Pushing Horizons Step by Step

Ash Pant
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Running
  • Updated Weekly

Pushing Horizons: Step by Step is a podcast about how running changes us: physically, mentally, emotionally. Hosted by Ash Pant, each episode unpacks raw, heartfelt conversations with runners who’ve faced setbacks, chased dreams, and found themselves in the rhythm of the run. These are stories of grit, growth, healing, and quiet triumphs. Whether you're lacing up for your first 5K or recovering from your hundredth, this is for anyone who's ever run toward something more. Every step tells a story. Let’s keep moving forward, together.

  1. 4d ago

    This Too Shall Pass: From Wildland Firefighter to Cocodona 250: An Ultrarunner’s Journey

    Season 3, Episode 28 — This Too Shall Pass Trueheart Brown never grew up dreaming of becoming an ultrarunner. After years of skiing and competitive cycling, running eventually became something much deeper a way to process difficult experiences, quiet his mind, and find space away from the demands of life and his career in wildland fire. Then he discovered he could race. Trueheart won the Black Canyon 100K in 2022 before taking on his first 100-mile race at the Flagstaff to Grand Canyon Stagecoach Line Ultra in 2025. Despite never having run farther than roughly 60 miles before race day, he finished the 100 miler in 14:40:43 and took the overall win. In 2026, he stepped up again at Sedona Canyons 125 only three weeks after breaking his fourth metatarsal. He finished in 25:14:07. And won. In this conversation, we talk about his unconventional path into ultrarunning, decades of endurance training, learning to suffer, racing 100 miles for the first time, adapting when race plans fall apart, running Sedona Canyons with a broken foot, the importance of preparation, and why the darkest moments of an ultramarathon don't necessarily mean your race is over. We also talk about what comes next. Trueheart has been selected for the 2027 Cocodona 250, where he'll attempt to make the enormous jump from 125 miles to 250. And through all of it, one idea keeps coming back: This too shall pass. The bad moments will pass. But so will the good ones. Keywords: Trueheart Brown, ultrarunning, ultramarathon, Cocodona 250, Cocodona, Sedona Canyons 125, Stagecoach 100, Flagstaff to Grand Canyon Stagecoach Line Ultra, Black Canyon 100K, 100 mile ultramarathon, 200 mile ultramarathon, 250 mile ultramarathon, trail running, Arizona trail running, endurance running, ultramarathon training, ultra running mindset, mental toughness, wildland firefighter, Coconino National Forest, Pushing Horizons podcast

    This Too Shall Pass: From Wildland Firefighter to Cocodona 250: An Ultrarunner’s Journey

  2. Sep 3

    Fueling for Performance: The Basics Most Runners Miss — Part 2

    How much carbohydrate do you actually need during an endurance race and is more always better? Roger, CEO of SQUEEZY Nutrition, returns to Pushing Horizons: Step by Step for Part 2 of our conversation about endurance fueling. This time, we go deeper into the practical problems runners face when the hours and miles start adding up. Roger explains how athletes can train their gut to tolerate higher carbohydrate intake, why blindly copying athletes consuming 120–150+ grams of carbs per hour can create problems, and why your fueling strategy needs to be built around your own body, intensity and race. We also talk about what happens when you miss your fueling early in a race, whether you can recover from an energy crash, gels versus solid food during ultramarathons, caffeine, hydration, fueling beyond 10 hours, recovery nutrition, and the relationship between endurance training and the immune system. This conversation was recorded before my attempt at the Berlin Wall 100 Miler — a race where my own fueling mistakes eventually became one of the biggest lessons of the entire experience. I carried enough fuel. I simply didn't eat enough of it early enough. After covering 52 miles, I understand this conversation very differently than I did when we recorded it. Part 2 of our endurance fueling series with Roger and SQUEEZY Nutrition. Keywords: endurance fueling, ultramarathon nutrition, running nutrition, carbs per hour running, carbohydrate intake endurance, gut training, marathon fueling, 100 mile fueling, ultrarunning nutrition, race nutrition strategy, energy gels, solid food ultramarathon, caffeine endurance running, hydration for runners, recovery nutrition, immune system endurance athletes, under fueling, sports nutrition, SQUEEZY Nutrition, Pushing Horizons podcast

    Fueling for Performance: The Basics Most Runners Miss — Part 2

  3. Sep 3

    The Horizon Moved | My First 100 Mile Ultramarathon Attempt: 52 Miles, a DNF & What I Learned

    I went into the Berlin Wall 100 believing I could run 100 miles. I made it 52. 84 kilometers. The longest distance I have ever covered on foot. And then the sweeper caught me. This is the story of my first 100-mile ultramarathon attempt — the heat, the mistakes, the fueling problem, the high heart rate from early in the race, and what happened when my energy eventually disappeared. The frustrating part? I had the fuel with me. I had packed enough gels in my vest for the first 33 kilometers and had more waiting in every drop bag. I just didn't eat them. I took in roughly 150 grams of fuel during those first 33 kilometers, and hours later I paid for it. But this isn't only a story about a DNF. Because somewhere inside a race I didn't finish, I also went farther than I have ever gone before. 52 miles. I didn't reach the horizon I was chasing. But the horizon moved. Season 3 episode 26 of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step. Keywords: ultrarunning, ultramarathon, 100 mile ultramarathon, first 100 miler, Berlin Wall 100, 100 mile DNF, 50 mile ultramarathon, 52 miles, ultra running nutrition, ultramarathon fueling, endurance running, trail running, running in extreme heat, DNF recovery, ultra running mistakes, endurance mindset, long distance running, Pushing Horizons podcast

    The Horizon Moved | My First 100 Mile Ultramarathon Attempt: 52 Miles, a DNF & What I Learned

  4. Aug 27

    Stephanie Rosebaugh | Cocodona 250, Backyard Ultras & The Power of Enoughness | S3E25

    Stephanie Rosebaugh is an ultrarunner, licensed marriage and family therapist, speaker, author of The Power of Enoughness, wife, and mother of two. Her journey into ultrarunning started almost by accident with the Antelope Canyon 55K. But after pacing a friend for 60 miles at Cocodona 250, something changed. She wanted to experience the entire course for herself. She eventually did, twice. Stephanie has also found a home in the backyard ultra format, where she has pushed her body deep into sleep deprivation, exhaustion and discomfort while earning multiple Last Woman Standing finishes and pursuing her goal of representing Team USA. But this conversation goes much deeper than running. Stephanie spent much of her life believing her value had to be earned through performance and achievement. That experience eventually became part of the foundation for her book, The Power of Enoughness. We talk about Cocodona 250, backyard ultras, reaching the physical limits of the body, sleep deprivation, motherhood, resilience, therapy, self-worth, the danger of attaching identity to achievement, and why doing harder things doesn't make us more valuable. Because you can chase huge goals. You can push your limits. You can want to discover what you're capable of. But you don't have to cross another finish line to prove that you're enough. Season 3 Episode 25, You Were Enough Before the Finish Line. Featuring Stephanie Rosebaugh. Keywords: Stephanie Rosebaugh, Cocodona 250, backyard ultra, backyard ultramarathon, The Power of Enoughness, ultrarunning, ultramarathon, Last Woman Standing, Team USA Backyard Ultra, endurance running, 200 mile ultramarathon, trail running, women in ultrarunning, mental health, therapy, resilience, self-worth, running psychology, endurance athlete, Pushing Horizons Step by Step

    Stephanie Rosebaugh | Cocodona 250, Backyard Ultras & The Power of Enoughness | S3E25

  5. Aug 20

    Shelby Dillingham | A Commitment to the Self | Tahoe 200, Type 1 Diabetes & Ultrarunning

    Shelby Dillingham is an ultrarunner, multidisciplinary artist, and Type 1 diabetic who recently completed the Tahoe 200. Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at just seven years old, Shelby has spent most of her life managing a condition that never gives her a day off. Running entered her life during the pandemic. What started with a simple running plan eventually became a 50K, 50 miles, 100 miles, and ultimately 200 miles around Lake Tahoe. In this episode of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, Shelby shares what it really takes to manage Type 1 diabetes while running ultramarathons and why the 200-mile distance has become the place where she feels she belongs. We talk about the technology behind managing her diabetes, including continuous glucose monitoring and an insulin pump, and the additional planning required when spending several days on the trail. Shelby also takes us inside her Tahoe 200 experience from recovering from tendonitis just weeks before the race to managing her diabetes, relying on her crew and pacers, dealing with sleep deprivation, and reaching one of the most frightening moments of her race when she ran out of water while her blood sugar was high. But this conversation goes far beyond one race. Shelby talks about losing her job shortly after finishing her first 100-miler, using running to navigate difficult periods of life, avoiding burnout, finding community through ultrarunning, and why she doesn't want running to become her entire identity. For Shelby, ultrarunning isn't simply about pushing farther. It's a commitment to herself. A way of building self-trust and continuing to show up—not just for the athlete she is today, but for the seven-year-old girl who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and could never have imagined that one day she would run 200 miles. ✅ Topics Covered: ✓ Tahoe 200✓ Running 200 miles✓ Type 1 diabetes and ultrarunning✓ Managing blood glucose during endurance events✓ Insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors✓ Training with Type 1 diabetes✓ Returning from injury✓ 100 miles vs. 200 miles✓ Ultrarunning mindset✓ Mental resilience and self-trust✓ Crew and pacers✓ Running through the night✓ Ultrarunning community✓ Avoiding burnout✓ Identity beyond running✓ Finding gratitude in hard things Keywords: Shelby Dillingham, Shelby Dillingham ultrarunner, Tahoe 200, Tahoe 200 Endurance Run, Type 1 diabetes runner, Type 1 diabetes ultrarunning, diabetic athlete, running with diabetes, 200 mile ultramarathon, 200 mile race, ultrarunning, ultramarathon, trail running, endurance running, endurance athlete, insulin pump running, CGM running, Dexcom running, ultrarunning mindset, mental resilience, Tahoe ultrarunning, women in ultrarunning, running podcast, ultrarunning podcast, Pushing Horizons, Pushing Horizons Step by Step

    Shelby Dillingham | A Commitment to the Self | Tahoe 200, Type 1 Diabetes & Ultrarunning

  6. Aug 13

    Ash Pant | The Road to 100 Miles | Berlin 100miles | Season 3, Episode 23

    This one is personal. In just a few days, I'll attempt to run 100 miles for the first time at the Berlin Wall Race. But this episode isn't really about the race. It's about how I somehow ended up here. I never grew up dreaming of becoming a runner. I struggled with my weight for much of my life, never particularly enjoyed running, and originally found the sport after an injury in 2016. Running became a way to lose weight, then something I loved, then something that eventually took a back seat as life and family became the priority. In November 2022, I started again with one goal: run a marathon. Then I moved to Berlin. I met ultrarunners whose persistence fascinated me. I started having conversations with people doing things I couldn't imagine doing myself. Those conversations eventually became Pushing Horizons. And somewhere between interviewing ultrarunners, hearing their reasons for doing this, talking about DNFs and resilience, and learning what keeps people moving when things get really difficult, their stories started changing mine. One podcast conversation led me to register for my first 56K the very next morning. Another eventually led me to register for the Berlin 100 Miles. Now, after seven months of training, the race is here. I'm nervous. I'm excited. I'm unsettled. My mind is all over the place. After months of having another training week ahead of me, there's nothing left to prepare for. All that's left is to start. And if you're listening to this on Saturday morning, I'm probably somewhere around Berlin trying to run my first 100 miles. This is the story of how I got here. Keywords: Berlin 100 Miles, Berlin Wall Race, 100 mile ultramarathon, first 100 miler, ultrarunning, ultramarathon training, 100 mile training, endurance running, running journey, marathon to ultramarathon, DNF, ultra running mindset, mental resilience, endurance mindset, Pushing Horizons podcast

    Ash Pant | The Road to 100 Miles | Berlin 100miles | Season 3, Episode 23

  7. Aug 13

    Sierra DeGroff | Finding Confidence Beyond the Finish Line | Western States, Badwater & Denali 135 | S3E22

    Sierra DeGroff returns to Pushing Horizons with a story that goes far beyond race results. In this episode, Sierra shares her journey through some of ultrarunning's most iconic events, including Western States 100, Badwater 135, Umstead 100, and Denali 135. We discuss the highs of course records and championship performances, the lows of races that didn't go to plan, being dropped by a sponsor, and the process of rebuilding confidence after setbacks. Sierra opens up about the mental side of ultrarunning, why she keeps returning to difficult races, lessons learned from Badwater, what makes Western States so special, and how resilience is often built during the hardest moments rather than the best ones. Whether you're training for your first ultra, chasing a personal best, or simply looking for inspiration to keep moving forward, this conversation is packed with lessons about persistence, growth, and believing in yourself when things get tough. Topics Covered: ✅ Western States 100✅ Badwater 135✅ Denali 135✅ Umstead 100✅ Ultrarunning Mindset✅ Mental Toughness✅ Overcoming Setbacks✅ Endurance Racing✅ 100-Mile Racing Strategy✅ Confidence & Resilience✅ Training for Ultramarathons✅ Women's Ultrarunning Connect with Sierra DeGroff:Instagram: @sdegroff Follow Pushing Horizons: Step by StepSpotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and all major podcast platforms. Keywords Sierra DeGroff, Western States 100, Badwater 135, Denali 135, Umstead 100, ultrarunning podcast, endurance athlete, ultramarathon, trail running, 100 mile race, women in ultrarunning, mental toughness, endurance sports, ultrarunner interview, running podcast, ultramarathon training, ultrarunning mindset, Badwater race, Western States lottery, Denali race, ultra running motivation, endurance mindset, Pushing Horizons Podcast

    Sierra DeGroff | Finding Confidence Beyond the Finish Line | Western States, Badwater & Denali 135 | S3E22

  8. Aug 6

    Caitlin Fielder | Running with Purpose | Western States 100, UTMB, Zegama & Life as an Elite Trail Runner | S3E21

    Elite trail runner Caitlin Fielder joins Pushing Horizons to share her journey from marine science student and artist to competing against the best trail runners in the world. We talk about starting running later than most elite athletes, recovering from major hip surgery, finding success at races like OCC, Tarawera, Zegama, and Western States, and why patience has become one of her greatest strengths. Caitlin also opens up about racing through adversity, balancing life as a professional athlete, handling expectations, and why success means more than podium finishes. Whether you're training for your first ultra or chasing your biggest running goals, this conversation is packed with insights about resilience, perspective, and running with purpose. Topics Covered Starting trail running later in lifeHip surgery and injury recoveryWestern States 100 experienceUTMB OCC and international racingTarawera UltramarathonZegama MarathonElite athlete mindsetTraining and recoveryPatience and long-term developmentSuccess beyond resultsRunning and creativityProfessional trail running Keywords Caitlin Fielder, trail running, ultrarunning, ultra marathon, Western States 100, Western States Endurance Run, UTMB, OCC, Tarawera Ultramarathon, Zegama Marathon, elite trail runner, women in ultrarunning, ultramarathon podcast, endurance sports, trail running motivation, injury recovery, running mindset, mountain running, ultrarunner interview, New Zealand trail runner, Pushing Horizons podcast, running with purpose, trail runner, endurance athlete

    Caitlin Fielder | Running with Purpose | Western States 100, UTMB, Zegama & Life as an Elite Trail Runner | S3E21
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About

Pushing Horizons: Step by Step is a podcast about how running changes us: physically, mentally, emotionally. Hosted by Ash Pant, each episode unpacks raw, heartfelt conversations with runners who’ve faced setbacks, chased dreams, and found themselves in the rhythm of the run. These are stories of grit, growth, healing, and quiet triumphs. Whether you're lacing up for your first 5K or recovering from your hundredth, this is for anyone who's ever run toward something more. Every step tells a story. Let’s keep moving forward, together.

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