Do I fit in, in this industry? I have really started to question everything!

I’m not doing great right now, and that’s what this episode is about. After finishing the Appalachian Trail FKT, there’s been a crash, the kind that comes after spending months focused on one goal. This episode is me reading and performing my Substack piece, Location Unknown, and trying to make sense of what comes next.

Post-trail depression is real. It’s the space after the high, when you’ve changed but the world hasn’t. I talk about what it feels like to lose direction, how authenticity can be misunderstood, and how I’m trying to figure things out again.

Thanks for listening, supporting, and being part of this. You can find more of my writing on Substack, and if you want to support what I do, check out the show sponsors:

https://freeoutside.substack.com/

Janji.com

— use code FREEOUTSIDE for a discount and to support the show

GarageGrownGear.com

— the best place for small outdoor brands and gear that lasts

CSInstant.Coffee

—Actual Premium instant coffee

Chapters

00:00 – Opening

03:00 – Substack Reading

06:30 – Post-Trail Depression

09:00 – Appalachian Trail

13:30 – Coming Home

16:00 – Integration

18:00 – Closing

Subscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.com

Support this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutside

Buy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSF

Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com

Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside

Website: www.Freeoutside.com

Instagram: thefreeoutside

facebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside

Back on the Free Outside podcast, I’m catching up with Will Murray after a wild eight months. Since Black Canyon he’s gone all-in: new coach (CTS’s John Fitzgerald), smarter long runs, and a rock-solid mindset that turned Javelina into a masterclass in steady, no surges. We talk about why he wore a pack while the front pack rocked belts (spoiler: seven bottles a lap and an ice pocket), how he practices mantras on long runs, and the simple crew rule that keeps big races from falling apart: do simple better. Will opens up about the detour through AFib, an ankle injury, a bout of giardia, and how cycling + hiking rebuilt fitness and trust. We also wander into big ideas—Western States, training camps, and what a Grand Tour of trail running could look like. It’s process over hype, and it’s really, really good.

Chapters

00:00 Intro & catching up

05:30 All-in since Black Canyon

08:30 Why get a coach (CTS/John)

11:00 Race plan: steady, no surges

13:30 Lap themes & mindset

15:30 Pack choice & hydration (7 bottles/lap)

18:00 Mantras in training

20:30 Crew: “Do simple better”

23:00 AFib, ankle, giardia detour

26:00 Rebuilding with cycling & hiking

29:00 Western States lessons

32:00 Future goals & balance

34:00 Shoes talk (Catamount, super shoes?)

36:00 Stage-race / team ideas

38:00 Wrap & outro

Subscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.com

Support this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutside

Buy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSF

Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com

Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside

Website: www.Freeoutside.com

Instagram: thefreeoutside

facebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside

I thought I was done racing this year… but apparently Montana had other plans. Two weeks after Allison Mercer introduced me to cross country running, I found myself signing up for the Montana Cup — an annual, statewide, adult cross country throwdown where Bozeman, Missoula, Billings, and the rest of the Montana cities go head-to-head for glory.

In this episode, I talk about my first hard 5K in twenty years, how I tried to re-train my calves after the Appalachian Trail, and whether my 35-year-old self can outkick my 14-year-old PR. Spoiler: probably not.

But that’s not all — I also recap my Halloween weekend crewing at Javelina Jundred, where I became the self-proclaimed Ice Daddy, lost a costume contest as a horse, and ended up pacing a stranger to his first 100-mile finish while dressed as Santa. Because of course I did.

There’s a life hack, a shout-out to my sponsors, a Blue Jays World Series dream, and an announcement for the return of Month of Jeff and the Jeffrey Awards.

So grab a coffee (CS Coffee, obviously), lace up those Janji shorts, and join me for another chaotic, slightly overcaffeinated episode of the Free Outside Show.

Chapters

00:00 The Montana Cup and Cross Country Racing

02:41 Post-Appalachian Trail Recovery and Training

05:55 Halloween Race Experience and Costumes

11:25 Pacing a Runner and Celebrating Success

14:07 Life Hacks and Upcoming Events

Subscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.com

Support this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutside

Buy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSF

Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com

Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside

Website: www.Freeoutside.com

Instagram: thefreeoutside

facebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside

I was on the ground at Javelina while Allison rode shotgun in the live chat, and—wow—what a day. Will Murray put on the most nondescript masterclass you’ll ever see: smooth, steady, course record, golden ticket. David Roche held on for second, then surprised everyone by declining his ticket, which handed Canyon Woodward his shot after a blazing late charge. On the women’s side, my AT-record pal Tara Dower absolutely torched the course record by over 30 minutes, while eligibility rules behind her shaped a wild golden-ticket battle. We break down why times were so fast (cooler temps, NASCAR-level aid stations, dialed cooling, and, yes, the shoe game) and the new reality of wall-to-wall coverage—mountain bikes, lights and all. Plus: Molly Seidel aiming for a Black Canyon ticket, the latest doping headlines and what they mean for our sport, and a quick look ahead to Tunnel Hill, JFK, and silly-season sponsorships. East vs. West banter included—and, yes, I recorded this on my birthday.

Chapters

00:00 Recap of Javelina Jundrid Highlights

02:50 Course Records and Performance Analysis

05:59 The Rise of Will Murray

08:52 Canyon's Impressive Finish and Team Dynamics

11:56 The Impact of Weather and Race Strategy

15:04 Tara's Record-Breaking Performance

17:54 Doping Controversies in Running

20:53 Molly Seidel's Transition to Trail Running

23:55 Looking Ahead: Future Races and Trends

Subscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.com

Support this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutside

Buy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSF

Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com

Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside

Website: www.Freeoutside.com

Instagram: thefreeoutside

facebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside

Technology has crept into every corner of our sport—from GPS watches to real-time tracking to social media validation. In this episode of the Free Outside Podcast, I sit down with Luke McCrae, the creator of Corsa, a site that tracked my Appalachian Trail FKT attempt (with a one-day safety delay).

We dive into the rise of tech in FKTs and outdoor adventures—where it helps, where it hurts, and how far is too far. Does tracking make our experiences richer or just more public? Are we still chasing the same spirit of adventure when our dots move live on a map?

It’s a deep, funny, and thought-provoking conversation about innovation, community, and the balance between authentic adventure and algorithmic obsession.

Chapters

00:00 From Camping to Ultra Running: Luke's Journey

02:29 The Intersection of Technology and Outdoor Adventures

05:13 Corsa: Enhancing the Spectator Experience

08:05 Creating Community Through Technology

10:37 The Future of Ultra Running and Technology

13:21 Strava's Challenges and the Shift in Platforms

20:29 The Power of Sharing Experiences

25:25 Technology and Community in Thru-Hiking

30:43 Personal Transformation Through Hiking

36:07 Comparing Thru-Hiking and Ultra-Running

Subscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.com

Support this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutside

Buy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSF

Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com

Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside

Website: www.Freeoutside.com

Instagram: thefreeoutside

facebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside

One month after setting the Appalachian Trail self-supported FKT, I’m in a strange place—floating between accomplishment and uncertainty. This episode isn’t about miles or records; it’s about what happens after.

I talk openly about trying to find purpose once the goal is over—navigating sponsorships, self-worth, and the emotional fallout of chasing something so all-consuming. The trail stripped everything away, forcing me to feel emotions raw and real—anger, joy, sadness, pride—and now I’m learning how to carry those lessons into real life.

It’s honest, messy, and probably a little too relatable. If you’ve ever finished something big and thought, now what?, this episode is for you.

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Post-Trail Uncertainty

02:58 Emotional Processing on the Trail

05:51 The Importance of Internal Validation

09:09 Carrying Forward Emotional Lessons

12:02 Finding Direction Amidst Chaos

Subscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.com

Support this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutside

Buy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSF

Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com

Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside

Website: www.Freeoutside.com

Instagram: thefreeoutside

facebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside

It’s that magical time of year again — pumpkin spice, golden tickets, and glitter on the desert trails. In this episode, Me and Allison Mercer break down the 2025 Javelina 100, the first Western States qualifier of the season, featuring names like Tara Dower, David Roche, Devon Yanko, Rajpaul Pannu, and Lauren Puretz.

We also dive into Courtney Dauwalter’s decision to run another marathon — this time at CIM — and debate whether she’s training for Cocodona redemption or just chasing the road racing rush. Expect plenty of hot takes, costume ideas, and “expert” predictions on who will snag those golden tickets.

Chapters

00:00 Marathon Madness: The Allure of Speed

03:44 The Javelina 100: A Race to Remember

09:28 Trail Running Trends: The Evolving Landscape

14:45 The Golden Ticket: Who Will Qualify?

20:24 The FKT Debate: Unsupported vs. Self-Supported

28:00 Sports Superstitions: The Fan Experience

Subscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.com

Support this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutside

Buy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSF

Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com

Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside

Website: www.Freeoutside.com

Instagram: thefreeoutside

facebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside

I’m joined by Katie “Wildy” Brown—former Arizona Trail self-supported record holder and fresh off the Millwood 100, a 102-mile Wasatch linkup with ~37,000 feet of vert designed by Jared Campbell. We break down what Millwood actually is (route, not race), why she started at night, when the wheels got wobbly on night two, and how crew and pacers changed the game. Katie talks RUFA, Salt Lake’s inversion (and why you literally run through it), and lessons from the mostly self-supported Plains 100—moon dust, SAR checkpoints, and an asthma scare at mile 100. We get into toughness vs. speed, route finding with cliff-band consequences, French-fry aid, ER-nurse night shifts, trail names (Wildy!), and why the Wasatch keeps calling her back.

Check out Millwood 100: https://runuphill.wordpress.com/2017/07/15/millwood-100-official-page/

Follow Katie Brown: https://www.instagram.com/kaytebrown

Chapters

00:00 Exploring the Millwood 100 Adventure

08:18 The Journey of Preparation and Planning

13:56 The Role of Support and Pacers

19:54 Mental Resilience and Overcoming Challenges

25:56 Reflections on Toughness and Personal Growth

31:42 The Joy of Companionship in Racing

37:05 Innovative Race Concepts

45:53 Running Up for Air: A Unique Initiative

50:56 Life Beyond Mormonism: A Personal Journey