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“Setbacks are just setups for comebacks.”

In this episode, Troy Meadows sits down with Adam Popp—an above-knee amputee, Air Force veteran, ultrarunner, and mental performance coach. Adam’s story is one of grit, transformation, and relentless forward motion.

Athlete Spotlight: Adam Popp

• Combat to Comeback: After losing his leg in Afghanistan in 2007, Adam began running in 2015. Within 19 months, he completed his first 100-mile ultramarathon.
  

• Ultrarunning Milestones:
  

• First above-knee amputee to finish the JFK 50 Mile (2017); now a six-time finisher
  

• Set a 100-mile amputee record of 16:13:43 at The Raven 24-Hour in 2024
  

• Earned a spot in the 2025 Western States 100 via special consideration
  

• Mental Performance Coach: With dual master’s degrees in Sport & Performance Psychology and Rehabilitation Counseling, Adam helps athletes and teams build mental resilience through his practice, Couch to 100.
  

Highlights & Takeaways

• The power of reframing adversity into opportunity

• How mental skills like focus, presence, and emotional regulation can elevate performance

• The importance of community and purpose in long-term growth
  

Links & Resources

• Adam’s Website & Coaching

• Adam’s Instagram

• JFK 50 Mile

• Western States 100 Entrants

• Couch to 100 Coaching
  

Partner Links:

Janji - Janji.com

A big shoutout to our sponsor, Janji! Their running apparel is designed for everyday exploration, and 2% of sales support clean water initiatives worldwide. Plus, with a five-year guarantee, you know it's gear you can trust.

Check them out at janji.com,Use the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your order.

Hyerlyte Liquid Performance - https://www.hyperlyteliquidperformance.com

Made by the ultra-endurance athlete, for the ultra-endurance athlete.

H001 is a new hydration mix that has the carbs and sodium your body needs for high-output adventures in a single serving.

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Use the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your individual order and 10% off your first subscription order.

Cooperative Coffee Roasters - Cooperativecoffeeroasters.com

Get the best coffee in Asheville delivered right to your door! Each bag of Cooperative Coffee is responsibly sourced and intentionally crafted, from seed to cup. FIll your cup with wonder.

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Use the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your individual order and subscription order.

Bear Butt Wipes - Bearbuttwipes.com

Portable individually wrapped wipes for when nature calls and a DNF is not an option. 

Bear Butt Wipes: Stay wild. Stay clean.

Check them out at Bearbuttwipes.com

Use the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your order.

⁠Run Trail Life⁠ - https://runtraillife.com/Find Official MPP Merch on RTL!!

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Visit RunTrailLife.com to check out our line of Hats and Organic cotton T's.

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Adam Popp, ultrarunning, amputee athlete, Western States 100, JFK 50 Mile, mental performance, sport psychology, veteran runner, adaptive athlete, Couch to 100, resilience, trail running, endurance mindset, prosthetic running, Guinness World Record