Free Outside

Jeff Garmire
  • 4.9 (134)
  • 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. 8H AGO

    Before You Set Your Next Big Goal

    Endurance sports give me structure when life feels chaotic. Miles are measurable. Effort makes sense. Pain feels productive. For a while, that clarity can feel like purpose. In this episode, I zoom out on the uncomfortable truth that endurance sports have limits. The miles don’t fix self-worth, resolve identity, or heal everything we try to bury under training. I talk about what happens when the goal stops working, not because of injury or burnout, but because motivation quietly expires. Through stories from the Calendar Year Triple Crown, the Great Western Loop, and learning to slow down, this is an honest look at why I chase big goals and how I’m trying to keep doing hard things for the right reasons. Sponsors: Sawyer, Janji, Garage Grown Gear, CS Instant Coffee. Support our Sponsors: Sawyer: https://www.sawyer.com/ Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726 CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffee Garage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8ab Chapters 00:00 The Journey into Endurance Sports 02:58 Understanding Motivation and Its Limits 12:01 The Role of Endurance Sports in Self-Discovery 18:43 Finding Meaning Beyond Goals 26:12 Reflecting on Personal Growth and Future Directions 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

    29 min

  2. 3D AGO

    FKT of the Year Acceptance Speech

    I didn’t expect to win FKT of the Year for the Appalachian Trail, but here we are. This video is not about splits, miles per day, or how fast the record was. It’s about the decade-long path that led to it. From leaving college in 2011 and discovering thru-hiking, to years of chasing adventure while trying to fit into a traditional career, to hitting some of the lowest points of my life, including suicidal depression, and finding my way back through the outdoors. The Appalachian Trail has been a thread running through my entire adult life. The structure of long days, defined goals, resupply points, and moving forward one step at a time makes sense to my brain in a way the outside world often doesn’t. Trails gave me a place to belong when I didn’t feel like I fit anywhere else. I also talk honestly about 2020, canceled plans, working at a grocery store, feeling like a failure, and how nothing about this journey was overnight. Just chipping away, year after year, at something I loved, even when it felt impossible. We also raised over $43,000 for the Trevor Project during this FKT. That mattered more to me than any award. It was proof that people care, that kindness is real, and that we all belong, even when things feel loud, divided, or overwhelming. This is a reflection on why the doing matters more than the accomplishment, why praise is hard for me to sit with, and why I believe if you truly love something, you’re willing to keep showing up for it, regardless of the outcome. Thank you to everyone who supported this journey, donated, followed along, and showed kindness. Sponsors and supporters: Sawyer Janji Garage Grown Gear CS Coffee ReadyWise Mount to coast As always, we can all be our own version of elite. Stay elite, my friends. 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

    11 min

  3. 5D AGO

    The Jeffrey Awards: FKTs, Controversy, and Absolute Chaos

    The conversation revolves around the Jeffrey Awards, celebrating achievements in ultra running, including new race directors, controversies, tragic FKTs, and the Walker of the Year award. The hosts discuss various nominees and their stories, highlighting the challenges and triumphs within the ultra running community. In this engaging conversation, Jeff Garmire and Derrick Lytle explore various themes in ultra running, including speed debates, the merits of double versus single track, and the significance of awards in the community. The Jeffrey Awards – Categories & Nominees Most Obvious New Race Director Joe Corcione Tim Tollefson Dylan Bowman (added a 100K, Big Alta) Carl Laniak (took over Barkley Marathons) Finn Melanson (Antelope Island Buffalo Run) We Should Be Your Publicist Award Grand Slam Track Candice Burt 2025 IAU 50K World Championships (canceled two weeks out) Black Canyon 100K (cheating scandal) Most Tragic FKT Becca Bergstrom – multiple PCT attempts, quick failures John Kelly – quit the AT a few hundred miles from the end Kristian Morgan – approximately his 128th AT attempt Eric Hallsten – quit Washington after averaging ~70 MPD Krista Hallsten – fastest supported double TRT, not recognized, therefore “doesn’t count” Walker of the Year A.J. Waller (Cocodona 250) Matt Johnson (Texas 1000) Troy Croxdale (“Punisher”) Madison Blagden (“Peg Leg”) Andrea Moore (six 200+ mile races) Lyla Harrod (Appalachian Trail FKT) Finally It Happened Award Kilian Jornet uses unlimited resources for an unmatchable FKT François D’Haene loses an FKT (Nolan’s 14 to David Hedges) Ryan Montgomery finally earns a Golden Ticket after global race hopping Salt Lake City gets a Western States winner Fastest Camera Operator Jacob Banta Drew Darby Derrick Lyttle Jeff Pelletier Matt Shapiro Forgot It Happened Award Seth Ruhling course record at Black Canyon Chipotle Showdown David Roche ran Western States (kind of) Unbreakable movie attempt Gorge 100K Worlds qualifier Courtney Dauwalter DNF at Cocodona Double Track vs Singletrack Award Double Track Singletrack Who Is That Award Will Murray Sarah Perry (395 miles) Caitriona Jennings (Tunnel Hill, 100-mile world record) Most Destroyed Trail Any trail an e-bike touches Arizona Trail Owner of Zona (King of Arizona) Candice Burt – Arizona Monster Jamil Coury – Aravaipa Abby Hall – Western States Jim Walmsley Sadie Curry – AZT FKT Courtney Dauwalter vs Jim Walmsley Award East Coaster of the Year Dan Green (Cocodona) Canyon Woodward (Golden Ticket) David Sinclair Tori Constantine (“Chewy”, Long Trail FKT) Xander Keiter Andrew Drummond (White Mountain Direttissima) Weird Moment of the Year David Roche giving up his Golden Ticket Candice Burt doxxing someone on livestream Kilian Jornet crowd sourcing his next FKT Most Air Time Award Chris Warden Leah Yingling A.J. Waller Corrine Malcolm Joe Corcione Hypocritical Hero Award Michelino Sunseri pardoned Ruth Chepngetich doping ban one year after world record Hayden Hawks Ultra Runner of the Year Award Caleb Olson Hans Troyer Jeff Mogavero Tara Dower Katie Schide Abby Hall Megan Eckert (six-day world record, 603 miles) Bezos Most Expensive Breakup Award Katie Schide leaving TNF Jeff Browning leaving Altra Trend of the Year Icy kiddie pools Lying about Zone 2 pace Moving across the country Livestream everything Running a marathon again Influencer of the Year David Poach Nick Bare David Goggins Cam Hanes Jeff Pelletier Mike Wardian Max Jolliffe Most Pointless Miles Jamil Coury Kevin Russ Matt Johnson Andy Glaze Derrick Lytle Award Jeff of the Year (Audience Nominated) Jeff Mogavero Jeff Galloway Jeff Garmire Katie Schide Support our Sponsors: Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726 CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffee Garage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8ab

    2h 29m

  4. 12/28/2025

    Rebuilding the Jeff Brand: Tights, Treehouses, Technical Chaos, and The Mahoosuc Traverse

    Jeff Colt is back, calling in from Carbondale with a mission to help rehabilitate the name “Jeff” one mountain town conversation at a time. We start with winter training reality in ski country, how to keep momentum when the days are short, the “subsistence” weeks that quietly save your season, and the eternal debate of pants, tights, and looking cool versus staying warm. From there it turns into a bigger conversation about identity, planning, uncertainty, and why the simplest answer sometimes is “we just have Jeff,” so we might as well make it a good one. Then we head straight into the good stuff, the White Mountains and the Mahoosuc Traverse, where “running” becomes scrambling, crawling, and three points of contact through the Mahoosuc Notch. Jeff breaks down the history and the legends (including Chris Getz and the steak stop), why style matters as much as speed in FKTs, and how different eras and ethics shape what we celebrate. We close with one of the most fun tangents of the whole Month of Jeff, what it is really like working in the AMC huts, from responsibility in dangerous weather to full-on blanket-folding skits, including Harry Potter and Frozen, all in service of three sacred rules: fold the blankets, pack out the trash, and tip the hut crew. Support our Sponsors: Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726 CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffee Garage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8ab Chapters 00:00 The Jeff Identity Crisis 06:19 Winter Training in Mountain Towns 09:18 Exploring the Mahusik Range 12:37 The Legacy of Chris Getz 15:27 Navigating the Mahusik Notch 18:29 Style and FKT Philosophy 22:00 The Challenge of Self-Supported FKTs 24:56 Planning and Uncertainty in Adventure 27:57 The Evolution of Trail Running Style 42:22 Exploring Style in Trail Running 44:16 The Debate on Supported vs. Unsupported 47:43 The Evolution of Trail Running 50:54 Killian Jornet: The Pinnacle of Trail Running 54:43 Authenticity in Trail Running 58:30 The Role of Creativity in Trail Running 01:03:31 Life Lessons from Working in the Huts 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

    1h 23m

  5. 12/26/2025

    Roadside America With Ordinary Jeff: Prairie Chickens, Hot Dogs, and Teddy Roosevelt

    This week on the Free Outside Podcast, I am joined by Jeff Eklund, an “ordinary Jeff” calling in from North Carolina who quickly proves he is anything but ordinary. We kick things off with a Jeff quiz show where every answer is a different Jeff, and it immediately derails into the best kind of chaos. Jeff shares his winding path into running, including randomly ripping a 3:16 at Chicago in his 40s, qualifying for Boston (and skipping it because life happened), then stepping away before coming back strong after knee replacements. He talks about what it felt like to start running again, why he refuses to accept “don’t run” as a life sentence, and his current mission to break two hours in the half marathon while stalking the competition on Strava like a proper veteran. Then we shift into the second life arc, Jeff and his wife selling basically everything during COVID, moving into a 27-foot Airstream, and traveling to 47 states. We talk minimalism, Facebook Marketplace hustle, getting “pulled around” the country by life, and the underrated places that surprised him most, from Rhode Island to Arizona to the hidden gems of Nebraska. Somewhere in the middle, Jeff goes full historian and takes us deep into his obsession with Theodore Roosevelt (the strenuous life, Rough Riders lore, the teddy bear origin story, and meeting a TR impersonator in North Dakota that turns into a legit hike). We also get a side quest on Fred Harvey restaurants, Harvey Girls, and old-school American road culture, plus a list of roadside oddities that feels like a hallucination timeline from mile 20 of a marathon. We wrap with a quick masterclass in sales (relationships, listening, and handling rejection), lessons Jeff wishes he knew when he was younger, and a perfect cherry on top story about Brooks customer service, a surprise signed Scott Jurek book, and the greatest accidental Instagram mix-up of all time. If you like running, reinvention, road trips, American history tangents, and a guest who can turn one question into six stories, this one is for you. Chapters 00:00 The Jeff Quiz Show Begins 04:52 Jeff Eklund's Journey into Running 07:49 Overcoming Challenges and Finding Motivation 10:50 The Impact of Family on Running 13:45 Rediscovering the Love for Running 16:42 Transitioning to Life in an Airstream 19:28 Selling Everything and Embracing Minimalism 22:23 Exploring the Open Road and Human Connection 24:56 Theodore Roosevelt: A Personal Connection 26:29 Meeting the Impersonator: A Unique Encounter 28:47 The Legacy of Theodore Roosevelt 30:23 The Teddy Bear Origin Story 31:40 The Strenuous Life Philosophy 33:40 Fred Harvey and the Railroad Era 37:24 The Harvey Girls: Pioneers of the West 39:07 Underrated States: Personal Reflections 41:34 Hidden Gems in the Midwest 45:20 Exploring Unique Destinations 48:13 The Art of Selling 50:29 Reflections on Youth and Education 55:10 Customer Service and Personal Connections 01:00:18 Celebrating Ordinary Heroes 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

    1h 5m

  6. 12/22/2025

    Ultra Running Then vs Now: Jeff Browning vs Jeff Garmire

    Vote on the Jeffrey Awards: https://forms.gle/zC29GEAgUJBKNn8T6 I brought the cowboy hat out for this one, because Month of Jeff needed full giddy up vibes. Jeff “Bronco Billy” Browning is back, and we go everywhere: Cocodona’s weird and wonderful rise into a spectator cult phenomenon, the tiny weather window that makes that race possible, and what it feels like when you are having one of those perfect days in a hundred. Jeff talks about his best races ever (including a scorching San Diego 100 and a 19:33 at Wasatch), and what actually made them click, training blocks, timing, and yes, a little luck. We also get nerdy and practical with an underrated, overrated, properly rated game, covering trail super shoes (carbon on trail, and why the foam matters more), heat training, speedwork for ultra runners (hello zone 3), and why you have to practice race nutrition in training if you want race day to feel automatic. Then we time travel to the early 2000s when ultra gear was basically a fishing vest era, handheld bottles ruled, poles were not a thing, and race nutrition was gels, S-caps, and hope. Jeff shares how mentorship and group long runs shaped the scene back then, and why adventure running and storytelling still matter more than a stat on a results page. We also get into the realities of long efforts and sleep deprivation, including why Jeff would choose self-supported if he goes long again (less complaining, more problem solving). And yes, there are animal stories, including some genuinely terrifying mountain lion encounters, plus the lightning strike moment at Hardrock that led to one of the most ultrarunning reasons ever to change your earrings. To close it out, Jeff breaks down how he made hundreds work while raising a family, with a simple framework: flexible training, non-negotiable family time, and getting creative with when long runs happen. We finish with what is next, some training races, Cocodona, a Western States swing, and the itch to do more adventure style projects. Sponsors: Janji, Garage Grown Gear, CS Coffee Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 05:48 Cocodona 250: Growth and Popularity 08:38 Memorable Races and Personal Bests 11:51 The Mental and Physical Toll of Long Distances 14:44 Self-Supported vs. Supported Racing 17:48 The Shift in Running Focus: Adventure vs. Competition 20:55 The Importance of Storytelling in Running 23:51 Training Insights: Speedwork and Nutrition 28:29 Preparing for Race Day: The Importance of Training Camps 30:00 Evolution of Gear: Trends from the Early 2000s 33:09 Nutrition and Hydration: Lessons from the Past 35:46 The Social Aspect of Ultra Running: Mentorship and Community 39:43 From Hobby to Career: The Journey of an Ultra Runner 42:36 Race Directing: The Challenges and Rewards 45:42 Wildlife Encounters: Stories from the Trail 55:18 Balancing Family Life and Ultra Running 56:10 Balancing Work and Family Life 59:00 Creating Quality Family Time 01:02:58 Navigating Technology and Family Connections 01:03:50 The Story Behind the Earrings 01:10:13 Future Plans and Upcoming Races 01:18:39 Introduction and Community Connection 01:22:40 The Importance of Supportive Relationships 01:26:49 Fostering a Positive Community 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

    1h 29m

  7. 12/19/2025

    From “Someday” to “Now”: Jeffs of the Appalachian Trail

    The Month of Jeff keeps rolling, and today we are giving the thru-hiking world some love. I tracked down a Jeff who just finished the Appalachian Trail in 2025, Jeff Coull, the guy behind the coullbean.com blog. Jeffreys Nomination Form: https://forms.gle/FiW9ZKNpiXoWb8MJ8 Follow Jeff on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coullbean/ Jeff wanted to hike the AT for almost a decade, but in 2024 it stopped being a “someday” goal and became a “need to.” We talk about the scariest part of committing to a long trail, the conversation with his girlfriend Robin, and how doing something huge does not have to come from tragedy or running away from your life. We get into the details that make a thru hike real: early mistakes (starting too fast, an ankle ligament barking, a sleeping pad that died for two straight weeks), figuring out resupplies when you are basically learning in public, and the constant debate between pop tarts and protein. There is also a strong case made for frozen burritos thawing on the outside of your pack, plus the harsh reality of FarOut water comments when Maine is dry. Jeff carried a “Robin Rock” most of the trail, hid it in plant photos to see if she would notice, and accidentally created a recurring side quest by leaving it behind and coordinating a rescue mission. He also carried a sealed ICE letter from Robin all the way to Katahdin and only opened it on top, which is where the emotions finally caught up. We also talk about trail friendships, why it is so easy to connect with people out there, and how Jeff’s view of the “trail family” idea changed once he got confident enough to make his own plan. Then there is the moment in Tennessee when a “power hiking song” conversation turned into an unexpected hour of Freebird on repeat, and a big lesson about forgiveness and leaving old baggage behind. To wrap it up, we hit quick hitters: favorite trail town, best meal, best trail name he heard, what the whole thing cost, and the lesson that kept coming back over and over, be gentle with yourself. Sponsors: Janji, Garage Grown Gear, CS Coffee. Chapters 00:00 The Journey Begins: Aspirations and Realizations 05:22 Navigating Relationships: Conversations with Loved Ones 08:25 Symbolic Connections: The Robin Rock 11:25 The Learning Curve: First Experiences on the Trail 14:13 Dreams and Goals: The Call of the AT 17:28 Life Changes: Quitting the Job for Adventure 20:21 Challenges of Thru-Hiking: The Reality vs. Expectations 23:29 Building Confidence: Finding Your Own Path 26:17 Nutrition on the Trail: The Food Dilemma 29:21 The Importance of Gut Health: Eating Fresh on the Trail 30:53 Trail Nutrition: Creative Food Choices 34:24 Adversity on the Trail: Overcoming Challenges 39:13 Building Connections: The Social Aspect of Hiking 45:32 Moments of Transformation: Personal Growth on the Trail 58:41 The Challenge of Water Scarcity 01:01:15 Emotional Reflections on Completing the Trail 01:03:27 Slowing Down to Savor the Experience 01:06:21 The Emotional Climax at Katahdin 01:12:18 Trail Towns and Memorable Meals 01:15:27 Lessons Learned and Future Adventures 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

    1h 29m

  8. 12/16/2025

    Operation Hiking Home: 122 Laps on the Manitou Incline

    I sit down with yet another Jeff, but this one took things to a different level. Over the course of October and November, he completed 122 laps of the Manitou Incline, nearly a mile and over 2,000 feet of gain per lap, turning one of the most brutal stair climbs in the country into a month-long experiment in mental resilience. What started as training for a future unsupported FKT evolved into something much bigger. A Navy veteran with multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, he shares how his nervous system adapted to years in combat and why returning to everyday civilian life felt overwhelming. Loud environments, crowds, and constant inputs became difficult, while long, repetitive movement in nature helped turn the volume back down. We talk about why hiking and rucking can work where therapy and medication do not for some veterans, how mundane suffering and repetition create space for processing trauma, and why unsupported FKTs and long efforts with weight may be a wide-open niche for athletes with military backgrounds. He explains how the incline project became a fundraiser and awareness campaign for Warrior Expeditions, a veteran-led nonprofit that helps veterans heal through long-distance hiking. This conversation dives into combat stress, family life, fatherhood, endurance, mental health, and the simple power of left foot, right foot. It is a powerful reminder that the outdoors offers different things to different people, and sometimes the hardest, most boring path is the one that helps us heal the most. Check out Warrier Expeditions: https://warriorexpeditions.org/ Follow Jeff Snyder: https://www.instagram.com/jsnydersoloadventures/ Chapters 00:00 The Manitou Incline Challenge 05:10 Mental Resilience Through Hiking 07:41 The Impact of Combat on Mental Health 10:07 Nature as a Healing Tool 13:01 The Role of Community in Recovery 15:36 Fundraising for Warrior Expeditions 17:58 Accidental Discoveries in Nature 20:35 Transitioning from Rucking to Hiking 23:15 The Importance of Mindset in Outdoor Challenges 25:23 Unexpected Changes in Combat Situations 28:01 Daily Life and the Incline Challenge 30:31 Supporting Veterans Through Outdoor Activities 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

    39 min
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4.9
out of 5
134 Ratings

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
    177
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jeff Garmire
  • Show Website
    Free Outside

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