Free Outside

From Barkley Crew to Professional Trail Runner: Jade Belzberg

Before Jade Bellsberg was winning races and competing against some of the best trail runners in the world, she was a writer filling notebook after notebook with stories. In this conversation, Jade shares her unconventional path into ultrarunning, from crewing the Barkley Marathons before she'd ever run an ultra, to tackling Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim, building a coaching business, pursuing FKTs, and eventually becoming a professional trail runner. We talk about why she still identifies as a writer first, how she balances competition with enjoyment, the mental side of racing, working with a sports psychologist, coaching athletes, and why consistency matters far more than talent. We also dive into her unique life outside of racing, including how she and her husband somehow manage a household with 21 animals while traveling to races around the world. This was one of my favorite conversations recently because it's a reminder that there is no single path into trail running. You never know where curiosity, consistency, and a willingness to try something new might lead. Follow Jade and check out her writing, especially if you enjoy thoughtful reflections on running, racing, and the outdoors. Support our Sponsors: Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/ Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726 CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffee Garage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8ab Subscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.com Support this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutside Buy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSF Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside Website: www.Freeoutside.com Instagram: thefreeoutside facebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside #Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

• Transcript

The FKT That Took Bob Stewart 3 Tries to Finish

Bob Stewart joins the Free Outside Podcast fresh off finally setting the Benton MacKaye Trail FKT after two previous failed attempts. What started as a backpacking challenge turned into an obsession with Fastest Known Times, leading Bob to records on trails like the Superior Hiking Trail, Pinhoti Trail, Mid State Trail, and now the Benton MacKaye Trail. In this episode we talk about why the Benton MacKaye became his "white whale," sleep deprivation, hallucinations, unsupported FKT strategy, bizarre trail encounters, cold-soaked backpacking meals, and what keeps bringing people back to these massive endurance projects. Bob also shares stories from the trail, including seeing great white sharks in the woods, imaginary hiking partners, and trying to explain a 289-mile FKT to confused campground hosts. Topics: -Benton MacKaye Trail FKT -Failed attempts and coming back stronger -Sleep deprivation and hallucinations -Unsupported FKT strategy -Superior Hiking Trail and Pinhoti Trail -Backpacking vs FKTs -Nutrition and gear -Why obsession can be a superpower Support our Sponsors: Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/ Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726 CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffee Garage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8ab Subscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.com Support this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutside Buy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSF Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside Website: www.Freeoutside.com Instagram: thefreeoutside facebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside #Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

• Transcript

Rory Linkletter on the Olympics, Social Media, and the Future of Running

Rory Linkletter is one of the best marathon runners in North America, an Olympian for Canada, and one of the most thoughtful voices in professional running. Fresh off a 2:09 performance at the Ottawa Marathon and a congratulatory call from the Prime Minister of Canada, Rory joins the Free Outside Podcast to talk about life as a professional marathoner. We discuss what it's like racing at the Olympic Games, how elite marathon contracts and appearance fees work, why the marathon may have surpassed track and field in popularity, the realities of building a personal brand as a professional athlete, and how social media has changed the sport. Rory also shares insights into his training, highest mileage weeks, recovery philosophy, strength work, marathon pacing, heart rate data, and the mindset that has helped him become one of the world's top marathoners. We also dive into trail running, Western States, sponsorships, podcasting, and whether a future switch from roads to trails could ever happen. Topics: • Ottawa Marathon recap • Call from the Prime Minister of Canada • Olympic Village stories • Marathon vs track and field • Pro running contracts and appearance fees • Building a brand as an athlete • Social media and sponsorships • Training 130+ mile weeks • Recovery, fueling, and consistency • Western States and trail running • The future of professional running Follow Rory: @rory_linkletter Support our Sponsors: Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/ Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726 CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffee Garage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8ab Subscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.com Support this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutside Buy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSF Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside Website: www.Freeoutside.com Instagram: thefreeoutside facebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside #Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

Sage Canaday on Competition, Content, and the Future of Running

Sage Canaday has done a lot in running. A 2:16 marathoner, mountain running champion, Western States golden ticket winner, coach, YouTuber, and one of the few people who can jump into a conversation about track workouts, UTMB, 200 milers, social media, and sports nutrition without it feeling out of place. In this episode, we talk about Sage's "Any Surface. Any Distance." philosophy and how he went from chasing Olympic Trials standards to racing ultras and building one of the longest-running YouTube channels in endurance sports. We also dive into how running has changed over the last decade. The rise of influencers, AI coaching, optimization culture, sports nutrition trends, sponsorships, and the blurry line between being a professional athlete and a content creator. Along the way, Sage shares stories from Western States, his battle with a pulmonary embolism, losing his apartment in a fire, rebuilding his career, and why he still believes there are new challenges worth chasing at age 40. We cover: • Why 100 milers humble fast marathoners • Cocodona and the rise of 200-mile racing • Social media's impact on running culture • AI coaching and the future of training • Sports nutrition, bicarb, and optimization trends • Aging as an athlete • Clean sport and performance-enhancing drugs • Western States bear encounters • Why Sage still wants to keep trying new distances Support our Sponsors: Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/ Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726 CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffee Garage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8ab Subscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.com Support this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutside Buy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSF Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside Website: www.Freeoutside.com Instagram: thefreeoutside facebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside #Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure