I answer the audience question: "I'd love to hear more about your mental health journey as an ultrarunner. This community is wonderful, but it's also cutthroat and I'd love to hear how you've navigated the ups and downs."

Send in any questions at jeff@freeoutside.com

I share my mental health journey as an ultrarunner, FKT'r, and thru hiker, discussing the struggles, experiences, and the tools to navigate the ups and downs.

I reflect on my journey from depression and loneliness to finding fulfillment through immersive experiences, therapy, and community.

The story emphasizes the importance of finding the right tools at the right time and the ongoing balance of personal and growth goals.

Takeaways

The journey through mental health is a bumpy road with ups and downs, but finding the right tools at the right time is crucial.

Immersive experiences, therapy, and community play a significant role in navigating mental health challenges and finding fulfillment.

Balancing personal goals with coaching goals and finding fulfillment through sharing and creating are essential aspects of the journey.

Recognizing the need for drastic change and stepping back to eliminate certain things in order to move forward is a crucial part of the mental health journey.

Sound Bites

"I'd love to hear more about your mental health journey as an ultrarunner. This community is wonderful, but it's also cutthroat and I'd love to hear how you've navigated the ups and downs."

"It's just as immersive. Like one goal is sitting out there. Life is so simple. You're going after this one thing. All your decisions point towards being successful."

"I knew that that was the only option at the time, and in order to move forward, I needed to step back and eliminate those things and then build back up."

Buy Merch to support: https://www.freeoutside.com/shop 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

Keywords

mental health, ultrarunner, depression, immersive experiences, therapy, community, balance, coaching goals, ultrarunning, Appalachian trail, pacific crest trail, continental divide trail, Arizona trail, grand enchantment trail

I discuss Crocs, eclipses, a game called Deal or No Deal with trail running contracts, and an interview with Lil Buddha about his Pangea Traverse and bear encounters. I share share some news and experiences with crocs, including a 5k run and and Chris Howett's Guinness world record marathon.

I discuss eclipses and play a fun game with Trail Running Brand contracts. I speak to Little' Buddha about his experiences as a long-distance hiker, his identity as a Hmong American, and his efforts to raise awareness and funds for the AAPI community. He talks about insights into his family's refugee journey and the challenges of planning and executing the Pangea Traverse.

Follow Lil Buddha: https://www.instagram.com/lilbuddhahikes/?hl=en

Takeaways

• Crocs can be a source of Guiness world records especially in the marathon.
• Eclipses are a captivating natural phenomenon
• The game 'Deal or No Deal' is played with the Trail Running Industry
• Thru-hiking and hitchhiking experiences are highlighted
• The Pangea Traverse, a 16,000-mile hiking endeavor, requires meticulous planning and funding, presenting logistical and environmental challenges.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Crocs Fascination

05:21 Passion for Eclipses and Outdoor Adventures

09:08 The Game of 'Deal or No Deal' in the Outdoor Industry

13:06 Hitchhiking, Through-Hiking, and Bear Encounters

38:04 The Pangea Traverse: Planning, Challenges, and Impact

Sound Bites

• "I wanted to be in the community and be visible, right? As a person of color, as an Asian American living in the United States, that was participating in something that for the most part, most BIPOC people are underrepresented in."
• "My family, my mom, you know, she had to escape. So my father and mother were separated during this. My father was out fighting. My mom was still in the village with my brothers and sisters and me unborn."
• "I've got three years that I could, you know, put it all into hiking. So it'll take three years to complete the 16,000 miles."

Keywords

podcast, crocs, eclipses, game, interview, Pangea Traverse, bear encounters, through-hiking, hitchhiking, marathon, world record, eclipses fascination, long-distance hiking, Hmong American, refugee journey, AAPI community, Pangea Traverse, fundraising

In this episode we discusses various topics including FKTs, the Cocodona race, UTMB, doping in trail running, and the concept of power hiking. Also, some jokes written by AI and its thoughts on different generations. The episode ends with a book recommendation and a reflection on the significance of rocks.

Takeaways

• Notable FKTs started this month. A PCT FKT attempt, an Appalachian FKT attempt and a new unsupported FKT on the Arizona Trail by Heather "Anish" Anderson.
• The Cocodona race is gaining attention and popularity, with its unique course and community involvement.
• UTMB (Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc) is considered one of the biggest and most competitive trail races in the world and is making a small step into drug testing in trail running
• Doping is a concern in trail running, and efforts are being made to address it, although the fragmented nature of the sport makes it challenging.
• The concept of power hiking in ultra running is debated, with some considering it a form of walking and others emphasizing its athletic nature.
• Humor and jokes related to ultra running and different generations are awful.
• A book recommendation, 'Itch' by Nick Fowler, is given.
• The significance of rocks, particularly 'ugly rocks,' is pondered.

Sound bites

• "FKT's jokes ugly rocks this episode has everything"
• "FKTs on the Pacific Crest Trail and the Appalachian Trail. She's also written a couple of books if you're a book person."
• "There's even the influencer level of money in the sport"

Chapters

00:00 FKTs, Cocodona, and UTMB: Exploring the World of Trail Running

03:45 Heather Anderson's FKTs and Book Recommendations

08:01 Addressing Doping in Trail Running

16:29 The Debate on Power Hiking in Ultra Running

23:04 Contemplating the Significance of Rocks

Keywords FKTs, Cocodona, UTMB, trail running, doping, power hiking, jokes, generations, book recommendation, rocks