PEP Talk

Nico Lightbody
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  • HEALTH & FITNESS

🎙️ Welcome to PEP Talk – hosted by Mercedes and Nico, a trail-running couple navigating the highs and lows of training, racing, and real life. We're not just partners in life; we're also coach (Nico) and athlete (Mercedes), and we’re here to explore what it means to train like an elite while living like regular people. From performance optimization and injury management to the mental game and community building, we talk openly about the realities behind the miles - the good, the gritty, and everything in between.

  1. 3D AGO

    Ep. 27 - First Race Success, Training Updates & Sports Drama

    Today Nico & Mercedes share recent events including the successful Seymour Bloom Inaugural trail race, personal health challenges, and updates on their current training. They delve into recent sports stories & controversies, including Kilian running the UTMB, Men's Olympic Hockey Team Drama, US Half Marathon Championship incident where top female runners were misled off course, just to name a few!

    55 min

  2. FEB 17

    Ep. 26 - Training in Trinidad + Race Recaps

    In today’s episode, Nico & Mercedes recap their recent trip to Trinidad and Tobago, sharing their experience of balancing training while traveling, embracing the local culture, and navigating the unique challenges that came with it. They also dive into a quick rundown of recent race results, including highlights from the Black Canyon Ultras and Tarawera golden ticket races, breaking down standout performances and highlights from the events.

    57 min

  3. FEB 12

    Ep. 25 - Black Canyon & Tarawera Preview ft. Greg Carson

    In this episode hosts Mercedes & Nico are joined by local legend Greg Carson to discuss the upcoming Black Canyon & Tarawera golden ticket races. They share personal experiences from racing & pacing Black Canyon, provide insights into the race courses, and make predictions for both the men's and women's top finishers.

    53 min

  4. JAN 27

    Ep. 24 - Training Smarter, Picking Races & Trail Olympics Talk

    In this episode, Nico & Mercedes reflect on their recent training experiences and the importance of listening to the body. They explore the social side of racing, share insights on race planning strategies, and discuss broader topics like the potential inclusion of trail running in the Olympics and drug testing in sports.

    1h 5m

  5. JAN 19

    Ep. 23 - Representation, Community & Seymour Bloom with Andie Pask

    In this episode of PEP Talk, host Mercedes chats with Andie Pask about running, community, and the upcoming Seymour Bloom trail race. Andie shares her experience as a coach, mom, and runner, highlighting the importance of inclusive, supportive spaces for women in trail running. They discuss balancing family and athletics, proper fueling, and how the beginner-friendly Seymour Bloom race invites folks who identify as women to explore trail running without the pressure of competition.

    1h 2m

  6. JAN 13

    Ep. 22 - New Year, Burritos, & UROY vs. TROY

    Mercedes & Nico kick off 2026 by discussing their personal updates, including injuries and new training plans. They discuss New Year's resolutions, fun topics like the Burrito Challenge in the running community and the exciting debuts of road runners in trail events. They also delve into the differences between the UROY and TROY awards, sharing their thoughts on the voting process and riff on the selections.

    56 min

  7. JAN 1

    Ep. 21 - Year in Review: Reflections & What’s Next

    In the final episode of 2025, Nico & Mercedes reflect on the year that was. They share the latest life updates, revisit their biggest adventures and running milestones, unpack the lessons they learned along the way, and look ahead to what’s next in the year to come.

    1h 11m

  8. 12/10/2025

    Ep. 20 - Life Update, Doping, Lotteries & Nike’s Big Trail Investment

    In this episode of PEP Talk, Nico & Mercedes celebrate their 20th episode milestone! They update on the challenges and excitement of moving into a new home while balancing busy lives. They discuss recent events in the sports world, including a doping controversy involving Canadian swimmer Penny Oleksiak, and share their experiences with the Western States and Hardrock lotteries. The conversation also highlights the California International Marathon and the impressive performances of trail runners in road races. Finally, they discuss Nike's significant investment in trail running, signaling a promising future for the sport.

    44 min
See All (27)

About

🎙️ Welcome to PEP Talk – hosted by Mercedes and Nico, a trail-running couple navigating the highs and lows of training, racing, and real life. We're not just partners in life; we're also coach (Nico) and athlete (Mercedes), and we’re here to explore what it means to train like an elite while living like regular people. From performance optimization and injury management to the mental game and community building, we talk openly about the realities behind the miles - the good, the gritty, and everything in between.

Information

  • Creator
    Nico Lightbody
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Nico Lightbody
  • Show Website
    PEP Talk

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