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After wildfires stopped one 100-mile attempt at mile 60, smoke-related illness kept her from starting another, and a second Oregon Cascades was canceled altogether, Brianna Mees had every reason to wonder whether her first 100-mile finish would ever happen. But at Oregon’s Mountain Lakes 100, the hospital pharmacist and former collegiate runner finally got her shot—and crossed the finish line in roughly 27 hours and 20 minutes. Brianna joins Stephanie to break down the full Mountain Lakes experience: remote race logistics, dispersed camping, long stretches without cell service, rocky trails, tight cutoffs, a missing drop bag, worsening shin pain, and the overnight miles before a pacer finally joins the party. They also revisit the chance meeting on a miserable climb when a quick Happy Endings pep talk helped Brianna stop chasing a perfect time, eat something, reset, and start crushing the course. This episode is a candid celebration of everything ultrarunning can be: beautiful, painful, ridiculous, and deeply communal. From women dominating the race to swollen feet, trail hallucinations, and a mysterious paddle raft in the forest, Brianna’s story is proof that a bad stretch does not have to become a bad race—and that even when the original plan falls apart, you can still do something incredible. @briannamees Be sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, and we always appreciate you leaving a good rate and review. Join the Facebook Group and follow us on Instagram and check out our website for the more episodes, posts and merchandise coming soon. Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed in depth, or a guest you'd like to nominate? Email us at [email protected]

Wes Plate returns to HappyCast with plenty to catch up on, starting with a completely different kind of ultrarunning adventure: the 314-mile Vol State Road Race. With no crew, no pacers, no traditional aid stations and miles of Tennessee heat and humidity ahead of him, Wes found himself more nervous before a race than he had been in years. He shares what it was like stepping outside his familiar world of trail 200s, relying on gas stations and community “angel stations,” meeting people along the way and discovering why journey running has become the latest thing he can’t get out of his head. The conversation heads back to Montana for year two of the Copper Kings 100, including the wild unofficial 200-mile version completed by Doug Watson, Drew Watson and Audra Rundle. Wes also takes us behind the scenes of the technology he’s building to make races run more smoothly—from real-time aid station check-ins and runner updates to an automated live stream that follows the action around the course. Copper Kings continues to grow, with plans for a 200-runner field in 2027 and some major news: the race will officially become a Western States qualifier. Then Wes introduces Ultra Crew Companion, the app he originally built after seeing how difficult it can be for crews to manage constantly changing pace charts during an ultra. The app can update projected arrival times as a race unfolds, integrate tracking information, sync between crew members, work offline and even import a runner’s existing race plan from a photo using AI. What started as another problem Wes wanted to solve is quickly becoming something much bigger—and another example of how his worlds of ultrarunning, race directing, software development and creativity continue to collide. Copper Kings 100 https://copperkings100.com Montana Endurance Trail Foundation https://mtetf.org/donate Ultra Crew Companion https://www.racecommand.run/crew-companion Be sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, and we always appreciate you leaving a good rate and review. Join the Facebook Group and follow us on Instagram and check out our website for the more episodes, posts and merchandise coming soon. Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed in depth, or a guest you'd like to nominate? Email us at [email protected]

What happens when endurance stops being about the finish line and starts becoming a way to explore what you’re capable of? Stephanie sits down with Josh Sprague, founder and CEO of Orange Mud, to talk about his journey from growing up as a country kid who loved exploring outside to racing ultras, Ironman events, mountain bikes, gravel bikes, and multi-day adventure races. Josh shares how adventure racing became one of his favorite ways to keep endurance sports fresh—and why sometimes changing the challenge is exactly what keeps the love of the sport alive. From two unsuccessful attempts at the Leadville 100 to a 550-mile gravel race where a mysteriously disabled phone kept him from quitting, Josh has no shortage of stories about pushing through the moments when stopping sounds a whole lot easier. He recounts outrunning a tornado on a bike across South Dakota, hallucinating—or perhaps being visited by—his late golden retriever during a 720-mile race, and discovering the strange clarity that comes from spending days alone with nothing but your thoughts. Along the way, Stephanie and Josh dig into the mental side of endurance: DNFs, solitude, self-doubt, staying positive, and the realization that sometimes the only difference between finishing and quitting is continuing to move forward. Josh also shares how frustration with traditional hydration gear led him to build the first Orange Mud prototype in his garage and eventually leave his corporate career to grow the company alongside his wife. But even after decades of chasing big adventures, he’s still figuring out what the next chapter looks like. After a recent motorcycle crash forced him to reconsider how much risk is worth taking, the conversation turns to a bigger question: How do you keep pursuing adventure without sacrificing the ability to keep adventuring for years to come? It’s an episode about endurance, perspective, knowing when to push, knowing when to pivot, and remembering that sometimes the biggest limits are simply the ones we’ve convinced ourselves exist. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, and we always appreciate you leaving a good rate and review. Join the Facebook Group and follow us on Instagram and check out our website for the more episodes, posts and merchandise coming soon. Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed in depth, or a guest you'd like to nominate? Email us at [email protected]

Chris McWatters and David Smithey of Tejas Trails join the Happy Cast to talk about the races that have become Texas trail-running institutions—and the stories behind keeping them alive. From Rocky Raccoon and Bandera to the beautifully brutal Cactus Rose, Chris and Dave share what makes these events special, why self-sufficiency is part of the culture, and what it takes behind the scenes when Mother Nature decides to completely wreck the plan. There are cows eating course markers, emergency race relocations and, naturally, Andrew providing medical assistance while dressed as a chicken. Then we get into Tejas Trails’ newest experiment: the Frio Trio Zero Edition. Taking over the Frio Valley for a weekend, the event brings together night trail running, gravel biking, traditional trail racing, river floating and a full weekend built around the outdoor community. Chris and Dave explain how the idea grew out of an invitation from the communities around Leakey, Concan and Garner State Park—and why they decided to make the inaugural edition intentionally affordable while encouraging racers to spend their money with local businesses. We also talk about what makes a race worth creating when the calendar is already packed, the nerves that come with producing something completely new, and why the best adventures usually involve accepting that something is probably going to go wrong. Plus, Stephanie enters another school year surrounded by teenage drivers, Chris discovers the limitations of simultaneously having busted toes and a bad shoulder, Dave can't stop thinking about a chicken-fried steak, and Andrew mysteriously disappears from his own podcast exactly as everyone predicted. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, and we always appreciate you leaving a good rate and review. Join the Facebook Group and follow us on Instagram and check out our website for the more episodes, posts and merchandise coming soon. Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed in depth, or a guest you'd like to nominate? Email us at [email protected]

Stephanie set out for an ambitious summer challenge: take on the brutal Maah Daah Hey 100 in North Dakota and, just one week later, line up for another 100 miles at Lean Horse in South Dakota. But before she even reached the starting line, routine bloodwork finally gave her an explanation for months of struggling to regain her speed—extremely low ferritin. With only days to address it, she headed north anyway, determined to find out what her body could do. Joined by American record holder Jenny Arnzen, Stephanie breaks down just how unforgiving Maah Daah Hey became: triple-digit temperatures, huge stretches without aid, hot water baking in the sun, a shoe swallowed by mud, runners being rescued for heat-related issues, and the realization that she had badly underestimated a race that demanded more respect—and more crew support—than she had planned for. With time still on the clock, Stephanie made the decision to stop at 100K, preserving enough of herself to attempt South Dakota a week later. For once, the DNF didn't feel like failure. It felt like the right decision. After several days of recovery, Stephanie lined up at Lean Horse with nothing to prove and a little redemption on her mind. She ran smart from the beginning, embraced the rolling climbs and long descents, survived another round of heat, spotted a mountain lion along the way, and finished in 26:35—her fastest 100-miler in more than a year. Stephanie and Jenny talk about knowing when to push and when to stop, the importance of crew and community, why runners shouldn't project their own limitations onto someone else's goals, and why even a failed attempt can be something worth celebrating. Sometimes showing up brave means finishing. Sometimes it means making the call to come back another day. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, and we always appreciate you leaving a good rate and review. Join the Facebook Group and follow us on Instagram and check out our website for the more episodes, posts and merchandise coming soon. Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed in depth, or a guest you'd like to nominate? Email us at [email protected]

Aaron Kubala returns to the HappyCast after winning the Tahoe 200 and setting a new course record in 48 hours and 9 minutes. Aaron takes Andrew and Stephanie inside his preparation for the race, including unconventional training in Austin, weeks spent sleeping in a hypoxic tent, and the ambitious plan that originally had his crew targeting a 45-hour finish. He also explains how Tahoe fits into his larger pursuit of the 200-mile Triple Crown record as he prepares to take on Bigfoot and Moab. The race itself delivered everything a 200-miler could: a competitive field, battered quads, Tahoe lung, thorns buried in Aaron’s feet, and an infamous burn-scar section capable of bringing even elite runners to a crawl. Aaron recounts moving through the field, staying focused for nearly two straight days, and managing a frightening episode of blood in his urine without losing sight of the finish. He also shares what it was like racing in memory of his mother, who passed away from metastatic breast cancer only a few months before Tahoe. The conversation eventually wanders in true HappyCast fashion, with updates on Stephanie’s upcoming back-to-back 100-milers, Andrew’s abrupt move to Colorado, and the questionable decisions that led him to drive through the night before his first day at a new job. The group closes with a discussion about the financial realities of professional ultrarunning, the complicated relationship between athletes and sponsors, and whether Andrew’s increasingly expensive race bets qualify him as an official patron of the sport. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, and we always appreciate you leaving a good rate and review. Join the Facebook Group and follow us on Instagram and check out our website for the more episodes, posts and merchandise coming soon. Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed in depth, or a guest you'd like to nominate? Email us at [email protected]

Stephanie is joined by Sam Stiles for a chaotic, funny, and heartfelt recap of the Great New York 100, a grassroots 100-mile loop around New York City. After meeting during the Connecticut 123, where they shared roughly 40 miles together, Stephanie reached out to Sam with a huge ask: come pace her through the night in New York, help navigate the city, and make sure she did not accidentally turn the race into what her friends lovingly called “the Murder Race.” Sam answered the call, commuting from Connecticut by car, train, and subway before jumping in for a 36-mile overnight pacing adventure.   Together, Stephanie and Sam break down what makes this race so unique: the 5:00 AM start in Times Square, the route through parks, boardwalks, bridges, and city streets, the grassroots race logistics, the lack of bathrooms, the importance of headlamps, and the constant need to watch for course markings, traffic, bikes, and, yes, rats. From counting 11 oversized New York rats to flying down the Brooklyn Bridge with three miles to go, they share the details that made the race both ridiculous and unforgettable.   The episode also zooms out into the bigger picture of ultra-running community. Stephanie reflects on the way Sam showed up for her in New York, then how she turned around days later to course mark and volunteer at Copper Kings in Montana. Sam shares what is next for him, including running in Colombia and future race possibilities, while Stephanie talks through recovery, upcoming back-to-back 100-milers, and the logistics that still have her nervous. At the heart of the episode is the reminder that ultra-running is full of wild ideas, generous people, and the kind of stories that only happen when someone says yes to doing something stupid with you. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, and we always appreciate you leaving a good rate and review. Join the Facebook Group and follow us on Instagram and check out our website for the more episodes, posts and merchandise coming soon. Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed in depth, or a guest you'd like to nominate? Email us at [email protected]

Stephanie sits down with Mindy Coolman, race director of Crown of the Crest and a key member of GOATZ (Greater Omaha Area Trail Runners), to explore what goes into creating memorable trail running experiences. From local 5Ks to challenging 100-mile events, Mindy shares the story behind GOATZ, the evolution of their race lineup, and the passion that fuels Nebraska’s growing trail running community. The conversation dives into the often-unseen side of race directing: recruiting volunteers, designing runner experiences, balancing logistics, and fostering the welcoming atmosphere that keeps athletes coming back year after year. Stephanie reflects on her recent experience at Crown of the Crest, while Mindy offers insight into what makes a race feel special long after runners cross the finish line. Along the way, they swap stories about ultra-running culture, race-day fueling, recovery, injuries, and the lessons that come from spending countless hours on the trail. From ambitious future race goals to the surprising appeal of sweaty pocket Oreos, this episode is a fun and honest look at the people, challenges, and community that make endurance sports so rewarding. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, and we always appreciate you leaving a good rate and review. Join the Facebook Group and follow us on Instagram and check out our website for the more episodes, posts and merchandise coming soon. Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed in depth, or a guest you'd like to nominate? Email us at [email protected]

After nearly two months apart, Andrew and Stephanie finally sit down behind the microphones again for one of the most personal and unscripted episodes of HappyCast yet. Between moves, injuries, career changes, dating adventures, and life simply getting in the way, the crew reflects on why the podcast went quiet and what they've been navigating away from the trails. Dylan may be off racing Possums 56K, but he's still very much part of the conversation as the hosts catch up on everything that's happened since Grasslands. The discussion dives into something many runners eventually face: what happens when running can no longer be the center of your world? Andrew and Stephanie talk candidly about identity, mental health, healing after setbacks, finding community outside of running, and learning to build a life that's bigger than race calendars and Strava segments. Along the way, Stephanie shares stories about fishing, golf cart adventures, dating outside the running community, and discovering new sources of joy and dopamine beyond ultrarunning. Of course, the conversation eventually finds its way back to the trails, including Andrew's wild Cocodona 250 crewing experience, a last-minute rescue mission involving Gus Rodriguez, shout-outs to friends tackling races around the country, and reflections on the pressure, perseverance, and vulnerability that make the ultrarunning community so unique. It's messy, honest, occasionally hilarious, and exactly the kind of conversation that happens when friends finally have time to catch up. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, and we always appreciate you leaving a good rate and review. Join the Facebook Group and follow us on Instagram and check out our website for the more episodes, posts and merchandise coming soon. Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed in depth, or a guest you'd like to nominate? Email us at [email protected]

This week on Happy Endings, Stephanie Stonebraker hosts guest, Lindsey Duffield for an episode full of big feelings, big miles, and a whole lot of women doing badass things. Before diving into Grasslands, Stephanie and Lindsey reflect on the heaviness surrounding Cocodona, while also celebrating Rachel Entrekin’s historic overall win and the powerful reminder that women are showing up, leading races, breaking records, and redefining what’s possible in ultrarunning. Lindsey shares her journey from losing 100 pounds and running her first road race in 2020 to discovering trail running, tackling her first 50-miler, completing the Lone Star Slam, earning a sub-24-hour 100-mile finish, and eventually taking on tough mountain races like Bear, Kettle Moraine, and Silamoo. She also revisits her first Grasslands 100, the muddy year that tested her to the core, and the people who helped get her to the finish when quitting felt close. The conversation centers on Lindsey’s most recent Grasslands finish, where extreme heat, disciplined fueling, friendship, pacers, and a little bit of scheming all came together. Lindsey talks about running most of the race with Sarah, recruiting Ashley to pace her final 50K, and realizing that her pacer was strong enough to almost drop her. The episode wraps with a reminder to chase the scary goals anyway, as Lindsey looks ahead to attempting the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, and we always appreciate you leaving a good rate and review. Join the Facebook Group and follow us on Instagram and check out our website for the more episodes, posts and merchandise coming soon. Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed in depth, or a guest you'd like to nominate? Email us at [email protected]

This week, Stephanie is holding it down solo and sitting down with Connecticut’s own Evan Titus. Andrew’s working, Dylan’s tied up, but the show rolls on—and honestly, this one feels like a classic “how did we get here?” kind of episode in the best way. Evan’s story is anything but traditional. From years of playing rugby to signing up for a random 10K in college, he walks through how one decision snowballed into marathons, 50 milers, and eventually 100Ks. It’s the kind of progression that doesn’t come from a perfectly mapped-out plan—it comes from curiosity, consistency, and just not putting the running shoes back down. The conversation dives into what it looks like to figure things out as you go, building fitness on the fly, and embracing the unknown as you step deeper into the ultra world. If you’ve ever felt like you don’t have the “perfect” background to get into endurance running, Evan’s story is a great reminder—you really just have to start. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, and we always appreciate you leaving a good rate and review. Join the Facebook Group and follow us on Instagram and check out our website for the more episodes, posts and merchandise coming soon. Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed in depth, or a guest you'd like to nominate? Email us at [email protected]

HappyCast is back with a new episode at what can only be described as “the speed of slug”—with a raw, unfiltered catch-up episode full of trail chaos, life updates, and a whole lot of honesty. Stephanie dives deep into her recent races, including LOViT and a tough DNF at a brutal Kentucky course, sharing what it’s like to chase cutoffs, navigate technical terrain, and show up completely solo. From sleeping in her car to learning she doesn’t need a crew or pacer, this episode is packed with hard-earned lessons and real growth.   The conversation doesn’t shy away from the mental side of ultrarunning either—what it feels like to be proud and disappointed at the same time, how DNFs can humble you, and the ongoing internal battle between “I belong here” and “I have work to do.” Stephanie opens up about pushing into harder races, figuring out whether getting faster actually matters, and continuing to show up in spaces that feel uncomfortable—all while trying to inspire others to do the same.   Andrew brings his signature humor and perspective, recapping the chaos of Sam’s Last Stand, a fat-ass-style race full of DNFs, unexpected wins, and unforgettable moments (including a runner pacing with a random dog). Together, they reflect on how far they’ve come—from running races together to navigating life, racing, and everything in between. It’s messy, hilarious, a little unhinged—and exactly what you’d expect from a HappyCast comeback episode. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, and we always appreciate you leaving a good rate and review. Join the Facebook Group and follow us on Instagram and check out our website for the more episodes, posts and merchandise coming soon. Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed in depth, or a guest you'd like to nominate? Email us at [email protected]

The band is back together — and by “band,” we mean three ultra runners in wildly different seasons of life trying to figure out who they are when they’re not toeing a 100+-mile start line. Dylan makes his long-awaited return to the mic and shares how 2025 humbled him at Rocky, why he’s stepping back to truly respect the 50K and 100K distances, and how sustainability (and maybe 2027 plans 👀) are shaping his next chapter. Sometimes the bravest move isn’t chasing another buckle — it’s recalibrating. Meanwhile, Stephanie is navigating a frustrating hip injury, post-race blues, and an unexpected new identity built around puzzles, peaceful evenings, and female bartenders. What happens when running isn’t the loudest thing in your life anymore? Is it growth? Is it denial? Is it both? The crew dives into injury fear, post-ultra depression, and the uncomfortable space between “who I was” and “who I’m becoming.” And Andrew? He spent Rocky Raccoon dressed as a chicken while serving as a race medic. Yes, really. From rhabdo calls to emotional IT band interventions (delivered in feathers), this episode balances vulnerability with absolute chaos — exactly how we like it. It’s a check-in episode. It’s reflective. It’s unhinged. It’s HappyCast. As always: language warning. Possibly costume warning. And remember — the hip don’t lie. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, and we always appreciate you leaving a good rate and review. Join the Facebook Group and follow us on Instagram and check out our website for the more episodes, posts and merchandise coming soon. Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed in depth, or a guest you'd like to nominate? Email us at [email protected]

The HappyCast is back for its second episode of the season, and what better way to continue the chaos than to have John Farris return for this third episode - this time to talk about one of the most insane and unforgettable races yet: the Montane Winter Spine Race. This is a 268 mile foot race across the pond in the UK in the dead of winter that has developed quite the reputation. Could you do a race that had no checkpoint or aid station for up to 60 miles at a time? How about not having any pacers or crew?  We sit down and sip on some beverages and let loose with John as we catch up and see how things have been going since his last appearance a year and a half ago. From incredible highs, to some unfortunate lows, John has been through it all, but it’s safe to say that things have never been better.  From training, race logistics, oversleeping, testicular chaffing and borderline rectal hemorrhaging (and one unfortunate aid station volunteer), this episode has it all.  And as always, thank you Jose Cuervo for unofficially sponsoring this podcast, and thank you for your service, Trojan. You were good while it lasted.  We can’t wait to have John on for a fourth time, but we will have to wait and see what adventures await the Texas legend himself.  Disclaimer: language warning, and drinking warning Be sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, and we always appreciate you leaving a good rate and review. Join the Facebook Group and follow us on Instagram and check out our website for the more episodes, posts and merchandise coming soon. Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed in depth, or a guest you'd like to nominate? Email us at [email protected]

After a month-long hiatus and plenty of concerned messages, HappyCast is officially back — and no, Andrew and Stephanie did not break up. In this Season 5 kickoff, the two dive straight into the chaos with candid catch-ups, unfiltered humor, and a surprisingly deep conversation about loneliness, dopamine hits, and why witty banter might actually be a mental health necessity. From AI-suggested “safe flirty texts” to starting arguments on Facebook just to feel something, Stephanie explains how being too quiet for too long can lead to… questionable choices. On the running side, Andrew recaps his current “waitlist surfing” era, the rise of the Burrito League (yes, burritos are a legitimate training incentive), and a wild Bandera weekend filled with heckling, aid station chaos, unexpected celebrities, and some truly elite volunteer moments. Bandera stories range from Molly Seidel’s historic performance to lei-wearing confusion at a small-town Texas bar, proving once again that trail running culture is equal parts grit and absurdity. The episode closes with reflection, reset energy, and a handoff to the rest of Season 5 — a season focused less on rankings and more on longevity, healing, and running races the way they’re meant to be run. DNFs are discussed without shame, big goals are still on the horizon, and both hosts agree on one thing: this podcast keeps them grounded. Welcome back to HappyCast — the banter is back, the miles are messy, and we’re just getting started. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, and we always appreciate you leaving a good rate and review. Join the Facebook Group and follow us on Instagram and check out our website for the more episodes, posts and merchandise coming soon. Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed in depth, or a guest you'd like to nominate? Email us at [email protected]