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What if getting cut—twice—was the best thing that ever happened to your running? We sit down with 2025 Collegiate National Trail Champion Zach Erickson to unpack how a BYU distance runner rebuilt his confidence, found joy on steep terrain, and turned setbacks into podiums at races like Snowbird and the Pikes Peak Ascent.

Zach brings a candid look at pressure inside an elite NCAA program, the chronic pelvis injury that sidelined him for a year, and the mental spiral that came with fearing failure. Then the story bends: friends nudge him onto trails, the vertical clicks immediately, and he applies an analytic eye to course scouting that pays off fast. We talk why steep gradients suit his physiology, how he handled high altitude without a fancy setup, and why gratitude—not grind—became the engine for progress.

Beyond trail running, Zach shares the cross‑training that keeps him sharp. He joins a local cycling team, races Zwift, and uses the bike to build the same climbing power he needs for uphill miles. He even dabbles in triathlon, battling through the swim and still running into top overall finishes—proof that versatility and humility can coexist with high goals. Looking ahead, Zach calls his shot on the US Mountain Running Team, circles vertical races like Broken Arrow for redemption, and targets big rides like LOTOJA alongside local canyon KOMs.

If you care about mountain running, uphill training, injury comebacks, or building an aerobic engine without burning out, this one hits home. Come for the Pikes Peak insights and BYU war stories, stay for the practical takeaways on mindset, cross‑training, and racing where your strengths shine. Enjoy the conversation and, if it resonates, subscribe, share it with a teammate, and leave a quick review to help more runners find the show.

Follow Zachary on IG - @zacherikson

Follow James on IG - @jameslauriello

Follow the Steep Stuff Podcast on IG - @steepstuff_pod