The Steep Stuff Podcast

Most Replayed Episode: Grayson Murphy, 2X Mountain Running World Champion

Send us Fan Mail Winning world titles is hard. Getting told you are “fine” for 18 months while your body is clearly breaking down might be harder. We sit down with Grayson Murphy to talk through the parts of elite mountain running that rarely get said out loud: identity, sponsorship pressure, health uncertainty, and the behind-the-scenes work it takes to keep showing up. Grayson opens up about her Crohn’s disease diagnosis and the long, frustrating path to getting answers, including how repeated dismissal can wreck an athlete’s ability to trust their own body signals. We also dig into what changed once treatment started working, why volume and lower intensity made more sense during recovery, and how shifting to short trail and 50K racing created a lower-pressure space to learn again. Then we go straight at the athlete versus influencer debate. Grayson explains how trail running sponsorships are evolving, why engagement metrics can punish even the best performers, and how she now avoids partnerships built around algorithm-driven reach. We also talk entrepreneurship through her Wild Strides Paper Co planners and training logs, sustainability consulting work that pushes back on greenwashing, and her hot takes on Olympic trail running, pay-to-race pro expectations, and anti-doping reality in the sport. If you care about trail running, mountain running, Golden Trail style racing, athlete marketing, or health advocacy for endurance athletes, this conversation will stick with you. Subscribe, share it with a friend who loves the sport, and leave a review, what topic should we go deeper on next? Use code SteepStuff for 20% your cart on Sidas.us Follow James on IG - @jameslauriello Follow the Steep Stuff Podcast on IG - @steepstuff_pod Follow Sidas USA on IG - @sidas_usa

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BONUS Episode - UTMB Predictions with Nick Tusa

Send us Fan Mail UTMB week brings out the most honest kind of sports conversation: we have a stacked start list, a million storylines, and almost no certainty once the race hits the high climbs and the long night. Nick Tusa joins me for a focused UTMB and CCC preview where we argue through the men’s and women’s fields, call our shots, and explain what we think actually decides Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc when everyone is fit. On the men’s side, we dig into the big questions around Jim Walmsley and Kilian Jornet lining up after Western States DNFs and why UTMB is a totally different test with more hiking, longer climbs, and way less room for error. We talk about Caleb Olsen’s upside as a mountain athlete, John Alban’s winning profile, and why names like Josh Wade, Hannes Namberger, Zach Miller, and Theodore Diente sit right on that edge between a career day and a hard blow-up. Then we make a clear call on who we think wins, including the case for Ben Diemon and the mental side of “closing” when the podium is in reach. On the women’s side, it turns into one of the best matchups in trail running: Ruth Croft returning as defending UTMB champion against Courtney Dauwalter, who is always capable of rewriting what we think is possible. We also hit the depth behind them with Marianne Hogan, Abby Hall, Rachel Drake, and more, plus the wild card factor of limited UTMB experience across parts of the field. We wrap with a CCC preview full of redemption and breakthrough potential, including why certain runners look ready to finally get over the hump. If you love UTMB predictions, ultrarunning strategy, and smart race coverage, hit subscribe, share this with your trail crew, and leave a rating and review so more people find the show. Use code SteepStuff for 20% your cart on Sidas.us Follow James on IG - @jameslauriello Follow the Steep Stuff Podcast on IG - @steepstuff_pod Follow Sidas USA on IG - @sidas_usa

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UTMB OCC Race Companion with Nick Tusa

Send us Fan Mail UTMB week has a way of making trail running feel bigger than sport. The streets of Chamonix fill up, legends stroll past like it’s normal, and suddenly a 60K like OCC feels like the center of the universe. We’re back with Nick Tusa to break down why this year’s OCC field looks so deep, how the course changes keep reshaping the short trail world, and why tactics matter as much as fitness when everyone’s fast. We dig into the men’s side with a real focus on decision-making: who can stay patient, who risks detonating early, and why “letting guys go” might be the difference between a podium and a long walk home. We talk veterans with course reps, skyrunning talent jumping in, and the Americans we’re most curious about when the pace goes nuclear. Then we pivot to the women’s race, where one question hangs over everything: how do you beat someone who doesn’t crack? We lay out what it would take to pressure Tove Alexandersson, who has the downhill and durability to try it, and why Lauren Gregory vs the field could turn into a defining moment. After OCC, we zoom out to UTMB and CCC for the biggest storylines of the week: Jim and Kilian after Western States DNFs, Ben Dhiman’s closing problem, and the women’s title fight with Ruth Croft and Courtney Dauwalter. If you’re building fantasy picks, planning your livestream schedule, or just want sharper context before the starts, this one is for you. Subscribe, share this with a UTMB-obsessed friend, and leave a quick rating and review if the show helps you follow the racing. Use code SteepStuff for 20% your cart on Sidas.us Follow James on IG - @jameslauriello Follow the Steep Stuff Podcast on IG - @steepstuff_pod Follow Sidas USA on IG - @sidas_usa

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Christian "Slim" Allen - Pre UTMB OCC Interview

Send us Fan Mail Sierre Zinal doesn’t hand out gifts, and neither does a season that starts with a stress reaction, rolls into a posterior tib strain, and then keeps whispering from an irritated Achilles. We sit down with Christian Allen fresh off a huge European stretch to talk about what finally clicked, how he stayed consistent enough to stack results, and why his best racing shows up when he resists the urge to force the day early. We get specific about the realities of pro trail running training: when to shut things down, when to lean on cross training to keep your engine, and how you decide whether pain is “manageable” or a warning siren. Christian shares how he navigates limited certainty without perfect health insurance, why trusted PT support matters, and what a hydrodisection injection did and did not change. If you care about injury prevention, Achilles tendinopathy management, or smart return to running, there are plenty of practical takeaways here. Then we pivot to OCC at UTMB week. Christian explains why OCC feels like one of the sport’s most meaningful sub ultra wins, how he thinks about pacing a now longer 60K distance, and why “run your own race” is harder than it sounds when the front of the field lights up from the gun. We also talk Golden Trail World Series selection, the balance between road speed and trail skill, and his longer arc toward Olympic Trials marathon goals before stepping up to 100 mile racing. If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe, share it with a trail running friend, and leave a rating and review so we can keep telling these athlete stories. Follow Slim on IG - @slimtherunner Use code SteepStuff for 20% your cart on Sidas.us Follow James on IG - @jameslauriello Follow the Steep Stuff Podcast on IG - @steepstuff_pod Follow Sidas USA on IG - @sidas_usa

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Noah Williams - Pre UTMB OCC Interview

Send us Fan Mail Chamonix does something to your brain. You land, look up at the peaks, and suddenly every run feels like it should be longer, harder, and higher. We sit down with Noah Williams to talk through the reality of preparing for OCC when the terrain is unreal, the field is stacked, and the smartest move might be holding back even when your legs feel electric. We get into the nuts and bolts of mountain running performance: adapting from Leadville altitude to lower-oxygen-cost running, why that “superhuman” feeling can still destroy your quads, and how Noah thinks about controlled downhill stimulus to build durability without blowing up the taper. He also opens up about a rough Sierra-Zinal day, what he learned from it, and the lifestyle shifts that are improving recovery in a measurable way, including better sleep quality and HRV. From there, we zoom out to race craft and expectations. Noah breaks down how he approaches deep fields like OCC: staying within himself for the first 20 to 25K, taking stock mid-race, then turning it into a real fight over the final kilometers. We also talk course recon choices, realistic goals like a top-10 finish, and why the sport’s growth and sponsorship money can be a good thing if we protect what makes trail running special. If you’re training for OCC, UTMB week races, or any mountain marathon style ultra, this one is packed with practical strategy, recovery lessons, and honest perspective. Subscribe, share this with a trail friend, and leave a rating and review so we can keep bringing you these conversations. What part of taper week do you struggle with most? Follow Noah on OG - @nowawill Use code SteepStuff for 20% your cart on Sidas.us Follow James on IG - @jameslauriello Follow the Steep Stuff Podcast on IG - @steepstuff_pod Follow Sidas USA on IG - @sidas_usa

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UTMB ETC Race Companion with Rachel Tomajczyk

Send us Fan Mail A 15K can feel longer than a 100K when the course is straight up, straight down, and the field is absolutely loaded. We’re fired up for ETC in Courmayeur during UTMB week, and we’re treating it like what it’s becoming: a legitimate proving ground for mountain running specialists who live for steep climbs, fast singletrack, and fearless descents. We dig into what makes ETC unique, starting with the course math that matters: 15K with roughly 1200 meters of gain, a big first climb, a dip, a second push to the high point, then a demanding downhill where pacing mistakes show up fast. We also talk about why this race sits at a fascinating intersection of the Golden Trail Series, the European championships scene, and the UTMB week spotlight. With OCC now stretching to a harder 60K, athletes have to choose their battles, and we debate how racing blocks like Pitz Alpine plus Sierre-Zinal can either sharpen you or leave you flat. Then we make picks. On the women’s side, we break down the contenders and why an athlete like Courtney Coppinger has the tools to take the win, plus we look at how the American crew could surprise. On the men’s side, we lay out the matchups, the skyrunning wild cards, and why Taylor Stack feels like a true “guy to beat” pick if he gets his day. We also sneak in a few OCC predictions, including excitement around Lauren Gregory and Christian Allen. If you like smart race previews, mountain running strategy, and honest takes on what actually wins these courses, subscribe, share this with a trail friend, and leave us a rating and review. What’s your podium prediction for ETC? Follow Rachel on IG - @rachrunsworld Use code SteepStuff for 20% your cart on Sidas.us Follow James on IG - @jameslauriello Follow the Steep Stuff Podcast on IG - @steepstuff_pod Follow Sidas USA on IG - @sidas_usa

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Taylor Stack - Pre UTMB ETC Interview

Send us Fan Mail Mont Blanc in the background has a way of rewriting your definition of “normal.” We’re checking in with Taylor Stack from Chamonix as UTMB week starts to buzz, and he shares what it feels like to train in a place where even the “easy” routes quietly stack thousands of feet of vertical gain. We talk about the practical reality of Alpine trail running versus Colorado mountain running: bigger relief from a lower start, fewer truly flat miles, and terrain that can surprise you even when the map looks friendly. Taylor also gets into the mental side of being in a legendary venue, the temptation to over-explore, and how he’s trying to stay disciplined with a big effort coming up. Then we zoom in on ETC and why racing early in the week is such a gift. Taylor explains how he plans to use the rest of UTMB week to spectate OCC, CCC, and UTMB, and why watching the gear logistics, nutrition, and crewing up close can be the best prep if you want to race OCC next year. We also hit course recon, what elevation profiles miss, the joy of French food on a runner’s budget, and what it’s like to be just recognizable enough to get stopped for a photo while still holding onto that underdog mindset. If you’re training for a mountain race, dreaming of UTMB Chamonix, or curious about ETC, press play, then subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave a quick rating and review so we can keep telling these stories. Follow Taylor on IG - @stack_taylor Use code SteepStuff for 20% your cart on Sidas.us Follow James on IG - @jameslauriello Follow the Steep Stuff Podcast on IG - @steepstuff_pod Follow Sidas USA on IG - @sidas_usa

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Sam Lewis - Pre UTMB ETC Interview

Send us Fan Mail A hamstring injury doesn’t just take away fitness. It can mess with your confidence, your decision-making, and even your ability to trust basic sensations like a cramp. Sam Lewis joins us from the Chamonix area to talk about the messy middle of a comeback, right after a hard Sierre-Zinal and just before lining up for ETC near Courmayeur. We get into what it’s like to train in the Alps without getting carried away, why UTMB week in Chamonix feels like a mini home for so many trail runners, and how Sam is approaching a short, fast mountain race as a way to reconnect with her roots. She also shares a meaningful shift in her week: pacing an OCC para athlete through Born To Adapt, and what it means to show up as support instead of chasing your own result. Then we go deep on her PhD in philosophy of sport and sport ethics at the University of Idaho. Sam breaks down research on moral reasoning in sport, why win-at-all-costs culture can make people worse at ethical decision-making over time, and how coaches can actively teach better values through reflection and lived-experience focused tools. If you care about trail running culture, coaching, athlete development, and what we sacrifice to win, this one hits hard. If you enjoyed it, subscribe or follow, share the episode with a friend headed to UTMB week, and leave a rating and review so we can keep telling these stories. Follow Sam on IG - (@samkeliiahonui) Use code SteepStuff for 20% your cart on Sidas.us Follow James on IG - @jameslauriello Follow the Steep Stuff Podcast on IG - @steepstuff_pod Follow Sidas USA on IG - @sidas_usa

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Sydney Petersen - Pre UTMB ETC Interview

Send us Fan Mail Chamonix has a way of making trail running feel like the center of the universe, and Sydney Peterson is soaking it up while she can. After stacking a string of brutally competitive European races, she joins me for a catch-up from the Alps where recovery, team time, and UTMB week energy all collide. We talk about what it’s like to live among people who treat mountains like a daily ritual, from running vests at the grocery store to the quiet confidence that comes from being surrounded by athletes chasing big days outside. Sydney breaks down what’s happening at Brooks trail camp, why UTMB recon is such a powerful advantage, and how scouting now can set up future goals like Marathon du Mont Blanc or an OCC debut. We also get into ETC and why it’s such a smart way to experience the UTMB scene: you race early, then you get the rest of the week to cheer, crew, and actually enjoy the spectacle without carrying race-week nerves the whole time. The deeper thread is how she’s building her season on purpose. Sydney explains why she’s choosing courses that attack her weak points, especially technical downhill running and the mental intensity of deep fields. Then we look ahead to the Golden Trail Series final in South Korea, a course she describes with a “healthy amount of scared” and a lot of excitement to learn. We close with an incredible story about trail legend Stevie Kremer and how mentorship can shape not just results, but an entire career. If you enjoy the conversation, subscribe, share it with a trail friend, and leave a rating and review so we can keep telling these stories. Follow Sydney Petersen on IG - @sydneypetersen33 Use code SteepStuff for 20% your cart on Sidas.us Follow James on IG - @jameslauriello Follow the Steep Stuff Podcast on IG - @steepstuff_pod Follow Sidas USA on IG - @sidas_usa

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Finlay Grant - Pre UTMB ETC Interview

Send us Fan Mail A race where the “course” is more like a suggestion sounds fun right up until you’re waist-deep in a peat bog, freezing, and trying to decide which ridge will get you to the next checkpoint fastest. That’s the world of UK fell running, and Finlay Grant joins us to explain why it creates a uniquely durable kind of mountain athlete. We talk about Finlay’s path from school cross-country into fell running, then onto the European skyrunning scene, including his build toward ETC and the longer skyraces on his calendar. He breaks down what training looks like when most of your runs are already technical and steep: elevation-heavy weeks for leg durability, three to four hard sessions when he’s sharpening up, and just enough faster running to keep speed online without living on the track. Finlay also tells the story of racing well in broken shoes held together with duct tape and how that moment helped open the door to working with Scarpa. Along the way, we compare the grassroots culture of fell races to the big production feel of modern trail events, and we get into the real logistics of balancing work shifts with travel, recovery, and racing ambitions. If you’re into trail running, skyrunning, mountain running, or you’re simply curious about route choice racing and the toughest terrain traditions in the UK, this one will expand your view of what “technical” can mean. Subscribe or follow, share the episode with a mountain-running friend, and leave a rating and review so we can keep telling these stories. Follow Finlay on IG - @fingrant456 Use code SteepStuff for 20% your cart on Sidas.us Follow James on IG - @jameslauriello Follow the Steep Stuff Podcast on IG - @steepstuff_pod Follow Sidas USA on IG - @sidas_usa

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#192 - Kirsty Skye Dickson

Send us Fan Mail A 3:05 at Sierre-Zinal and a Mont Blanc Marathon 23K podium is the kind of season that usually comes with “full-time pro” stamped on it. Kirsty Sky Dixon is doing it while working full-time as an orthodontist in Scotland, and the way she thinks about that balance might change how you approach your own training and goals. We talk through what Sierre-Zinal felt like on her first attempt, why the course is so addictive, and how the race exposes both strengths and weaknesses, especially when you’re a pure climber who wants to level up on technical descents. Kirsty shares what she noticed about the heat, the atmosphere, and the little details that matter when the times are historic and you’re racing the mountain as much as the field. From there, we get into the practical side: training for big vertical when you don’t have endless alpine climbs outside your door. Her setup is surprisingly simple, built around Arthur’s Seat, commuting runs to the train, weekend adventures in the hills, and the accountability of guidance from mountain running legend Angela Mudge. We also dig into the UK hill running and fell running culture, why Edinburgh is such a strong hub, and how Great Britain team trials work when selection is tight and timing is tricky with a clinical schedule. One note: we hit technical difficulties and lost the final portion of the conversation, so the recording ends abruptly. If you enjoy this one, subscribe, share it with a friend who’s juggling big goals, and leave a quick rating and review so we can keep bringing these stories to the trail running community. Follow Kirsty on IG - @kirstyskyedickson Use code SteepStuff for 20% your cart on Sidas.us Follow James on IG - @jameslauriello Follow the Steep Stuff Podcast on IG - @steepstuff_pod Follow Sidas USA on IG - @sidas_usa

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A Special Discount Code for Listeners

Send us Fan Mail Use code SteepStuff for 20% your cart on Sidas.us Follow James on IG - @jameslauriello Follow the Steep Stuff Podcast on IG - @steepstuff_pod Follow Sidas USA on IG - @sidas_usa

Most Replayed Episode: Joseph Gray, Mountain Running’s Greatest of all Time

Send us Fan Mail The mountain running GOAT label sounds shiny until you hear what it demands day after day. Joseph Gray joins us for a wide-ranging, no-fluff talk about winning at the highest level, staying motivated deep into a long career, and how he handles the pressure of being someone other athletes look up to. We dig into why sub-ultra trail racing often gets overlooked in the US compared to ultrarunning, even when the performances are absolutely world-class. Joseph breaks down the economics of attention, how “more hours” creates more marketable drama, and why short mountain races are a different kind of suffering where you cannot hide from pace, tactics, or mistakes. He also talks candidly about media blind spots, race storytelling, and what it means when the best athletes are not the ones getting covered. Then we go where most people avoid: anti-doping in trail running. Joseph explains out-of-competition testing pools, why untested events can warp opportunity, and why programs like Quartz can create the appearance of safety without real protection. We also get practical with training for uphill running, including progressive efforts and building an aerobic engine that sustains power on steep terrain, plus the youth work he is proudest of through the Colorado Springs trail running camp for kids and Project Inspired Diversity. If this conversation hits home, subscribe, share it with a friend who loves steep trails, and leave a five-star rating and review so more people find the show. Use code SteepStuff for 20% your cart on Sidas.us Follow James on IG - @jameslauriello Follow the Steep Stuff Podcast on IG - @steepstuff_pod Follow Sidas USA on IG - @sidas_usa

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#191 - Tyler Andrews, FKT Holder - Mount Everest

Send us Fan Mail One decision on Everest can erase years of work, and Tyler Andrews knows that better than most. After six failed summit pushes and three straight Everest seasons, he finally threads the needle and sets a blistering speed record, then comes home to the weirdest part of any big win: the emotional comedown and the sudden question of “now what?” We talk about what it’s like to chase a far-out goal for years, hit it on the last possible day, and then step straight into a new level of attention that reaches far beyond the trail running world. Tyler breaks down why Mount Everest isn’t a simple fitness contest. The jet stream shrinks the summit window, crowds turn the route into a bottleneck, and the Khumbu Icefall remains a moving hazard that never really feels routine. We get into the real logistics of a speed attempt: waiting for the right weather, positioning for the end-of-season window, and staying ready when so much is outside your control. Tyler also shares how mentors and time in Nepal helped him build the mountain skills he didn’t grow up with, and what he’s learned about the culture clash between traditional mountaineering and modern endurance-driven approaches. We also tackle the oxygen vs no oxygen controversy head-on. Tyler explains his original plan, the exact moment safety and wind forced the pivot, and why he thinks both categories are valid but fundamentally different. From there, the conversation goes deep into the performance details that sound like ultrarunning at 29,000 feet: camps as aid stations, fast transitions, fueling around 400 calories per hour with gels and drink mix, and heart rate data that still doesn’t fully make sense. We wrap with his hypoxic training setup, blood testing, whether he’ll return via the north side, and a quick detour into the Mount Elbert FKT that never got submitted. If you want more Everest speed record detail, altitude acclimatization tactics, and the mindset behind endurance mountain performance, hit subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a rating and review. What part of Tyler’s approach surprised you most? Use code SteepStuff for 20% your cart on Sidas.us Follow James on IG - @jameslauriello Follow the Steep Stuff Podcast on IG - @steepstuff_pod Follow Sidas USA on IG - @sidas_usa

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A Special Discount Code for Listeners

Send us Fan Mail Use code "Steepstuff" for 20% off your cart at sidas.us Use code SteepStuff for 20% your cart on Sidas.us Follow James on IG - @jameslauriello Follow the Steep Stuff Podcast on IG - @steepstuff_pod Follow Sidas USA on IG - @sidas_usa

#190 - Abby Bennett, The Journey Back From Hip Labrum Surgery

Send us Fan Mail A “clean” MRI can still leave you limping, doubting yourself, and stuck in the worst kind of uncertainty: pain without answers. James sits down with Abby Bennett for a candid, detailed update on her long road to a hip labral repair and what she wishes she knew from day one. Abby unpacks how her injury started as a weird, persistent fatigue in one leg, then escalated into deep hip pain that spread through her glute, adductors, and hamstring as her body tried to stabilize an unstable joint. We dig into why her first 1.5T MRI missed the problem, how a hip preservation specialist used better imaging and a full workup to identify labral instability plus pincer impingement, and what her surgery included: labral anchors, shaving the impingement to prevent re-tearing, and a psoas tendon lengthening that changes the rehab timeline for athletes who live in hip flexion. We also go beyond anatomy and talk about the mental weight of chronic pain, identity loss when training disappears, and the small wins that bring you back: conservative PT, pool work, short Zwift spins, strict boundaries to avoid flare-ups, and recovery basics like hitting protein goals and using collagen with vitamin C before rehab. If you’re a runner, trail runner, cyclist, or skimo athlete dealing with stubborn hip pain, this is a practical guide to advocating for the right care. Subscribe or follow, share this with a training partner who’s struggling, and leave a rating and review so we can keep telling more athlete stories like Abby’s. Follow Abby on IG - @abby.j.bennett Use code SteepStuff for 20% your cart on Sidas.us Follow James on IG - @jameslauriello Follow the Steep Stuff Podcast on IG - @steepstuff_pod Follow Sidas USA on IG - @sidas_usa

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Beast of Big Creek Race Companion with Rachel Tomajczyk

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Daniel Antonioli & Beñat Albisu, Pre Beast of Big Creek Interview

Send us Fan Mail They just landed in Seattle, they’ve barely had time to shake out their legs, and they’re already thinking about one thing: how a U.S. sky race will feel compared to the European skyrunning circuit. We sit down with Daniel Daniel Antonioli & Beñat Albisu for a quick, high-energy pre-race conversation as they get ready to race near Big Creek in the Olympic Mountains for the first time on American soil. We talk travel realities and first impressions of the Pacific Northwest, plus where they’re hoping to sneak in a little exploring with only a week in town. Then we get into racing: what it’s like to line up against a strong international field, and why an out-and-back skyrace course can create a different kind of pressure and excitement when you’re literally watching competitors coming toward you on the climb. Daniel shares why he loves the simple rhythm of one big ascent and one committed descent, and Banat reflects on what it means to race abroad as a 20-year-old following the U23 skyrunning circuit. We also zoom out to season planning, including how athletes choose between major mountain running events when schedules collide, and why ultra-technical courses like Matterhorn Ultraks Extreme can shape training priorities. If you’re into trail running, skyrunning, mountain racing tactics, and the culture that makes these races special from Italy to the Basque Country, you’ll leave with fresh motivation and a clearer sense of how pros think before the gun goes off. Subscribe or follow, share this with a trail friend, and leave a rating and review if you want more athlete stories and race coverage. Use code SteepStuff for 20% your cart on Sidas.us Follow James on IG - @jameslauriello Follow the Steep Stuff Podcast on IG - @steepstuff_pod Follow Sidas USA on IG - @sidas_usa

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Jackson Cole, Pre Beast of Big Creek Interview

Send us Fan Mail A mountain race where the “trail” turns into a real cliff scramble, a town that treats race weekend like a holiday, and a new skyrace in Washington that might finally feel like Europe without the altitude excuse. We sit down with Jackson Cole fresh off Mount Marathon to unpack why Seward, Alaska draws thousands of fans, how the hype somehow matches reality, and what it feels like to go full gas to the summit in a truly competitive field. We also get specific about what makes Mount Marathon technical, including the cliff section where route choice and local knowledge matter, and where a mistake could mean more than a lost minute. From there we pivot to Beast of Big Creek and the Olympic Peninsula, digging into why steep, rooty Washington trails are such a strong skyrunning venue, and why starting closer to sea level can make the racing fairer for international athletes. If you care about mountain running, trail racing, and skyrunning course design, there’s a lot here to sharpen how you think about terrain and competition. Finally, we talk about the unglamorous side of a stacked season: travel fatigue, quick turnarounds, and the mindset it takes to recover well and keep racing with joy. Jackson shares why he chooses races that genuinely light the fire, how he avoids burnout, and what he has lined up next with a training block and upcoming starts like Whistler 50k and The Rut. If you like the show, subscribe, share it with a running friend, and leave a rating and review so we can keep telling these stories. Follow Jackson on IG - @jayrcolee Use code SteepStuff for 20% your cart on Sidas.us Follow James on IG - @jameslauriello Follow the Steep Stuff Podcast on IG - @steepstuff_pod Follow Sidas USA on IG - @sidas_usa

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Josh Potvin, Pre Beast of Big Creek Interview

Send us Fan Mail A fast sky race can look simple on paper until you add singletrack bottlenecks, an out-and-back with traffic, and a technical finish that punishes sloppy footwork. We sit down with Canadian trail runner Josh Potvin for a quick, focused catch-up before Beast Of Big Creek, starting with what training has looked like from Vancouver and why this has been one of his most consistent years ever. From there, Josh breaks down Quebec Mega Trail: the heat, the ruthless technical sections, and the mindset shift that lets you walk away proud when you execute well even if the placing wasn’t the headline goal. We also talk about the Canadian team selection process for short trail, what it takes to put yourself in the conversation, and how results plus timing can shape your season. Then we shift to something new for Josh: joining the Merrell trail running team. He shares what surprised him about the team culture, how support matters when races go sideways, and which Merrell shoes he’s been using for long runs, technical trail days, and faster efforts. We close with his Beast Of Big Creek strategy, why steep Pacific Northwest terrain is the perfect prep, plus a real-world look at 100K recovery and turning the legs around for the next block as he eyes Whistler UTMB and an OCC ticket. If you enjoy athlete stories, practical race prep, and honest talk about what actually works, subscribe, share this with a running friend, and leave a quick rating and review. Follow Josh on IG - @jjpotvin Use code SteepStuff for 20% your cart on Sidas.us Follow James on IG - @jameslauriello Follow the Steep Stuff Podcast on IG - @steepstuff_pod Follow Sidas USA on IG - @sidas_usa

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