We Are Superman

Bill Stahl
  • 4.7 (89)
  • Sports
  • Updated Weekly

Founded by David Clark, a former 320-pound alcoholic, drug addict, food junkie turned accomplished endurance athlete, bestselling author, plant-based fighter, and happiness warrior. Ultramarathoner and coach Bill Stahl is continuing David's legacy to bring you inspirational stories of ordinary people overcoming alcoholism, addiction, obesity, or catastrophic injuries or illnesses to accomplish epic achievements like running ultramarathons, climbing Everest, etc. We also bring you world-class athletes and others involved in the endurance sports space, medical providers, and others who can help you up your own game in athletics as well as in life so you feel, look, and perform better. As David said, we will help you look into the far side of the universe where anything is possible and all things are eventual.

  1. 2d ago

    #392 - We Are Bob Becker, the Oldest Badwater Finisher Who Just Won't Quit

    Send us Fan Mail With the Badwater 135 having just started on Monday evening, I thought it would be great to bring Bob Becker onto the WASP. For those of you who are unfamiliar, the Badwater 135 is nicknamed the World’s Toughest Footrace. It is, yes, 135 miles. In Death Valley. In the middle of the summer. All on roads. The temperature typically is in the 120s or more, and the pavement can get much, much hotter than that. It’s not flat by any means, either. Badwater begins at the lowest point in the U.S. - 282 feet below sea level – crosses three mountain ranges, and finishes at more than 9000 feet on the slopes of Mt. Whitney, the highest point in the continental U.S. You can see why it’s earned its moniker and legendary place in ultrarunning. In 2022, Bob attempted to become the oldest finisher in Badwater history at age 77. Videos of his finish went viral when he literally bear crawled to the line – but it was 17 minutes after the 48-hour cutoff, so it wasn’t an official finish. That would have been it for many, but not Bob. He returned to the starting line at Badwater Basin three years later at age 80 and with crew that included ultrarunning and Badwater legend Marshall Ulrich and wife Heather, Bob nabbed that oldest finisher record in the astounding time of 45:00:06 – three hours faster than when he was 77! That was one of Bob’s four Badwater finishes. He has also completed a Badwater double, which entails running from Badwater Basin to the top of 14,505-foot Mt. Whitney and returning to the start, a total of 292 oven-like miles. In this very entertaining chat, Bob explains the lure of running in Death Valley, and describes in detail what it is like to train for and to experience almost two days of running through that inferno. This is from someone who didn’t even begin running until a bit over 20 years ago and ran his first ultramarathon to celebrate his 60th birthday, and it was the Marathon des Sables, which entails 150 miles in the Sahara Desert.  Bob is also one of the great evangelists for the sport. He founded and still directs the Keys 100, Florida’s first ultramarathon, which now includes more than 1000 runners, and has amazing logistical challenges that Bob describes here. His company Ultra Sports LLC also hosts the Daytona 100 and he consults to the Everglades Ultras. You’ll be amazed at the energy this 80-year-old has, which is part of why he is in demand as a public speaker. This episode was recorded not long after he ran the Denali 135 in Alaska. He shares how he keeps ultraracing, became a vegan, how he trains for hills in pancake-flat Florida, and inspiring others to do their own movement so they can live fuller, healthier lives. Bob Becker bob-becker.com bob@ultrasportsllc.com Instagram @bobruns150 Bill Stahl silly_billy@msn.com Facebook and LinkedIn Bill Stahl Instagram and Threads @stahlor and @coachstahl YouTube We Are Superman Podcast Subscribe to our Substack for my archive of articles of coaching tips developed from my more than three decades of experience, wild and funny stories from my long coaching career, the wit and wisdom of David, and highlights of some of the best WASP episodes from the past that I feel are worthwhile giving another listen. Search either We Are Superman Podcast or @billstahl8 Register for the American Heroes Run: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=133138

  2. Jul 22

    #391 - We Are Tyler Andrews and His Record Run to the Top of Everest Live Q&A

    Send us Fan Mail We’ve got something very special for you, the first We Are Superman Podcast live in front of an audience! The La Sportiva store in Boulder last week hosted a Q&A session with sponsored athlete Tyler Andrews, fresh off of his record-setting run, yes run, on Mt. Everest on May 28. This has been Tyler’s years-long quest, following his FKTs on dozens of routes, including ascending such very tall peaks as Aconcagua, Cotopaxi, Kilimanjaro, Manaslu, and Mt. Fuji. On his seventh Everest attempt he reached the summit from Everest Base Camp in 9:55, smashing by 61 minutes the previous record with supplemental oxygen held for 23 years by Lakpa Gelu Sherpa. He also set a roundtrip record of 16:32. His achievement made instant national headlines and also landed him an appearance on the Today Show. During this awesome live session, Tyler talks about how the successful record attempt unfolded, his gear, fueling, how it felt to finally summit Everest, what made this attempt different than his previous ones, and his future plans. And also about Quackers the Duck. I hope you enjoy this very fun chat with someone I’ve known for several years who I think is one of the most impressive, focused, and dedicated endurance athletes in the world. Tyler Andrews tylercandrews.com Instagram @tylercandrews and @chaski.endurance Check out his podcast, Ty's Training, Talking with my Dad on Spotify and other platforms Support the Chaski Foundation to provide sports programs for deserving kids in Nepal and Ecuador: givebutter.com/chaskifoundation Bill Stahl silly_billy@msn.com Facebook and LinkedIn Bill Stahl Instagram and Threads @stahlor and @coachstahl YouTube We Are Superman Podcast Subscribe to our Substack for my archive of articles of coaching tips developed from my more than three decades of experience, wild and funny stories from my long coaching career, the wit and wisdom of David, and highlights of some of the best WASP episodes from the past that I feel are worthwhile giving another listen. Search either We Are Superman Podcast or @billstahl8 Register for the American Heroes Run: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=133138

  3. Jul 15

    #390 - We Are Doug Bell Still Running Fast After All These Years

    Send us Fan Mail I think most of us who run dream of running forever. I sure do. And of course with no achy knees, no sore back, just keep moving. But how about staying on top of the game for decades, still running past retirement age, and still excelling? That would be Doug Bell of Greeley, Colo. Doug, a 2013 Colorado Running Hall of Fame inductee won the Denver Marathon three times in the 1980s and placed first among 75-year-olds at this year’s Bolder Boulder 10K. How’s that for a spread of years? For decades, when other runners saw that Doug was entered in a race, they knew that the competition in that age group was for second place, because Doug was already a cinch for the top spot. Along the way, he set masters’ national records in the 5K with a 14:36 up to the 25K. Just to throw out a few other notable times over his career, he ran a 15:53 5K at age 56, a 17:11 at 60, and an 18:47 at 65. In the mile, he zoomed to a 6:02 clocking at age 72, and last year ran a 6:25 mile at 74 in 92o heat. The Bolder Boulder with it’s nearly 50,000 runners does one-year age groups, and Doug has won his at least 15 times. These days, Doug has found new energy competing with the Boulder Road Runners racing teams, traveling all over the country to spar with other clubs. As you can hear in this episode, his spark for the sport has never waned and his roots in it run deep. He owned an independent running store in Greeley, Bell’s Running, for 30 years, and has coached at Greeley Central H.S. Doug has some terrific stories to tell about competing against some of the greats, as well as how to maintain high performance for literally decades, so if you want to keep running strong for the rest of your life, have a listen to Doug. Bill Stahl silly_billy@msn.com Facebook and LinkedIn Bill Stahl Instagram and Threads @stahlor and @coachstahl YouTube We Are Superman Podcast Subscribe to our Substack for my archive of articles of coaching tips developed from my more than three decades of experience, wild and funny stories from my long coaching career, the wit and wisdom of David, and highlights of some of the best WASP episodes from the past that I feel are worthwhile giving another listen. Search either We Are Superman Podcast or @billstahl8 Register for the American Heroes Run: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=133138

  4. Jul 9

    #389 - We Are Athena Brownson Sharing the Powerful Lessons of Beating the Worst Physical Pain That Life Can Dish Out

    Send us Fan Mail I’m very excited to bring you an extremely inspirational and energetic guest, who has been through a ton of challenges to get to where she is today. I was so honored to get to interview her in-person in the Hive and experience her energy. Athena Brownson is a former professional freestyle skier who has endured 27 surgeries, including nine on her knees. She believes that the resilience lessons she learned from being a pro athlete from the age of 15 and these injury experiences helped develop her character to face other life challenges, including a devastating diagnosis of Lyme Disease that led to all sorts of oddball related debilitating illnesses, infections, fatigue, pain, and an extreme sensitivity to electromagnetic fields that defies comprehension. You’ve got to hear how she coped with the latter. It sounds like something out of a mad scientist’s lab. But also how she built and ran a fast-moving real estate business while dealing with brutal symptoms, even while some doctors told her she should just go on disability for the rest of her life. Her resolve to keep thriving is truly inspirational. She has a great support community and she built routines to help keep her on the improvement track. Undergoing revolutionary treatments has helped her turn the corner on her symptoms. These ordeals have caused Athena, who was a hypercompetitive athlete growing up in an athletic family, to redefine success, including how to be a bright light for others who are facing struggles. It reminds me of how those in the addiction recovery world have such profound insights into life. She has also gained other extremely valuable shareable lessons that have helped her become a high-performing realtor and that I think can benefit anyone in their home and work lives, making this an episode where you might want to take notes. Athena Brownson athenabrownsonrealtor.com Instagram and LinkedIn @athenabrownsonrealtor Bill Stahl silly_billy@msn.com Facebook and LinkedIn Bill Stahl Instagram and Threads @stahlor and @coachstahl YouTube We Are Superman Podcast Subscribe to our Substack for my archive of articles of coaching tips developed from my more than three decades of experience, wild and funny stories from my long coaching career, the wit and wisdom of David, and highlights of some of the best WASP episodes from the past that I feel are worthwhile giving another listen. Search either We Are Superman Podcast or @billstahl8 Register for the American Heroes Run: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=133138

  5. Jun 29

    #388 - My Running the Leadville Marathon With Team Leadville to Help Stop Veteran Suicide

    Send us Fan Mail I hope you enjoy hearing about my tales of running the Leadville Marathon and the vitally important work that Team Leadville is doing to support the Boulder Crest Foundation to help stop veteran suicide. If you are able, I hope you can support with a donation - link below. Donate, share, or just help spread the word to help end veteran suicide. Thank you very much! https://weblink.donorperfect.com/BoulderCrestFoundation/2026TeamLeadville/BillStahl  Bill Stahl silly_billy@msn.com Facebook and LinkedIn Bill Stahl Instagram and Threads @stahlor and @coachstahl YouTube We Are Superman Podcast Subscribe to our Substack for my archive of articles of coaching tips developed from my more than three decades of experience, wild and funny stories from my long coaching career, the wit and wisdom of David, and highlights of some of the best WASP episodes from the past that I feel are worthwhile giving another listen. Search either We Are Superman Podcast or @billstahl8 Register for the American Heroes Run: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=133138

  6. Jun 25

    #387 Rewind - We Are Ray Zahab Exploring Extreme Limits

    Send us Fan Mail We’ve featured a lot of people who have taken on epic challenges, but this guest, Ray Zahab of Quebec, Canada, has done dozens and dozens of them. When we recorded this two years ago, Ray had just completed a couple of weeks before a crossing of Death Valley from north to south. I’m very familiar with the Badwater 135, which just completed, but that is run on roads. I didn’t even know it was a thing there to run the shortest route between two points, completely off-road. The terrain is seriously rugged, and it’s pretty hot, and Ray ran it with limited re-supplies in 53:35:21. In case you’re wondering, he drank 75 liters of water. He’s also run across the widest park of Death Valley west to east, crossing two mountain ranges, in 35 hours. He’s run 7500 km across the Sahara Desert in 111 days, 1850 km across the Namib Desert in Africa, 1200 km across the Atacama Desert in Chile, and 2000 km across the Gobi Desert in Mongolia. That’s the hot, dry stuff. He’s crossed Baffin Island in northern Canada nine times in winter and trekked from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole on snowshoes pulling his supply sled. And I’m just scratching the surface. Here’s the WASP comeback story angle: Ray did this last Death Valley project a little more than a year after completing six months of debilitating chemotherapy for a rare form of lymphoma. What’s very cool about Ray is how he shares his projects with schoolchildren with live links, and he has been running his foundation, impossible2Possible, to introduce kids to the kind of adventuring he does and reach beyond their perceived limits. The foundation takes kids to wild places so they can challenge themselves, and it doesn’t even charge them to be there! Yes, they’re free! Ray and his wife have been raising two daughters who get to experience the outdoors unlike the way Ray was when he was younger and was an out-of-shape, pack-a-day smoker. So there’s another comeback. His brother inspired him to get outdoors and Ray now encourages everyone to also do so, including with his expedition company, KapiK1, which leads trips to remote and beautiful places like Baffin Island, the Atacama Desert, and the Gobi Desert. Even though we had a fairly short conversation, you might still find yourself listening in amazement to all that Ray does and get pumped up by his incredible level of energy and excitement. Ray Zahab rayzahab.com impossible2possible.com kapik1.com rzahab@impossible2possible.com Facebook and LinkedIn Ray Zahab Instagram and X @rayzahab YouTube @rayzahab1944 Bill Stahl silly_billy@msn.com Facebook Bill Stahl Instagram and Threads @stahlor and @coachstahl YouTube We Are Superman Podcast Please consider donating to support Team Leadville and Boulder Crest to help end veteran suicide!  Donate, share, or just help spread the word to help end veteran suicide. Thank you very much! https://weblink.donorperfect.com/BoulderCrestFoundation/2026TeamLeadville/BillStahl  Subscribe to our Substack for my archive of articles of coaching tips developed from my more than three decades of experience, wild and funny stories from my long coaching career, the wit and wisdom of David, and highlights of some of the best WASP episodes from the past that I feel are worthwhile giving another listen. Search either We Are Superman Podcast or @billstahl8 Register for the American Heroes Run: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=133138

  7. Jun 19

    #386 - We Are Mike Melton and a Peek Into the Race Timer's Tent, Part 2

    Send us Fan Mail This is part two of my entertaining chat with Mike Melton of MCM Timing, the absolute best in the business of timing very long races. As I mentioned last episode, I inherited Mike for the American Heroes Run after David unexpectedly passed away less than four months before the race and I suddenly took up the mantle of race director, and I got really lucky because Mike ensured that not only would the race not miss a beat in the transition, but I’ve had a partner ever since that has helped me maintain the highest quality in the race running smoothly, with accurate timing and results. Mike is well-known across the continent for his precision work with many of the most prominent ultras, on point-to-point trails, loops, indoors, in hot weather, cold weather, rain, snow, wind, you name it. Mike and I have traded stories for hours at the American Heroes Run, but it was super cool to be able to chat with him here without getting interrupted by race duties. No one has seen as many unusual occurrences, or has gained more perspective on human behavior of those who run races like these, as Mike has. Enjoy the second part of this very fun chat. Mike Melton Facebook Mike Melton Bill Stahl silly_billy@msn.com Facebook Bill Stahl Instagram and Threads @stahlor and @we_are_superman_podcast YouTube We Are Superman Podcast Please consider donating to support Team Leadville and Boulder Crest to help end veteran suicide!  Donate, share, or just help spread the word to help end veteran suicide. Thank you very much! https://weblink.donorperfect.com/BoulderCrestFoundation/2026TeamLeadville/BillStahl  Subscribe to our Substack for my archive of articles of coaching tips developed from my more than three decades of experience, wild and funny stories from my long coaching career, the wit and wisdom of David, and highlights of some of the best WASP episodes from the past that I feel are worthwhile giving another listen. Search either We Are Superman Podcast or @billstahl8 Register for the American Heroes Run: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=133138

  8. Jun 12

    #385 - We Are Mike Melton and a Peek Into the Race Timer's Tent, Part 1

    Send us Fan Mail They say that a game is well-officiated when you don’t even notice the referees or umpires. I sure can’t say that about this NBA Finals, where the officiating has been atrocious. But if you’ve ever run an ultramarathon, especially a multiday race, and didn’t notice the timer, it might have been because that was Mike Melton of MCM Timing, the absolute best in the business. I inherited Mike for the American Heroes Run after David unexpectedly passed away less than four months before the race and I suddenly took up the mantle of race director, and boy, did I get lucky because Mike ensured that not only would the race not miss a beat in the transition, but I’ve had a partner ever since that has helped me maintain the highest quality in the race running smoothly, with accurate timing and results. Mike and his company have timed everything from 5Ks to many of the most significant ultras in North America, including the Barkley Fall Classic, Big’s Backyard Ultra, Six Days in the Dome, Across the Years, the Keys 100, and many more. In fact, he is on the road in his Sprinter van that has 500,000 miles on it for 265 days a year. He has seen it all and has some great stories to tell here. In fact, so many that I have split this conversation into two parts. Mike also shares his origin story in the timing business and as a runner. Many might not know that Mike ran 171 miles in 72 hours at Across the Years, and has a very respectable 100-mile PR of 22:49. Mike also tells about how he and David connected for the very first American Heroes Run and how it led to the development of the software that Mike now uses for races that run laps. Mike Melton Facebook Mike Melton Bill Stahl silly_billy@msn.com Facebook Bill Stahl Instagram and Threads @stahlor and @we_are_superman_podcast YouTube We Are Superman Podcast Please consider donating to support Team Leadville and Boulder Crest to help end veteran suicide!  Donate, share, or just help spread the word to help end veteran suicide. Thank you very much! https://weblink.donorperfect.com/BoulderCrestFoundation/2026TeamLeadville/BillStahl  Subscribe to our Substack for my archive of articles of coaching tips developed from my more than three decades of experience, wild and funny stories from my long coaching career, the wit and wisdom of David, and highlights of some of the best WASP episodes from the past that I feel are worthwhile giving another listen. Search either We Are Superman Podcast or @billstahl8 Register for the American Heroes Run: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=133138

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4.7
out of 5
89 Ratings

About

Founded by David Clark, a former 320-pound alcoholic, drug addict, food junkie turned accomplished endurance athlete, bestselling author, plant-based fighter, and happiness warrior. Ultramarathoner and coach Bill Stahl is continuing David's legacy to bring you inspirational stories of ordinary people overcoming alcoholism, addiction, obesity, or catastrophic injuries or illnesses to accomplish epic achievements like running ultramarathons, climbing Everest, etc. We also bring you world-class athletes and others involved in the endurance sports space, medical providers, and others who can help you up your own game in athletics as well as in life so you feel, look, and perform better. As David said, we will help you look into the far side of the universe where anything is possible and all things are eventual.

Information

  • Creator
    Bill Stahl
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    413
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 We Are Superman
  • Show Website
    We Are Superman