500 Cats

In Episode 26, the hosts of 500 Cats discuss their recent experiences working on live broadcasts and operations for various events, highlighting the challenges and successes of each one.

Key topics include:

• IRONMAN Canada: The team talks about their work at IRONMAN Canada in Ottawa, sharing stories about the amazing athletes they met, the support they received from the community and local businesses like AV Canada and Fleet Pro Sound, and the challenges they faced with shipping gear to Canada. The episode also details how a team member, Ryan, had to have an emergency appendectomy while in Ottawa, and his journey to recovery.
• Littleton Criterium: The hosts recount their experience covering the Littleton Criterium for the first time, discussing the fast-paced nature of the event and their use of new technology, including drones that were in the air for five hours straight. They praise the city of Littleton, the event's atmosphere, and the professionalism of the local AV company.
• Leadville 100 Mountain Bike Race: The team describes producing the first-ever live broadcast of the Leadville 100, including their use of a helicopter with a Starlink dish and motos to capture the race. They share stories of incredible athletes like Keegan Swenson and Kate Courtney, who set a new course record. They also highlight the inspiring story of Jeff Spencer, known as the "Dream Chaser," who starts last and raises money for every person he passes.
• A "F'ing Up" Philosophy: The episode concludes with a discussion about learning from mistakes and pushing through challenges, a theme that ties together their experiences with these events.

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Episode 25 of "500 Cats" dives into the thrilling world of extreme endurance races and broadcast challenges. The hosts recap their intense two weeks, which included covering the IRONMAN Lake Placid, and the FoCo Fondo in Fort Collins, Colorado. The episode also highlights the inclusivity of races like FoCo Fondo with their non-binary category, and shares anecdotes from site visits, including a challenging reconnaissance of the Leadville 100 course. The team looks ahead to upcoming events like IRONMAN Canada and the Littleton Twilight Criterium, and shares their excitement for Gravel Worlds, an event known for its unique culinary experiences (at least for us!). 

Thanks for tuning in to 500 Cats!

If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us on social for more behind-the-scenes content and updates on future episodes!

🔥 Amazingly Enough Episode 24: Lake Life, Race Highs, & Pro Swagger! 🔥

The AmazinglyEnough crew is back in the Boulder studio, dusting off the desert from a "work trip" to Lake Powell that was anything but typical! We toted podcast gear to the middle of nowhere and... didn't use it. Instead, we soaked up 103-degree heat, dodged sleep in a "hunk of junk" houseboat (seriously, if there was a fire, someone would "put it out when they're done with this"), and enjoyed the slowest work week ever thanks to you, our amazing customers, who clearly listened to our "we're out of town" memo. Get the full, mostly uncensored, chaotic recap of how to vacation like true road warriors.

Then, we hit the ground running (literally!) at The Business of Running conference in San Diego. Why is this the bestgathering for race organizers? Think epic community, collaborative brilliance, and mind-blowing insights, including a deep dive into how AI's rise is making real-world human connection more vital than ever—and why that's fueling the running industry's resurgence to pre-2014 levels! We'll spill the tea on rubbing shoulders with industry titans like Mike Nishi (Chicago Marathon) and Jack Fleming (Boston Marathon), and share the powerful mantra of "leaving a legacy, not a scar."

But hold onto your headphones, because we're not done! We dive into the thrilling (and occasionally technically challenging) world of live sports broadcasting. From a nail-biting IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea broadcast (where ESPN calling you mid-show is never a good sign!) that tested our tech and our sanity, to the hidden magic of voice isolation, we'll give you the inside scoop on what it takes to bring these incredible races to your screen. Plus, we celebrate breakthrough performances from athletes like Kat Matthews and the insane run pace of Daniela Kleiser, proving the future of triathlon is blazing fast.

And if that wasn't enough, we welcome our incredible friend and pro triathlete, Laura Siddall, for an exclusive, heartfelt chat as she bids farewell to professional racing after Challenge Roth. Laura opens up about the bittersweet reality of her final race, the unparalleled magic of Roth (7,000 volunteers, people!), and what's next after an illustrious career. You'll hear why this legend values our humble opinion and why she's eternally grateful to her "underrated" coach.

We wrap things up with a rapid-fire rundown of the epic endurance events we're tackling next, including IRONMAN Lake Placid (can we finally get live footage this year?!), the terrifyingly awesome Foco Fondo cloud broadcast, and the never-before-done Leadville 100 live show ("guaranteed failure," anyone?). We'll also lament the perils of airline travel (broken bags, anyone?) and pay tribute to a broadcasting legend.

And because we love a good story (and a challenge), stick around to hear the hilarious AI song we cooked up for our friend Chris Heisler, inspired by a truly outrageous "Family Feud" answer. Your ears won't believe it!

Thanks for tuning in to 500 Cats!

If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us on social for more behind-the-scenes content and updates on future episodes!

Welcome back to 500 Cats, episode 23! This week, we dive into the recent IRONMAN Frankfurt, celebrating Kristian Blummenfelt's incredible run and discussing the controversial penalties that stirred up social media. We also share our frustrations with the rampant negativity and "keyboard warriors" in online comments, contrasting it with the overwhelmingly positive community surrounding the Western States 100 broadcast. Plus, we're joined by pro triathlete Justin Metzler, who shares his perspective on dealing with online negativity, his career inflection point, and his passion for coaching. We wrap up by pondering the motivation behind online hate and sharing some inspiring words on spreading positivity.

Check out Justin's Podcast "Endurance Matters": https://bigmetztri.com/pages/endurance-matters-podcast

You can also check out the fastest IRONMAN times for yourself here: https://www.trirating.com/ironman-distance-records/

Thanks for tuning in to 500 Cats!

If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us on social for more behind-the-scenes content and updates on future episodes!

Welcome back to 500 Cats, Episode 22! After a much-needed (and very busy) hiatus, the team is here to dish on the trials and tribulations of event production, starting with their number one pet peeve: auto-responders. Find out why these "out-of-office" emails are a "plague in the event business" when you're literally on-site with the sender.

Thanks for tuning in to 500 Cats!

If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us on social for more behind-the-scenes content and updates on future episodes!

This week, the Cats navigate triathlon mayhem as usual – rookie wetsuit disasters, risky drone maneuvers, and questionable audio setups. But when an actual forest fire breaks out mid-broadcast (no, seriously), they carry on unfazed. There may have been a brief dive into politics too, but don’t worry, that didn’t make the final edit. Just another day at 500 Cats – where fires can’t stop us, but common sense probably should.

Thanks for tuning in to 500 Cats!

If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us on social for more behind-the-scenes content and updates on future episodes!

After a "significant hiatus" and a whirlwind of 31 events since January 30th, the 500 Cats crew is back for Episode 20! Dave, Marcus, and Dylan dive into the madness of their incredibly busy schedule, recounting tales from the front lines of event production.

Relive the drama of Rock and Roll Las Vegas, the rollercoaster ride that was Sea Otter, the team's triumphant comeback at Levi's Gran Fondo, GPS devices at IRONMAN Texas, the success of the Boulder Boulder running race, and the groundbreaking live broadcast of Unbound Gravel – a 200-mile race previously deemed impossible to cover live.

Plus, the team laments the "toxic" nature of cycling and IRONMAN YouTube comments, shares an update on their studio's new kegerator (and its foamy beer problem), and introduces the new hit song "The Mic Level Boys", dedicated to Marcus and Corey.

Tune in as the 500 Cats crew reflects on a year of unprecedented growth, hard-earned lessons, and unwavering dedication to bringing you the best in event coverage.

Thanks for tuning in to 500 Cats!

If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us on social for more behind-the-scenes content and updates on future episodes!

Join us as we dive deep into the world of airline status, uncovering the truth behind the points game and sharing our own frustrating experiences. We'll also explore the latest advancements in video transmission technology, including DJI's new transmitter/receiver and our plans to capture epic footage with motorcycle-mounted cameras. Plus, we'll discuss the pros and cons of different action cameras, from GoPros to Insta360s, and share our recommendations for capturing your own adventures.

Thanks for tuning in to 500 Cats!

If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us on social for more behind-the-scenes content and updates on future episodes!

In this episode of 500 Cats, the team is buzzing with excitement as they recount early 2025 event highlights and dive into cutting-edge tech projects. From the smooth success of Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona to navigating the challenges of waterproofing GPS trackers, the crew balances innovation with real-world problem-solving. They also geek out over drones, discussing their role in live broadcasts and the intricacies of turning consumer drones into professional tools. With humor, teamwork, and plenty of field-tested wisdom, the team is setting the stage for an ambitious year ahead.

Highlights:

•Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Recap: Breaking down a well-organized race weekend with 7,300 participants.

• Boulder Running Clinic: A surprisingly inspiring corporate event for cross-country coaches.

•GPS Tracker Troubles: Waterproofing “waterproof” devices — lessons learned.

•Drone Evolution: Integrating drones into live broadcasts and overcoming technical hurdles.

•2025 Kickoff: Big plans, big projects, and even bigger ambitions.

Thanks for tuning in to 500 Cats!

If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us on social for more behind-the-scenes content and updates on future episodes!

On this episode of 500 Cats, the team kicks off the new year by exploring the wild world of AI and how it’s shaping event production. From microphone mishaps to philosophical musings on “feeding the bears,” the crew keeps it real with stories from behind the scenes at some of the world’s biggest endurance events.

In this episode, they introduce a surprise AI guest (or two) who’s been quietly listening to past episodes — and has some shockingly insightful (and hilarious) thoughts to share. The team reflects on how AI is helping them streamline event logistics, predict race outcomes, and even generate podcasts about their own podcast.

Get ready for a mix of human connection and tech-forward fun as the 500 Cats crew navigates everything from live Zoom yoga setups to the unpredictable moments that make live events unforgettable.

Highlights

•Special AI Guests: They’ve been listening… and now they’ve got something to say.

•Feeding the Bears: Saying “no” to out-of-scope requests without burning bridges.

•Sports Bot Predictions: When AI guesses race outcomes better than the pros.

•Zoom Yoga: Remote-controlled cameras, international instructors, and innovative setups.

•Light Freakout: Preparing for sundown panic at major endurance events.

Tune in for a laugh, a lesson, and a glimpse into the future of AI in event production!

Thanks for tuning in to 500 Cats!

If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us on social for more behind-the-scenes content and updates on future episodes!