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“Hope will bring you home—those words rode with me all 100 miles.”

Julio Palma’s path from overwhelmed grad student to two-time Hardrock finisher is a testament to grit, generosity, and believing in second chances. Born in Mexico City, this Penn State chemistry professor first laced up in 2006 to outrun depression. Road marathons led to a JFK 50 debut, then a deep dive into East-coast classics like the Laurel Highlands 70 before joining the “Wild & Tough” fraternity at Hardrock 100, twice.

In this episode listeners will hear:

• Hope on the wait-list: how Julio got Ryan’s bib 14 minutes before the 2025 Hardrock start and kissed the rock in 41 hours.

• Balancing beakers & big miles: the juggling act of a tenure-track load, family life, and 4 a.m. trail sessions (plus why his wife logs 20-mile treadmill runs).

• Community over competition: pandemic fund-raisers, assistant XC coaching, and creating safer spaces for women and BIPOC runners.

• Lessons from failure & fog: Western States, a humid slog at Laurel Highlands, and why “balance means choosing what matters most right now.”

• Brands & events name-checked: Hardrock, Western States, Laurel Highlands Ultra, JFK 50, Barkley Fall Classic.
  

Links:

• Julio’s IG - @palmajl

• Hardrock 100 Endurance Run hardrock100.com

• Laurel Highlands 70.5 Ultra REDPOINT PRODUCTIONS

• JFK 50 Mile jfk50mile.org

• Western States Endurance Run WSER

• Barkley Fall Classic UltraSignup
  

  
  

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.

Check them out at hyperlyteliquidperformance.com

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

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Hardrock 100, Western States 100, Laurel Highlands 70, JFK 50, Barkley Fall Classic, wait-list, inclusion, trail running, ultramarathon, academic balance, family, Pennsylvania trails, Silverton, hope, community, treadmill training