Episodios

  • When Everything Feels Loud and Messy
    Nov 9 2025

    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

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    19 m
  • Do Simple Better: Will Murray on winning Javelina 100
    Nov 4 2025

    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

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    54 m
  • Adult Cross Country, Halloween Chaos, and Santa Sees Javelina 100
    Oct 31 2025

    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

    Más Menos
    19 m
  • Will Power: Javelina 100 Recap, Molly Seidel News and the rest of 2025
    Oct 27 2025

    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

    Más Menos
    39 m
  • Tech on the Trail: The Good, the Bad, and the Data-Obsessed
    Oct 27 2025

    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

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    48 m
  • When the Goal Is Over, but the Feelings Aren’t
    Oct 24 2025

    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

    Más Menos
    17 m
  • Javelina Jundred Preview Show Chaos
    Oct 19 2025

    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

    Más Menos
    58 m
  • Love Letter to the Wasatch: Millwood 100
    Oct 17 2025

    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


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    1 h y 1 m