Building with Purpose: Lessons for the Long Run w/ Erik Stanley of Trail Roots

When Erik Stanley left the comfort of a steady paycheck and the familiarity of a running store, he didn’t just launch a business, he built a movement. In this episode, Erik shares how Trail Roots was born from a desire to coach differently, build genuine community, and carve out space on Austin’s untamed trails. He opens up about the emotional hurdles of breaking ties, the real cost of hiring wrong, the power of purpose, and why having a clear mission is the cornerstone of long-term success. Whether you’re a founder, a runner, or somewhere in between, this is one you don’t want to miss.

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Episode Resources

• “Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action” by Simon Sinek (https://a.co/d/548A9oO) 

• “Slicing Pie” by Mike Moyer (https://slicingpie.com/) (https://a.co/d/ceQJmgs)  

• The Dave Ramsey Show by Dave Ramsey / Ramsey Solutions Financial advice podcast covering entrepreneurship, debt, budgeting, and leadership. (https://open.spotify.com/show/5exfRPDNCBHmntEkJrlLmX?si=0e9911336ac64f3f)