Free Outside

Jeff Garmire
  • 4.9 (144)
  • 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. 4H AGO

    High Performance Exerciser Jacob Banta

    Jacob Banta has spent years photographing the fastest runners in the sport. Now he’s racing them. After grinding as a privateer photographer, ski instructor, and self-sponsored athlete, Jacob earned a Golden Ticket at Terrawera 100K and punched his way into Western States. Follow Jacob Online: https://www.instagram.com/banta.visuals/ Thumbnail photos from Ryan Thrower: @ryanthrower Jacob Banta: @banta.visuals We talk about: -Losing money to chase the Golden Ticket -What elites actually do behind the scenes -Brain injuries from motocross -Why he stopped looking over his shoulder -The psychology of racing for position -Being a “pro exerciser” -And whether mayonnaise is the real performance enhancer This is the story of someone who didn’t choose one lane, ignored his 7th grade coach, and built a life around movement, creativity, and trying really hard. Support our Sponsors: Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/ 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 #Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

    1h 11m

  2. 1D AGO

    Jeff Galloway’s Legacy: Olympics, Run Walk Run, Meaning, and “Fill Your Dash”

    Jeff Galloway passed away on February 25, 2026 at age 80. He was a 1972 U.S. Olympian and the creator of the Run Walk Run method, the simple idea that made running feel possible for millions of people, from first time 5K runners to marathoners and ultrarunners. This episode starts with a short monologue about what Jeff’s legacy means, and why inspiration is not always about being the fastest. Sometimes it is about making the sport accessible, lowering the fear, and giving people a repeatable way to show up. I also share a line that has stuck with me, “fill your dash,” the idea that everything we do lives in that small space between the year we are born and the year we die. Before the replay, I read a piece Jeff sent me, “A Philosophy of Running,” where he writes about meaning, community, and why endurance can change a life. Then I roll straight into our full conversation from Month of Jeff. We talk about the post-goal low after the Olympics, building a life around helping others run, the origins of Run Walk Run, and how Jeff kept refining his method through decades of coaching and data. Rest in peace, Mr. Galloway. Thanks for teaching the world that running can belong to everyone. Support our Sponsors: Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/ 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 #Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

    1h 25m

  3. 3D AGO

    Barkley Marathons for Valentines Day

    The conch shell blew at 5 a.m. and the 2026 Barkley Marathons began, this time in the anti clockwise direction and on Valentine’s Day. In this episode, I break down my full loop at Barkley, from the chaotic descent off Chimney Top to the long climb up Rat Jaw, the prison tunnel, Little Hell, navigation errors, and the final push back to camp just under 14 hours. I also share some of the lesser known history of the race, including how the Barkley nearly disappeared in 2006 before a Tennessee Senate resolution preserved it at Frozen Head State Park. A race born as a joke about a failed prison escape has become one of the most respected endurance tests in the world. This was a strong field. The weather was ideal. The direction was reversed. And for me, it ended with a fall, a hairline rib fracture, and a hard earned lesson. Barkley is never just about finishing. It is about small navigation wins, brutal climbs through thick leaves, and seeing how close you can get to your edge. And this year, it was also about spending Valentine’s Day collecting book pages with Allison. Sixteen books. Fourteen hours. One broken rib. The price we pay for love. Support our Sponsors: Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/ 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 #Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

    34 min

  4. 6D AGO

    Barkley Marathons: A Recap with Allison, Map, Compass, Vert, Repeat

    We recorded this one on the drive home from Frozen Head State Park to Bozeman, while the mud is still on the shoes and the bruises are still fresh. Allison finally gets to talk about the last three months of secret training, the stress of learning map and compass, and what it is like to go from “I might get lost” to “I just found every book” in the same day. Find Allison's Substack: https://allisonhardingpowell.substack.com/ We walk through the whole loop from the 6 a.m. start, the chaos at the first book, the long climb up Rat Jaw, and the moment it became clear the time cutoff was slipping away. Then it turns into something better than a time goal, a full team effort with the “Overtime Eight,” eight runners from around the world who worked together, found every page, and finished the loop together, hands on the gate. If you are curious about Barkley, this is a first-timer perspective on what matters most: why you want it, how to balance vert and navigation, how hard the book hunting really is, and why accessible calories can be the difference between moving and melting. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Journey Overview 12:02 Balancing Work and Training 17:20 Race Day Experience and Strategy 28:34 Climbing Ratt Jaw and Race Reflections 34:41 Navigating Challenges on the Course 46:45 The Power of Group Dynamics 54:03 Preparing for the Unexpected Support our Sponsors: Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/ 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 #Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

    1h 2m

  5. FEB 18

    Three Minutes of Chaos: Ski Mountaineering’s Olympic Debut, Explained

    Ski mountaineering is officially coming to the Olympics, and if you’ve never watched skimo before, this episode is your crash course. I’m joined by Max Valverde, former U.S. skimo athlete and NBC Olympic commentator, to break down how the sport works, why the Olympic version is so different from traditional backcountry skiing, and how the U.S. somehow snuck into medal contention at the last possible moment. We talk sprint races that last three minutes, transitions that decide medals in seconds, why these athletes are basically redlining past max heart rate, and how trail runners will instantly recognize the engine required to compete at this level. Max also explains the Cam Smith and Anna Gibson story, why transitions matter more than fitness alone, and what to watch for when the races go live. If you’re into trail running, endurance sports, or just want to understand what you’re watching when skimo debuts on the Olympic stage this February, this episode gives you everything you need. Chapters 04:21 Why ski mountaineering is in the Olympics 05:05 What skimo is and how it differs from traditional racing 06:55 Sprint vs mixed relay explained 08:45 How the U.S. qualified at the last possible moment 11:40 Cam Smith and Anna Gibson’s breakout race 14:10 Why transitions decide races 17:05 Boot packs, skins, and six-second chaos 20:15 How mistakes cost medals 23:10 Favorites and podium contenders 26:40 Mixed relay medal math and U.S. upside 30:30 Race strategy and pacing across heats 34:15 Why skimo works as an Olympic spectator sport 38:05 Calling the Olympics from NBC 41:00 Final thoughts and wrap-up Support our Sponsors: Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/ 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 #Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

    43 min

  6. FEB 15

    Barkley Marathons Before They Were Famous: With the First Finisher, Frozen Ed Furtaw

    In 1988, before the 100-mile version existed, before the conch shell start became legend, before the documentaries and global fame, one man proved the Barkley Marathons could be finished. Frozen Ed was the first person to ever finish the Barkley. Not the 100-miler. The original three-loop race that no one thought was possible. In this episode we talk about: – What Barkley was really like in the 80s – The story of Tom Possert and the missed summit – How the book pages became part of the race – When the 100-mile version was born – The Soviet invasion year – The prison apprehension story – How the course has evolved and gotten harder – Why Laz says he’s not trying to make it the toughest race in the world – The real energy cost of Barkley – And why endurance athletes need to protect their hearts This is a history lesson, a philosophy lesson, and a reminder that Barkley has always lived at the limit of what’s possible. If you love the mystique of Barkley, this is required listening. Support our Sponsors: Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/ 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 #Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

    1h 35m

  7. FEB 14

    Barkley Marathons 2026: The race explained, and I’m Running It

    The Barkley Marathons is designed to sit right on the edge of possible. Sixty hours. Five loops. Nearly all off trail. No GPS. No course markings. Books hidden in the woods. A cigarette lights the start. In 2021, I stepped onto the course and heard Taps play when my race ended. In 2026, I’m lining up again. In this episode, I break down what Barkley actually is, how it started under at Brushy Mountain, why it keeps getting harder, and what makes it different from every other 100 miler on the planet. We talk navigation, the fun run, the infamous virgin sacrifice, the conch shell, the secretive entry process, and why even legends like John Kelly can get stopped at three loops. But more than that, this is about why anyone would go back. Barkley is not about speed. It is not about splits. It is about finding your limit in a world where almost nothing forces you to. And in 2026, I’m going to try again. Chapters 00:00 The Origins of the Barkley Marathons 02:51 The Challenge and Difficulty of the Race 05:47 The Unique Entry Process and Race Structure 08:50 Navigating the Course: Skills and Strategies 12:09 Mental Toughness and the Experience of Running 15:04 The Community and Culture of the Barkley Marathons 18:11 Inspiration and the Future of the Barkley Marathons Support our Sponsors: Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/ 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 #Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

    26 min

  8. FEB 12

    From Turkey Trot to Black Canyon: The Madison Liechty Story

    Madison Liechty joins the Free Outside Podcast and we keep the promise of no hard questions for about five seconds. We talk about her very normal Montana childhood (no horses to school, sorry), how one turkey trot convinced her friend Makena Morley to start coaching her toward big marathon goals, and why the trail world, where you can eat bacon mid-race, ended up being a better fit. Follow Madison on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madison_liechty Then it gets unexpectedly real. Madison explains living her whole life unable to burp, how that made long trail races brutal from a fueling standpoint, and how getting treated for R-CPD flipped everything. Suddenly, she can actually eat deep into efforts, trail running gets fun, and she wins her first 100 miler. Now she’s heading into Black Canyon with her dad pacing the last miles, plus bigger dreams on the horizon like Hardrock and UTMB. We also get into Bozeman training culture, 5 a.m. long runs, pacing her dad at a stack of hundred milers, a grizzly encounter in the Beartooths, and her long-term vision: keep building as a trail runner, and someday open the post-adventure bakery truck Bozeman needs. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 06:06 Early Running Journey 11:14 Transition to Trail Running 16:05 Overcoming Challenges in Trail Running 21:03 The Impact of Medical Issues on Performance 26:00 Baking Dreams and Future Aspirations 30:50 The Bakery Dream 32:00 Afternoon Running Revelation 33:11 Pacing and Family Bonds 36:21 Black Canyon Race Reflections 41:32 Future Goals in Trail Running 48:19 Balancing Engineering and Running 50:06 Wildlife Encounters in the Wild West 52:55 Training with Fast Friends Support our Sponsors: Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/ 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 #Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

    59 min
See All (196)

4.9
out of 5
144 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
    196
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jeff Garmire
  • Show Website
    Free Outside

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