Blueprint to Ultra

Episode 50: JJ Goodrich - In pursuit of setting a course record at Summit 200, getting into Bigs, and on the US 24 hour team.

JJ Goodrich sets goals. Big goals. JJ is a UESCA-certified ultra-running coach and ultrarunner, who has raced distances from 50K to 200 miles, timed events, and backyar

Episode 49: Bryan Botma - From 11 NYC Marathons to a First 100-Miler. Discipline, Bonks, and the Tahoe Rim Trail

We are joined by Bryan Botma, a former basketball player turned runner who is preparing for his 11th New York City Marathon and recently finished his first 100-miler at t

Episode 48: Dawn Gwin - Would you sign up for a 100 mile race 5 days in advance?

Today's guest was recommended to us by one of you! A listener sent in a recommendation for us to interview Dawn Gwin because he admired her toughness and positivity that

Episode 47: Nathaniel Burness - A masterclass in how to cut time in races.

Nathaniel ran his first marathon as a sophmore in HS with a time of 4:07. He then ran that same marathon year later in 3:07. To top that, he ran his first 50.miler at 18

Episode 46: Alex Minor - Rabid Raccoon Course Record, Black Canyon Lessons, and What It Takes to Run Up Front

In this episode of the Blueprint to Ultra podcast, Steve and Jeff interview Appalachian trail standout Alex Minor, winner of races like the Hurricane 100K and holder of t

Episode 45: James Bragg - You have one shot at the race you were training for in a given year.

Training for an ultra takes a long time and a lot of hard work. We show up for a race and things don't always go to plan. On the show we talk with James Bragg about how w

Episode 44: Mandy Wainfan - Injured? Whatever you do, just don't tell me I can't run.

On today's show, we welcome Dr. Mandy Wainfan, a sports-focused chiropractor and endurance running specialist at Performance Place Sports Care, to discuss common running

Episode 43: Josh Coleman - From his first ultra in 2023 to the Triple Crown of 200s, Cocodona, and the importance of always moving forward.

Josh Coleman’s ultrarunning journey is short, but goes real long. According to UltraSignup, he didn’t even begin running ultras until 2023. Just two years later, he compl

Episode 42: Alex Kuhlman - I want to do something that most in that room wouldn't be willing to try.

Alex decided he wanted to run his first 100 mile race before he had even finished his first marathon. Hired a run coach and started 2026 with two 100s on the calendar. Th

Episode 41: Aaron Fleisher - Yes, you absolutely can finish an entire 200+ mile race, even if you hike the entire thing. Learn how with Aaron.

Aaron is a thru-hiker-turned-ultra runner who began running in 2022 yet has completed numerous 200+ mile races, including every Cocodona 250. If you have ever considered

Episode 40: Anna Epifano - A redemption story at Blackbeard's Revenge 100

It isn't everyday that you get to have your mom on your podcast. This week, Anna Epifano, Steve's mom, joins us on the show to talk about her first 100 mile race at the a

Episode 39: Chris Twiggs - Ready to set a PR in your next ultra? Listen to Chris, 17 x finisher of Hardrock 100.

Is it okay to walk during an ultra? Is it okay to walk during training as a runner? What if you could set PRs in your races, regardless of the distance, by adding in a pl

Episode 38: Dylan Ledbetter - From punishment running to sobriety and forgiveness. Midstate Mile,Lovit 100 and prepping for Cocodona 250.

Dylan Ledbetter, an Army veteran who began running after losing a close friend and later found discipline through running, faith, and sobriety. Dylan explains how his ear

Episode 37: Brittany Poor - On running fearless and winning the Coldwater Rumble 100k.

In ultra running, many runners approach running a race out of fear of DNF'ing. Brittany turns that on its head and just runs fearlessly. Her past struggles with sobriety

Episode 36: Ryan Keeping - There is running. There is running ultras. And then there is Ryan seeing how far he can go.

How do you go from running your first 50 miler in 2022 to then running across Canada in 2024? On this episode we are joined by Ryan Keeping, who has run across Canada, wh

Episode 35: April Bailey - The importance of consistency and zone 2 training with the overall winner of 2025 Yeti 100.

This week we welcome April Bailey onto the show. At the age of 48, April had the best running year of her life, setting personal bests in the mile, 5K, 10K, half marathon

Episode 34: John Calebrese - bringing the energy to over 150 races

John started running ultras in 2017 and in the past 8 years has run in over 150 ultra races, including 20 100 mile races! We talk about how how he balances his race calen

Episode 33: Tim Tollefson - Time to learn from one of the best in the sport. Want to be an elite? Listen in.

We are excited to start 2026 with our guest Tim Tollefson to talk about a variety of topics ranging from training, nutrition, mental toughness and recovery strategies. An

Episode 32: Liz Myers - Driven by grit. Running ultras, being a coach and what we can do when injury strikes

In this episode, we are joined by our guest Liz Myers, who is an ultra running coach with Everyday Ultra, host of the Tribe of Runners podcast, and just an all around gre

Episode 31: Mark Dowdle - Talking all things Backyard.

Mark Dowdle has an ultra running resume that is two sides of the same coin. After a few attempts at last person standing races, Mark took a year off of racing them and pu