Free Outside

Western States 100 needed an awards show—so we made one. I’m joined by Allison Mercer for the first-ever Westees, a highly serious, extremely prestigious, and entirely made-up award show for the 2025 Western States 100.

We hand out awards like:

BDE: Big Dad Energy

Michigan "Bluff" Award (for premature blowups

Scuba Steve Award

I’m Not Back, I’m Better Award

The Cougar of the Field

The Zach Miller Lookalike Award

...and of course,

Jeff of the Day

We also break do...

Western States may be the most iconic race in ultrarunning—but it also comes with carnage, heartbreak, and a pile of DNS and DNF drama. In this episode, I’m joined by the always-entertaining Allison Mercer (of FastestKnownTime.com) to break down the storylines, the runners who didn’t make it to the start line, and wild ideas to spice up the sport (spoiler: mile-seeding starts for elites?).

We also dive into the FKT world—John Kelly’s latest madness, what’s changing in the scene, and why FKTs still matter. Plus, I give a quick life...

I just ran the Bighorn 100—no pacers, no headphones, and absolutely no planning. In this episode, I share the full breakdown of how I tackled Wyoming’s classic 100-miler while juggling life stress, sleep deprivation, and a recent pacing stint on the Pacific Crest Trail. From garbage bag drop bags to a ramen-fueled revival at mile 48, this race was anything but conventional.

I talk about the wildflowers, the relentless climbs, the raw and rugged vibe of the race, and why I chose to run it in the middle of prepping for my Appalachian Trail FKT...

In this brutally honest solo episode, I unpack what’s been the most stressful month of my life—losing my apartment, unresolved medical issues, financial pressure, and trying to prep for a 100-miler I haven’t even packed for. Oh yeah, and I’m attempting a self-supported Appalachian Trail FKT in less than a month. No big deal.

But it’s not all chaos. I reflect on the finite nature of miles, what "best" really means, and why shared suffering for the wrong reasons is never worth it. I read from Mike Versteeg’s powerful Colorado Trail FKT post and...

On this episode of the Free Outside Podcast, I’m joined by coach, ultra runner, and creator Justin Andreas—aka Running in Stash. We talk about his wild transformation from jacked military bodybuilder to golden hour 100-miler finisher and trail coach. We dive deep into his life in Alaska, where training includes moose dodging, sub-zero treadmill marathons, and running in negative 49 degrees… in a singlet.

We cover everything from his Bighorn 100 tips (mud. lots of mud.) to racing in sandals, brushing teeth mid-ultra, taper meltdowns, and why the golden hour might be the most inspir...

In this solo episode of the Free Outside Podcast, I dive into a topic that every endurance athlete eventually wrestles with: What’s your why?

I unpack what it really means to chase big goals in the era of social media, external validation, and highlight reels. From the pressure of performance posts to the value of community and joy in the moment, this is an unfiltered look at what keeps us coming back to these wild endurance events—even when nobody's watching.

Topics include:

-Why...

Kate Pallardy joins the Free Outside Podcast to talk about longevity in ultrarunning, balancing motherhood with elite racing, and how her mindset has evolved over the years. From 100-mile podiums to navigating the chaos of parenting and training, Kate shares how she’s learned to stay present, resilient, and grounded—even when everything feels out of control.

We dive into:

-The reality of training with toddlers and unpredictability

-How mindset work and self-awareness changed her racing

-What she learned from big DNFs—and big wins

...

In this solo episode of the Free Outside Podcast, I share my full game plan for 2025—including how I’m building from Cocodona 250 to the Appalachian Trail self-supported FKT attempt this August. I break down how I’m training, recovering, testing gear, and optimizing logistics for what could be a once-in-a-lifetime record shot.

We cover:

-How Cocodona fits into my 2025 plan

-Why I’m racing Bighorn 100 as an FKT-style training run

-Nutrition experiments and how I’m training my gut for endurance

-Gear strategy...

In this episode of the Free Outside Podcast, I’m joined by Allison Powell, who turned her Cocodona 250 into a full-blown cinematic universe—with costumes, movie soundtracks, and a race plan inspired by Galaxy Quest, Dune, Game of Thrones, Mad Max, Star Wars, and Doctor Who. But when hail, hypothermia, and mud rivers entered the plot, the script changed fast.

We dive into Allison’s brilliant and brutal journey through sleep-deprivation, pacer therapy sessions, medical alerts, and the art of holding hands on trail. This is one of the most insightful, entertaining, and emotionally raw Co...

Welcome to Trail TMZ, the spicy trail running news breakdown you didn’t know you needed. I’m Jeff Garmire, and this week I dive into the carnage at Western States—Jim Walmsley and Hayden Hawks are out, and so is the “Unbreakable 2” film project (yes, really). I give my unfiltered take on why that matters, how storytelling in our sport is being fumbled, and why it’s time for trail films to embrace the chaos instead of bailing when stars drop.

Then, things heat up with Camille Herron’s cryptic Instagram post—where she dubs herself...

I sit down with Coree Woltering—pro athlete for Merrell, Janji, and Smartwool—for a raw and hilarious conversation about his redemption at the Cocodona 250. From being the very first person to drop out of the inaugural race to finishing it five years later, Coree shares the highs, lows, and muddy middle miles of his journey.

We talk about impromptu race entries (Venmoed Southern States 200), wild hallucinations, ankle weirdness, and what happens when your crew gets stranded with a flat tire halfway through a 250-mile race. Coree also opens up about finding joy in ultr...

Today’s episode starts off with something I might just turn into a regular segment: Trail TMZ. We dig into the controversy surrounding William Goodge's run across Australia and the data that has people wondering—from heart rate anomalies to 55 mph GPS spikes. Then we take a brief detour into the Camille Herron Wikipedia saga and my lingering sadness that she never came on the show.

But the real highlight is a deep conversation with Aaron Fleisher, a fellow five-time Cocodona 250 finisher. We talk about his journey from stage racing and thru-hiking into the worl...

I sit down with Kevin Russ—board game designer, iPhone photography legend, thru hiker, and freshly minted Cocodona 250 finisher. We dive into Kevin’s wild journey from shooting landscapes with just his phone to creating successful board games, and now, tackling 200+ mile races. He opens up about the physical and mental toll of Cocodona, the moments that tested him most, and the role his crew played in getting him to the finish. We also explore how creativity overlaps with endurance and what’s next for Kevin in both ultra running and game design.

Check out Ke...

Today we have one of the most inspiring runners I know—Jennie Chisholm. She’s a mom of four boys, a Triple Crowner, and a two-time Cocodona 250 finisher. But she didn’t find ultrarunning the usual way. She stumbled into it—literally—on a whim while thru-hiking the Arizona Trail.

She tells the incredible story of how her family went from watching Cocodona as curious hikers to toeing the start line with hand-me-down running vests and brand-new shoes. We talk about how her sons became ultrarunners, what it’s like racing 250 miles while constantly worrying abo...

This week, I scrapped the pre-recorded episode I had ready to go and decided to hit record and talk live—from the post-Cocodona haze. After five finishes at Cocodona 250, I figured it was time to finally answer the question: Should you sign up for Cocodona? I break down what it really takes to toe that start line, what happens in the mid-pack where most of us live for days on end, and why finishing should always mean more than your pace chart or Instagram recap.

This year, things went sideways. COVID showed up early (fo...

The crazy story of my fifth finish at Cocodona 250. This year was full of surprises — I ran with a sickness, hallucinated witches and aliens, battled rain, hail, and mud, and somehow kept going with the help of an incredible crew.

I break down the highs and lows, from brain fog and rolled ankles to a bobcat sighting, and even the odd gear fix that saved the day (hint: Vagisil).

If you’re into ultrarunning, trail running, or just want to hear about pushing through 250 miles of chaos, this episode is f...

In this solo episode of the Free Outside Podcast, I break down my full race plan for the 2025 Cocodona 250, the massive 250-mile ultra across Arizona. I walk you through how I’m approaching the unusually cold weather, the new technical course changes, and the long stretches without pacers. I explain why I’m planning to go out more aggressively this year, how I’m dialing in my carbs, salt, and hydration, and where I’ll rely on my crew and pacers the most. I share my split predictions, the key sections I’m watching for, and some honest reflections on how far...

On today’s episode of the Free Outside Show, I’m joined by runner, ultimate frisbee enthusiast, and Cocodona crewing expert Allison Mercer. We relive wild stories from the inaugural Cocodona 250 — from cactus naps and glass-covered descents to heckling runners mid-race. We talk predictions for this year’s showdown, the “Courtney effect,” and whether European pros will shift the ultra scene. We debate mind games, pacing strategies, why volunteering matters, and why Cocodona is basically ultrarunning’s March Madness.

Follow Allison online: https://www.instagram.com/onewomandanceparty

Follow our sponsors: Janj...

On this wild episode of the Free Outside Podcast, we talk with filmmaker Derrick Lytle and into everything Cocodona 250 — from race predictions and course changes to the strength-versus-speed debate heating up in the ultra scene. But first? We take on the internet’s most absurd hypothetical: could 100 men beat a silverback gorilla? (Spoiler: probably not.) We trade predictions on Courtney Dauwalter, Ryan Sandes, Mike McKnight, and more while roasting obstacle racers, dissecting mud strategies, and dreaming up the ultimate post-race media blitz. Expect hot takes, cold-weather prep, and plenty of laughs in this pre-race breakdown of one of the most...

On today's episode of the Free Outside Podcast, I’m joined by outdoor filmmaker Drew Darby, and we cover everything from his unexpected start filming inside prisons to becoming one of the most exciting filmmakers in ultrarunning. We dive into how working in sensitive environments shaped his storytelling, the chaos (and comedy) of filming 100-mile races, and why long-form content is making a comeback. Drew shares his thoughts on building a career in the outdoor film industry, what it’s like to turn passion into a full-time job, and the importance of telling deeper stories beyond the race results. Plus...

I sit down with Doc, the voice behind Hiker Trash Radio—a podcast that’s interviewed over 450 adventurers from thru-hikers to Barkley Marathons legends. We dive deep into Doc’s wild behind-the-scenes experience covering the 2024 Barkley Marathons as a first-time invited media member. From nearly camping in the wrong forest to building trust at the Yellow Gate, he shares how he captured the stories of runners, crews, and chaos at one of the world’s most mysterious races.

Check out the Barkley Marathons Bonus Episodes: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5KrLfLJn9Joy6PwwX3uEFR?si=88778...

I sit down with Tim and Renee—better known as Simply the ⁨@reneeandtim⁩ . These two have thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and Continental Divide Trail (CDT), set a Fastest Known Time (FKT), and built a massive online audience with their content on backpacking, ultrarunning, and dehydrated trail meals.

Follow the Thru Hikers on the internet

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thruhikers/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thruhikers?

Website: https://thruhikers.co/

We talk about their full-time careers in plant genetics and engineering to out...

I sit down with Peter Mortimer, the champion of the inaugural Arizona Monster 300-miler. Just hours after finishing, Pete was back at work—because ultrarunning is expensive and PTO is a myth. We talk about his strategy for managing sleep, how he trains for 200+ mile races, and what it’s like to hallucinate a jaguar that turns out to be an actual cow.

Follow Pete Mortimer on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pjmortimer/

We also dive into Pete’s “finish it once” race mentality, his plans to take on the Triple...

I’m recording live (well, semi-live) while running through mossy, Jurassic Park-like trails outside Portland. Just minutes in, I round a corner and meet a man with a blood-covered hand telling me someone stabbed his dog with a switchblade. So naturally... I kept running.

Support our sponsors, janji.com, garagegrowngear.com, and Csinstant.coffee

In this chaotic on-foot monologue, I dive into the Gorge Waterfalls 100K, which just happened to be the USA Trail Team selection race for the Mountain Ultra Trail World Championships. I talk through the carnage (th...

Today on the Free Outside Podcast, I talk with Connor “Jackrabbit” Chapdelaine, who’s attempting the Calendar Year Triple Crown—thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Continental Divide Trail all in a single year. We break down how the idea got planted during a hike on the AT, what it takes to train for 8,000 miles, and why he’s bringing a pillow, a stove, and maybe even a thermos.

Follow Connor/Jackrabbit online: https://www.instagram.com/JackrabbitHikes/

Connor shares his strategy for navigating snow in the Sierra, reroutes on the PCT, and fires on t...

I sit down with pro ultrarunner Alyssa Clark to talk about racing at the highest level, dealing with self-worth and performance, and why hallucinating pandas might be a sign you're doing something right.

Follow Alyssa online:

Substack: https://substack.com/@alyssaclark3

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theory_in_motion/

Alyssa just won the legendary Hurt 100 and holds the Supported FKT on the Pinhoti Trail, but her journey to the top has been anything but easy. We dive into her start in ultras (skipping the marathon entirely), the challenges of racing in...

In this episode, I dive into the recent controversy surrounding the Arizona Monster trail race, where a failed live stream led to a very public clash between the race director and the live stream operator. I break down what happened, explore how social media amplified the drama, and share some thoughts on how these kinds of disputes can be handled more constructively. Along the way, I also talk about what I’ve been learning in my recent training camp and reflect on the importance of keeping conflict resolution behind the scenes whenever possible—for the good of the sport and...

Today on the Free Outside Podcast, I sit down with the voice of Cocodona and one of the most passionate people in trail running media—Chris Worden. With over 150 races on UltraSignup and years of experience in both radio and accounting, Chris shares the wild journey from small-town sports broadcasting to being the emotional anchor of ultrarunning’s most epic live streams.

Follow Chris on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clword77/

We talk about what goes into calling a multi-day race like Cocodona, the behind-the-scenes chaos (including some live broa...

This one’s a little different—no guests, no live race calls—just me sharing the full story of how I went from a bullied high school runner to a thru-hiker to an ultra runner trying to get comfortable being uncomfortable.

I talk about quitting school to hike the Pacific Crest Trail, building a monster endurance base through FKTs and 8,000-mile slogs, and how I’ve had to completely rewire my brain and body to embrace faster, higher-effort racing. We hit on pacing, fueling, treadmill hiking, crew control issues (yes, I admit it), and why I “J...

On this episode of the Free Outside Podcast, I sit down with the multi-talented and wildly entertaining Chad Lubinski. Chad is one of the most well-rounded people I’ve ever met—he’s a thru-hiker, ultra runner, backcountry skier, climber, jujitsu practitioner, and full-time content creator. If you’ve been listening for a while, you may recognize him as the guy who once interviewed me—and now he’s back for his third appearance.

Follow Chad on the internet: https://www.instagram.com/chadahooche_/

https://www.youtube.com/ChadLubinski⁩

Also support us by joining our pa...

The Barkley Marathons is an ultra-endurance race that challenges participants both physically and mentally. Originating from a prison break, the race is notorious for its difficulty, secretive entry process, and unique navigation requirements. Only a handful of runners have completed the race, which is designed to push competitors to their limits. The conversation explores the race's history, structure, and the community surrounding it, highlighting the mental toughness required to participate and the inspiration it provides to runners.

Support our sponsors: garagegrowngear.com and janji.com

takeaways

I just ran in circles for 12 hours—and somehow, I had a blast. In this episode, I break down my experience at a fixed-time ultra, a 12-hour race on a looped course in Boise. Why did I do it? To test my fueling, sodium, and hydration strategies ahead of Cocodona 250. I dive into the numbers, what worked, what didn’t, and the mental lessons I took away—including how I let the course record change my race plan (oops). I also talk about my pre-race anxiety, dealing with mid-race curveballs, and how a simple gear change solved an unexpected issue...

On this episode of The Free Outside Podcast, I sit down with long-time friend and outdoor entrepreneur Luke Pearsall, the founder of Trail Goods Co, a new freeze-dried camping meal brand. Luke shares his winding path from working on major Hollywood productions like Lost and Entourage, to becoming an adventure guide in South America, and ultimately, to launching his own freeze dried food company.

Check out Trail Goods Co at trailgoods.co!

And on Instagram: instagram.com/trailgoodscompany

We dive into:

The...

In this episode of the Free Outside Show, I share a series of thrilling and humorous animal encounters from his extensive outdoor adventures. From close calls with moose and grizzly bears to unexpected interactions with goats and mice, I recount my experiences with wildlife while hiking and trail running. I also touches on human interactions in the wild and share rapid-fire stories of various animal encounters, culminating in his recent trail work experience. This episode captures the essence of outdoor adventure and the unpredictability of nature.

Support us by shopping at Janji.com and...

In this episode, I break down my complete training approach for the Cocodona 250, one of the toughest ultramarathons out there. I dive into my background in trail running, FKTs, and endurance racing, sharing how I structure my training using a polarized model to maximize performance and longevity. I outline my weekly training schedule, how I manage injuries and recovery, and the nutrition and fueling strategies that keep me going strong in multi-day races. I also discuss the importance of heart rate monitoring and how I train my mindset for the grueling 250-mile challenge. Whether you're training for your first...

This episode is pure storytelling chaos. I sat down with Joe "Stringbean" McConaughy, and we covered everything from FKTs gone wrong to ultra running hallucinations and how his dog literally ate his golden ticket. We relive our worst gear failures, talk about what it really takes to push through a 200-miler, and debate whether burping is the key to ultra success (yes, seriously). Joe shares his journey from setting the Pacific Crest Trail record to coaching and racing at the highest level, and we swap war stories about the Arizona Trail, John Muir Trail, and why we both seem...

I’ve spent years hiking, running, and living on public lands. I’ve slept on BLM land when I didn’t have a home, hiked trails maintained by crews that just got laid off, and even worked for the federal government myself. So when I see massive funding cuts to the National Park Service, the BLM, and the U.S. Forest Service, I'm worried what’s at stake—and it’s not just a few overgrown trails.

These cuts mean fewer rangers, fewer fire crews, fewer trail maintenance teams, and fewer resources to keep the places w...

I talk with Helen Mino Faulkner, a professional trail runner who recently placed fourth at the Tarwera 100k. We discuss her decision to turn down a golden ticket to Western States 100, her experiences racing in New Zealand, and the challenges of training through winter in Truckee. Helen shares her journey back to running after a hiatus, the importance of excitement in racing, and how living in a seasonal environment contributes to success.

We also explore her path to becoming a professional athlete, the role of yoga, and the differences she has experienced racing in...

In this episode of The Free Outside Podcast, I chat with thru-hiker and content creator Stella Hikes, who is preparing for one of the biggest challenges in long-distance hiking—the Calendar Year Triple Crown. Stella shares her hiking background, the inspiration behind attempting this ambitious feat, and the intense planning process required to hike the Appalachian Trail (AT), Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), and Continental Divide Trail (CDT) in a single year.

We dive into her experience on the long trails, her approach to efficiency and nutrition, her strategy for tackling snow and weather challenges, an...

On this episode of the Free Outside Podcast, we welcome Will Murray, a math teacher, coach, and elite runner who recently punched his ticket to Western States 100. Will shares his unique journey from growing up in Georgia as a baseball player to rediscovering running after college, transitioning from cycling to trail racing, and ultimately shocking the ultra world with a Golden Ticket win at Black Canyon 100K.

Our Black Canyon Coverage: https://youtu.be/SO-6YkxWczM?si=IXEDglz96vCwI6p7

Support me by shopping at Janji.com and Garage Grown Gear

Topics:🏃‍♂️ Will’s path to t...