Dirt And Vert

In this episode of the Dirt & Vert Podcast, David & Matt sit down with an absolute grinder, good friend, and recent champion of the Inkom Last Man Standing: Brian Baker. Brian opens up about the road that brought him into this sport. After a devastating 2021 ATV accident on his family farm broke his pelvis, fractured his spine, and claimed the life of his senior firefighter and close friend Pat Mahan, Brian was left battling heavy survivor's guilt. He turned to suffering to cope—first putting his head down to complete a full year of daily CrossFit Hero WODs in Pat's honor, and eventually taking that drive to ultra running, where he found a deeper path to Christ and learned to stop using suffering as a punishment. We dive deep into the brutal reality of the short-loop format at Midstate Mile and Inkom Last Man Standing, where you have to line up every 20 minutes and make the conscious choice to suffer again. Brian shares his massive progression from 70 miles at Midstate Mile in 2025 to throwing down 127.6 miles over 39 hours and 40 minutes at Inkom Last Man Standing to take the overall win. We break down the danger of the "micro-quit" on the climbs, how an impromptu crew of friends helped him stay in the fight, and the raw emotion of taking that solo victory lap knowing the work finally paid off.

In this episode of the Dirt & Vert Podcast , Matt and I sit down with a longtime friend in the Southeast trail community, and two-time No Business 100 finisher, Keith Overbay . Keith’s journey is one a lot of us can relate to—starting out in his 30s to get back into shape after a divorce, finding the trail community through Nashville's Dirtbags group, and eventually tackling brutal 100-milers like No Business and Cruel Jewel. But earlier this year, Keith went through something none of us saw coming. While casually riding his bike through Nashville to cheer on friends at the marathon, he felt a bad side stitch that turned out to be a spontaneous collapsed lung. We dive deep into Keith’s medical scare, the reality of having a tube put in your chest and getting surgery to rough up lung tissue, and the patience it takes to rebuild after back-to-back setbacks. We also talk about the mental grit required to survive 32 hours of hallucinations on a 100-mile course, learning to stop making excuses during 24-hour loops, and why ultra running is the single greatest tool for emotional growth and problem solving. Key Takeaways Finding the Outlet: How a life pivot and divorce in Keith’s 30s sparked a return to running that eventually led straight into the ultra community. The Spontaneous Pneumothorax: The wild story of riding a bike, feeling what seemed like a minor cramp, and ending up in the ER with a collapsed lung requiring surgery and chest tubes. Listening to Your Body: Recognizing when something isn't normal pain, trusting your gut, and seeking medical care before a bad situation turns deadly. Hallucinations at Mile 80: What happens to the mind after 30 hours in the woods—from imaginary hot dog carts to seeing pirate ship masts in the trees. Problem Solving for 30 Hours: Keith’s perspective on why ultra running isn't just physical—it’s an ongoing test in staying patient, troubleshooting issues, and keeping a positive mindset. No Business 100: Looking back at the grit, weather, and deep relationships that make finishing a mountain 100 so meaningful

In this episode of the Dirt & Vert Podcast , David & Matt sit down with fellow East Coast Adventures running team member, athlete, and coach Taylor Williams . Taylor shares her unfiltered story of stepping into the ultra world, from running her first 50K at Firewater to tackling one of the most brutal mountain races on the East Coast—the Cherokee. Taylor pulls back the curtain on her massive training block leading into this year's Cherokee 130K, the mental hurdle of stepping onto the course alone, and navigating high heat, extreme humidity, and severe chafing that ultimately brought her day to a halt at mile 61. We dive deep into why a DNF doesn't define who you are, the power of leaning into a mentorship under Mary Cates, and how stepping out of your comfort zone builds lasting grit and grace. Learn more about Taylor and coaching here: https://www.endurecoach.com email: endurecoachingknox@gmail.com Key Takeaways The Cherokee Experience: What it truly takes to prepare for and face 10,000+ feet of climb in the middle of summer humidity. Overriding Imposter Syndrome: How Taylor moved past self-doubt to embrace huge miles, solo training runs in the Smokies, and leading other runners as a coach. The Reality of a DNF: Why walking away with gas left in the tank teaches you where your real boundaries are and sets the stage for future growth. Power Hiking Mastery: The strength of using the uphill as a tool to control heart rate and manage fatigue late in an ultra. Grit & Grace in Action: How finding a running family transforms your mindset on race day and keeps you grounded when things get tough.

In this episode of the Dirt & Vert Podcast , Mike and I sit down with legendary ultra runner, coach, podcaster, and former race director Aaron Saft . Aaron called in live from his truck while towing his camper across the country to prepare for the Rocky Mountain Slam—giving us an authentic, unfiltered look into a career that spans over two decades in endurance sports. Aaron takes us way back to the early, pre-UltraSignup days of the sport, when paper registrations, cash on race day, and low-cut hiking boots were the norm. We dive into his vast resume—from winning sub-ultra trail national championships to completing the Grand Slam and Bigfoot 200—and talk about his annual "Misogi" challenges, like running a calendar club challenge that capped off with a food-poisoning-fueled Christmas day effort. Aaron also shares the terrifying time he stood eye-to-eye with a 10-foot brown bear at the Canadian Death Race, why a high-carb strategy doesn't work for every stomach, and how decades of trail miles have deepened his relationships with his family and friends. Key Takeaways Before the Tech Era: What trail racing looked like in the early 2000s, handing out Janji gear before it was cool, and how the sport has evolved from paper sign-ups to live-streamed commercial events. The Canadian Death Race Encounter: Standing 6 feet away from a 10-foot brown bear with two cubs, sprinting 40 miles into the race, and trading a coin to a ferryman to cross a glacial river. Annual Misogi Challenges: Why Aaron sets one challenge a year with a 50% chance of failure—and how he survived running a 172-mile week in December through a bout of severe food poisoning. Nutritional Pivot for Older Athletes: Learning that high-carb intake isn't a one-size-fits-all solution, and why incorporating fats and proteins early can save an aging gut. Grieving a DNF: Why every runner needs a grace period to process a failed race, make a "what went right vs. wrong" list, and use the community to problem-solve. The Intrinsic 'Why': Why true motivation comes from the deep, unfiltered connections forged with family and crew out in the dark miles.

In this episode of the Dirt & Vert Podcast , we sit down with two-time Cherokee Ultra 130K finisher Aden Rogers . Aden is one of only four runners to earn the coveted Cherokee double buckle, and her story from this year's race is a masterclass in relentless forward progress. Aden breaks down her journey into trail running—from picking up the sport to find time for herself as a mom to winning her very first 100-miler at Pinhoti. We go deep into her experience on the Cherokee course this year, where brutal heat and humidity forced her to battle extreme dehydration and stomach issues starting at mile 15. Aden shares what went through her mind on the dark stretch of Doc Rogers Road, how she navigated the fine line between safety and quitting, and why she refuses to give up on herself when things get dark. The Cherokee Double Buckle: Aden breaks down what it took to finish one of the toughest mountain courses on the East Coast for the second time. Battling the Heat: Managing severe dehydration and humidity, dealing with stomach issues from mile 15, and finding a way to keep moving forward. The Dark Miles: The mental strategy Aden used on the Doc Rogers Road section when quitting felt like the only option. Refusing to Give Up: Why Aden believes hardships in life and running are temporary, and how pushing through dark moments builds lasting strength. Pinhoti to Cherokee: Reflections on her background, from winning her first 100-miler at Pinhoti to tackling brutal technical vert.

In this episode of the Dirt & Vert Podcast, get ready for a one-on-one conversation with a runner who has been absolutely lighting up the ultra scene over the last couple of years—Kristen Soinski. Fresh off the Chasing Democracy 250—a massive 250-mile journey run from the Statue of Liberty to Washington D.C. alongside Harvey Lewis and Greg Armstrong—Kristen pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to cover huge point-to-point distances in 90-plus degree heat. We talk about her start in middle school running, taking a five-year break from the sport, and her wild leap into ultras where she dropped a staggering 154 miles at her very first backyard ultra at Ohio's Backyard. Kristen shares how running became a vessel for navigating heavy personal grief, why she refuses to let a bad mile define her day, and the hilarious behind-the-scenes moments of foraging mulberries and accidentally buying sea moss jelly on the road with Greg and Harvey.

This week on the Dirt & Vert Podcast , Matt and I are sitting down with a runner who has been on an absolute, unhinged hot streak lately: Josh LaCrone . Josh is a paramedic, a dad, and the reigning course record holder at our very own Fort Frenzy, where he threw down a massive 113.15 miles on a notoriously brutal trail. What makes Josh’s story completely insane is that Fort Frenzy was only his second ultra ever . After navigating some tough personal times, Josh set a wild goal to run a 100-mile race every single month—and he’s actually doing it. We talk about the steep learning curve of trail elevation, battling recurring rhabdo, and a recent, wild experience at the Matakwa 24 where he got bit by a baby copperhead at 11:00 PM, went to the ER, left against medical advice, and came straight back to the trail to finish the race and grab his buckle. We also deconstruct his performance at Blackbeard, where he threw down a spectacular 14-hour hundred on pure asphalt, proving he has the elite speed to completely mix it up with the top tier of the sport.

This week on the Dirt & Vert Podcast we have a guest who is redefining what it means to go the distance— Cody Taylor . Cody’s path is wild: he went from being a touring, major-label new metal drummer to a full-time endurance athlete and coach. If you think a standard 100-mile race is tough, try dropping yourself onto a 550-mile trail completely unsupported—carrying a 50-plus pound pack, filtering your own water, and surviving a 50-hour push with nothing but a pocket full of pepperoni and zero sleep. We dive deep into his record-breaking FKTs on the Bruce Trail and the International Appalachian Trail, the brutal learning curve of packing a heavy bag incorrectly, and what it’s like to battle raw hallucinations and panic attacks in the deep backcountry. This conversation is a true masterclass in grit, constant self-reinvention, and what happens when you step up to a starting line with absolutely nothing to prove.

We are just two weeks out from Father's Day weekend, and that means it's time for a family reunion at the notorious Mid-State Mile in Franklin, Tennessee. To get our runners mentally locked in, we sit down with two legendary champions who know exactly what it takes to survive the "murder mile": Aaron Dana and Eric Kienle. This conversation is a total masterclass for anyone stepping onto this course for the first time. Aaron and Eric strip away the illusions of the race on paper and dive straight into the brutal reality of the trail—the steep incline of Myers, the technical quad-burning descents, and the thick canopy that traps 90-degree heat and humidity deep into the night. We deconstruct our own fumbles from year two, trade notes on time-saving gear hacks like elastic Caterpie laces, and talk about how to mentally manage a strict 20-minute loop without letting a pity party or false strength from other runners take you out of the game.

This week on the Dirt & Vert Podcast, we are bringing you a heavy-hitting episode packed with prestige, mindset, and some serious backyard ultra strategy. Hosts David and Matt are joined by two of the absolute animals on the USA Backyard Ultra team: the legendary Harvey Lewis and the powerhouse Mark Dowdle. Fresh off their massive battle at the BPN Last Man Standing event, Harvey and Mark are joining forces—and going head-to-head—at Tennessee’s notorious Mid-State Mile in Franklin. They dive deep into why they are stepping out of their comfort zones to face 340 feet of grueling elevation gain per loop, how they handle the intense external pressure of media-heavy races, and the specific mental shifts required when the quitting mindset starts sounding reasonable. Mark shares his transition from college lacrosse to running after being inspired by a David Goggins podcast, while Harvey reflects on his incredible longevity in the sport, having run ultras longer than Mark has been alive. We deconstruct the unique format of Mid-State—where you have a strict 20 minutes to complete 340 feet of elevation gain and loss—and exchange veteran advice on managing body temperature in 90% humidity. From Harvey's 3-minute classroom naps to Mark's relentless "Calendar Club" training blocks, this conversation is a masterclass in locking down your mental game and building a bulletproof crew.

We get a lot of questions about how to get into race directing, how to host fundraisers for charity, and what it actually takes to put on your very first 5K or 10K. In this episode of the Dirt & Vert Podcast , David, Matt, and Mike Taylor break it all down into a simple, high-level roadmap. We start the day catching up on Mike and Matt's longest 50K ever at the Stump Jump anniversary race—a beautiful, well-marked course where they threw up a thousand times, survived on green and red Gatorade, and battled some classic race director lies about the actual distance to the next aid station. Then, we dive into the nitty-gritty of race directing. From navigating monthly city agenda permits and securing liability insurance policy to choosing a major hosting platform like RunSignUp and finding a local photographer to capture the memories, we share the fumbles we went through so you don't have to.

What happens when a group of six runners—some of whom just met—piles into an RV to run 340 miles through the desert? Whitney Dancaster and Peter Haggemeier take us inside their recent journey through The Speed Project . ​In this episode, we learn how the team navigated the "OG Route," alternating 10K segments while battling extreme winds and high-desert heat. Peter and Whitney discuss the intense bond formed in the "Petri dish" of a cramped RV, the surrealism of seeing the Vegas lights after two days of effort, and the unique challenges of self-crewing a race where the only rule is to just keep moving.

What does it look like to have 107 races and 104 trophies? For Rachel Entrekin, it looks like a duffel bag full of hardware under the bed and a life recently transformed by professional running contracts. In this episode of the Dirt & Vert Podcast, we sit down with Rachel to discuss her transition from a Doctor of Physical Therapy to a full-time professional athlete. Rachel takes us through her "prolific" racing schedule, her shift from road marathons to the mountain trails of Colorado, and the incredible 10-hour improvement she made at Cocodona 250 just by fixing her fueling strategy. She also shares one of the most harrowing (and hilarious) "rookie mistake" stories in ultra history involving a heat wave, a bad case of chafing, and a very poorly timed application of Icy Hot. Key Takeaways The Pro Pivot: How Rachel leveraged her success in 2025 to sign professional contracts and leave her 40-hour PT job. The Cocodona Breakthrough: A deep dive into how she shaved 10 hours off her time through better fueling and altitude training. The Multi-Day Mindset: Lessons from Matt Shepard on why you should sleep when you're tired rather than sticking to a rigid plan. Gear & Humility: Why she traded Old Navy shorts for technical gear like Teregnota and Norda to survive the triple-digit distances. The "Why": Why Rachel runs "because her life is too easy," using the sport as a practice ground for resilience.

What happens when you trade the high-stress world of Tesla for a career in Sales Engineering? For Sierra DeGroff , it meant finding the mental space to become one of the most dominant forces in the ultra-running community. In this episode of the Dirt & Vert Podcast , we sit down with the 2026 Umstead 100 Female Champion to deconstruct her journey from a Michigan track athlete to the top of the ultra podium. Sierra gets real about her transition from the marathon distance to the grueling world of 100-milers, sharing the "nitty-gritty" of her Umstead race strategy and the nutrition plan that kept her fueled for a first-place finish. We explore the central theme of her career: how improving her work-life balance didn't just make her happier—it made her faster.

Most ultra runners encounter their toughest moments when the race pushes them to the limit—and Kirk Cherep’s story is no different. From a lightning-fast win in his first ultra to a heartbreaking DNF at the grueling No Business 100, Kirk’s journey is a vivid reminder that in this sport, humility is part of the adventure. In this candid episode, the founder of Trailblazer Running shares the "nitty-gritty" of race strategy, the wrestler-to-runner pipeline, and the insider secrets to creating community-driven races in Indiana. We dive into the unique challenge of a "Trail Golf" ultra—where strokes matter more than time—and how to manage the staggering 10,000 feet of elevation gain at the Knobstone 50. Whether you’re chasing your first 50K or dreaming of a hundred-miler, Kirk’s insights on mental toughness and technical race design provide the ultimate blueprint for the modern trail runner.

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, we welcome back Jeremy Bohnett , the Co-Founder of Hyperlyte Liquid Performance , fresh off a massive podium finish and a new Personal Best at the Run Love It 100 . Jeremy takes us inside the race where everything finally "clicked." We break down the specific muscular endurance workouts that paved the way for his success and how he balances the "Triple Threat" of elite training, high-stakes entrepreneurship, and family life. Jeremy also gives us an exclusive first look at the future of Hyperlyte, including the development of their highly anticipated high-carb gels and flavor-neutral formulations. Whether you’re looking to kill the "death march" at mile 80 or want to hear how a viral documentary sparked a brand explosion, this conversation is packed with actionable gear, grit, and gains.

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, we are sitting down with Katie , an athlete whose endurance resume is as diverse as it is impressive. From the structured intensity of collegiate rowing and professional triathlons to the rugged freedom of the Appalachian Trail , Katie has seen it all. We dive into how she navigated high-level burnout to find her passion again in the trail and ultra world—culminating in her unique (and digestive-defying) victory at the Taco Bell 50K . Katie breaks down how she balanced a "Fourth Meal" with race-pace miles, the lessons she carried off the AT, and why she’s traded the Ironman asphalt for the dirt of the upcoming Arizona Trail . Whether you're looking for professional training insights or just want to hear how one survives a 31-mile burrito run, this episode is a masterclass in versatility.

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, we are talking about the long game. We sit down with Dusty Jameson to discuss his incredible decade-long pursuit of the "Holy Grail" for many marathoners: the sub-3 hour finish. Dusty wasn't a natural-born runner—in fact, he started out hating it. He takes us through the evolution from a reluctant runner to an elite performer, sharing the raw reality of the injuries that sidelined him and the mental resilience it took to keep coming back. We break down the specific race strategies, pacing discipline, and injury prevention protocols he used to finally break the 3-hour barrier.

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, we are joined by a woman who literally rewrote the history books: Ashley Paulson. Ashley recently stunned the running world by setting the 100-mile World Record, and in this episode, she pulls back the curtain on how she did it. We move past the surface-level talk and dive into the "meticulous" planning required to maintain world-record pace for 100 miles. Ashley shares her specific fueling protocols, the high-volume training strategies that hardened her body, and the "dark room" of mental toughness she enters when the miles get heavy. From her early days to her future goals of pushing the limits of human potential even further, this is a deep dive into the mind of the fastest 100-mile woman on the planet.

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, we are entering the "Yellow Gate." We’re sitting down with Jason Bailey to deconstruct his journey from the local trails to the most elusive race on the planet: The Barkley Marathons . Jason takes us behind the scenes of Frozen Head State Park, detailing the grueling progression of his running career and the hyper-specific training required to even stand a chance in Tennessee’s toughest woods. We dive into the "Barkley specific" skillset—navigating by map and compass, the adrenaline-fueled hunt for hidden books, and the legendary traditions that make this race a psychological battlefield. This isn’t just about miles; it’s about the profound meaning found in the struggle and the mental resilience required to face a race designed to make you fail.