Becoming Ultra

Rachel Belmont is an adventure seeker; she has traveled the world conquering some of the most extreme foot races to raise money for running programs organized by Girls on the Run. Her career as an adolescent psychiatric nurse has inspired her to take action and to help young adults turn to a healthier outlet such as running. Rachel discusses the path that led her to ultra running and some of the most extreme stage races. We also talk about her life changing experience at Badwater 135. Rachel discusses how she has found the perfect balance between her career and her desire for adventure. IG- @_skyrnr_

We welcome back to the pod, our friend Andrea Casella Kooiman. Andrea is a person who asks herself why not me and has accomplished some amazing things. Over 150 marathon and ultra-marathons under her belt including Badwater 135 three times, and most recently the Barkley Marathons and Tahoe 200. Andrea has a passion to assist others in becoming their own superhero, she is one of the founders of WeRock, an after-school, intervention program for Middle and High School students focused on the endurance sport of running. We talked more about this on our last podcast that aired 11/29/22. Today we discuss Andrea’s most recent accomplishment, the Tahoe 200.  This is another great conversation with Andrea. This woman is all about inspiring others and pushing herself. On this podcast we talk about the successful virtual book club she started during COVID. We have included more details about it below.  Andrea takes us through her recent race, the Tahoe 200. 206.2 miles with 35,117 feet of climbing in the Sierra Nevada M

Katie Hernke is a mom, nurse, and writer who creates content for trail lovers. She is on a mission to get all her hiking friends to try backpacking and help educate those of us who want to do more backpacking. Katie is passionate about all things trails, especially backpacking. We loved this conversation with Katie, it was like chatting with a good friend. She talks about how her running journey has evolved over the years and what led her to backpacking. She is full of knowledge and enthusiasm. Katie shares some great tips regarding planning and gear. You will be inspired to grab your friends and plan a trip after hearing this one!  

Join Scott and his partner with Adventure Leadership Retreats, Cale Pearson.  After spending time doing hards things and getting others to do and succeed at hard things, we wanted to bring an event that combined the skills we learn doing these things with leadership skills that can help in work, sport, and life.  The inaugural leadership retreat is coming in Februaury of 2024 in beautiful Costa Rica.  Learn more here. 

On this episode Scott interviews his friend and client about the recently completed Tahoe 200.  From running to manage weight to full on catching the ultra bug, Brent shares his story of the first thought to do a 200 to the training and ultimately the effort itself.  We think most every day runners will enjoy this show!  Thanks for listening!

Scott got to talk with his Aunt on the show today.  And while she could probably spend a whole episode sharing travel adventures and recipes (she's an amazing cook) we decided that debunking myths around wound care in 2023 would be a much more helpful and practical subject.  We talk about the differences in care over the last couple decades and give some tactics that can help you and your family take care of cuts, abrasions, and more.   While this inofrmation is great for us runners who catch a toe every once in awhile it's really just good information for everyone. My favorite parts: Her friend and the malfunctioning hiking pole Her laceration on the trail that cut the trip short The breakdown of best practices for new wounds The retelling of Scott's forearm gash on an island in Alaska Enjoy the show!

Brittany Peterson  is an amazing ultra-runner and even better human being. We first met her last year on the podcast. If you want to learn more about her running journey, check out that episode.  On this podcast we are going to talk about other big changes in her life. Brittany has been dealing with hip issues and recently had surgery on both hips. She has experienced some major life changes while on a journey to self-discovery. Brittany is handling everything with a wonderful attitude and hope for the future. Let’s get caught up! We first met Brittany on the podcast over a year ago. One of the things we love most about her is her amazing attitude. She has been faced with some challenges lately as she recovers from surgery on both hips. Brittany is candid about the recent challenges and changes in her life. She is choosing to embrace change and move forward with positivity. IG- @runhappyb

Becoming Ultra is to share the stories of everyday people doing amazing things.  Check out the new intro and voice talent to kick things off.  Scott goes all the way back to 2015 to do a quick recap of every season since the projects inception.  He shares where Season 14 is going to be and shares the new vision for Team BU 2.0. Enjoy the show! Join the team, we'd love to have you and need the help! Check out retreats. We have coaching spots open now too.

Delorean brought the family to Oregon to experience the state and the beauty together.  Unfortunately, the kiddos and Mandy(wife) would have to "rescue" Delorean when things went south after mile 21.   He put it all out there and learned a bunch in the process.  We hope you enjoyed the talk.  Also, we put together a fundraiser for the family, hope you can help! 

Stacey ran her first ultra and like most of us, learned a lot about herself and what it takes to run these long distances.  Isabel had a rough start but persevered with a great attitude and had a great day on the trails.  They both hang out with their coach Hillary Allen to talk about the day on the trails near the epic Mt. Hood. We are trying to help one of the runners of the community. If you have any way to help out, it would be amazing!  Here is the fundraiser. Thanks!

Benny Braden is a retired EMT and rescue diver, Electrician, long distance hiker, founder and CEO of responsible stewardship, photographer, YouTuber, and PTS survivor. Benny is living his best life thanks to long distance back packing and God (quote from the Highline documentary). Benny Braden is all about making a positive impact. We had a great conversation about trauma, mental health, and long-distance backpacking. Benny shares his insights on the importance of nature and healing. He is very candid about his struggles with PTS. We also discuss his FKT in the Smoky Mountains and other amazing hikes. Benny is passionate about educating people on how to practice responsible stewardship on the trails. He also shares some stories about the Highline Documentary. This is an important conversation that we were honored to be a part of.  Highline is available for download on Amazon Prime, ITunes and Google Play. To learn more about responsible stewardship visit ResponsibleStewarship.org. To learn more about the Rebo

Jeffrey James Binney is living his best life. He is an adventure travel host with Trova Trips, trail runner, comedian, and public speaker. He is also the producer and director of the amazing documentary Once Is Enough. Jeffrey was our very first podcast guest two years ago, we could not think of a better person to celebrate 100 episodes with. So much has changed in the last two years so let’s get caught up! To celebrate our 100th episode we brought back our very first guest and one of our most favorites, Jeffrey James Binney. You know you are going to have fun whenever he is around. This is an entertaining and inspiring conversation; we cover a lot of topics. Thank you for being a part of our 100th episode and supporting us along the way! Check out Jeffrey's YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyn34XHws1HeMzDKa8JLyTg

Coach Amanda Basham and her runners all catch up after the epic Oregon weekend where Kristi did the hardest physical thing to date she has ever done and Kelsey deals with some legit adversity on the course.  We hope you'll find yourself doing hard things, inspired by their efforts!

Kris & Carly chronicaled the shenanigans behind planning an all-gals backpacking adventure with our friends Caitlin and Muriel.  This one is fun and goofy but goes to show that ANYONE can get out there and do new things!

Congrats to Darin who went and ran his first ultra.  Listen today about his experience on the beautiful course and the moment that almost ended his day.  It's always amazing to see people do things they didn't think they were capable of just months ago. We hope you enjoy the show!

Our fabulous friend Bill is back on the pod to talk all about REDEMPTION.  We hear about the race that didn't quite work out and the race that absolutely crushed expectations!

Scott and Delorean talk about the upcoming 50 miler.  With so many things in life that could sidetrack Delorean he has stilled showed up.  That is THE lesson.  Show up for your family and your friends and do this for more than yourself.  He has and it's so inspiring.  Full time small biz owner and chef.  Raising little girls. Coaching his girls softball team.  Dealing with his wifes search for answers for her cancer. WOW.  We can all do HARD things. Thanks Delorean for being a part of this all.  Enjoy the show everyone else!

Six months.  Ups and downs and travel and life and everything else that can happen in 6 months has happened.  Training for an ultra takes lots of time and effort and discipline and on today's episode you get to here coach Hillary get the ladies ready for their first 50k and first 50 miler!  We hope you enjoy!

As Kelsey and Kristi prep for their first 50 miler and 50k, coach Basham has answers ready.  They have been training for the last 6 months for the big weekend and we can't wait to see how it all goes down on the trails in Oregon!  Enjoy the show.

Lizzie Jones was arrested in 2018 while running down the street in the middle of the night high on drugs. Her Dad came to her rescue and helped get her admitted into rehab. After spending the first few months of her sobriety completely lost, trying various activities, it wasn’t until she found running that she found the confidence and strength that she never knew she had. She ran her first 100 miler six months into her running journey, completed two 100 milers and logged 3,000 miles last year. Lizzie has found peace within herself and a drive to explore her potential in the sport that has transformed her life. Lizzie is living her best life; she has found the thing that fulfills her. Running ultras has helped her transform her life and bring her joy. This is an amazing story of strength. Lizzie talks about what led her to trail running and how the community has enriched her life. She also talks about her first 100 miler (it was her first ultra). Lizzie shares some skydiving and base-jumping adventures as well