Free Outside

Jeff Garmire
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  • RUNNING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to "Free Outside," the ultimate podcast for outdoor enthusiasts! Join me, Jeff Garmire, as I blur the lines between trail running, Fastest Known Times (FKTs), thru-hiking, backpacking, and all endurance. With 20 FKTs under my belt, a book, a movie, and plenty of unconventional experiences, I'm here to share my adventures and insights. Expect engaging interviews and fun interactions with guests who excel in various ways. Whether we're discussing the art of slowly running through forests, the thrill of a challenging hike, or simply an appreciator of beauty and comedy, here we are.

  1. 1 HR AGO

    Why Trail Running Can't Stop Fighting Itself: TLDR Dumpster Fire Observations

    Trail TMZ is back. Host and award-winning correspondent Allison Mercer dive into one of the strangest weeks of trail running that we have seen in a while. From the Satisfy and Adidas backlash and influencer culture debates, to doping discussions around Cam Hanes, Sage Canaday and clean sport, plus the growing role of social media in shaping running culture. We also talk FKTs, Will Peterson's Appalachian Trail attempt, upcoming Pacific Crest Trail action, why controversy dominates attention online, and whether running is losing the things that made it special in the first place. Topics: • Satisfy backlash and brand culture • Influencer running and authenticity • Cam Hanes, Sage Canaday, and doping conversations • Why negativity dominates social media • FKT updates and upcoming attempts • Will Peterson's Appalachian Trail • The future of trail running culture Support our Sponsors: 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

    1hr 5min

  2. 3 DAYS AGO

    40TH PLACE IN THE WORLD, The Midwest McGrady of Running

    Patrick “Bubba The Midwest McGrady" Kavanagh joins the Free Outside Podcast after surviving Cocodona 250 with less than two hours of sleep, a lot of hallucinations, and peak Midwest politeness. We talk about passive aid station etiquette, the infamous Cocodona “fight,” hallucinating sepia-toned family photo albums in Sedona, the MBA basketball challenge at Mingus Mountain, why ultrarunning and pickup basketball are culturally identical, and whether Cocodona needs more wildlife, rivalries, and SlamBall. We also get into: Why Midwesterners make great ultrarunners How Cocodona completely changes your understanding of distance Racing horses in Arizona Why adult life desperately needs competition Why every ultrarunner eventually gives up athleticism for exercise AND A billion-dollar business idea involving upside down pizza One of the funniest episodes we’ve recorded. 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

    1hr 5min

  3. 6 DAYS AGO

    The Good Wolf with Yassine Diboun

    Yassine Diboun comes on to talk about imposter syndrome, ultra running, positivity, sobriety, community, and why none of us actually feel as confident as we pretend to. Yassine has been in the ultra running world for nearly 20 years, from the old-school blog era and handwritten race applications to modern 200 milers and social media comparison culture. We talk about how the sport has changed, why we still get nervous at races, and how you can be incredibly accomplished at one thing while still feeling like a beginner at another. We also dive into Yassine’s “good wolf vs bad wolf” mindset, how he practices positivity without pretending life is perfect, and why community might actually be the most important part of trail running. Along the way we cover: The early days of ultra running Cocodona 250 and Mammoth 200 Heat training and race anxiety Hallucinations and sleep deprivation Why comparison steals joy Sobriety and endurance sports Kids, trail running, and staying playful Why hard things should still be fun The mental side of ultra running 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

    1hr 8min

  4. 8 MAY

    Cocodona 250 Was Pure Chaos

    Allison Mercer and I recap the chaos of Cocodona 250. From a tracker glitch that placed Jeff in Africa in 1969, to GI issues, hallucinations, Mingus basketball, sleepless nights, and a fifth straight top 10 finish, this year’s race felt bigger, faster, and stranger than ever. They also dive into the intensity of the competition, the growth of the sport, the power of crew and pacers, and the heavier moments that reminded everyone just how serious these events can be.

    1hr 6min

  5. 3 MAY

    Before Cocodona 250: Nerves, Training, and the PCT Mindset

    Cocodona 250 starts in two days, so I’m talking through the plan, the nerves, the training block, and why this race still matters so much to me. This episode is also the two-year anniversary of the Free Outside Podcast, which launched during Cocodona because I was too nervous to watch whether anyone listened. I get into the pressure after the Appalachian Trail FKT, a clunky but meaningful Cocodona build, working with a nutritionist and mental performance coach, and the three values I’m carrying into the race: presence, community, and trust. Or, fittingly, PCT. Presence: be here now. Community: let people help. Trust: trust yourself. This is my Cocodona 250 race plan, but also a reminder that hard things are better when they are rooted in joy, connection, and a reason that actually means something. 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

    22 min

  6. 1 MAY

    Who Wins, Who Falls, and Who Knows: Cocodona 250 Preview Show Ft. Tara and Allison

    Cocodona 250 is here, and right after recording this, I’m heading out the door to go run it. So naturally, the best thing to do before a 250-mile race is sit down and try to predict everything that’s about to happen. In this episode of the Free Outside Podcast, I’m joined by Tara Dower and Allison Mercer to break down the Cocodona 250 field, storylines, and everything we think might happen… knowing full well that none of it will go according to plan. We talk about: Why the women’s field might be the most exciting part of the race Dark horses, favorites, and who could surprise everyone How 200+ mile races actually play out (hint: not how you think) Influencers vs contenders and why Cocodona is its own world Live stream chaos, race coverage, and being way too exposed mid-race Falling… a lot of falling And why we do all of this in the first place This is part preview, part comedy, and part reminder that these races are supposed to be fun, even when they feel overwhelming. If you’re watching Cocodona this year, this will get you ready. If you’re running it… good luck. 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

    1hr 17min

  7. 29 APR

    Walker of the Year: The Secret to Having the Most Fun

    What if ultrarunning wasn’t about suffering… but about having more fun? Andrea Moore has run 200s, 300s, and more races than most people would ever consider—and somehow, she makes all of it look like a moving party. We talk about: Why the back of the pack might be having the most fun The real “secret” to 200-mile races Snacks, bush naps, and the weird moments that actually matter DNFs, dark moments, and why they don’t define you Why no one remembers results—but they remember stories If you’re heading into Cocodona 250 or just curious about ultras, this is a different way to think about it. Less pressure. More curiosity. More fun. 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

    1hr 15min

  8. 27 APR

    Sally McRae on Cocodona, Mindset, and What Actually Matters in Ultras

    I sit down with Sally McRae to talk about Cocodona 250, 200-mile racing, her career, and what actually matters in running. We get into why Sally is coming back to Cocodona, what went wrong the first time, and how she’s approaching it differently this year. From dialing in gear and nutrition to cutting time at aid stations, this is a real look at what makes a difference in long races and what doesn’t. We also talk about the evolution of the sport. From early blog days to the current boom in gear, content, and sponsorships, and why it can feel harder than ever to find something real in it. Sally shares what she’s learned after years in the sport, including: Why efficiency and organization matter more than fitness in 200s The mindset it takes to keep moving when everything hurts How to think about gear without overcomplicating it Why most runners are focusing on the wrong things What actually improves performance over long distances We also get into body image in endurance sports, fueling, durability, and why being strong might matter more than being light. This one is part philosophy, part race strategy, and part reality check for anyone chasing big goals in ultras. If you’re running Cocodona, thinking about a 200-miler, or just trying to figure out how to get better without burning out, this episode will hit. 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

    1hr 23min
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About

Welcome to "Free Outside," the ultimate podcast for outdoor enthusiasts! Join me, Jeff Garmire, as I blur the lines between trail running, Fastest Known Times (FKTs), thru-hiking, backpacking, and all endurance. With 20 FKTs under my belt, a book, a movie, and plenty of unconventional experiences, I'm here to share my adventures and insights. Expect engaging interviews and fun interactions with guests who excel in various ways. Whether we're discussing the art of slowly running through forests, the thrill of a challenging hike, or simply an appreciator of beauty and comedy, here we are.

Information

  • Creator
    Jeff Garmire
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    220
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Jeff Garmire
  • Show Website
    Free Outside

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