru, Barbados, wild birthday challenges, trail running through a blizzard, and that beautiful middle place where adventure becomes healing. You'll want to focus later in the episode when Amber and I talk about a number of our bucket list places. You can find Amber at @originwellnessclinic and @breakfreefromchronicillness, and you can find me at @cactusmoose and @theevolvingadventure. Listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts — this one is for anyone craving more adventure, more trust, more play, and a little less grind.

Transforming grief to strength… and moving on without a perfect plan with Christian Zepeda How often do we delay our dreams because we don't have the entire plan figured out? Today’s guest is endurance athlete, storyteller and adventurer Christian Zepeda. We explore his life journey, touching on the vulnerable topics of grief, resilience, identity, and the courage it takes to move forward when there is no certainty. After losing his mother to cancer, Christian found himself searching for something deeper than achievement. Through endurance sports, travel, and eventually departing on a self-supported adventure, he discovered that some of life's biggest transformations begin with a simple decision: "I don't know the route. I just know I'm going south." You’ll hear a powerful conversation about how to navigate loss, trust your intuition, let go of the expectations that can keep us stuck and stagnating, and how to find meaning in the unknown. Hint: it starts with presence.  This is an inspiring episode that reminds us, as John Wayne is quoted, “courage is being scared to death… but saddling up anyways.” If you’re staring at a major life transition, grieving and recovering from loss, questioning your current path, rebuilding after burnout, or simply feeling called toward something bigger, today you’ll come away with the heartfelt reminder that courage is rarely the absence of fear; courage is moving forward while you’re feeling that fear.  Christian and I also discuss lessons he learned after losing his mother to cancer; how and why adventure is a powerful tool for healing; the difference between feeling safe and feeling alive; trusting yourself when there is no roadmap; what happens when you stop living to meet other people’s expectations; and why presence is often overlooked in modern life.  The biggest takeaway for me is realizing that I’ve spent years preparing for a future life at the sacrifice of truly and deeply experiencing the flavors of life that are happening in the present: I’ll start my business when I’m feeling confident and financially settled. I’ll quit the job when I’ve saved a certain amount. I’ll sign up for that race when my training has been great for three months.  I’ll chase that dream when I’m done working this season.  It’s funny how certainty and safety are an illusion. As attributed to Benjamin Franklin: "He who would trade liberty for some temporary security, deserves neither liberty nor security." Christian's story reminds us all that growth doesn't begin when we know exactly how everything will unfold, at a time that’s convenient with nothing else going on. Growth starts when we take the next best step for ourselves, even when it feels like we're walking out into the dark without star, a headlamp, or any reference point.  If you have been challenged with anxiety, overwhelm, self-doubt, or the feeling that life is passing by while you're waiting for the "right time," this episode offers a refreshing perspective: You do not need the entire map today, friends. You just need the courage to take the next step. Listen today on Spotify (and follow the show!) here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4ZwZSywLvOO8uOQB2BGcX0?si=tC1A2X6hQPCR4GGzHo6kcA Be sure to follow @cactusmoose, @theevolvingadventure and @christianzepeda2

What happens when you overhear someone filming a "manifesting" video in a coffee shop and decide to start a conversation? Tune in to the latest episode of The Evolving Adventurer podcast! Today you’ll learn how Madi is documenting an ambitious goal: buying or selling 12 homes in 12 months as a brand-new realtor in Arizona! While many people would wait until they feel confident, experienced, or financially secure, Madi took the leap, and is growing her wings on the way down… while sharing all the ups and downs publicly. While she’s yet to officially close a deal—at least as of when we recorded this—she speaks with a certainty that it will transpire. We have a wide-ranging discussion with the core tenet being her willingness to do things scared. Madi has a varied background including being a police recruit, baker, doula, business owner, baker, homeschooling mom, bodybuilder, and now, a realtor. Along the way she learned that courage isn't confidence; it’s taking the next step when confidence hasn't shown up yet. Her family's mantra says it perfectly: "Even when we're scared, we be brave anyways." That's a lesson a lot of us need right now. We also talked about a topic relevant to all: personal safety. After receiving serious threats while hosting open houses, Madi chose to invest in additional training to be prepared. It is a powerful reminder that growth isn't always about chasing dreams; sometimes growth comes when you are protecting them. This is a fun—and deep—conversation where you’ll about entrepreneurship, resilience, personal safety, authenticity on social media, balancing motherhood with work, and what it’s like to pursue a dream before you feel ready. If you’re looking to building a life on your own terms, I think you'll enjoy this one. As Madi reminds us, "The only difference between successful people and unsuccessful people is that successful people did it scared.” Remember, courage isn’t the absence of fear… it’s feeling it and moving forward anyway. Share this episode with a friend who needs that reminder, and let us know in the comments something that you went for while feeling scared. You can follow the “Manifesting with Madi” series on her account @Madison.azrealtor and you can find the whole interview on Spotify here: Stay Ready Training ArizonaUSCCA Instructor Profile - Chris Haynes (Stay Ready Training)Madi's Instagram

What would you do if someone tells you that you're not built for the thing you love most? In today’s episode of The Evolving Adventurer, I chat with ultrarunner, coach, mom and adventurer Bri Boley. What started off as a funny case of mistaken identity at Javelina Jundred this past October led to a powerful conversation about grit, self-belief, and choosing your own path—even when “experts,” injuries, and fear suggest otherwise. Bri shares how a physical therapist once told her she didn't have a "runner's body.” That comment—or her Aries nature—fueled her determination: she went from struggling through three-mile runs and finishing last at a 5K race to thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, racing ultramarathons, and coaching endurance athletes around the world. We venture into the challenges, and realities, of balancing adventure, motherhood, work, and training. Bri opens up about creating guilt-free time for herself, unexpected superpowers that come from being a busy parent, and why sustainable success is about much more than mileage, heart rate data, or race results. You’ll learn lessons that transcend the endurance space: different perspectives on long-term growth, resilience, and building a life that supports your passions. Whether you're an athlete, entrepreneur, healer, parent, or simply someone trying to reconnect with the things that make you feel most alive, today’s conversation is packed with wisdom, humor, and inspiration. From solo backpacking adventures at 17 to Cocodona crewing stories to rediscovering joy after burnout, Bri reminds us all that sometimes the most important journey isn't about going farther—it's about returning to who you were before the world told you what you could or couldn't become. Comment BRI and I’ll send you the link. Timestamps: 02:29 - How a whim led to eleven years living in a mountain town  03:36 - Bree's upbringing in Corvallis, Oregon, and her early sports journey  05:24 - From cheerleading to running and overcoming injury challenges  07:51 - Discovering her passion for trail and ultrarunning  11:25 - Building endurance through long-distance hikes and trail adventures  12:47 - Transition to ultrarunning with the Colorado Trail and PCT  13:36 - The mindset of grit and determination that drives her pursuits  16:24 - How her own injury history fuels her coaching approach  17:50 - The importance of long-term vision in athletic development  22:08 - Supporting athletes of all levels with empathy and process-oriented goals  25:58 - Balancing training with family life and mom superpowers  28:34 - The significance of time efficiency and intentional self-care  32:36 - Embracing solo adventures to build resilience and confidence  36:28 - Crewing at Cocodona and supporting incredible performances  43:02 - Bri’s upcoming challenge: Oregon Outback 230 in 2026  50:03 - Her love for exploring new trails and avoiding race repetition  58:36 - The power of solitude and quiet in long-distance adventures  62:03 - Connecting with Bree: social media and coaching opportunities Resources & Links: TrainRight Coaching — Bri's coaching platformCascade Endurance — Endurance coaching organizationBorn to Run by Christopher McDougall — Book that inspired BriWonderland Trail — Epic trail around Mount RainierInstagram — Social media profile