Like a Bigfoot Chris Ward

This week we are chatting with competitive cyclist Hannah Otto about her film "Kokopelli Strong" documenting her quest to set the FKT on the Kokopelli Trail!!

Hannah has been an elite athlete since she was 9 years old, has competed in major cycling races all over the world, and recently stepped up to the challenge of riding the Kokopelli Trail as fast as possible.

The film is a wonderful story, documenting the ups and downs, successes and failures of a very driven person trying to do something incredibly difficult. It's a beautiful example of failure being the foundation from which you succeed.

The Kokopelli Trail is my favorite place on earth and has changed me at a deeply personal level so I was very excited to geek out about this place with someone who understands the power this place holds!

I truly hope you enjoy the episode and encourage you to check out Hannah's Film "Kokopelli Strong"!!

Photo credit: Marcus Gracia

MORE FROM HANNAH:

"Kokopelli Strong": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sq-kcxMBrVA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehannahotto/

#389: Ray Zahab 5 -- His Recent Crossing of Death Valley by Chris Ward

Lien James has ran 136 marathons since becoming a runner at age 50.

In this episode Lien shares stories from her adventures, what it was like to run her very first mile at age 49, we talk about the time she took on the JFK 50 miler, and her recent knee surgery.

We also chat about resilience and what it takes to be an athlete in your 60s and 70s.

Lien is AWESOME!!! Hope you all enjoy the episode and draw endless amounts of inspiration from her!

MORE FROM LIEN:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lien.james

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lienjames51

Article: https://www.marinemarathon.com/mcm-women-running-through-the-decades/

This week we are chatting once again with "the Canadian Berserker" Noel Thomson!!

In this episode we dive deep into how mental health, ultra running and fitness all interweave.

Noel is very open and vulnerable with some of the struggles he has faced in his life and how "controlling what he can control" with exercise and ultra running has helped him climb out of a hole of depression and drug abuse. We also chat about the importance of talking to someone when we find ourselves in those deep dark places and why it's hard for men to do that sometimes.

This was a really important episode and a conversation that will stick with me for a long time!

If you need help or are struggling, please understand that there are people out there to help. Reach out.

MORE FROM NOEL:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecanadianberserker/

This week we are chatting with author, filmmaker, artist, adventurer, ultra runner, and a guy who is "semi rad" Brendan Leonard!!!

Brendan has one of the most unique, creative, and oftentimes hilarious voices in the adventure community.

He's the author of many GREAT books (which we do a quick recap of towards the end of the episode) including his newest release "Ultra-Something". This book is the story of what he's found through taking on ultra running, told in a way that only Brendan could tell- through lots of tangents on history, pop culture, psychology, viral videos, and much more.

Brendan also is the artist behind "Semi-Rad" (one of my favorite websites) where he writes, draws, and creates. He is able to capture the essence of "why" people do big adventures- simultaneously for life affirming reasons and also for the simplicity of "cause it's fun and pointless and it's what makes me happy."

In this episode we talk all about his books, his films "7 Summits of My Neighborhood" & "A Shed of One's Own" (which so beautifully captured the passing of life that it made me cry), making a quesadilla out of Jack's Frozen Pizzas, creativity, dadhood, his 15 second recipe book, and a lot more!!

This was one of my favorite episodes! Huge thanks to Brendan for coming back on!! I highly recommend checking out his book and signing up for his weekly newsletter!

MORE FROM BRENDAN:

Semi-Rad: https://semi-rad.com

Buy Ultra-Something: https://store.dftba.com/collections/semi-rad

Newsletter: https://semi-rad.com/subscribe/

This week we are once again chatting with ultra runner Cody Taylor!!

Cody is currently training to attempt the unsupported FKT of the 900km (550 mile) Bruce Trail through his home province of Ontario!!

In this episode we talk all about his training and motivation for taking on this challenge, his plan for the summer leading into the attempt, and how his transition from musician to athlete has been.

Hope you all enjoy!!

MORE FROM CODY TAYLOR:

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@livethenewnormal

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/codytaylorruns/