Singletrack

Finn Melanson

Singletrack is a podcast covering the professional trail and ultrarunning scene.

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493 episodes
Updated July 21

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Episodes493

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Jun 22, 2022 · 1 hr 19 min
2022 Western States 100 Preview | Analysis, Storylines, Predictions
Frequent co-host Brett Hornig returns to the podcast to go wicked in-depth into everything about this race. We analyze the course, talk about what it's going to take to be successful, note some of the interesting storylines around the event, and yes, make our predictions for the female and male top 10 finishers this year. Timestamps: (1:53) - catching up with Brett after his weekend at the Broken Arrow Skyrace series (4:59) - whether Western States coverage is too saturated this year (8:21) - setting up the content for the episode, apologies for content cut (9:18) - hydration strategies at Western States (12:29) - top storylines (23:05) - women's field top 10 predictions (41:54) - men's field top 10 predictions (72:53) - influence of carbon-plated shoes in this race Links: Get coached by Brett at Trails and Tarmac Follow Brett on Instagram This episode is sponsored by Soar Running. Use code Singletrack20 at checkout to get 20% off your next order. Additional Episodes You May Enjoy: #72 - Long Run Archives #4 | Cocodona 250, Mammoth Trail Fest, Super Shoe Influences, Strava Finds #63 - Long Run Archives #3 | Betting In Ultrarunning, Next Great Trail Running Towns, Golden Ticket Series Ideas #53 - Long Run Archives #2 | Ultrarunning Analytics, Elite DNF Debate, 3:47 Downhill Mile, Magda What If #43 - Long Run Archives #1 | Jim Walmsley What Ifs, Black Canyon 100K Preview, Full-Time Ultrarunning Support the show
Jun 20, 2022 · 21 min
Jeff Colt | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview
Jeff Colt is a professional runner for On based in Carbondale, CO. Jeff is lining up for this years Western States 100 after securing a golden ticket at the 2022 Black Canyon 100K. Timestamps: (2:30) - northeast trail running scene talk (4:41) - rehashing thoughts on training strategy (6:13) - training for Western States to date (9:01) - whether Western States plays to his strength, expectations (14:40) - race goals (18:30) - race gear Links: Follow Jeff on Instagram Follow Jeff on Strava #45 - Golden Ticket Talks | Jeff Colt, Black Canyon 100K 3rd Place Male Additional Episodes You May Enjoy: #90 - Reid Coolsaet | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview #89 - Kyle Curtin | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview #87 - Alex Nichols | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview #84 - Tyler Green | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview #83 - Drew Holmen | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview #78 - Adam Kimble | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview #77 - Cole Watson | 2022 Western States Pre-Race Interview Support the show
Jun 20, 2022 · 12 min
Reid Coolsaet | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview
Reid Coolsaet is a professional trail runner for Salomon based in Hamilton, Ontario who is lining up for this year's Western States 100. Timestamps: (2:24) - ultrarunning lessons (3:57) - confidence levels heading into Western States (5:51) - inspiring more road marathoners to enter the sport (7:24) - race strategy and expectations (8:47) - race gear Links: Follow Reid on Instagram Follow Reid on Strava Reid's blog Get coached by Reid This episode is sponsored by Soar Running. Use code Singletrack20 at checkout to get 20% off your next order. Additional Episodes You May Enjoy: #89 - Kyle Curtin | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview #87 - Alex Nichols | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview #84 - Tyler Green | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview #83 - Drew Holmen | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview #78 - Adam Kimble | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview #77 - Cole Watson | 2022 Western States Pre-Race Interview Support the show
Jun 19, 2022 · 19 min
Kyle Curtin | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview
Kyle Curtin is a professional trail runner for Altra based in Durango, CO. Kyle is lining up for the Western States 100 following a 9th place finish at last years event. Timestamps: (1:49) - Durango, CO trail running scene (3:40) - intro to ultrarunning (6:15) - leaving no training stone unturned (9:10) - long trail stuff (12:11) - reflecting on last year's Western States (14:52) - stoke is at an all-time high (16:06) - race day gear Links: Follow Kyle on Instagram Follow Kyle on Strava This episode is sponsored by Soar Running. Use code Singletrack20 at checkout to get 20% off your next order. Additional Episodes You May Enjoy: #87 - Alex Nichols | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview #84 - Tyler Green | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview #83 - Drew Holmen | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview #78 - Adam Kimble | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview #77 - Cole Watson | 2022 Western States Pre-Race Interview Support the show
Jun 19, 2022 · 15 min
Ailsa MacDonald | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview
Ailsa MacDonald is a professional trail runner for Saucony based in Alberta, CA. Ailsa is lining up for the Western States 100 this year after securing a golden ticket at Bandera 100K back in 2020. Timestamps: (1:40) - athletic and work background (5:14) - intro to ultrarunning (6:54) - part time living and training in Arizona (9:10) - comparing/contrasting current and previous Western States training blocks (11:12) - race goals and expectations (13:45) - race day gear Links: Follow Ailsa on Instagram This episode is sponsored by Soar Running. Use code Singletrack20 at checkout to get 20% off your next order. Additional Episodes You May Enjoy: #85 - Keely Henninger | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview #81 - Lucy Bartholomew | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview #80 - Emily Hawgood | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview #79 - Brittany Peterson | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview #76 - Katie Asmuth | 2022 Western States Pre-Race Interview Support the show
Jun 19, 2022 · 12 min
Alex Nichols | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview
Alex Nichols is a professional trail runner for Scott based in Colorado Springs, CO. Alex is lining up for the Western States 100 following a 10th place finish at last years event. Timestamps: (1:42) - lessons from prior Western States races (2:54) - fitness now compared to previous two years racing the event (4:19) - what he attributed long-term racing consistency in the sport to (6:13) - race plan (7:26) - background, work experience, collegiate years (8:58) - other racing goals (10:02) - race day gear Links: Follow Alex on Instagram Follow Alex on Strava This episode is sponsored by Soar Running. Use code Singletrack20 at checkout to get 20% off your next order. Additional Episodes You May Enjoy: #84 - Tyler Green | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview #83 - Drew Holmen | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview #78 - Adam Kimble | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview #77 - Cole Watson | 2022 Western States Pre-Race Interview Support the show
Jun 18, 2022 · 9 min
Ruth Croft | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview
Ruth Croft is a professional trail runner for Adidas Terrex based in New Zealand. She returns to the Western States 100 following a 2nd place finish at last year's event. Timestamps: (1:55) - training and racing and traveling during the pandemic (3:37) - incorporating road training into the Western States block (4:22) - training in Flagstaff, AZ (5:49) - motivations for this year's Western States (7:07) - goals and expectations for race day (7:58) - race day gear Links: Follow Ruth on Instagram Get coached by Ruth This episode is sponsored by Soar Running. Use code Singletrack20 at checkout to get 20% off your next order. Additional Episodes You May Enjoy: #85 - Keely Henninger | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview #81 - Lucy Bartholomew | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview #80 - Emily Hawgood | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview #79 - Brittany Peterson | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview #76 - Katie Asmuth | 2022 Western States Pre-Race Interview Support the show
Jun 17, 2022 · 16 min
Tyler Green | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview
Tyler Green is a professional trail runner for Nike based in Portland, OR returning to this year's Western States 100 following a 2nd place performance at last year's event. Timestamps: (1:52) - reflecting back on 2017 and 2018 golden ticket attempts for Western States (3:25) - ultrarunning side hustle (4:31) - benefits of having a partner who's also an elite athlete in the sport (7:57) - making room for high-performance ultrarunning (9:07) - comparing this year's training block to last year's training block for Western States (11:59) - motivations for this year's event (13:40) - race day gear Links: Follow Tyler on Instagram Follow Tyler on Strava Get coached by Tyler This episode is sponsored by Soar Running. Use code Singletrack20 at checkout to get 20% off your next order. Additional Episodes You May Enjoy: #83 - Drew Holmen | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview #78 - Adam Kimble | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview #77 - Cole Watson | 2022 Western States Pre-Race Interview Support the show
Jun 17, 2022 · 17 min
Keely Henninger | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview
Keely Henninger is a professional trail runner for Altra based in Portland, OR returning to this year's Western States 100 after a 9th place finish at last year's event. Timestamps: (2:21) - applying emerging ultrarunning science to this training block (5:46) - overtraining in ultrarunning discussion (7:30) - situations where ultrarunning can be detrimental to mental health (9:01) - Western States preparation (13:34) - new sponsorship (15:08) - advocating a new narrative for female athletes Links: Follow Keely on Instagram Follow Keely on Strava Trail Society Podcast This episode is sponsored by Soar Running. Use code Singletrack20 at checkout to get 20% off your next order. Additional Episodes You May Enjoy: #81 - Lucy Bartholomew | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview #80 - Emily Hawgood | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview #79 - Brittany Peterson | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview #76 - Katie Asmuth | 2022 Western States Pre-Race Interview Support the show
Jun 17, 2022 · 16 min
Drew Holmen | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview
Drew Holmen is a professional trail runner for Nike based in Boulder, CO returning to the Western States 100 after a breakthrough 3rd place performance at last year's event. Timestamps: (1:57) - ultimate frisbee background (5:29) - influence of the SFRC running community (8:52) - willingness and excitement to go the well again at Western States (10:54) - preparation this time around (13:44) - race day gear Links: Follow Drew on Instagram Follow Drew on Strava Drew's interview on the Freetrail Podcast This episode is sponsored by Soar Running. Use code Singletrack20 at checkout to get 20% off your next order. Additional Episodes You May Enjoy: #78 - Adam Kimble | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview #77 - Cole Watson | 2022 Western States Pre-Race Interview Support the show
Jun 17, 2022 · 20 min
Lucy Bartholomew | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview
Lucy Bartholomew is a professional trail runner for Salomon based in Australia preparing for this year's Western States 100 after two notable finishes at the race in 2018 and 2019. Timestamps: (1:41) - what it's like being back in the United States (3:46) - managing a large social media following as an elite athlete (9:04) - running full-time for Salomon (12:26) - reflecting on past Western States experiences and objectives for this year (17:03) - quick preview of "Running Out" movie Links: Follow Lucy on Instagram Follow Lucy on Strava Lucy's New Movie "Running Out" This episode is sponsored by Soar Running. Use code Singletrack20 at checkout to get 20% off your next order. Additional Episodes You May Enjoy: #80 - Emily Hawgood | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview #79 - Brittany Peterson | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview #76 - Katie Asmuth | 2022 Western States Pre-Race Interview Support the show
Jun 17, 2022 · 16 min
Tessa Chesser | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview
Tessa Chesser is a professional trail runner for Craft Sportswear based in Flagstaff, AZ who is preparing for the Western States 100 after securing a golden ticket at the 2021 Javalina Jundred. Timestamps: (1:42) - what attracted her to ultras, her why for being so invested at this point (5:02) - how important Flagstaff is in her training equation (7:15) - respecting the mind as much as the body in training (9:34) - keeping the fire burning since Javalina last year (11:35) - expectations for race day (14:22) - race day gear Links: Follow Tessa on Instagram Follow Tessa on Strava Tessa's Sponsors: Craft, Buff, Leki, Drymax, Spring This episode is sponsored by Soar Running. Use code Singletrack20 at checkout to get 20% off your next order. Additional Episodes You May Enjoy: #80 - Emily Hawgood | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview #79 - Brittany Peterson | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview #76 - Katie Asmuth | 2022 Western States Pre-Race Interview Support the show
Jun 17, 2022 · 14 min
Emily Hawgood | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview
Emily Hawgood is a professional trail runner for Adidas Terrex based in Idaho who is returning to the Western States 100 after a 7th place finish in 2021. Timestamps: (2:02) - her 2021 racing season which included 3 golden ticket races and top 10s at Western States and UTMB (3:24) - energized after 2021 season (4:08) - growing up in Zimbabwe (5:23) - graduate school work in high altitude physiology and coaching (7:46) - what she's done differently this year preparing for Western States (10:03) - expectations for race day (12:33) - race day gear Links: Follow Emily on Instagram Emily's Sponsor: Adidas Terrex This episode is sponsored by Soar Running. Use code Singletrack20 at checkout to get 20% off your next order. Additional Episodes You May Enjoy: #79 - Brittany Peterson | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview #76 - Katie Asmuth | 2022 Western States Pre-Race Interview Support the show
Jun 16, 2022 · 16 min
Brittany Peterson | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview
Brittany Peterson is a professional trail runner for Nike based in Pocatello, ID who returns to the Western States 100 this year after a 2nd place finish at the 2019 event and 4th place finish at the 2021 event. Timestamps: (1:51) - mindset heading into this year's Western States 100 (2:14) - what she's done differently in preparation this year (3:03) - spending time training on the course (4:59) - racing style (6:05) - lessons from previous years racing at Western States (7:05) - being coached by AJW this year (8:14) - living and training in Pocatello, ID (9:38) - having a partner who is also elite and racing Western States (11:14) - mental health awareness in ultrarunning (13:26) - mantra for race day (14:22) - gear for race day Links: Follow Brittany on Instagram Follow Brittany on Strava Get coached by Brittany Brittany's Sponsors: SNB, Leki, Nike, Naked Sports, Petzl, InsideTracker This episode is sponsored by Soar Running. Use code Singletrack20 at checkout to get 20% off your next order. Additional Episodes You May Enjoy: #76 - Katie Asmuth | 2022 Western States Pre-Race Interview Support the show
Jun 16, 2022 · 19 min
Adam Kimble | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview
Adam Kimble is a professional trail runner for Hoka based in Tahoe City, CA returning to this year's Western States 100 looking to improve upon a 13th place performance at the 2018 event. Timestamps: (2:23) - experience in game shows, alternative ultra endurance events, etc (6:39) - making it work from a lifestyle standpoint as a professional ultrarunner (7:57) - lessons from a strong Western States finish in 2018 (10:34) - how the race will play out with fewer "time trialers", more "racers" competing (11:54) - how Adam is training and thinking about execution differently this time around (13:32) - training as a local in the Lake Tahoe area (16:33) - recovery from his Tahoe Rim Trail FKT (17:02) - gear he is using on race day Links: Follow Adam on Instagram Follow Adam on Strava Get coached by Adam Adam's sponsors: Hoka, Rabbit, Buff, Coros This episode is sponsored by Soar Running. Use code Singletrack20 at checkout to get 20% off your next order. Additional Episodes You May Enjoy: #77 - Cole Watson | 2022 Western States Pre-Race Interview Support the show
Jun 16, 2022 · 18 min
Cole Watson | 2022 Western States Pre-Race Interview
Cole Watson is a professional trail runner for Hoka based in Folsom, CA lining up for his first Western States 100 this year. Timestamps: (1:57) - experience running for the University of Oregon (3:23) - whether collegiate running inspired or dissuaded him from continuing to compete post-collegiately (5:16) - inspirations for trail running (6:33) - taking ownership of performances (8:00) - response to and lessons from 3 golden ticket misses in the last 2 years (10:02) - not straying too far from strengths during the training block (13:20) - whether he has enough intel about the 100 mile distance to be successful this year at Western States (15:54) - what Cole is wearing and using on race day Links: Follow Cole on Instagram Follow Cole on Strava Get coached by Cole at Trails and Tarmac Cole's Sponsors: Hoka, Spring Energy, Suunto, Drymax, SRA Elite This episode is sponsored by Soar Running. Use code Singletrack20 at checkout to get 20% off your next order. Additional Episodes You May Enjoy: #17 - Ryan Ghelfi | Post Sponsorship Athlete Life, Trail Running Teams, UTMB, FKT Scene Support the show
Jun 16, 2022 · 18 min
Katie Asmuth | 2022 Western States Pre-Race Interview
Katie Asmuth is a professional trail runner for Saucony based in Mammoth Lakes, CA. Timestamps: (1:50) - reflecting on the journey to this year's start line (4:30) - identifying areas of improvement for this year's race (7:37) - primary motivations for this year's race (10:05) - race plan versus race environment (11:12) - race day mantra (12:47) - race day gear (14:42) - investing in the ultra community for life Links: Follow Katie on Instagram Follow Katie on Strava Katie's Sponsors: Saucony, Nathan, XO Skin, Fluid Nutrition This episode is sponsored by Soar Running. Use code Singletrack20 at checkout to get 20% off your next order. Additional Episodes You May Enjoy: #69 - Golden Ticket Talks | Leah Yingling, Canyons 100K 2nd Place Female #46 - Golden Ticket Talks | Taylor Nowlin, Black Canyon 100K 4th Place Female Support the show
Jun 8, 2022 · 1 hr 41 min
Andrew Drummond: Northeast Trail Running Scene, Pacing Scott Jurek on AT FKT, Running Content Creation (Sunday Conversation)
Andrew Drummond is a runner, skier, mountains sports retail store owner, and overall great ambassador for the White Mountains based in Jackson, NH. We cover a lot of ground. We talk about his experience pacing Scott Jurek during the final stretch of his Appalachian Trail FKT in 2015, being a content creator in the sport, we have a wide ranging conversation about the northeast trail running culture, and we also dive deep into his experience running a ski and run speciality store. Timestamps: (2:10) - experience pacing Scott Jurek during 2015 Appalachian Trail FKT (13:34) - White Mountains Direttissima (18:52) - creating running content for social media, promoting the northeast scene (26:22) - where elite ultrarunners are concentrated and why (35:10) - why mountain sports brands don't highlight the northeast scene (41:40) - northeast trail running events scene, building a UTMB-style event (49:49) - pitching the northeast trail scene over the mountain west scene (57:14) - coolest routes, FKTs, and races in the northeast (66:42) - getting into retail with Ski The Whites (69:05) - balancing athletic and business endeavors (75:38) - proof of concept for mountain sports retail store (78:28) - unintended business benefits of running and skiing content (80:51) - whether a purely trail/ski/run speciality store is possible these days (83:44) - advice and lessons from ski/run retail, UTMB media experiences (90:27) - miscellaneous questions Links: Follow Andrew on Instagram Follow Andrew on Youtube Ski The Whites Sanctity of Space White Mountains 100 Ragged Mountain 75 Stage Race and 50K Support Singletrack via Patreon Additional Episodes You May Enjoy: #57 - Sarah Keyes | Northeast Trail Running Scene, Whiteface Mountain Races Directing, ITRA #52 - Mike Foote | Race Directing, Skyrunning Speculation, Future Of Ultrarunning Events, UTMB Influences #12 - Jack Kuenzle | FKT Scene, Sponsored Trail Runners, Brand Relationships Support the show
May 20, 2022 · 1 hr 26 min
Barry Dana | 100 Mile Wilderness Adventures, Katahdin 100 Event, Appalachian Trail Thoughts
Barry Dana is an Ultra Runner and former Chief of the Penobscot Nation currently based in Solon, ME. I was introduced to Barry after reading an article in Downeast Magazine detailing his numerous adventure runs through the 100 Mile Wilderness, which you might recognize as the last section of the Appalachian trail before the northern terminus at Mount Katahdin. In this conversation, Barry and I talk about his upbringing on the Penobscot Reservation, how his nation's history influenced his entry into trail and ultra running, the Katahdin 100 event, his experiences in the 100 Mile Wilderness, his thoughts on the Appalachian Trail, environmentalism in the trail running community, politics, and more. Timestamps: (1:00) - background (4:10) - Katahdin 100 (5:48) - pre-contact Penobscot world (8:42) - the role of trail and ultra running in the culture (10:50) - the significance of Andrew Sockalexis (13:10) - role as Penobscot nation chief (15:44) - pinpointing when and how he got into ultras (19:26) - 100 Mile Wilderness (25:43) - the meaning of the word "sagama" (30:14) - making gear and food (33:39) - Mount Katahdin, AT FKT controversies (44:51) - other thoughts on the Appalachian Trail (48:52) - land back initiatives (53:42) - national parks discussion (56:06) - the value of formal events versus personal vision quests (61:06) - environmentalism discussion, flying (72:32) - thoughts on being politically active (79:16) - miscellaneous questions Links: For Barry Dana, Running The 100 Mile Wilderness Is More Than A Sufferfest Landback Discovery Doctrine Andrew Sockalexis Additional Episodes You May Enjoy: #36 - Adam Merry | Bandera Reflections, Representation In Trail Running, State Of The Sport Talks #19 - Zoe Rom | Trail Runner Magazine, Running Journalism, Diversity Talks #18 - Moe Lauchert | Outdoor Entrepreneurship, Representation In Trail Running, Growing The Sport Support the show
May 13, 2022 · 1 hr 10 min
Joe McConaughy: Cocodona 250 Win, Long Trail FKTs, Coaching Ultra Runners (Sunday Conversation)
Joe McConaughy is a professional trail runner for Brooks Running based in Seattle, WA. Timestamps: (4:05) - collegiate running background (8:42) - factors that led to running dedication (10:24) - training in Seattle, WA (13:59) - coaching business (15:17) - what it's like to be "all-in" on running (18:20) - lessons from coaching runners (24:09) - intro to long trails, Pacific Crest Trail FKT (27:09) - biggest takeaways form PCT, AT, LT, AZT (32:01) - why less movement on long trail FKTs (34:57) - whether long trail FKT attempts will remain hyper-niche (36:48) - recovering from multiple long trail efforts (39:30) - the people he's learned from most in the long trail scene (41:23) - documenting these long trail efforts for followers (46:24) - thoughts on pro athlete responsibilities for sponsored content (49:58) - inspiration for Cocodona 250 (51:21) - training and racing playbooks for 200+ mile races (55:54) - being out front, leading the majority of the race, mentality throughout (59:33) - thoughts on the competition at Cocodona (62:41) - whether he will keep racing 200s (63:30) - miscellaneous questions Links: Follow Joe on Instagram Follow Joe on Strava Get coached by Joe Joe's Appalachian Trail FKT documentary Joe's Pacific Crest Trail FKT documentary Joe's Long Trail FKT documentary Joe's Arizona Trail FKT docuseries Joe's golden ticket attempt documentary Additional Episodes You May Enjoy: #58 - Buzz Burrell | Modern FKT Movement, FKT.com Sale To Outside Mag, Trail Running Business #54 - Garrett Heath | Switch To Trail Running, Pro Lifestyle, Running Teams, Brooks Beasts #42 - Sarah Cummings | Wasatch Trail Scene, Brooks Running, JFK 50, Lessons From Injury #40 - Lee Sackett | Brooks Running, Running Industry Careers, Running Culture Talk #39 - Hillary Allen | Brooks Running, Out And Back, Recovery Process Mindset, 2022 UTMB #25 - Kyle Richardson | FKT Scene, Intersection Of Music And Movement, Trail Running Culture #12 - Jack Kuenzle | FKT Scene, Sponsored Trail Runners, Brand Relationships Support the show