In this episode of the Running Thoughts Podcast, I sit down with Ben Doucette to talk about his journey from running his first ultra to setting his sights on one of the biggest challenges in the sport: Cocodona 250.

We talk about what Ben learned from his first ultra, why chasing difficult goals can be so rewarding, intentionally training to be uncomfortable, and the importance of the people and relationships that make the journey worth it.

Now, Ben is deep into training for Cocodona, and we talk about what’s driving him toward his next big challenge, what training looks like after an injury, and what he hopes to get out of the experience.

A conversation about ultras, big goals, relationships, and why sometimes the hardest things we choose to do end up teaching us the most.

Liam Clemons is the head coach of the Trabuco Hills boys cross country team where he's won 2 team state championships - one of which I was a part of. Coach Clemons shares how he stumbled into coaching, his foundational coaching philosophies, and how he's adapted over the years and continues to coach athletes rather than the sport. I may have also teared up a bit, so that was fun lol. I hope you enjoy this principle rich podcast from one of the most impactful people I've ever met.

Zeryck went from never thinking he'd run a marathon to now pursing a Boston qualifier. He's completed triathlons, Ironmans, and ultras of numerous distances up to 115 miles. Zeryck opens up about what running taught him about relationships and acceptance, running being a form of art, and what keeps him coming back as he falls more and more in love with the sport.

In this episode, I sit down with one of my best friends, Nick Plumb.

Nick and I go way back. We won a California State Cross Country Championship together, still hold our schools’ 4xMile record, and spent countless miles running side-by-side. After high school, Nick was recruited to run at BYU and continued pursuing the sport at a much higher level.

We talk about what losing the love for the sport of running, the pressure that can come with competitive running, and what it looks like to rediscover why you started running in the first place.

Nick shares an honest look at his relationship with running — the highs, the lows, and the process of finding that love for the sport again.

If you’ve ever struggled with motivation, burnout, or wondered whether you still love running, I think you’ll get something out of this conversation.

Tessa is my wife so it's only right she be the first guest of The Running Thoughts Podcast. Tessa ran a little bit of cross in middle school, was a high school cross country and track & field assistant coach, and is now training for her first marathon (and first race ever). Tessa talks about how running has helped her confront her endometriosis diagnosis including the pain and frustrations that come with it.