The Keifer Madness Podcast

Keifer Gilbert
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Running

Exploring the lives and minds of those who pursue purpose and passion

  1. 2d ago

    The Leadville 100 Crew Debacle - Blake Bender

    A 20 second crew meeting in the middle of the Leadville 100 turned into nearly 400,000 views and a whole lot of opinions. Blake Bender joins me to unpack what actually happened at Twin Lakes, why a quick conversation with his family and crew pissed off so much of the internet, and the weird pace shaming conversation that followed. But this episode goes well beyond the controversy. Blake spent nearly a decade coaching college basketball before losing that identity, finding ultra running at 30, and signing up for his first 100 miler before he had even finished a marathon. We get into family, crewing, taking something seriously even when you’re never going to win it, the growing culture clash inside ultra running, and why Blake has decided the response to getting dragged online is to put himself out there even more. Plus, we look ahead to his first crack at the Tahoe 200 and the crew book that started this whole damn thing.

    The Leadville 100 Crew Debacle - Blake Bender

  2. Aug 17

    From Major League Baseball to Mental Performance - John Baker

    John Baker has spent most of his life figuring out what allows people to perform when things get hard. He played professional baseball for more than a decade, reaching the Major Leagues with the Marlins, Padres, and Cubs before eventually moving from the field into coaching, mental skills, player development, and performance psychology. His career would ultimately take him from being an MLB player to helping build and lead performance systems responsible for hundreds of professional players and coaches. But this conversation goes well beyond baseball. John and I originally met years ago on the jiu-jitsu mats, and that shared background became the jumping-off point for a much bigger conversation about why some of us are drawn toward difficult things in the first place. We talk about the strange trust that exists between two people trying to choke each other unconscious, why shared suffering creates some of the strongest relationships in our lives, and what jiu-jitsu, professional baseball, military environments, and ultrarunning unexpectedly have in common. We also get deep into performance psychology: visualization, attention training, managing arousal under pressure, learning to become the observer of your own thoughts, and why the popular definition of "mental toughness" might have very little to do with simply being willing to suffer more. John's definition is much simpler: Mental toughness is the ability to pay attention to the right thing, at the right time, regardless of the circumstances. We unpack what that actually looks like when you're standing at the plate in a Major League Baseball game, stepping onto a jiu-jitsu mat, or trying to keep moving forward 100 hours into a 250-mile race. This is a conversation about performance, but even more than that, it's about deliberately choosing difficult things, understanding what you value, and learning how to keep showing up.

    From Major League Baseball to Mental Performance - John Baker

  3. Aug 10

    The Art of Balance: Sobriety, Cocktails, and Endurance - Josh Harris

    Josh Harris and I have more than a few things in common. We both built careers behind the bar, found sobriety along the way, and eventually discovered a very different kind of obsession in endurance running. Josh has been sober for 22 years, spending nearly his entire professional career in the cocktail industry without drinking. We talk about what sobriety looked like in an industry that wasn't nearly as accepting of it two decades ago, how bartending actually helped build his confidence in early sobriety, and how the cocktail world has changed since. Then we get into running. Josh went from rediscovering running during 2020 to ultras, back-to-back 100 milers, the Triple Crown of 200s, and completing 314 miles of The Speed Project solo and self-supported. But some of my favorite parts of this conversation aren't about how far he's gone. They're about knowing when not to keep going. We talk about his DNF at Tahoe 200, walking away from Bigfoot, the difference between doing hard things because you want to and doing them because you feel like you have something to prove, and Josh's philosophy that real strength comes from finding balance between the heart, mind, and body.

  4. Jul 27

    Building a Life on Purpose - Shelby Harrington

    Episode Description What happens when the thing that once defined you is taken away? In this episode, I sit down with Shelby Harrington to unpack a story that's about far more than Ironman racing. Shelby shares how she went from being a single mom with no endurance background to signing up for an Ironman in the middle of one of the hardest seasons of her life. Along the way, we talk about training without headphones, learning to embrace discomfort, recovering from a major cycling accident just weeks before race day, and the mindset that carried her through it all. But the conversation doesn't stop there. After being diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency and surviving multiple life-threatening medical emergencies, Shelby was forced to step away from the sport she loved. We dive into what it means to grieve an identity, redefine success, and build a life that's rooted in intention rather than achievement. We also explore: Why endurance sports reveal who you really are Mental tools for navigating adversity during races and in everyday life The importance of adaptability over perfection Parenting, mortality, and living with purpose How showing up authentically creates better leaders, athletes, and humans Why "work-life balance" might be the wrong goal altogether Whether you're training for your next race, navigating a major life transition, or simply trying to become more intentional with how you spend your time, this conversation is packed with practical insights and perspective. You can connect with Shelby on Instagram at @shelbyonpurpose, where she shares resources and coaching centered around intentional living, leadership, and personal growth. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who could use the reminder that resilience isn't something you're born with—it's something you build, one intentional decision at a time.

    Building a Life on Purpose - Shelby Harrington

  5. Jul 14

    Keeping the Small Promises - Mycal Anders

    What does it actually mean to build a successful life without sacrificing yourself in the process? In this conversation, I sit down with my longtime friend Mycal Anders—Marine Corps veteran, leadership coach, entrepreneur, and founder of Next Level Performance Consulting—to unpack the ideas that have shaped both of our lives. We talk about the importance of keeping small promises, why so many people create chaos just to justify making a change, how to balance ambition with being present for the people who matter most, and why "balance" might be the wrong goal altogether. Mycal shares his journey from the military to building one of the country's top CrossFit gyms before walking away to pursue a bigger mission helping leaders align their personal and professional lives. Along the way, we dive into identity after leaving a career, the courage it takes to have uncomfortable conversations, raising kids while chasing big goals, trusting the next easiest step, and the lessons hidden inside both false summits and real ones. This is one of those conversations that starts with podcast intros and somehow ends up questioning how we choose to live our lives. I think you'll walk away with a lot to think about.

  6. Jul 6

    Building a Running Vest for the Modern Athlete - Ryan Lange

    In this episode, Keifer Gilbert chats with ultra runner and entrepreneur Ryan Lange about his journey into ultra running, the culture of the sport, and his innovative ventures in gear design. They explore the mental and physical challenges of ultra distances, the evolution of the sport, and Ryan's new business in hydration gear. RaveRunner Vests: https://raverunner.co/ Social Media Links: https://www.instagram.com/raverunner_1/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/raverunner.co/?hl=en

    Building a Running Vest for the Modern Athlete - Ryan Lange

  7. Jun 22

    Mental Toughness Lessons from 200-Mile Ultramarathons - Kilian Korth

    In this episode, Keifer Gilbert and Killian Korth explore the mental and philosophical aspects of ultra running, injury recovery, and life. They discuss embracing the present, managing ego, the impact of social media, and the deeper meaning of outdoor pursuits. In this episode, Keifer Gilbert and Kilian explore the depths of human nature, the impact of modern society on our primal instincts, and how ultra running can reconnect us with our animalistic roots. They also delve into the influence of social media, the importance of in-person interactions, and the transformative power of embracing our true selves. Key Topics: Mental resilience and embracing the present momentManaging ego and gratitude in ultra runningImpact of social media on athletes and mental healthPhilosophical insights on the universe and human existenceThe cultural differences within outdoor sports communitiesThe process of transitioning into professional running and sponsorshipsThe importance of loving the training processBalancing competitive drive with spiritual explorationThe influence of media and public perception on athletesThe significance of community and authenticity in brands Human arrogance and DNA similarity with animalsEvolutionary roots of morality and behaviorSocial media's influence on perception and emotionThe importance of in-person interactions for mental healthUltra running as a tool for self-discovery and communityThe rubber band analogy for personal growth and achievementBalancing comfort and challenge in life and workThe role of authenticity and vulnerability in relationshipsThe impact of technology on social skills and empathyFinding fulfillment through physical pursuits and nature 1st Phorm - Official Website - https://1stphorm.com Kilian's Substack - Run Tough Mindset - https://runtoughmindset.substack.com/

    Mental Toughness Lessons from 200-Mile Ultramarathons - Kilian Korth

  8. Jun 15

    Running from Santa Monica to Las Vegas - Johnny Ramos

    IG - @johnny___ramos This episode covers the early accomplishments of Johnny Ramos, his upbringing in Congress, Arizona, the influence of outdoor exploration and athletic background, the transition from wrestling to ultra running, the toughness of wrestling and ultra running, the mental and physical differences between the two sports, curiosity and exploration in ultra running, and the Speed Project and unsanctioned racing. The conversation delves into the challenges of ultra running, the impact of difficult races, and the transition to running professionally. It also explores the role of running as a mental health tool and the impact of multi-day efforts. The discussion concludes with reflections on past races and future aspirations. Takeaways Transitioning from wrestling to ultra running requires a shift in mental and physical toughness.Curiosity and exploration drive the pursuit of ultra running challenges. Overcoming adversity in ultra runningInspiring others through grit and determination Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Early Accomplishments06:32 The Mental and Physical Differences Between Wrestling and Ultra Running13:39 The Speed Project and Unsanctioned Racing30:26 Overcoming Adversity in Ultra Running36:07 Inspiring Others Through Grit and Determination44:40 Running as a Mental Health Tool53:15 Looking Ahead to Future Races

    Running from Santa Monica to Las Vegas - Johnny Ramos
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Exploring the lives and minds of those who pursue purpose and passion

Information

  • Creator
    Keifer Gilbert
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Keifer Gilbert
  • Show Website
    The Keifer Madness Podcast

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