The Steep Stuff Podcast

James Lauriello
  • 4.8 (50)
  • RUNNING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to the Steep Stuff Podcast, your source for all things Short Trail

  1. #166 - Alex King, Founder of Terignōta

    2D AGO

    #166 - Alex King, Founder of Terignōta

    Send a text You can feel the momentum from the first minute: a year after his last visit, Alex King returns with a bigger warehouse, a stronger brand story, and the same stubborn commitment to making trail running gear people can actually afford. We dig into the founder’s rollercoaster—$75k days, quiet slumps, and the steady routine that carries him through both—and why he refuses to chase competitors or rent attention with paid ads. Instead, Alex lays out a different model: build products that solve real problems, price them honestly, and publish your numbers so customers can see exactly where their money goes. We go behind the scenes on the Valhalla vest, from months of sampling to a six-figure production leap that could have ended Terignōta if it flopped. Alex speaks openly about risk tolerance, Shopify loans, and the constant tension between perfecting a prototype and committing to scale. He shares how tariffs factor into decisions, why bandwidth is a finite asset, and how customer service—done with patience, ownership, and a human voice—can turn a tough email into a lifelong fan. We also explore his marketing stance: no Meta, no Google, no hype tax. The payoff is trust, community-led growth, and prices that don’t creep upward to feed an ad machine. On the athletic side, Alex breaks down wins at Cirque Series Crystal and UTMB Whistler 100K, the mindset shift that helped him run free of external pressure, and the lingering realities of an old Achilles rupture that changed his body but not his ceiling. He previews restocks and launches—updated fleece with recycled polyester, a sun hoodie and long sleeve in testing, and half tights heading into production—while keeping the brand’s north star clear: useful design, fair pricing, and transparency that speaks for itself. If you believe great gear shouldn’t require a second mortgage, or you’re wrestling with how to build a brand without selling your soul to ads, this conversation will stick with you. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves the trails, and leave a review to help more runners find the show. Shop Terignōta  Follow Terignōta on IG - @Terignōta Follow James on IG - @jameslauriello Follow the Steep Stuff Podcast on IG - @steepstuff_pod

    1h 7m
  2. Robin Vieira Brower Signs with Oiselle

    4D AGO

    Robin Vieira Brower Signs with Oiselle

    Send a text Big news meets bigger mountains. We sit down with Robin Vieira Brower to unpack her dual signing with Oiselle—as a professional athlete and the brand’s director of marketing—and explore how one decision can reset what’s possible for women in endurance sport. Robin opens up about the timing, the “duality” behind the announcement, and why showing the whole athlete matters just as much as splitting seconds on course. We trace Oiselle's roots back to 2007, their return to trail, and a fresh strategy that prioritizes the moments around the moment: training blocks, travel days, recovery, motherhood, injury, and everything that shapes a race without showing up on the results sheet. Instead of slicing the sport into road, track, trail, or gravel, the focus is on gear that flexes with a woman’s life—fit, function, and feel that actually move with her from strides to summits. Robin explains how athlete voices are baked into product cycles that stretch to 2028, and why that long view is essential for meaningful innovation. If skyrunning still sounds mysterious, prepare to get hooked. Robin lays out what makes these courses so electric—steep vert, technical ridges, and weather that turns tactics into art—then walks through a bold 2026 plan that balances the Skyrunner World Series with the U.S. regional circuit. We talk Whiteface, Beast of Big Creek, Kismet, and the tough calls when two great races land on the same weekend. Along the way, we get candid on the gravel boom, the value of athlete-led design, and the growing trend of pros taking real roles inside brands to build what comes after peak performance. This is a story about clarity over hype, purpose over trend, and how a thoughtful career can climb as high as any skyline. If you care about skyrunning, trail culture, and better gear shaped by the people who test it at the limit, you’ll find a lot to love here. Subscribe, share with a training partner, and leave a quick review to help more runners discover the show. Follow Robin on IG - @mindfullyrobin Follow Oiselle on IG - @oiselle Follow James on IG - @jameslauriello Follow the Steep Stuff Podcast on IG - @steepstuff_pod

    33 min
  3. #165 - Josh Potvin

    5D AGO

    #165 - Josh Potvin

    Send a text The path from a bumpy summer to a national kit isn’t straight, and that’s exactly why this conversation hits. We sit down with Canadian trail standout Josh Potvin to unpack a season that tested his patience, his calf, and his mindset—then set him up to go bigger. From the rocky, runnable rhythm of Canfranc to the endless descent of hard-packed switchbacks, Josh explains how terrain specificity can scramble podium math and why wearing your country’s colors feels different than chasing points in a sponsor kit. We open up the hood on support and systems. Josh draws a clear line between the deep coaching staffs of European programs and the leaner setups in North America, and he points to real steps Canada is taking to invest smarter between championship years. Then we get tactical. After years with marathon ace Dylan Wykes, Josh moved to coach Matt Daniels to match his growing ultra focus. The shift isn’t about exotic workouts—it’s about less weekend stacking, more weekday substance, and a simple schedule change that’s paying off: morning quality runs, late work starts, and consistency that compounds. Toss in a nutrition reset with a dietitian—hydration habits, gut training, and enough calories when it counts—and you get a foundation built for longer days. With that base set, Josh lays out what’s next: a return to the fast, deceptively painful Chuckanut 50K and a leap to Canyons 100K, where the goal is to execute, learn the distance, and see what disciplined pacing can do. We also look ahead to the Canadian Championships at Quebec Mega Trail, the Golden Trail stop elevating the Eastern scene, and why keeping the late-summer calendar loose might be the smartest competitive edge. If you care about trail strategy, life–training balance, and the quiet mechanics that turn “fit” into “ready,” this one’s for you. If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend, and drop a rating and review—it helps more curious runners find conversations like this. Follow Josh on IG - @jjpotvin Follow James on IG - @jameslauriello Follow the Steep Stuff Podcast on IG - @steepstuff_pod

    50 min
  4. Colorado Springs Trail Running Camp for Kids (COS-TRCK) - with Dreama Walton, Joseph Gray & Annie Hughes

    MAR 5

    Colorado Springs Trail Running Camp for Kids (COS-TRCK) - with Dreama Walton, Joseph Gray & Annie Hughes

    Send a text Want to see a kid light up after nailing a steep climb? We sat down with pros Joseph Gray, Annie Hughes, and Dreama Walton to unpack how a three-day Colorado Springs Trail Running Camp turns second through eighth graders into confident movers and thoughtful trail stewards. Set in the shade of North Cheyenne Canyon, the camp blends short runs, hands-on drills, and creek-side cool-downs with simple lessons on leave no trace, hydration, sunscreen, and gear that actually fits the terrain. We dig into why starting young matters. While many U.S. runners first meet endurance on the track, this camp gives kids a feel for real trails: how to lean into climbs, place their feet on descents, pass safely on tight corners, and choose lines that build control. The coaches demonstrate good and bad form so kids see it before they try it. A nutritionist stops by to explain fueling on hot days, and a gear segment demystifies tread, traction, and midsoles. Groups split by ability so smaller kids stay close and older athletes can stretch out; everyone circles back for obstacle courses, stretching, and yoga. Race day ties it together. A relay format teaches pacing, teamwork, and confidence, with mantras written on the back of bibs to meet the tough moments head-on. Thanks to sponsors and community support, the registration stays family-friendly and often includes shoes, shirts, bottles, snacks, and electrolytes—lowering the barrier to a sport that can change a child’s life. We also share dates, location, capacity, and how volunteers can help keep kids safe, stoked, and seen. If you know a young runner—or a curious newbie—send them this and help them register. Subscribe for more stories from the trail community, share this episode with a parent or coach, and leave a quick review to help others find the show. Who’s the first kid you’d bring to the canyon? REGISTRATION - @COS-TRCK_Registration VOLUNTEER - @COS-TRCK_Volunteer Follow COS-TRCK on Instagram - @COS_TRCK Follow COS-TRCK on Youtube - @COS_TRCK Follow the Coaches  Follow Dreama Walton - @dreamawalton Follow Joseph Gray - @joegeezi Follow Annie Hughes - @annie.a.hughes Follow James on IG - @jameslauriello Follow the Steep Stuff Podcast on IG - @steepstuff_pod

    36 min
  5. Announcing Cirque Series Baldy & Jay Peak with Julian Carr & Steve White

    MAR 2

    Announcing Cirque Series Baldy & Jay Peak with Julian Carr & Steve White

    Send a text Big news drops: we’re adding two late-season mountain classics to the Cirque Series calendar and turning it into a true coast-to-coast slate. Jay Peak in Vermont brings 7.1 miles with 3,044 feet of climbing and a rugged, two-peak ridge that blends flowy running with real technical spice. One week later, Mount Baldy in Southern California delivers 9.1 miles and 3,926 feet of vert over the iconic Devil’s Backbone, cresting Mount San Antonio at 11,000-plus feet with the Pacific on the horizon and LA at your back. We break down what makes each venue special. Jay Peak sits perfectly for Northeast athletes and our neighbors in Quebec and Montreal, with a tram-side festival zone and fast, character-filled double singletrack on the descent. Baldy is rootsy and high-alpine, shockingly close to Ontario Airport, and built for a finish-line party at a mom-and-pop ski hill with deep local pride. Expect steep pushes, ridge exposure, big views, and descents you can actually open up on—plus dates and temps that hit the sweet spot for post-UTMB and fall racing. We also share how a 10-race national series comes together: thoughtful course design that avoids bottlenecks, a summit-first ethos, and an evolving overall-points plan that rewards your best finishes rather than pure volume. With three East races now at or above 3,000 feet of vert and seven in the West, the stage is set for new rivalries, fresh community energy, and one unified title worth chasing. Registration is open, dates are set—Jay Peak on September 26 and Mount Baldy on October 3—and the competition looks fierce. Ready to pick your line and join us on the ridge? Hit play for the full details, then subscribe, share with a friend who loves vert, and leave a quick review to help more runners find the show. Which course are you targeting first? Register for Cirque Series Jay Peak (Sept 26th) - @Cirque JayPeak Register for Cirque Series Baldy (October 3rd) - @Cirque Baldy Check out the Cirque Series Website for All Races - TheCirqueSeries Follow the Cirque Series on Instagram - @cirqueseries Follow Julian Carr on Instagram - @juliancarr Follow Steve White on Instagram - @steve_white2 Follow James on IG - @jameslauriello Follow the Steep Stuff Podcast on IG - @steepstuff_pod

    34 min
  6. The Sub Stack Short Trail News - Episode 2

    MAR 2

    The Sub Stack Short Trail News - Episode 2

    Send a text Start with a helmet-required skyrace where five to six hours at altitude is just the warm-up, then jump to an Olympic mixed relay finish decided by seconds. That’s the energy we ride as we unpack a month that felt like a full season: Four Refugios fireworks, Anna Gibson and Cam Smith nearly nabbing a medal, and a Black Canyon weekend that proved how fast trail running has become. We break down why Kelly McChrystal’s course record matters beyond a single win—technical fluency, risk management, and South American depth are resetting expectations. Then we relive the Olympic sprint-to-relay arc and ask the big what-if: how would a vertical event tip the podium toward pure uphill specialists? Back in Arizona, we parse the 50K and 100K storylines—from late-race surges to course record composure—and talk honestly about why road stars can shake up the field yet still face a different sport on dirt: downhill economy, fueling on uneven terrain, and heat pacing. The business side hits just as hard. We map free agency moves—Grayson Murphy and Joseph Gray’s open lanes, Arc’teryx landing Jane Moss and Kyle Richardson, Nike ACG adding Jennifer Lichter—and what they signal about team-building and athlete value. Then we translate the alphabet soup of series into plain English: Golden Trail now counts four best results plus a heavyweight final, adds segment points and team rankings; Skyrunner splits red vs white races to concentrate elite matchups; WRMA World Cup rewards volume and brings the strongest governance and testing. If you’re choosing a calendar, we outline how travel, recovery, and points interact so you can peak where it pays. We also debut two fresh mountain tests: Cirque Series Jay Peak in Vermont and Mount Baldy in Southern California, creating a true coast-to-coast arc from June to October. Finally, we detail US selections for WRMA finals in Quebec and Poland, and how athletes can thread series goals with national team ambitions without burning matches too early. Tap play for strategy, results, and a candid look at where short trail running is headed this year—then tell us what you’d race and why. If you’re into smart training, bold racing, and real talk on contracts and points, hit follow, share with a friend, and drop a review with your biggest takeaway. Follow Rachel on IG ! - @rachrunsworld Follow James on IG - @jameslauriello Follow the Steep Stuff Podcast on IG - @steepstuff_pod

    1h 5m
  7. #164 - Zachary Erikson

    FEB 26

    #164 - Zachary Erikson

    Send a text What if getting cut—twice—was the best thing that ever happened to your running? We sit down with 2025 Collegiate National Trail Champion Zach Erickson to unpack how a BYU distance runner rebuilt his confidence, found joy on steep terrain, and turned setbacks into podiums at races like Snowbird and the Pikes Peak Ascent. Zach brings a candid look at pressure inside an elite NCAA program, the chronic pelvis injury that sidelined him for a year, and the mental spiral that came with fearing failure. Then the story bends: friends nudge him onto trails, the vertical clicks immediately, and he applies an analytic eye to course scouting that pays off fast. We talk why steep gradients suit his physiology, how he handled high altitude without a fancy setup, and why gratitude—not grind—became the engine for progress. Beyond trail running, Zach shares the cross‑training that keeps him sharp. He joins a local cycling team, races Zwift, and uses the bike to build the same climbing power he needs for uphill miles. He even dabbles in triathlon, battling through the swim and still running into top overall finishes—proof that versatility and humility can coexist with high goals. Looking ahead, Zach calls his shot on the US Mountain Running Team, circles vertical races like Broken Arrow for redemption, and targets big rides like LOTOJA alongside local canyon KOMs. If you care about mountain running, uphill training, injury comebacks, or building an aerobic engine without burning out, this one hits home. Come for the Pikes Peak insights and BYU war stories, stay for the practical takeaways on mindset, cross‑training, and racing where your strengths shine. Enjoy the conversation and, if it resonates, subscribe, share it with a teammate, and leave a quick review to help more runners find the show. Follow Zachary on IG - @zacherikson Follow James on IG - @jameslauriello Follow the Steep Stuff Podcast on IG - @steepstuff_pod

    56 min
  8. Can Skyrunning Survive Long Term in America ? (With Co Host, Tom Hooper)

    FEB 23

    Can Skyrunning Survive Long Term in America ? (With Co Host, Tom Hooper)

    Send a text Skyrunning on American granite hits different. We sat down with race director Tom Hooper of 603 Endurance to unpack why the Kismet Cliff Run belongs at the center of a revitalized Skyrunner USA—and how the Northeast became a proving ground for steep, technical racing that rewards guts as much as VO2. We get specific about Kismet’s design: fast beachside start at Echo Lake, a brutal haul to Cathedral and Whitehorse, slick slabs, exposed ridgelines across the Moats, and a descent that taxes every ankle. Tom traces the race’s locals‑only roots to its current moment, backed by a $20,000 prize purse from Merrell and serious media ambitions. We talk travel and logistics—why North Conway works with multiple nearby airports, abundant lodging, and a new trail hub from Marathon Sports—and how that infrastructure invites bigger fields, deeper competition, and better storytelling. From there, we zoom out. With Golden Trail stepping away from U.S. dates, can Skyrunner USA claim the space without overcomplicating points or definitions? Tom shares candid thoughts on course certification, simple rankings, and the kind of coverage that keeps fans engaged. We challenge the status quo on athlete pay, agents, and NDAs, arguing for transparency and consistent prize structures that elevate short‑trail specialists. We also spotlight a rising pipeline in the Northeast—names you know and names you will—plus the realistic path to a multi‑race festival weekend that feels like Broken Arrow on the other coast. If you care about where American short trail is headed—athlete opportunities, prize money, media quality, and the races worth traveling for—this conversation maps the terrain. Listen, share with a friend who loves steep miles, and leave a review with your take: Should Kismet be the Skyrunner USA championship, and what would you change to grow the sport? Subscribe for more sharp, on‑the‑ground stories all season. Follow Tom Hooper - @tomhooper603 Follow Six03 Endurance - @six03endurance Register for the Sunapee Scramble - SUNAPEE Register for the Loon Mountain Race - LOON Register for the Ragged 75 Stage Race & 50K - RAGGED Follow James on IG - @jameslauriello Follow the Steep Stuff Podcast on IG - @steepstuff_pod Follow James on IG - @jameslauriello Follow the Steep Stuff Podcast on IG - @steepstuff_pod

    56 min
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4.8
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About

Welcome to the Steep Stuff Podcast, your source for all things Short Trail

Information

  • Creator
    James Lauriello
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    291
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Steep Stuff Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Steep Stuff Podcast

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